Dear Fellow Citizens:
To say that 2009 was a hard year for our nation’s economy and
our local economy greatly understates the difficulties that many
of our residents and businesses have experienced. However, in
spite of declining resources and increased costs, I am proud to
report that the City of Livingston has held fast and we remain
hopeful as we see signs of growth and development here at home.
While City revenues have been reduced due to the decline in
sales tax, our financial condition remains sound. City services
continued throughout 2009 without decrease or interruption. All
of our utilities have been regularly maintained and repaired
with minimal service disruption. Brush is regularly collected,
helping to improve the appearance of our neighborhoods and
public rights-of-way. Our swimming pool and golf course enjoy
good attendance as weather allows. Our library continues to
provide expanded services and serves an increasing number of
customers. Our parks provide Summer Camps and year-long
opportunities for play, gatherings of families and community
groups. Our monthly Trade Days and our yearly special events
like the Easter Eggstravaganza, the Red White and Blue Fourth of
July Parade and our Hometown Christmas, continue to provide
opportunities for fun and entertainment for our citizens and
visitors from out of town.
The past year has been a time of determining priorities and
addressing solutions to the City’s aging infrastructure. Water
service delivery has been improved with the installation of new
water lines to replace and upgrade service in several areas of
the City. Additionally, the pumping station on Cemetery Hill was
improved and we continue to make additional improvements to our
water system. Our transmission line, which supplies water from
Lake Livingston, will be replaced in 2010 with a new, larger
line to increase the capacity of our water supply for the
community. Sanitary sewer lift stations will be upgraded to
accommodate new development and will be equipped with generators
so pumps will continue to work in the event of extended power
outages. Funding from the Texas Department of Rural Affairs
community development block grant will be used to improve some
unpaved streets in the northwest section of our City.
Even with the downturn of the economy, there are significant
construction projects underway which show the continuing growth
in our community. We look forward to the completion of the
Livingston ISD High School Campus on FM 350 South, the Polk
County Judicial Center in downtown Livingston and the expansion
of the Polk County Law Enforcement Center on Business 59 (North
Washington). Developers remain interested in the commercial
promise Livingston offers and new medical facilities,
restaurants, lodging and retail businesses are meeting with our
community development staff to move forward with their projects.
The heart of the City is our employees and their dedication to
serving the community. Our Public Works, Parks and Electric
crews work long hours, many times in adverse weather conditions,
to ensure that our streets can be traveled safely and that our
homes and businesses have electric and water service. Our Police
Department is always ready to respond and is committed to
providing daily protection and assistance to our citizens. The
volunteers of the Livingston Fire Department spare no effort in
responding to fires, traffic accidents and other emergencies and
they were especially vigilant during the drought we experienced
this past summer.
Community service is not only provided by elected officials and
employees of the City. We are fortunate to have many citizens
who take pride in their hometown; they commit many hours of
service to the improvement of our neighborhoods and to ensure
the youth of our community are able to participate in a variety
of recreational activities. Whether through rodeo, soccer,
baseball, swimming, softball or the arts, community groups that
are dedicated to our youth use City facilities to promote their
sports and activities. Without these volunteers, we would not be
able to offer these recreational activities for the youth in our
community.
On behalf of our City Council, let me thank each of the many
community volunteers for your efforts. Together, we can work to
improve our community and move forward toward a prosperous 2010.
Clarke Evans,
Mayor |
Clarke
Evans
Mayor
of Livingston |
