Linden improvements in the past three years

Linden City Manager/ EDC Director Lee Elliott, in announcing last week he would be leaving his position after three years of service, listed for the public an estimation of improvements in town services of which Linden citizens should be aware.

“In these last three years, our town has built a more solid base to provide a higher level of improved daily services for our citizens and businesses,” Elliott began.

“When I was hired, goals were set, and everyone has worked together. The community deserves applauding. We chose some things to accomplish, others were forced upon on us. But at the end of the day, the teams we put together have done an amazing job. Five to six years of city work in three. Every day people have come to the office happy and ready to contribute. I count my work here as one of my best experiences.”

A listing of city government services, especially improvements, is instructive for all citizens in realizing the professionalism of a town’s employees, the high quality of citizen volunteer leaders and the major task of local government to provide a high quality of life for citizens.

Here is the listing in summary form of accomplishments as given by Elliott.

• We have replaced all water utility meters

• Performed $2 million in drainage improvements

• Completed approximately half of $6 million street repair bond

• Underwent Standard and Poor’s rating process saving citizens and businesses $450k in debt service with street bond project

• Improved pay and benefit package for employees

• Success in building community partnerships

• Repair Jim’s Bayou waste water treatment plant, a $500,000 expenditure

• Halfway complete with US Department of Agriculture $5 million water line project

• Progressing with Community Development Block Grant $350,000 street project • Replaced significant portions of public works equipment,

• Improved parks, adding disc golf course

• Established first rolling stock replacement plan for police cruisers

• Rebuilt police force from Highway 59 enforcement department to community policing department

• Created welcoming library • Developed succession plan for employee advancement. This plan published and Linden featured in Texas Municipal League Magazine.

• Linden Economic Development Corporation incentivized several businesses • Sales tax increase above inflation last two years

• Work with $5 million saw mill adding 30 new jobs

• Created gateway welcome to Linden sign at L-K Junior High

• Implemented TDA Downtown grant of $400k

• Adding downtown banners program

• Increased number of downtown festivals

• Underwent sewer study to identify deficiencies. Now applying for low interest loan for sanitary sewer of $5 million through the Texas Water Development Board

• Online bill pay for utility customers

• Improved civic transparency and public information outreach

• Applying for National Historic Designation for Downtown Commercial District

• Performed a utility rate study

• Improved street signage throughout community

• Painted fire hydrants

• Partnered with Preservation Texas to revitalize the old fire station

• Received a grant and purchased a $250k brush truck

• Created Cass County Economic Development Consortium which received

• Texas Municipal League Management Innovation Award

• Codified ordinances

• Renovating two homes through the HOME Program grant

• Became Music Friendly Certified Community