.png)
City Council made up for lost time Feb. 4, working through an agenda extended by items from the Jan. 21 meeting that was canceled because of a cold snap that left as quickly as it came.
The meeting also marked the last appearance of Acting City Manager Beau Perry on the dais, with leadership now shifting to Interim City Manager Isaac Turner as the council continues its search for a permanent replacement.
Nonprofit funding distributed
After several delays, the council finally allocated the $50,000 set aside in Elgin’s annual budget for community nonprofits to 14 organizations.
Each group’s funding was based on scoring by Mayor Theresa McShan and council members, with total awards matching the substantial sum.
Once average amounts were assigned, about $2,800 remained that was split evenly between Elgin Community Cupboard and Elgin Cares organizations, as they both serve large local populations with food support, according to the council.
Final awards ranged from $750 to $11,800, reflecting the variety of missions — from animal welfare and arts programming to youth advocacy and shelter services.
Council members noted they plan to refine the application process next year to ensure that similar nonprofits do not compete against each other.
Police pay update
A new Elgin Police Department pay scale was unanimously approved that factors in a 4% costof- living adjustment on top of the standard 3% annual step increase tied to service time.
“We want to make sure everyone is moving up and not backwards,” Perry said.
The scale sees commissioned officers below the rank of chief progress by one step each year on their anniversary date if they meet eligibility requirements and have no pending disciplinary actions.
The revised policy also allows lateral hires with prior continuous full-time police service to begin above step one, depending on their years of experience.
Council members said the updated pay plan is designed as a recruiting mechanism to keep officers from leaving after gaining experience.
An officer with EPD on step one can expect to earn about $60,000.
Health voice named
The council appointed Roger Adams as Elgin’s representative on the new Bastrop County Advisory Board of Health, noting his extensive background in health and human services.
Adams, the sole applicant for the role, currently serves as a division director with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, overseeing a multidisciplinary team that develops advanced payment models aimed at improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
Over the course of 27 years, he has worked at both local and state levels, including positions with the Capital Area Council of Governments, Texas Workforce Commission and Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.
His expertise in program development, operational management and stakeholder engagement is expected to strengthen collaboration between Elgin and Bastrop County on public health initiatives, the city said.
New voting site
A routine ordinance officially set the general election for May 3, which will seat representatives in wards 1, 2, 3 and 4.
This year, instead of the Elgin Recreation Center, voters will head to the North Bastrop County Community Annex, 1125 Dildy Drive. The new location offers more space, according to the council, and allows the Rec Center to continue hosting its regular programs without interruption.
Council members said the move makes the voting process more convenient for residents, and the building’s newly expanded rooms should comfortably accommodate all election activities.
City manager search
The council received information on several executive search firms, sectioned off into two groups.
Looking to move the city manager search process forward, council members will independently review the groups for scope of service and pricing before reconvening to decide which ones will be invited to make a presentation.
No firm recommendations were made, as staff can only provide options, not endorse a specific candidate, Turner said.
