By Moses Leos III
Pushing projects in the $55 million bond forward and increasing staff pay were two of several topics advocated by Buda City Council members during its first budget workshop on May 13.
For council member George Haehn, kick starting the bond projects approved by taxpayers is an imperative step.
“Let’s issue the bonds as soon as needed. Not dilly-dally around and waste time,” Haehn said. “I was telling (Mayor Pro-Tem Bobby Lane) I feel the need for speed. We need to get things moving.”
One of Haehn’s goals was to see if Buda could do anything to “accelerate” bond projects.
According to a preliminary schedule presented during the May 13 meeting, the city estimates construction on facilities and parks projects under the bond to be completed by 2017. Final design for drainage and street projects are projected for September 2016.
But Haehn voiced citizens concerns over projects such as various infrastructure improvements under the bond. He said citizens are “angry” that bond projects are still two years away.
“Most of them (citizens) said they’d agree to a higher tax rate,” Haehn said, who went on to add that people “don’t mind paying” for the projects if they can “see it.”
Lane shared a similar frame of mind. His personal mission was to put “feet and legs” to the bond programs.
Instead of advocating for new projects in the next fiscal year, he instead pushed for the completion of current projects.
“We have enough projects on the shelf that we need to have action on them,” he said. “I want to see existing projects come to fruition.”
Lane advocated for further marketing for Stagecoach Park, which he said was “the jewel of Buda.”
“We’ve invested a lot in that park for it not to be used any more than it is,” he said.
Councilmember Angela Kennedy vouched for adding pedestrian accessibility from all west side neighborhoods to City Park and possibly Stagecoach Park.
She also advocated for furthering the city’s water conservation goals, with the possibility of setting aside incentives for xeriscaping.
But coming up with a community development plan for affordability was her top goal. It stemmed from the furor over a two-story affordable housing complex proposed by the Picerne Development.
“I was interested in being more proactive in that area and getting community buy-in after the backlash that we received from Picerne’s proposal,” Kennedy said.
The city’s continued water issues were a concern for councilmembers Eileen Altmiller and Wiley Hopkins, who said it was a “top article.”
Hopkins, Lane and mayor Todd Ruge believed improving pay for Buda staff members was an important topic during the budget session.
Hopkins said the city should be “prepared to add staff and maintain staff salaries” to the level of other communities.
“If we have the ability to give somewhat of a raise this year, it should be included,” Ruge said.
