Taking the High Road -- Believing You will make the right decision

Friends,

     In the workshop, after Thursday's Board of Aldermen's meeting, the Board of Aldermen agreed that we will take the "high road" on the tax increase and the Bond election.

     We will present the facts and answer the questions honestly and fairly.  There is nothing to hide, nothing to lie about, and nothing to misrepresent.  What purpose would that serve?

    You will have to decide and I have full confidence in your decision-making ability.  In the last election, you made it very clear the new direction the majority of you wanted to go.  We are following your mandate.

     Here are the facts:

     (1)  This is not 2005-2010.  It is 2014-2015.  The city government cannot run an effective, healthy government on yesterday's budget.  You know this because you experience the same price increase in your personal expenses.  Part of the budget is to give city employees a 3% raise.  There are no discounts for them at the grocery store, water dept, etc.

     (2)  The $50,000 for downtown comes out of Reserves (Savings).  That has always been the plan and voted on by the Alderman.  How much of it will be used is unknown.  Private citizens are putting in money and we have a better-than-average chance at a Grant from the State of Texas.  Our paperwork for the grant is due 15 October and it is for the Bell County region not the state of Texas. We will know by the end of the year if we get the grant.   There is a very active citizen's community working on the project and grant now.  Yes, everything is built on "IF," and there are no guarantees.  BUT WE ARE TRYING to find money other than city money.
   
    (3)  Aldermen McDougal and a committee of 5 are working the road issue very well.  If you were at the last Aldermen's meeting, Thursday, you would have heard what they are doing.  FACTS not speculation were given on the most used roads in Salado.  These facts come from road counters on loan from Bell County.  A plan based on those facts will be presented in the near future.  Not-a-hit-and-miss plan but one that makes sense, one that is feasible, and one that we can afford over the next 5 years.  When this plan is ready,  a TOWN HALL MEETING will be called to have it presented to you by Mike and his committee.

   (4)  Yes, the tax proposed is a 6 cents increase -- $10 per household if your house is valued at $200,000.  Yes, there is a bond election for a sewer system 4 November.  A town hall meeting is this Tuesday, 6:30 P.M. Salado High School.  Straight facts will be given.  You will probably be surprised at what you are going to hear.  AT LEAST GIVE IT A CHANCE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

  (5)  Believe it or not, whether you are downtown or just a citizen in a neighborhood, your property values are attached to the health of Salado.  Want proof?  Journey to towns around Salado and see for yourself.

In the end you will believe what you want to believe.  However, attend the Board of Aldermen's meetings and stay to hear all the business; call an Aldermen that you trust and ask the hard questions.  They make the policy and they know the answers.

Your Aldermen are Fred Brown, Hans Fields, Amber Preston-Dankart; Mike McDougal; and Frank Coachman.  They have no agenda except to give you a healthy Salado, and their integrity is beyond reproach.

This is Salado and you will make the right choice.  You always do. You are very intelligent and very street-smart, capable of seeing all sides of the issues.  This I know from tradition and experience.

VR/Skip