BURTON CITY COUNCIL AGREES TO PARTNER WITH VET CLINIC FOR FERAL SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM

  

The City of Burton is partnering with the Burton Veterinary Clinic to provide low-cost spay and neuter procedures for feral cats in the community.

The Burton City Council moved on Tuesday to enter into the partnership, which covers half of the cost for Burton residents who bring in feral cats to be spayed or neutered at the clinic through its “Feral Cat Friday” program.  Mayor Karen Buck said the city has a pass-through account set up and is receiving contributions from “generous residents” who want to support the program and take care of half of the bill for the spay/neuter procedures.

Buck said the arrangement for the program mirrors what Brenham Animal Services provides to Brenham and Washington County residents.  She said she is grateful to be able to work with Dr. Brandon Schulte of the Burton Veterinary Clinic on offering this program, and to those who have donated toward it.

Anyone who brings in the animals to be spayed or neutered must be a full-time Burton resident.  Procedures are performed at the Burton Veterinary Clinic, with final approval at Burton City Hall to take care of 50 percent of the bill by way of the pass-through account.

Councilmember Paul McLaughlin spoke highly on the clinic’s program, saying his experience using it was great.  Buck said she heard from one resident who brought in seven ferals and was “very pleased” with how it operated.

The council also approved the city’s general and water/sewer budgets for the 2026-27 Fiscal Year.  The budget documents posted on the city’s website show general budget income projected at $216,889 and expenses at $196,630, along with debt service fund revenue at $130,411 and debt service expenditures at $125,596, for net income of $25,084.  The water/sewer budget is expected to receive $261,990 in income and pay $249,278 in expenses, resulting in net income of $12,711.

In other business, the council selected the bid of Aggieland Smart Home Technologies for a security camera and alarm system at Burton City Hall.  The city will pay $2,415 up front for the equipment and $30 a month for services.      

Also on Tuesday, the council:

• Held discussion on the city’s next steps to fill the city secretary position vacated after the resignation of Angela Harrington. 
• Approved resolutions authorizing the mayor to act as the city’s executive officer and authorized representative in all matters pertaining to the city’s participation in the State of Texas 2026 Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant Program and the 2026 Project Information Form (PIF) Grant with the Texas Water Development Board.
• Took no action on the Washington County Appraisal District’s proposed budget.  Action was only required if the council chose to reject the proposed budget.