City of Ellinger Holds First Meeting
The first meeting of the newly-formed City of Ellinger was held on Monday, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m. at the Ellinger Community Center. Matt Mikulenka, acting mayor, called the meeting to order.
Following the welcome, the residents recited the pledge to the U.S. Flag and Texas Flag. Next, Mikulenka led the group in prayer.
There were no public comments at this time, so the Commissioners started discussion of new business. The following agenda items were reviewed and passed: Resolution no. 1— implementation of a one cent sales tax; Resolution no. 2—application to the Public Utilities Commission for Right of Way usage assessment; Resolution no. 3—Right of Way assessment for Bluebonnet Electric; Resolution no. 4—application for tax exempt status, request assistance from the County Election Commission for the City election slated for May 2021, whereby Ellinger residents would vote for a mayor and two commissioners and a City sales tax.
If residents vote to implement a one cent tax, it would not be collected until Oct. 2021. The City’s mailing address will be P.O. Box 44, Ellinger, TX 78938. The Fayette County Record will be the newspaper of record for the City of Ellinger and public notices would also be sent to the KULM/KBUK Radio Station-104.9 FM. The fiscal year would run from June 1 through May 31 and agendas for meetings would be posted at the Ellinger Post Office (72 hours prior to the meeting). The City of Ellinger will enter into an inter-local agreement with Fayette County 911.
Ellinger’s governing body has established an official City map and will assign new 911 addresses. The state of Texas requires that each city have an official website, but since there are no funds available at this time, this will come at a later date. Additionally, Ellinger is required to join the Texas Municipal League, which costs $500 annually; this will happen at a later date as well.
Joe Lamer was appointed as the secretary and Kenny Stojanek was appointed as treasurer. None of the City leaders will be compensated. They will be working to create a budget for 2021 and Round Top State Bank will be the financial institution of record.
There were 20 residents in attendance, along with the three City officials.
The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Ellinger Community Center.
Applications for mayor and commissioners can be submitted between Jan. 13 and Feb. 12.
Requests for information on the City meeting can be made by calling (979) 338-9269 or by mailing them to P.O. Box 44 Ellinger, TX 78938.
Ellinger VFD
The Ellinger Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a major natural gas leak on Kasmiersky Road at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Firemen assisted in evacuation notification and traffic control. Ellinger firemen assisted at the site for a good part of the day.
Residents in the immediate area and a three-mile radius north and east of the plant were asked to evacuate for their safety. Additionally, FM 955 was closed to all traffic from State Hwy 71 to Fayetteville. Plant crews managed to get the well shut down and no causalities were reported.
The Ellinger VFD will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Fire Station. It will drill on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
Sewer and Water
The Ellinger Sewer and Water Supply Corporation will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. at the Ellinger Fire Station. The applications for board elections are due to the bookkeeper, Carissa Karisch, on Jan. 5. The Annual Meeting of the EWSC is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Ellinger Fire Station.
Chamber of Commerce
The Ellinger Chamber of Commerce will hold its regular monthly meeting and annual meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m.
Hermann Sons Life Lodge
The Ellinger Hermann Sons Life Lodge will not be meeting for the remainder of 2020.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes are extended to the following celebrants: Ruth E. Thiessen - Jan. 2; Ruth Horndt and Erin Richter Avis - 3; Katy Hall and Kathy Miller Voshelke - 5; Ranae Minar - 7; Gera Martin - 9; Carol Hayek, Kendall Fritsch and Preston Brune - 14; Stephanie Horndt Watson - 15; Brittany Brune - 16; Sam Woo - 23; Taylor Dominguez and Ben Worrrel - 24; and Carley Fritsch Aten and Ray Stepan - 31.
Happy New Year
I want to take this opportunity to wish all a happy and healthy new year.