LG City Council Tackles Several Topics Monday

In a wide-ranging meeting Monday, the La Grange City Council covered a bunch of topics.

Here’s some highlights:

• The council reappointed Joy Robinson, Debra McNeil and Traci Franke to the La Grange Housing Authority.

• Greg Trlicek of Trlicek and Company reported to the council on his firm’s annual audit of city finances, and said the city was in good financial shape.

• Carolina Gilbreath, City Utilities Supervisor, informed the council that less than 0.1% of the total utility billed amount from the last year went uncollected, and uncollectable accounts went from 55 to 34.

• The council approved a switch from three different telephone/internet providors in city facilities to a new three-year Colorado Valley Communications plan that could save the city tens of thousands of dollars a year.

• Emily Hudson, Community and Economic Development Manager, gave a report to the council titled “Building La Grange: What We’re Doing and Why It Matters.”

In her report she said the city is specifically focused on trio of things: Downtown Revitalization, Retail Attraction and Business Park Development.

• The council adopted the 2025-2026 budget, which totals $17,925,190.

• A trio of citizens addressed the council during the public comment period. Teresa Von Rosenberg asked what the city is doing to address drainage problems. Richard Gray asked the city how it will resolve unclear contract language relating to responsibility for VFW Hall renovations. He also encouraged the council to take efforts from a city standpoint to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary next July 4th, in addition to what the county is planning. Brandon Schielack said the lack of a city inspector has delayed one of his business projects, and the job description for the vacant inspector position is so lofty that the city will not get any applicants. (City Manager Jack Thompson said after the meeting that the city has indeed not had any applicants).

• After the meeting we asked Thompson and mayor Jan Dockery if there had been any movement on the new Mr. Gatti’s inside Wal-Mart which was announced last year (there’s been no progress) or if any new plans have materialized for the vacant concrete planters on the courthouse square on Travis St. (there’s been no progress).