The last regular meeting of the City Council for 2025 came to order on December 15.
The first presentation was from JLK manager Brittany Allen who provided the council with an update on the facility’s operations following her first year at the helm. Early in the year, Allen proposed building up the youth roping program, initially estimating 34 participants from the Hill Country Youth Rodeo Association. By year’s end, the program had grown to 88 members, generating new revenue for the JLK that had not existed before. The council applauded the announcement. Following the meeting, The News clarified the impact of this to the 2026 budget with City Manager deGraffenreid. He confirmed the total was $76,623 over two years, offset by expenses for the same period of $52,710.
The first several agenda items brought commentary from citizens with Michael Herrera questioning why, given the city’s financial position, the city would entertain a request from the Friends of the Red Top Jail to waive the fees for the JLK. Typical fees are $1,000 a day to cover expenses totaling over $600 a day for lighting, water and staff. Alderman Tudyk indicated that she would support waiving the fees but that the council should decide how to handle this going forward. After discussion council disregarded Herrera’s suggestion and voted to waive the fees with unanimous support.
