by VERONICA GORDON
The newest Buda city council members were sworn in last week after the staff held a farewell reception to honor the outgoing leaders.
The new council members elected on Nov. 6 are George Haehn, Jose Montoya and Eileen Altmiller.
Following the ceremony, the city council named current council member Bobby Lane as mayor pro tem.
Lane, who has also served as mayor in the past, is now in his 12th year serving on the council.
“I’m honored to be selected and to serve as mayor pro tem,” Lane said.
The new council members began getting acquainted with city business and requested future agenda items.
Montoya asked for a traffic study in Garlic Creek West.
“Just to allay the concerns of those neighborhoods,” Montoya said. “There seems to be some issues about parking in the streets.”
Haehn said some of his constituents are concerned about how to expedite changes to the signage for a left-turn lane at FM 967, where there was a recent fatality involving a U.S. Foods truck.
“A lot of people are concerned. It’s a safety issue for me, it is the number one thing,” Haehn said. “I’d like to know if there is anything we can do on our own without waiting for the bureaucrats at the state to handle this.”
The new council members plan to attend a workshop for newly elected officials, offered by the Texas Municipal League in Austin in December.
Council members Ron Fletcher and Todd Ruge are running for mayor. A special election is scheduled for Dec. 8.
Early voting will take place every weekday through Dec. 4, as well as the following Friday.
Williams recommended a city council retreat, including team building, once a new mayor and city council member have been elected.