Livingston council adopts budget amendment, appoints Main Street board members and schedules fence‑ordinance hearing

The Livingston City Council on Dec. 9 approved an ordinance amending the city’s fiscal‑year 2025–26 budget, appointed new Main Street Advisory Board members and named a replacement to the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) board, and scheduled a public hearing on a proposed fence ordinance.

Mayor Judy B. Cochran opened the meeting at 5:00 P.M. and recognized the Livingston I.S.D. Creekside Elementary Student Council Leadership Team, who led the pledges and performed seasonal songs.

The council read and unanimously approved a resolution of appreciation for former Alderman Elgin Davis for his service from May 2009 through November 2025. “All present voted aye,” the minutes state after the motion by Alderman Raymond Luna and a second by Alderman Alan Cook.

In business actions, the council approved amendments captured in Ordinance No. A‑856. The ordinance increases General Fund Expense Code 01‑05‑00‑6195 from $880,000.00 to $1,367,005.17 — reflecting an added $487,005.17 in local funds for additional drainage — and adjusts Utility Fund Expense Code 02‑10‑00‑6195 from $3,865,000.00 to $3,928,616.00 to cover a $63,616.00 overrun on the South Washington Water Line Improvement Project. Alderman Alan Cook moved adoption and Alderman Andy Evans seconded; the council adopted the ordinance by unanimous vote.

The council also approved Main Street Manager Lynn Riley’s recommendations for Places 1–4 on the Main Street Advisory Board, appointing Molly Anderson (Place 1), Terry Smith (Place 2), Lisa Haynes (Place 3) and Isabel Gobel (Place 4) to two‑year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026. The motion to appoint was moved by Alderman Alan Cook and seconded by Alderman Andy Evans; the motion passed with all councilmembers voting in favor.

To fill an unexpired term on the Deep East Texas Council of Governments board through June 30, 2026, the council appointed Alderman Bobby Jackson as the city’s representative. The appointment was moved by Alderman Raymond Luna, seconded by Alderman Alan Cook, and approved unanimously.

Community Development Director Scott Rayburn outlined a package of proposed land‑use ordinance changes, including fencing standards, parking standards, surveying requirements, clearing permits, mobile food unit standards, manufactured homes and parks rules, fee schedule adjustments, a subdivision ordinance, and a drainage criteria manual. The council set a public hearing for Jan. 13, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. to receive public comment on the proposed fence ordinance (adding Section 10‑30 to Article II of Chapter 10). City Attorney Scott Ferguson advised that a public hearing was appropriate; council members discussed posting the proposed text on the city website and making copies available on request.

The council approved accounts over $2,500 as submitted and heard routine updates on seasonal city events, an upcoming sales‑tax report release, and local development projects, including an update on the Highway 190 apartments and the timeline for a TXDOT downtown sidewalk grant notification.

With no further business, the council adjourned at 6:12 P.M.