By Hallie Richwine

The Village of Santa Clara Regular Meeting was held Thursday, September 27, 2018 in the Village Hall. Trustees Patricia Montgomery and Rocky Hildebrand attended as well as Mayor Richard Bauch and Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza.

During the mayor’s report Bauch reminded everyone of the birthday celebration Saturday, October 13. Bauch also mentioned Friday, October 12, 2018 as the day the senior center switches to an all-solar system. Funding for the project was entirely from non-profit agencies and the revenue saved will be put back into the senior center and its programs.

Bauch also wanted to let trustees know that at the next meeting there would be discussion about the Election Process. The state is requiring elections to align at state, county, and municipal levels. If Santa Clara opts out of the proposed Election Process, the village will be responsible for the full cost of the election. The alternative is to pay a smaller cost to the secretary of state for shared usage of machines, etc. Trustees will need to decide whether to join or opt out of the new system, and if they opt in they will need to adjust terms to either nine weeks short or over a year longer than originally anticipated.

The only new business on the agenda was the possibility of a variance, which counsel Yvonne Gonzalez refuted. “The board of trustees of Santa Clara does not have the authority to give the variance,” she said. No action could be taken on the request.

The next Regular Meetings of the Village of Santa Clara happen on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 3 p.m. and Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 6 p.m. at the Village of Santa Clara Village Hall located at 105 N. Bayard Street.