The January 20, 2026 council meeting opened with discussion of bulk water rate increases from $.02 to $.05 per gallon (an increase of $30 per 1,000 gallons). Llano contractor DC Meier of David Meier Construction told council these increases will increase his costs in building projects throughout the community to about $200 per truckload and that he uses upwards of 30 truckloads per day in some projects. Council discussed briefly but requested more background information from city staff before deciding on an approach. Finance Director Hewitt added the new rates are to cover the increase in costs of the water over the past couple of years.
Council also tabled the agenda item to set minimum fees charged to charitable groups in the area for use of city assets, such as the JLK Event Center, Robinson Park and Badu Park. Council has been challenged recently to decide between waiving fees to local charities, thereby incurring costs to the city which are passed on to all citizens through increased utility rates, versus charging local charities to recoup the city’s costs for the use of the assets in their charitable work.
Council approved the use of 2025 HOT (Hotel Occupancy Tax) funds at an amount not to exceed $26,000 to fund improvements to the live music venue at Robinson Park but chose to take no action with respect to changing ordinance 1565 for maintaining Rights of Way throughout the city.
