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August 18, 2022
City Council discusses budget, playground, water violations and upcoming election
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Bandera City Council will begin its budget and tax rate review for the next fiscal year. Mayor Suzanne Schauman said council members had reviewed the city’s expenditures, and today would discuss the proposed utility and tax rates, and fee schedule during a workshop that begins at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall.
Schauman said a public hearing for the $1.8 million proposed budget would take place on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
In other business, City Secretary Jill Shelton said she received approval for a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant to help fund a playground in City Park. A two-year process that was delayed due to the pandemic and inflation will at last come to fruition when the equipment arrives on Dec. 8.
The grant will pay for $75,000 of the $150,000 project. Shelton said BEC donated $5,000, the Economic Development Corporation donated $50,000, and the city will pay the remaining $20,000.
The playground will be installed at 9th and Maple Streets next to the skate park. Shelton said she hopes work will be completed by January 2023.
The city is also looking for individual and/or business sponsorships for four park benches and six picnic tables.
~ Council members approved a resolution declaring three vehicles as surplus property. City Marshal Will Dietrich proposed the city dispose of a Dodge truck, 2006 Dodge Charger and 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe, and repurpose a 2017 Chevrolet truck for code enforcement.
“That way, we get some more return for the city’s money,” Dietrich said, adding the truck would not be driven as hard as an emergency vehicle.
The truck, Dietrich said, does not have a power driver’s seat, and it does not raise up and down to accomodate different heights.
“The women don’t want to drive around on a phone book, which I understand,” Dietrich said. “[Code Enforcement Officer Earl] Heidelberg won’t have that problem.”
The motion carried with Council Member Darcy Hasty opposed.
~ Deputy Brett Oberlechner issed a city ordinance violation citation to Tractor Supply, after water was reported running from a sprinkler system down an embankment.
The city is currently in Stage 5 Water Restrictions, which prohibits the irrigation of landscaping and other water uses. The citation carries a fine not less than $200 and not more than $2,000.
~ Schauman said the last day to turn in packets for the Nov. 8 Election is Monday, at 5 p.m. Available seats are for mayor, and two city council positions - currently held by Hasty and Toni Kunz.
As of today, Charles Flowers and Lynn Palmer have turned in their applications for city council; Nancy Harvey and Rebeca Gibson have turned in their applications for mayor. Shelton said Harvey’s application is expected to be disqualified, as she is not a city resident.
~ During the public hearing, Tammy Boultinghouse proposed an Adopt A Block program, which would encourage people to help pick up litter on Main Street, particularly after large events and parades.
“Bandera is a tourist town…it shows our pride,” Boultinghouse said.
Schauman said a public hearing for the $1.8 million proposed budget would take place on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
In other business, City Secretary Jill Shelton said she received approval for a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant to help fund a playground in City Park. A two-year process that was delayed due to the pandemic and inflation will at last come to fruition when the equipment arrives on Dec. 8.
The grant will pay for $75,000 of the $150,000 project. Shelton said BEC donated $5,000, the Economic Development Corporation donated $50,000, and the city will pay the remaining $20,000.
The playground will be installed at 9th and Maple Streets next to the skate park. Shelton said she hopes work will be completed by January 2023.
The city is also looking for individual and/or business sponsorships for four park benches and six picnic tables.
~ Council members approved a resolution declaring three vehicles as surplus property. City Marshal Will Dietrich proposed the city dispose of a Dodge truck, 2006 Dodge Charger and 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe, and repurpose a 2017 Chevrolet truck for code enforcement.
“That way, we get some more return for the city’s money,” Dietrich said, adding the truck would not be driven as hard as an emergency vehicle.
The truck, Dietrich said, does not have a power driver’s seat, and it does not raise up and down to accomodate different heights.
“The women don’t want to drive around on a phone book, which I understand,” Dietrich said. “[Code Enforcement Officer Earl] Heidelberg won’t have that problem.”
The motion carried with Council Member Darcy Hasty opposed.
~ Deputy Brett Oberlechner issed a city ordinance violation citation to Tractor Supply, after water was reported running from a sprinkler system down an embankment.
The city is currently in Stage 5 Water Restrictions, which prohibits the irrigation of landscaping and other water uses. The citation carries a fine not less than $200 and not more than $2,000.
~ Schauman said the last day to turn in packets for the Nov. 8 Election is Monday, at 5 p.m. Available seats are for mayor, and two city council positions - currently held by Hasty and Toni Kunz.
As of today, Charles Flowers and Lynn Palmer have turned in their applications for city council; Nancy Harvey and Rebeca Gibson have turned in their applications for mayor. Shelton said Harvey’s application is expected to be disqualified, as she is not a city resident.
~ During the public hearing, Tammy Boultinghouse proposed an Adopt A Block program, which would encourage people to help pick up litter on Main Street, particularly after large events and parades.
“Bandera is a tourist town…it shows our pride,” Boultinghouse said.