City council tackles key decisions
The Albany City Council met on Dec. 16, with key agenda items including the city’s financial status, a proposed opioid settlement, a proposed water lease, and the approval of multiple boards.
During the financial report, City Manager Billy Holson informed the council of a $307,000 deficit but expressed optimism that the situation would improve as tax revenues begin to arrive next month.
Albany Police Chief Mike House presented a new emergency authorization form, which will allow external agencies to assist local law enforcement during emergencies. The form streamlines the process for requesting aid and ensures legal clarity for multi-agency collaboration when critical incidents or emergencies arise.
The form did not require city approval, as Police Chief House was informing the council of the new procedure.
Holson then introduced the Kroger opioid settlement case, part of a larger litigation against pharmaceutical companies accused of contributing to the opioid crisis.
The settlement would provide Albany with funds to address the local impacts of opioid abuse, such as treatment programs, law enforcement support, and public health initiatives. Holson noted that attorney Pat Chesser of Brownwood, would oversee the settlement process for the city.
Council member Lynsi Musselman made a motion for Albany to join the settlement, with Austin Sherwood seconding. The council unanimously approved the motion.
In a discussion about the city’s water lease from Possum Kingdom Lake, Holson explained that five years ago, the city leased 130 acre-feet of water for $936 per month, totaling approximately $12,000 annually.
The West Central Texas Municipal Water District proposed subleasing 115 acre-feet of the water to a mining company and ranchers on a renewable one-year agreement. The city would recover 88% of its annual cost, or more than $10,000.
Council member Austin Sherwood made a motion to approve the lease, seconded by Chris Beard, and the motion passed unanimously.
The council also approved board members for the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Hotel/Motel Board, Senior Citizens Board, Aztec Board, and Golf Board.
•EDC Board: Bruce Bailey, David Cleveland, Eddie Bartee, Randall Palmore, Lynn Neff, Dann Neff, Gaye Davis
•Hotel/Motel Board: Jana Kitchens, Lester Galbreath, Megan Ledbetter, Shelly Bartee, Betsy Parsons
•Golf Board: Donnie Anderson, Ronnie Anderson, Kory Ware, Reggie Spencer, Shawn Sutton, Britt Hudson, Tommy Tierney
•Senior Citizens Board: Annette Harris, Dorothy Adkins, Brandi Lehew, Emma Hudman, Betty Jones, Don Hare, Anita Jackson, Susan Montgomery, Tracey Sullivan Smith, Joy Grun, Jolene Hudman
•Aztec Board: John Caldwell, Ann Harwood, Robert Dacus, Tisha Wilkins, Jenny Scott
Council member Chris Beard made a motion to approve the boards, seconded by Austin Sherwood, and the council gave full approval.
