By Rollingwood Mayor Dale Dingley

Contributing Writer

Six years ago, I was appointed by the Rollingwood City Council to finish the term of the newly elected mayor, Hollis Jefferies. At that time, had anyone suggested that I’d be on the City Council for the next six years, let alone run for and be elected mayor, I would have laughed. But it happened, and I’m grateful to all of you who have supported me over the years.

I chose to continue seeking re-election because of unfinished business. First, there was the impending settlement with the Lower Colorado River Authority. Following closely was the mediation and settlement with the firm of our former city attorney. Then came the issue of much needed water system upgrades.

The LCRA settlement saved the city several million dollars. Was it what we wanted? Absolutely not, but our legal team advised us that it was the best we could get without risking getting nothing.

The settlement with the law firm grossed $900,000. After legal fees, the City netted approximately $677,000. Again, we felt we deserved more, but in mediation each side has to give. That money has allowed us to avoid wastewater rate increases until this year’s budget.

Water system upgrades are well underway. A major project is about finished and other projects are on the burner. Continuing upgrades appear to have “legs of their own.”

So, with the deadline for filing fast approaching, it’s time for another decision. We have a term limit of six years for our Board and Commission members. Indeed, I have seen several hard-working folks leave a position due to term limits. It has become my conviction that members of the City Council should consider a self-imposition of that same term limit.

At the end of this term I will be 67 years of age. I consider myself truly blessed in that both of my parents are still alive and relatively healthy. But, both being in their 80s, they are becoming increasingly frail, and I feel a very strong need to be more available for them. I intend to spend as much time with them as I can in their remaining years.

For these reasons, I have decided to forego a run for another two-year term as mayor of Rollingwood. I will leave office with the satisfaction of knowing that our city is on firm financial ground with much needed infrastructure projects well under way.

I extend my thanks to those with whom I’ve served on the city council; to Don Ferguson, our first city administrator; to Vicky Rudy, our second city administrator; to Robyn Ryan, our newly appointed city secretary; to Dayne Pryor, our chief of police; to Frank Miller, the most self-motivated individual I’ve ever known; to Elizabeth Standifer, our financial director; to Claire, Eli and Jasper; and to all the police officers who have served our city during my tenure.

Finally, a huge, heartfelt thanks to Jackie, my wife of 33 years, for her patience with my very unpredictable and often late-night city schedule over the past six years.