By Mayor Dale Dingley

The heat of summer has arrived early. Already, we have experienced record high temperatures accompanied by record high water usage. As a result, the city has had to declare Stage 2 drought conditions with accompanying restrictions on landscape irrigation. Details of these restrictions can be seen on the City Web site (www.cityofrollingwood.com).

We can all appreciate lush, green lawns and bright, colorful flowers, but, in light of the widespread and extended drought in Central Texas, we need to adopt an attitude of conservation. I appeal to all residents to closely follow the Stage 2 restrictions and help us avoid conditions that could result in our having to declare Stage 3 restrictions.

Kudos to the Rollingwood Women’s Club for another successful July Fourth parade and picnic. Led by a Cub Scout color guard and a host of vibrant Austin Samba School drummers, our parade wound its way through Rollingwood to a picnic in the park. This year’s event was one of the best ever, and our thanks go out to the event chairperson Liz Krakow and the many volunteers and merchants who provided time and materials. It was especially gratifying to see the many former mayors and council members in attendance. These are the folks who helped us get to where we are today – a vibrant, thriving and rather unique community.

Following our day in the park, many of us arrived at the Zilker Clubhouse to view the spectacular evening fireworks show. It was a moving performance, reminding all present of the many blessings of living in the “land of the free and home of the brave.” In celebrating the birthday of our great country, let us never forget the many sacrifices that have been made to help us endure for some 233 years.

The City Council held the first of several budget workshops on July 8. At this meeting I presented the first draft of an 2009-10 budget proposal to the City Council.

This budget will be very lean, reflecting the economic downturn of the past few years.

While the city moves forward in developing a budget for the next year, another item is due for discussion. Many feel that wastewater bills could be reduced significantly if the city owned and operated the sewer system. That now may be in the realm of possibility. The Lower Colorado River Authority has expressed interest in divesting its wastewater systems. As a result, the City Council soon will be discussing the feasibility of paying off the LCRA in an action that would result in Rollingwood owning its wastewater system. By refinancing at a lower interest rate, and having current staff take over routine operations and maintenance duties, sewer related expenses would be lowered significantly. 

Other cities, notably West Lake Hills and Round Rock, have entered into negotiations with the LCRA with this in mind.

I encourage all Rollingwood residents to attend our budget workshops . The schedule is posted on the city’s Web site. Also, please be sure to let City Council members know your opinion on buying the wastewater system from the LCRA.