[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6479080,"mediaKeyId","5707230-0173f630686a79c78f4a7fa47ada6460","parentId",5707230,"title","Council adopts step pay plan for police and fire after budget raises","audioSeconds",135,"startMs",3741000,"endMs",3876000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707230-0173f630686a79c78f4a7fa47ada6460&start=3741&end=3876","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707230-0173f630686a79c78f4a7fa47ada6460/thumbnail_3741000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6479080/Lockhart-City/Caldwell-County/Texas/Council-adopts-step-pay-plan-for-police-and-fire-after-budget-raises","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479080-fab32a98fbe431b3dfbe1c228165bb4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776609549&Signature=RFhbBE5HRHe3VHQqupSW2EB09PC8vb1qP8dVkoN87t243UNqC3KnLRddtSTT3Ak9CwSsEC7L25o9J9agS7mN7xMH5F8pCTPYBZqHpfXMkSFeIIrBxWEj19Wc9p1KGbc~pitUrZc4JpMe5Egowb9SKSPVb0BSfXh2~~m-CY9vs371Hzwjw2UjrfouEtU9zt28DrKpXxU~v6TOuhSeZC7wE-3GWuuWsdh5k5lSwX14JrQuTnSdlnILF5BIhWq7yAsDqulz2Q-tlUjtRR7xU13uHXlMHsfRCeeaUj2-dovr-YKMa2ueT-PNqclsZSm0-kyvZ8dbA7uHsBqB-bMMGfxwLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lockhart","date","2025-09-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Lockhart City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025-21 to implement a step pay plan for police and fire personnel, aligning pay steps with budgeted increases for the fiscal year.

Julie Bowerman, the city's civil service director, explained that civil service employees are paid under an ordinance-based step plan and that the FY2025'26 budget includes a 4.5% increase for full-time and regular part-time employees. The ordinance updates the step plan for police officers and firefighters to reflect the approved budget adjustments.

Council moved and seconded the ordinance and approved it by voice vote. Council members noted the step plan codifies the raises approved in the budget and does not create a separate merit-pay program for civil-service personnel.

The ordinance implements the pay-step increases approved in the budget and becomes effective as the city processes payroll under the new fiscal year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lockhart - Lockhart City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Council adopted Ordinance 2025-21 to implement a step-pay plan for police and fire personnel reflecting the 4.5% pay increases included in the FY2025–26 budget.","taxTitle","Lockhart City , Caldwell County , Texas","taxId",60953,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479085,"Lockhart adopts residential parking permit ordinance aimed at school-area congestion",689,2583000,3272000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707230-0173f630686a79c78f4a7fa47ada6460&start=2583&end=3272","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707230-0173f630686a79c78f4a7fa47ada6460/thumbnail_2583000.jpg","/articles/6479085/Lockhart-City/Caldwell-County/Texas/Lockhart-adopts-residential-parking-permit-ordinance-aimed-at-school-area-congestion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479085-2940a77ac61b1c8e1403d26cd072d841/orig.mp4?Expires=1776609549&Signature=P30ADcHTlx09ad-KQWVWrfeiezaI4GLeCXDxT3dNRWxEYLQUycGUj3ywoHb9UKsQBP6k-4~M6FhhuXKvsEuVgeyGMBPev74ibSa~TR6RuxPxRao8Su2mT-CYKLAt3uHDdZkTR3NwQ1yfAqkwmqLmZRfFbm4cINqfJzVQ-p1GqefpJJVGH4qL-Ei35OwJdS9dUV8VSgrkhB6Z5P6Rks7~RBQVsJO2EtXA3bwp8KmD9L1YzKBj2wQXsQHwRSGSm5-hH-fOYEN6EN8a2J02u2PisTm7Po~7ULEG1TExI88kZBpplUKMbpQu0JsBY-WcQgidSStyGLnm1435Tq32v~JOag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lockhart City Council adopted Ordinance 2025-18 to create a framework for a residential parking permit program designed to regulate on-street parking in designated residential areas.

Police Chief Gary Williamson told council the ordinance does not automatically create permit areas; residents must petition council and provide signatures from 60% of affected households. The ordinance as drafted allows up to four parking permits per household; Chief Williamson said the permitted hours and exact boundaries would be set by the petitioner and approved by council.

Council discussion focused on a concentrated complaint near the high school, where vehicles associated with students were reported to park on nearby streets during school hours. Councilmembers and staff noted enforcement would be required for the program to be effective and that the city has limited on-the-ground policing resources. The ordinance includes a replacement fee for lost permits but no other fee was added at the request of a council member.

Council approved the ordinance by voice vote; the motion passed.

Next steps: a neighborhood must circulate and submit the required petition, city staff will verify signatories, a public hearing would be held if the petition qualifies, and council would vote to establish the permit area if it chooses to do so.","Council adopted Ordinance 2025-18 establishing a process for residential parking permit zones; the ordinance requires a petition signed by 60% of affected residents and authorizes council to designate permit areas and set hours.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479090,"Lockhart council awards feasibility study to BRS for rec center at former Hometown Cinema site",269,2265000,2534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707230-0173f630686a79c78f4a7fa47ada6460&start=2265&end=2534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707230-0173f630686a79c78f4a7fa47ada6460/thumbnail_2265000.jpg","/articles/6479090/Lockhart-City/Caldwell-County/Texas/Lockhart-council-awards-feasibility-study-to-BRS-for-rec-center-at-former-Hometown-Cinema-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479090-c5d7ed6dc0a2a8f052da07f9cac6a7d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776609549&Signature=FWhfKWrmlCAXRLDhNIlPpFQLy6~hu~8N5XIq1S6TrhkCsWpvzcROW17G1WKeGK0UR6XAOsBsVFtOwMEbY5ykKzGoOhifunyQyZ66Nh2kY5zfuJvVuGOKH6ghIzJKv2kiBnSkfGow6g8q4NKhOKPDlMoOqLfv5Ja7cJ5YkqZKWpnaXN-SVaQ7uKNc47SOdyFD7gvHevDKLtibAe1S6PGwkcUYpqeifgO8rEYDNSpuzFzmOaGXei9llPW-EPB0QDyQ7EX-mWnwdUdu4OYPrlPbdR5iZ07syJ2RLdiJIClW-3uFlLiu9L1XdejTMN4gPrnq3PKGveyCAOiuit32MN9t3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lockhart City Council unanimously approved a resolution to contract with BRS Architecture to conduct a feasibility study and follow-on design work for a proposed recreation center at the former Hometown Cinema building and for a future adjacent facility.

Travis Hughes, the city's director of parks and recreation, told council staff issued an RFQ on May 13 and received 10 statements of qualification; four firms were interviewed and BRS was selected by the review committee and recommended by the Parks Board.

Under the two-step approach described by Hughes, step one is a feasibility study including facility design options, construction pricing and operational planning along with formation of a citizen steering committee representing the Parks Board, Caldwell County Commissioners and Lockhart ISD. That phase is estimated to take about six months. Step two would produce construction documents, select a contractor and provide construction oversight over roughly 10 additional months; staff estimated project completion around January 2027 if the schedule holds.

Council approved the resolution and authorized the city manager to negotiate a contract with BRS for subsequent phases after the feasibility study. The motion to approve the resolution passed 7-0.

The council directed staff to form a citizen steering committee \"within a couple of weeks\" and to return to council with contract details after negotiations.","Council approved a resolution to hire BRS Architecture to conduct a feasibility study and later design/oversee construction of a recreation center at the former Hometown Cinema site and a proposed adjacent facility; staff expects a two-step process with completion of construction oversight about January 2027.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479095,"Lockhart Council adopts FY2025–26 budget and raises tax rate; public raises cemetery and downtown concerns",3360,133000,3493000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5707230-0173f630686a79c78f4a7fa47ada6460&start=133&end=3493","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5707230-0173f630686a79c78f4a7fa47ada6460/thumbnail_133000.jpg","/articles/6479095/Lockhart-City/Caldwell-County/Texas/Lockhart-Council-adopts-FY202526-budget-and-raises-tax-rate-public-raises-cemetery-and-downtown-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479095-0af152a36acc6b2b2b909ab238b8f1e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776609549&Signature=Cj5ay63TfnZm63f4xoi5D3FyFGtqJ7M3i86zG-FT17CAh3jY6j-wnnWR9xHxr7Wpv4LTLbLM5z~hi9W86De2m69I2G1qK6CcE-7~Rv8RyazvvmqZsj2pr-nytepm1WI9D2YzGCrxrN6Nc8nith6-j7yzWHyt73uCPKnC2hAdlOirpX3wC9EOSjx3iyrEJ28nIz3Ho7-B7Mm2wZj0k1l1ZdaX5hgGpKXbtGoLomeXF-EZK2WlaqEg1UESM9TT6w7c~Aa7Xr4kKXIEr~3EoyQwVdZ~yge9vvXvjC9XIipatFitqkeGQCbXDjZXksrcdHWPM0~udLsqmePyInrtQovXjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lockhart City Council on an unanimous 7-0 vote adopted the city's fiscal year 2025'26 operating budget and approved a property tax rate of 55.41 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Assistant City Manager Joseph Rezendes said the budget is balanced for the year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2026, and that Ordinance 2025-19 implements the city's investment, financial and fund-balance policies.

The budget matters because it sets spending for police, fire, streets, parks and other core services; Joseph Rezendes told council that city property taxes comprise about 40% of the general fund and that the proposed tax rate splits into maintenance and operations and interest-and-sinking components.

During the required public hearing on the proposed budget, residents raised two recurring concerns. Frank Coggins, a Lockhart resident, urged the council to increase preservation and maintenance of Lockhart Memorial Park and Hooks Cemetery, saying \"make the cemetery great again\" and noting the current cemetery mowing budget of $77,125. Coggins recommended council direct the city manager to develop a multi-year improvement plan and appoint a citizen-staff committee to help craft it.

Business owner and longtime downtown advocate Rhonda Reagan told council she opposes the budget'ed visitor center hire (an $85,000 salary in the proposed budget) in favor of pursuing Texas Main Street program membership. Reagan said Main Street offers grant opportunities and downtown business support and urged the council to present how Main Street would work and how much it would cost.

Council members and staff responded that the tourism/visitor center program can serve as the city's primary tourism arm and that a Main Street program could be considered as part of tourism in the future. Councilmembers requested a formal presentation on Main Street so the council can weigh its costs and commitments before deciding.

On the tax rate, the council approved motions adopting the maintenance-and-operations rate at 0.4113 per $100 and the interest-and-sinking portion at 0.1428 per $100, for a combined rate of 0.5541 per $100 (a stated effective increase of 11.85% in the tax rate). Rezendes said the nearly 40% rise in the I&S component is tied to recently issued 2025 certificates of obligation.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance 2025-19, FY2025'26 operating budget (budget_adoption). Motion: move to approve ordinance 2025-19 adopting the City of Lockhart and Lockhart Economic Development Corporation annual budget for FY2025'26. Mover: Councilman Larson. Second: Councilman Westmoreland. Roll call: Westmoreland (Aye); Mendoza (Aye); Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez Sanchez (Aye); Larson (Aye); Castillo (Aye); Michaelson (Aye); Mayor (Aye). Outcome: approved, 7-0.
- Motion to ratify the property tax increase reflected in the FY2025'26 budget. Mover: Councilman Westmoreland. Second: Councilman Larson. Outcome: approved, 7-0.
- Ordinance 2025-20, tax rate (ordinance_adoption). M&O rate 0.4113 per $100; I&S rate 0.1428 per $100; combined 0.5541 per $100. Outcome: adopted via three motions; roll call votes recorded; outcome approved, 7-0.

Council discussion noted the cemetery and street concerns will be addressed as staff develops a pavement management plan and a 3'5-year cemetery improvement plan; Rezendes said some street funds and general fund balance options could be considered for interim repairs and that staff will return to council with details.

The council closed the public hearing on the budget and tax rate after public comment and moved to the remaining agenda items.","The Lockhart City Council adopted a balanced fiscal year 2025–26 budget and approved a 0.5541 per $100 tax rate after public hearings in which residents urged more cemetery funding and urged consideration of a Main Street program instead of a visitor center.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts step pay plan for police and fire after budget raises

Lockhart adopts residential parking permit ordinance aimed at school-area congestion

Lockhart council awards feasibility study to BRS for rec center at former Hometown Cinema site

Lockhart Council adopts FY2025–26 budget and raises tax rate; public raises cemetery and downtown concerns