Going Forward with a unanimous vote

Friends,

Last evening, the Board of Aldermen/lady approved the FY14-15 budget and the property tax increase of 6 cents.  None of this has been easy.  Not one elected official found joy in increasing property tax.  However, to move the village forward, they unanimously voted for both.  Conservative, liberal, independent, or somewhere in the middle, they united as one for the health and welfare of Salado.

There is now a full-time City Administrator to serve you.  Kim Faust will begin 1 October.  However, she has volunteered her time every day this week and worked in the office reading ordinances, learning the village, and observing the daily workings of the village.  Saturday, 4 October, 7-11 A.M., she will lead the Aldermen in a 4-hour workshop at the Bell County COG.  The public is welcome to attend and listen.  However, there will be little time for discussion from the floor since the workshop has been cut from 6 hours to 4 hours in order to attend the Village Picnic.

The Aldermen/lady care about your welfare and health of the village.  Mike McDougal and his committee will soon unveil the plan for road repair.  The plan has been presented to the engineers for an evaluation and estimated cost.  Once this has been received, a Town Hall will be called and information will be shared.  You need to know so that you can make plans.  There will be some disruption as roads are repaired.

Finally, an example of how committed your elected officials are in performing their duties.  Alderlady Amber Preston-Dankert's husband took ill late afternoon and went into emergency surgery at 5:30.  She took care of her husband making sure he received the care needed before rushing to the called session of BOA at 6:30 P.M.  She had every excuse not to come, but she cared enough about you and the village's welfare to attend and cast her vote.

She is not the only one, since 10 May, not one Aldermen/Alderlady has missed a Board of Aldermen Meeting.  Thanks to them and commitment, hard decisions are being made and we are going forward.

Very Respectfully, Skip