The Livingston City Council presented a resolution of appreciation to Elgin Davis for over 16 years of service as an alderman during its Dec. 9 regular meeting. Davis served on the council from May 2009 through November 2025.
In related activity, Council approved the appointment of Alderman Bobby Jackson Sr. to serve as director to the Deep East Texas Council of Governments Board for the term ending June 30, 2026, which was previously held by Davis. “Elgin served for many, many years and has served us quite well,” City Manager Billy S. Wiggins said.
Council discussed and approved the appointment of four directors for the Main Street Advisory Board for the term beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and ending Dec. 31, 2027. Those appointed include Molly Anderson, Terri Smith, Lisa Haynes and Isabel Gobel. These appointments replace outgoing directors Tracy Kincade, Danielle Smith, Sherry Baker and Jessica Corwin. The advisory board is made up of nine directors appointed by Council. They may serve up to three two-year terms at a time.
On behalf of the Livingston Main Street Program, three of its participants – Michele Thomas, Terri Smith and Isabel Gobel – attended the meeting and presented a check to be deposited into the Livingston Main Street account. The funds were raised during a recent fashion show held downtown in which five downtown merchants provided fashions, four downtown merchants provided food and drink and over 40 door prizes and gift cards provided by downtown merchants were awarded to attendees of the fashion show.
A proposed ordinance amending Ordinance No. 854 adopting the budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 to include two budget adjustments was approved. Wiggins explained that although Council formerly approved all budget adjustments at the end of the fiscal year, the practice has since changed to addressing them as they come up, to afford a truer picture of the budget. These two adjustments dealt with overages on the West and Willis Streets project and the water project.
Scott Rayburn, the city’s new community development coordinator that came onboard in September, presented an update on his department, including a review of preliminary recommended ordinance alterations and changes.
Rayburn has significant experience in city planning and development. Prior to his employment with the City of Livingston, he was employed by the City of Lufkin since 1997, where he served in both the engineering and planning departments. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and is also a certified floodplain manager.
As there are numerous ordinances that need to be updated, and some items which are not addressed by current ordinances but need to be, Rayburn has come of with a list of items to be addressed. These include fencing standards, parking standards, required surveys, clearing permits, mobile food unit standards, manufactured homes and parks, adjustment of fee schedule as relate to proposed ordinances, subdivision ordinance, drainage criteria manual for development and implementation of basic land use restrictions.
In related activity, Council approved calling a public hearing for 5 p.m. Jan. 13 to receive comment on a proposed ordinance adding Section 10-30 to Article II of Chapter 10 (buildings and structures) of the code of ordinances regulating fences.
City Manager Billy S. Wiggins presented his monthly update on projects and events. He reported that the city has been approved for a $2,062,000 downtown sidewalk grant from the Texas Department of Transportation through the Texas Transportation Commission. However, work will not begin until October 2026 because the funds are coming from the transportation commission’s fiscal year 2027 budget.
Other business included approval of the minutes of the Nov. 10 and Nov. 12 meetings and accounts over $2,500.
Livingston ISD’s Creekside Elementary School Student Council Leadership Team, under the direction of Gina Hodges and Gloria Dickinson, sang Christmas songs for the Council.
