Council updates water, sewer, electrical rates

By Jimmy Appelt

jimmy.appelt@lavacacountytoday.com

The Hallettsville City Council met in a regular monthly meeting Monday, Nov. 20 and approved updating water, sewer, and electrical rates for city residents. 

Regarding water and sewer rates, Council voted for no changes to base charges on connection fees, but approved a 2% increase for any additional usage.

Council also approved no change to base charges or connection fees for electricity rates, but voted a 1% increase on wire charges. 

Council also approved a change to delinquency charges for reconnecting electricity after it has been cutoff due to failing to pay the bill. The change in delinquency charges will increase from $40 to $50. 

The last time delinquency charges were changed was in 1993.

Pole Change Out Project

Council approved a quote from Techline Construction for the Sidewalk Pole Project and Pole Replacement. 

The Sidewalk Pole Project was quoted at $35,500, while the Pole Replacement bid would be $137,500, not to exceed $148,500. The quote included a mobilization charge of $3 thousand for each job unless both projects are done at the same time and there would be a one-time charge of $3 thousand.

Department Reports

Council received reports from the various city departments that also included the police department and library. 

Hallettsville PD chief Randy Schlauch reported the department answered to 426 calls for service during the month of October.  

Schlauch presented a list of  violations and the number of citations, warnings and arrests issued during October. 

Friench Simpson Memorial Library director, Breana Kristek reported there were 1,865 material circulations during October and 92 computer sessions for a total of 72 hours and an average length of usage of 47 minutes. 

City administrator/secretary, Grace Ward reported sales tax collected for the month was $60,814.85 as compared to $55,208.09 in October 2022.

Miscellaneous

Council approved a request from the Hallettsville Lions Club to install a second shade structure over a playscape in the City Park.

Council voted to give the city’s 49 votes to two members of the Lavaca County Appraisal Board of Directors. Roddy Renger received 25 votes and Lonny Montgomery got 24.

Council voted to award the 2024 bulk fuel contract to Patriot Fuel Distributors, LLC and approved a purchase order for LR3 Power Line in the amount of $31,735.04 for the addition of another phase of the Crossroads Bank.

In other action taken by council:

• Received a report from the City’s Financial Advisor on the impact of possible street, water and wastewater improvements.

• Awarded a contract to Lester Contracting, Inc. for GLO CDBG-MIT grant for the City of Hallettsville flood and drainage project. 

 • Approved final subdivision plat at 204 Bowie St.

• Approved the 2023 Tax Roll and Levy. 

• Approved a resolution authorizing signatories to execute contractual documents and requests for payment forms required for requesting funds approved in the CDBG-MIT Resilient Communities Program through the General Land Office (GLO).

• Renewed the Managed IT Services contract with James Teleco, Inc.

• Approved updating the organizations chart of city employees. 

• Appointed Lindsay Jahn to the Library Advisory Board for a partial term expiring May 15, 2026.

• Discussed a possible ordinance against new or expanded cemeteries in the city limits.