Here is a recap of what was featured in the Wednesday, March 8, e-edition of the Taylor Press. The e-edition is emailed to subscribers and available at www. taylorpress.net.
MAYOR DELIVERS “STATE OF OUR CITY” ADDRESS
On Feb. 27, Mayor Brandt Rydell delivered his annual “State of the city” address at the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon at the Taylor Independent School District’s event center.
Rydell spoke on the city’s efforts toward the winter storm Mara, the city budget and the future.
While Taylor did largely lose electricity during the recent winter storm, due to physical infrastructure being damaged, water was not lost this time, and Rydell recognized the efforts of city staff to keep the citizens informed through social media and other venues.
Since Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s announcement, Taylor has developed a “vibrant economic climate,” Rydell said and has seen a 270 percent increase in salestax revenue.
For this year’s budget, the city was able to reduce the tax rate to the lowest rate since 1999 and increase the exemption per household to $40,000 as well as add a new exemption for disabled persons, and increase compensation levels for city staff, Rydell said.
Despite the challenges, Rydell said he was confident that the city would be able to continue to adapt, grow and build on current successes.
STILL CRAFTING COMMUNITY
The Texas Beer Company may have closed its iconic watering hole at the corner of Second and Main streets Jan. 1, but last Saturday’s inaugural event at their new taproom at 1331 W. Second St. showed its community- crafting presence is as strong as ever.
Hundreds of people brought their family, friends, kids and even dogs to soak up the springtime sun, sip on craft beer, hear live music from Texas musician Brooke Graham, play corn hole and enjoy savory vittles from Hola Aloha and Davis Grocery & Barbecue at Texas Beer Company. Visitors checked out the new indoor taproom, formerly used to store grain, with comfortable seating, shuffle board and a variety of TBC’s popular beers on tap.
LIVINGSTON APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
The Leo Livingston Fund grant committee is actively accepting applications to help local non-profit organizations again this year.
The Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley administers a charitable endowment fund that was created in memory of Leo Livingston by his wife Doris Livingston, benefits nonprofit organizations in the Taylor
community. The foundation is accepting applications from 501(c)(3) organizations for the local grant.
Five Taylor business leaders and civic leaders represent the interests of the community in reviewing annual grant applications and presenting recommendations regarding the distribution of these annual grants.
To apply, organizations need to be a local non-profit with a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status along with a list of board members and officers.
The deadline for applications is Friday, March 31, and recipients will be notified no later than April 28.
Applications are available at the Taylor Press, 211 W. Third St., and Mark Schroeder’s law office, 311 Talbot.
Applications must be postmarked by Friday, March 31, and mailed to: Leo Livingston Grant Review Committee 211 W. Third St. Taylor, TX 76574. Applications can also be sent via email to Jason.hennington@ granitemediapartners. com or returned to the Taylor Press. In the subject line, write Livingston application entry.
TAYLOR FD SEEKS FEDERAL AID FOR STAFFING BOOST A federal grant program may be an answer to the city’s current inadequate staffing levels for the Taylor Fire Department.
The grant could provide the city with funds for nine additional positions for three years to meet minimum staffing standards of the National Fire Protection Association.
Last month, Taylor Fire Chief Daniel Baum and the consulting firm Citygate presented a new Fire Services Master Plan to the council, which recommended increasing current staffing from seven people on duty each day to 14 in order to not have to rely on neighboring mutual aid during structure fires.
The SAFER grant is designed to help fire departments meet minimum staffing requirements and other needs to respond to emergencies and hazards.
The grant would pay the salary and benefits, but would require the city to pay for uniforms and Personal Protective Equipment, initial medical exams, training costs and other expenses, and would require the city to pay all the costs after the third year of the grant, officials said.
