City of Marble Falls Texas news

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Coffee with the Mayor drew more questions in the digital realm than actual takers for a free cup of Starbucks Feb. 10.

Since the informal chats with Marble Falls Mayor John Packer began last year, the coffee klatches have gone live on the Internet.

That may mean questions are a little more direct, but there was plenty of extra information gained.

“Well, 'When will Chick-fil-A open,' is the question I'm asked most often,” said Packer.

The answer to that—around the first of May—was shared with Christian Fletcher, executive director of the Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation.

Packer was more circumspect about the potential for a Panda Express for Marble Falls--“They have been looking at the area. However, he said work is set to begin soon on the new Burger King site on the southwest corner of the intersection of US 281 and Ranch to Market Road 1431.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The Marble Falls City Council meeting Tuesday, Jan. 17, began with an introduction of the city's new fire marshal by Fire Chief Russell Sander.

Fresh from his first day on the job at Marble Falls Fire Rescue, Thomas “Tommy” Crane told the council the welcome he receive here made him and his wife look forward to finding a home here.

“The night I was staying here at the Hampton for my first interview, I went out to dinner,” said Crane. “Complete strangers included me in their conversation. This is a friendly town and I look forward to working with the fire department and the business owners to keep it safe.”

Willis Engineering was chosen from among seven firms that applied to design a city sewer project to be funded by a 2016 Community Development Block Grant.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

November has been bustling in the City of Marble Falls with the groundbreaking for the Avenue N Public Safety Facility on Nov. 14 and city council meetings Nov. 15 to set sewer repairs in motion and Nov. 21 to canvass the record charter amendment vote.

On Nov. 15

The $275,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) announced last month and another proposed for $300,000 in 2017-18 will be administered by Langford Community Management Services of Leander, following the decision by the Marble Falls City Council Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Langford was the only company of seven qualified service companies contacted by the city to bid for the $30,000 contracts, but it came with staff recommendation.

“I have been working with the city since 1997,” said Langford's Margaret Hardin.

By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander

Two chances for Coffee with the Mayor remain--this Friday, Oct. 28, and Nov. 4.

Marble Falls Mayor John Packer will share a free cup morning cup of java with citizens at Numinous Coffee Roasters, 714 Ranch to Market Road 1431 in Marble Falls from 7-8 a.m.

The free, informal come-and-go events do not require an RSVP. The are a chance to "come share your thoughts and ideas about your community and hear about some of the new projects in the city."

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet one-on-one with our residents and learn about the issues that are important to them,” said Packer.

BY GLYNIS CRAWFORD SMITH

THE HIGHLANDER

Residents of Marble Falls will not see quite as large a water rate increase as anticipated when the sale of $7.93 million in bonds for infrastructure projects was first proposed.

The Marble Falls City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 20, came to a consensus on a plan from among at least six detailed water rate changes.

“We talked about an across-the-board water rate increase of 12 percent (when the sale was proposed),” said Finance Director Margie Cardenas. “We got a really good interest rate and were able to do a little better.”

Overall, increases will average 10.7 percent in the plan the council asked staff to finalize for approval.

The City of Marble Falls announced Monday, Sept. 12, that it has launched its Citizen Request Tracker system.

From code enforcement concerns to street light outages, individuals can make a variety of requests online. Located on the city's website, www.marblefallstx.gov, this tool gives citizens the opportunity to report issues, wherever and whenever they like, eliminating a trip or call to the city offices.

To enter a request from the website, click the link to “How Do I...Report a Concern/Violation.”

Once submitted, the item goes directly to the appropriate city staff member, who can work to meet the needs of the specific request. The progress of the item then can be tracked online by the individual submitting the request.

The City of Marble Falls has announced a change in a series Coffee with the Mayor events. They will begin Friday morning, Sept. 16, bright and early--7-8 a.m.--with still more to be announced.

The public is invited to "have a cup of coffee" with Marble Falls Mayor John Packer at Numinous Coffee Roasters, 714 Ranch to Market Road 1431 in Marble Falls.

The city announced the free come-and-go event and more to come on Friday, Sept. 9 as an opportunity to: "come share your thoughts and ideas about your community and hear about some of the new projects in the city."

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet one-on-one with our residents and learn about the issues that are important to them,” said Packer.

BY GLYNIS CRAWFORD SMITH

THE HIGHLANDER

The Marble Falls City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 2, voted to hold the line on the ad valorem tax rate.

They voted to maintain a rate of $0.6483 or 64.83 cents per $100,000 valuation.

“This proposal keeps the rate just under the effective rate,” said Finance Director Margie Cardenas. “That would have been .6485. The roll back rate would have been .6656. This will be our fifth year in a row to maintain the same tax rate. And, as you are adopting the same rate, two hearings are not required.

“Taxpayers will see no increase unless they have an increase in valuation.”

Cardenas noted that tax payers within the freeze category--65 years of age or older or handicapped--has continued to increase. Nonetheless, the total revenue expected from property taxes is $4,361,498.

BY GLYNIS CRAWFORD SMITH
THE HIGHLANDER