Two weeks after the city passed $55 million in bond propositions, city leaders in Buda discussed the next steps at a City Council meeting Nov. 18. No action was taken on the item, but council members discussed which projects in the five bond categories they would like to see prioritized. On Nov. 4 voters approved $21 million for a new city hall and public library complex, $6.75 million for a public safety facility, $12.25 million to make street improvements, $7 million for drainage projects and $8 million for parks and trails upgrades. However, the first order of business will be hiring a project manager, City Manager Kenneth Williams said. Councilwoman Eileen Altmiller said her first priority is completing the acquisition of land for the new municipal buildings—a combined public library and city hall and a police station. The city has not said what area it is targeting for the land purchase so as not to affect current negotiations. Funds approved in the bond program will bankroll the real estate acquisitions. "First of all, we have some very time-sensitive land acquisitions," Altmiller said. "I think that would be first, and then we have the traffic backup at FM 967 and Main Street. If we could do something on that as quickly as possible, that would put an extra 10 to 15 minutes in everyone's day." Street improvements totaling $12.25 million will be made as part of the bond program. Main Street and FM 967, in the heart of Buda's downtown, becomes congested during peak traffic hours, officials say. Among the improvements will be a right turn lane to ease the flow of traffic on Main Street. Councilman Bobby Lane said he would like to see the new public library prioritized. A combined city hall and public library municipal facility with a $21 million price tag will be constructed. They will replace the city's existing facilities. "Right now, it's really exciting to think we can launch this library project," Lane said. He said replacing the city's public library has been discussed every year since he was elected. Lane also said that Buda is quickly outgrowing its city hall and noted that the City Council chambers were nearly full at the Nov. 18 meeting. Another matter the council will take up in the coming weeks is the formation of an advisory committee for prioritizing improvements to parks and recreational facilities, for which $8 million was approved in the bond election. City staff recommended naming past parks and recreation advisory commissioners, bond advisory committee members and participants who helped carve out the city's parks master plan to the seven-member committee. Williams will discuss the 2014 bond program in his regular city manager's report at a Dec. 2 meeting.