“This was a huge election with a lot of moving parts, and I want to publicly tell Ellie how proud I am of her and the county clerk’s office,” Livingston City Manager Bill S. Wiggins said of City Secretary and Assistant City Manager Ellie Monteaux, the city’s elections administrator, regarding the Nov. 5 general election.
The Livingston City Council canvassed the Nov. 5 election returns and approved a resolution declaring the results during its Nov. 12 meeting. The oaths of office were administered to Mayor Judy B. Cochran and Aldermen Alan Cook and Andy Evans and Cook was elected mayor pro-tem for the 2024-2025 term.
In the city election, 1,775 people – or 53.4% of the city’s registered voters – cast ballots in the election.
“This is truly historic,” Monteaux said, adding that she went back through election records for the past 50 years and during that time there has only been one other contested mayoral election, and it was in 2008.
Council approved the 2025 calendar year holiday observances, adding Juneteenth to the list for a total of 14 holiday observances.
Also approved was a proposed resolution to prohibit specific applications that pose a security risk as set out in Chapter 620 of the Texas Government Code.
Wiggins presented his monthly update on projects and events which focused on the advent of the upcoming holiday events. The city’s annual Christmas Lighting Ceremony is slated for 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at City Hall and will include the lighting of all the city’s holiday decorations, including those in Pedigo Park, which will remain lighted nightly through Dec. 31. The Christmas Train Village, presented by the Polk County Heritage Society, will be held Nov. 29 through Dec. 29 at Good Golly Miss Molly’s at 406 N. Washington with days and hours varying. First Baptist Church will present “A Walk Through Bethlehem” at 6 p.m. Dec. 6-8 at Pedigo Park. Santa will be at Miss Effie’s Cottage from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 13. Livingston Hometown Christmas is slated for Dec. 14 with arts, crafts, food and gift vendors and the quilt show from noon to 8 p.m., the Jingle Bell Fun Run & Walk at City Hall with the one-mile starting at 11:15 a.m. and the two-mile and 5K starting at noon, and the Lighted Christmas Parade kicking off at 6 p.m. downtown.
Wiggins reported that the November sales tax report from the state comptroller for the month of September 2024 reflects $488,562.48, an increase of 11.23% from September 2023.
He reported there are 19 active residential home permits and numerous commercial projects underway.
Other business included approval of the minutes of the Oct. 8 meeting and accounts over $500.
