The San Saba City Council discussed upcoming events, amended the 2024-25 budget and discussed new staff in a short meeting Wednesday, Nov. 12.
City Manager Scott Edmonson discussed a number of upcoming events including San Saba Strong Fest set to start at 11 a.m. on Dec. 6 at Mill Pond Park and feature a large number of vendors, a car show and live music featuring headliner Chris Chitsey and Patrick Henry and Friends.(See related story on front page.)
Edmonson also reminded those present of the Sip and Stroll sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce set Dec. 13.
The downtown event will feature wine tastings at several businesses from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 for 10 tastings and includes a free wine glass and bottle bag while supplies last. Live music will be performed downtown by Loraine Johnson. This will be followed by the lighted Christmas parade from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with the River City Band performing on the square.
Edmonson also reported the city workers were decorating the park and working on downtown lights, a covered parking area was being built at the Police Department, Keep San Saba Beautiful cleaned up the downtown pots and flowerbeds and nearly all the golf equipment had arrived.
A number of new hires were presented as Edmonson announced a new code enforcement officer, Lavon War as new water department employee and Erick Lazoya as a new parks department employee. Police Chief Stephen Lozano also introduced Dustin Morgan as a new hire for the PD and said the department is looking forward to working with him.
Aldermen of the council unanimously voted to approve a resolution presented by Pilar Rosales to waive the noise ordinance for Dec. 6 at Risien Park West Slab to allow music to be played until midnight. (The city noise ordinance prohibits loud music that would disturb others between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.)
A vote was also approved to make line-item amendments to the 2024-25 budget, moving funds from items with excess funds to others with unexpected expenses to balance the budget without changing the final amount.
Aldermen also voted to correct the 2026 holiday schedule to include the observed holiday date of April 6, 2026 for Easter as the observed date was originally identified as Easter Sunday.
Aldermen unanimously voted to appoint Marcus Amthor to the San Saba County Appraisal District for a two-year staggered term for 2026 and 2027.
In presentations at the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Kenneth Jordan recognized a letter and resolution received from the Mayor, City Council and staff of the City of Springtown expressing their support and solidarity with San Saba. Mayor Jordan said the city and council were grateful for the support.
Cody Mann in the water/ wastewater department was named San Saba's employee of the month for November. He was presented with a plaque and a gift certificate to a local restaurant by Jesse Hunt, water/ wastewater department supervisor and alderman Michael Nelson.