City Bound: Ellinger Votes Yes on Incorporation
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A pair of campaign signs for the Ellinger incorporation election stand outside the fire station in Ellinger. Resident approved the incorporation question by a vote of 76-44. Photo by Andy Behlen
Ellinger residents voted 76-44 in favor of incorporating their small community. Uncontested elections for mayor and two city commissioners were also held, contingent upon voters approving incorporation.
The City will be organized as a Type C municipality under Texas Law, governed by a mayor and two commissioners Matt Mikulenka will serve as the first Mayor of Ellinger. Joseph Lamer and Kenneth Stojanik will serve as the two commissioners. All three ran unopposed in the election.
Mikulenka told the Record on Wednesday that the incorporation effort aims at supporting the community’s beleaguered water and sewer utility, Ellinger Sewer and Water Supply Corporation (ESWSC).
Financial constraints have hampered ESWSC’s efforts to upgrade its infrastructure. Ellinger residents pay higher rates for water and sewer service than resident of other communities in the County. ESWSC would be hard-pressed to raise rates any higher to cover new infrastructure costs.
“Even though growth inside the City may not be that great, our location (on State Highway 71) and the traffic coming into our city has a tremendous impact on the infrastructure,” Mikulenka said. ‘The whole plan is to support the infrastructure to keep up with demand.”
The new city would be able to establish a small sales tax to provide revenue for operations. In addition, the mayor and commissioners could apply for state and federal grants to help pay for infrastructure costs.
Mikulenka said he would consult with County Judge Joe Weber about canvassing the election so the new town can officially begin business.