City of Marble Falls

Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

A new finance director with an extensive background in civil service has joined the ranks of the city of Marble Falls.

On Dec. 3 during a regular city council meeting, officials announced the hiring of Baron Sauls to oversee the finance department. His official first day is Jan. 7, however, he has already started familiarizing himself with his duties and co-workers. …

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls city officials indicated Nov. 19 they may work with property owners, in particular the John Kemper family, to delay and/or modify a plan to potentially annex several acres of land into the city limits.

City staff has proposed annexation of 64 acres of Kemper's property, which includes a two-acre homestead tract, located south of Lake Marble Falls on the eastern portion of the city limits.

Connie Swinney/The Highlander

The city of Marble Falls has erected an approximately 35-foot Christmas tree in Harmony Park at the intersection of Third Street and Main in the downtown historic district. The lighting of the treeat 6 p.m. tonight, Friday, Nov. 22, will coincide with the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of commerce Light-up Parade on Main followed by the opening of the 29th Annual Walkway of Lights in Lakeside Park.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls Housing Authority officials announced the impending dissolution of the entity, as council members approved an agreement Nov. 19 which would allow the Burnet Housing Authority program to oversee the administrative operations for local clients.

Marble Falls Housing Authority Executive Director Mark Mayfield spoke before the Marble Falls City Council with announcements about the potential future of the federally-subsidized housing authorities in Marble Falls and Burnet.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls City Council debated Nov. 19 how to proceed with newly-passed state law which limits a municipality's ability to prohibit construction materials based on aesthetics.

Following passage by state lawmakers and Gov. Greg Abbott's signature during the 86th Texas Legislature, HB 2439 became law in September, prompting cities to scramble to align their codes to match the mandate. State lawmakers based the law on national building standards geared towards health and safety regulation.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls City Council approved applying for matching grants funding two bridge crossing projects and a crossing emergency warning system to mitigate issues on city streets prone to flooding.

The FEMA grant request –- involving proposed bridges at low-water crossings on Avenue N and Nature Heights – was made Nov. 5 by Marble Falls Fire Rescue Chief Russell Sander during the regular meeting.

By William D. (Dee) Haddock
Marble Falls City Council Member

As I begin this letter, I want to make clear that I am writing this as an individual member of the Marble Falls City Council, and I am not speaking for the Council as a whole.

Special to the Highlander

Marble Falls city officials have launched an online water utility portal to arm customers with ways to detect and prevent water loss due to leaks or untracked usage and to promote conservation.

The WaterSmart platform available on the city's website is described as “a cloud-based, customer self-service and engagement platform.”

“(The platform is) proven to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and increase customer satisfaction by more than 25 percent,” stated City Manager Mike Hodge in a press release. . .

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

In 26 years, volunteer and electrician Terry Evans has seen several versions of Walkway of Lights in Lakeside Park on Lake Marble Falls.

“It's changed quite a bit,” said Evans, who has witnessed everything from lighted sculptures washed away in a flood to the display's transition from incandescent to LED lighting.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Landowners who live on Los Escondidos Street stood toe-to-toe Oct. 15 with Marble Falls City Council members to push back on impending plans to annex the neighborhood, which is primarily a strip of land bordering Lake Marble Falls.