September 2022
CITY NEWSLETTER
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Robinson City Council voted to adopt the FY 2022 - 2023 Budget and the 2022 Tax Rate at their Special Called Meeting held on August 23rd. The adopted budget will take effect on October 1st, 2022. Below you will find a quick outline of some of the key takeaways from the budget. A breakdown of how property taxes work can be found below. View the full budget here.
The budget and tax rate includes:
- Decreasing the property tax rate to $.046 cents per $100 valuation and no increase to water or sewer rates. This is a decrease of $0.047 from the previous year’s budget.
- Focuses for FY 2022 - 2023 budget
- Financially Sound and Transparent City Government
- Safe and livable community for all
- Continuing efforts to attract new businesses to Robinson
- High-performing City team providing resident-focused services
- Continue efforts to improve and expand infrastructure
- Maintain the City’s financial reserves to enhance overall financial stability
- Major Projects for the budget:
- Continue
- Upgrading Infrastructure in Streets, Water, Wastewater
- Transitioning to an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (Automatic Meters Readers)
- Construction of
- A roadway on the Robinson Business Park property
- A new waterline along South Old Robinson Road from Hwy 77 to Downsville Road
- Improvements in
- In the Robinson Industrial Park
- Drainage in the Fain Estates area
- Major takeaways in the budget
- Increase in Personnel Services to adjust for salary adjustments and to cover premium increases for medical insurance premiums and police officer worker’s compensation.
- Maintenance increase to replace the HVAC system at Fire Station and to make other facility repairs. An increase to cover annual maintenance and support costs associated with the AMI customer portal.
- Funding to replace the corroding metal floor plates and damage to the fence surrounding the elevated tank along I-35. Also, to conduct a wastewater infiltration/inflow study to identify areas where stormwater is entering the wastewater collection system.
- To cover increases in fuel, postage, and chemical costs and to replace computers, tasers, and instruments.
- Increases in Cooperative and Maintenance Agreements for the following contracted services:
- Public Health Authority
- Volunteer Fire Department
- Animal Shelter
- WMARSS for wastewater treatment
- City of Waco for wholesale water
- Waste Management for solid waste
- Increased professional services to cover projected costs of outsourcing building inspections
- Annual maintenance and support costs associated with AMI customer portal.
- Funding to implement ESRI mapping, ClearGov, and DebtBook, programs to enhance the quality of work and services. Also, to fund a new structure for the VAC truck, a new truck for streets, and a portable generator.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE 2022 JOINT GENERAL ELECTION:
The deadline to file for a City Council seat was the week of August 22nd.
Councilmembers Jeremy Stivener (Place 2), Jeremy Holland (Place 4), Mike Baker (Place 6), and Mayor Bert Echterling all ran unopposed. There will be an ordinance canceling the City portion of the November 8, 2022 General Election on the September City Council Agenda.
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IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION:
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Last day to register to vote: October 11
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First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance: October 24
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Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked): October 28
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Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance: November 4
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Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail: November 8 at 7:00 p.m. OR November 9 at 5:00 p.m. if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day (unless overseas or military deadlines apply).
More information:
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Mark your calendars for Robinson Family Fun Day Saturday, September 10th, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 204 South Strauss Street (behind the Fire Station and City Hall). There will be lots of fun activities for the whole family! The best part? It’s free! A thank you reception will be hosted across the street from the event at the Robinson Volunteer Fire Department, beginning at 1 p.m., so make plans to stop by reception before heading over!
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Continue Conserving Water |
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We have finally seen rain again! While it's definitely something to celebrate, we still have not received enough rain to bring us back to normal water levels. Because of this, we ask everyone to continue to conserve water. Check out the accompanying graphic for a reminder of the voluntary water restrictions. |
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The City Council will meet in person and virtually for their monthly City Council Meeting.
The meeting agenda and packet can be found online here. Para la agenda en español, visite este sitio web, aqui.
Individuals have the option to participate in the meeting in person or virtually, either by telephone or video through GoToMeeting. The City has set up a section on our website to provide instructions on how to both view and submit a public comment for the meeting and navigate the virtual event. The access code and toll-free number will be provided in the agenda.
Public comment will only be allowed via telephone or video conference via GoToMeeting if choosing to attend remotely. All speakers must register to speak at least two hours in advance of the meeting. All public comments will occur at the beginning of the meeting under the public comment item. Speakers must join the meeting at least 15 minutes prior to it starting in order to speak. Written comments may also be submitted two hours in advance of the meeting. To register to speak or to submit written comments, please email the City Secretary, Misty Cryer.
Live Streaming of Meetings
Council meetings are now being live streamed to the city's YouTube account, the link to the streaming will also be shared on the city's Facebook page. All live streaming is for viewing purposes only, viewers wanting to participate virtually will have to do so via GoToMeeting. Meetings can be viewed live on YouTube, but meeting recordings will only be available on YouTube.
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Through the SeeClickFix mobile app and web tools, Robinson residents will now be able to provide city staff with pictures, specific descriptions, and more — valuable information needed to get the job done efficiently. In addition, the SeeClickFix platform provides city staff with a centralized service request management system to manage issues from creation to resolution — engaging residents throughout the process.
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Reminder: The City of Robinson echos McLennan County on burn bans. On June 21 st, McLennan County's Commissioners Court issued an Order Prohibiting Burning county-wide, simply put, a burn ban is in effect until otherwise. You can find more information here. |
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Recycling is picked up every other week on your designated collection day. |
Bulk/Brush Day is September 10th from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5158 South 12th Street, Robinson, TX. City staff will NOT be available to help place bulk items in the containers so make sure to bring enough help to get items in the 40-yard roll-off.
Reminder: customers have the option to set bulk/brush items at their curb to be collected weekly, during their normal collection day. For hazardous materials, customers may use the At Your Door Special Hazardous Waste Collection offered monthly with their Waste Management services. |
City offices will be closed on September 5th, 2022, in observance of Labor Day. Solid Waste will run as normal.
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Dove season starts on September 1st and to make sure that everyone has a safe enjoyable one we have highlighted a few things from the code of ordinances to keep in mind:
- Hunters must be on 50+ acres and remain 1000 feet away from any structures or roadways.
- Hunters do not have to own the 50+ acres but do have to have permission from the owner(s) to hunt on the property.
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The City of Robinson is hiring! We are looking for individuals to join our culture that values community, service, innovation, professionalism, integrity, leadership, and fiscal responsibility.
Love where you Connect. Grow. Live.
- Maintenance Technician
- Utility Operator
- Communications Specialist (Dispatcher)
- Court Administrator
- Customer Service Specialist
For more information on the jobs, and to apply, visit our website.
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Waco-McLennan County Mobile Library
The Waco-McLennan County Mobile Library will be offering Kids Books, Teen Books, Adult Books, Audiobooks & more at Peplow Park every third Tuesday! Be sure to give them a visit on September 20th between 3 and 4:30 p.m.
You will be able to use your Library Card to check out a book or audiobook. Don't have a library card? Don't worry! You can bring your I.D. and proof of residency and they'll get you all set up! (For more info about proof of residency documents, check out their website).
The books can be returned to any Waco library location or to the Pop Up Library when they return the next month.
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You can always reach us by phone during business hours by calling (254) 662-1415.
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