The Livingston City Council approved a proposed ordinance declaring the city’s Nov. 3 General Election cancelled and the unopposed candidates elected during its Sept. 8 regular meeting.
The mayor’s position, presently held by Mayor Judy B. Cochran, and two aldermen’s positions, presently held by Alan Cook and Andy Evans, would have been on the ballot for the Nov. 3 General Election. However, Cochran is not seeking reelection and Evans filed to run for the mayor’s seat. Cook filed for reelection as alderman and Earnest Jackson Jr. filed to run for an alderman’s position. As no one else filed, the city secretary certified the unopposed candidates.
Council adopted the budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 following a public hearing that drew no comment. In related activity, budget amendments for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 were also approved.
A proposed resolution extending the Sept. 2 emergency declaration in response to Tropical Storm Edouard for 30 days was approved.
Council approved authorizing the city manager to negotiate the contract for the sale of a 10,974-square-foot parcel of land – one quarter of one acre – located on Washington Avenue north of E. Denham Street to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for right of way relating to the Choates Creek bridge replacement project. TxDOT is offering $120,489 for the purchase – $80,695 for the land and $39,794 for damages to the property.
Council also approved the contract between the City of Livingston and The Williams Firm for city attorney services per request for qualifications issued June 9 and authorized the city manager to execute the contract.
A proposed resolution designating the Polk County Enterprise as the official newspaper of the City of Livingston for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 was approved.
The annual firefighting agreement between the City of Livingston and Polk County for the upcoming fiscal year was approved. The city will receive $63,887.39 from the county for the department’s services within the county.
Several items relating to the 2026 Texas General Land Office Texas Mitigation Reallocation Program Grant were on the agenda. Council approved authorization for submission of an application for the grant; approved issuing a request for proposals for grant administration services; and appointed a rating review committee to rate the proposals received. The committee will include the city manager, the city secretary/assistant city manager and the finance director.
Following an executive session, Council approved the proposed salary schedule for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.
City Manager Billy S. Wiggins presented his monthly update on projects and events.
Other business included approval of the minutes of the Aug. 11 and Aug. 31 meetings and accounts over $2,500.
