City Manager Updates

Lampasas City Manager Finley deGraffenried was in studio this morning with updates for Ronnie and Angel. The first order of business is the new gateway sign coming to the side of 183 to welcome our guests as they head into Lampasas from Austin, which should be here just in time for the Solar Eclipse! Finley also reminded residents that construction will be coming to S 281 from the Burnet Co. line all the way to Key Ave. Though the start date keeps getting pushed, work will likely begin here in the next few months, and may unfortunately coincide with the Eclipse event as well. Stay tuned.
Speaking of that Eclipse (third time’s the charm), Finley reassured residents that city staff, Chamber of Commerce stakeholders, and EMS teams are all prepping diligently for the event, run from Friday, April 5th, to Tuesday the 9th. Their efforts are focused on keeping the public safe and ensuring emergency services have the ability to respond if/when their assistance is needed. With Lampasas slated as an area with one of the longest viewing times for the totality, you can count on there being a disruption to your daily schedule, so please prepare for it!
Finley moved on from Eclipse announcements to commemorate the retirement of Fire Marshal JP Harris and LPD Officer Tony Barrio. Fire Chief Jeff Smith has moved on as well, and will be sorely missed! The department will be looking to fill his position in the next 30-45 days, possibly in house.
We have a preview of the upcoming City Council agenda for February 12th. Items up for discussion: additions to the 580 Sports Complex, including signs and bike path development; the year-end financial report, which will cover increases in wholesale costs for public works and the need for an updated budget to continue deliver those services efficiently. City Council application packets are also available now! And if you find yourself called to serve but not on the Council, the committees always have vacancies as well, and accept applications on a rolling basis. Remember, this is our town, and if we don’t look after it, who will?

- MG