Establishment of a uniform procedure for renaming a Buda street, park or other city-owned facility was given approval by city leaders Sept. 19.
David Marino, Buda public information officer, said the new policy, approved by a 5-0 vote, was generated by city council members requests and staff interest. Council members David Nuckels and Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Lane were absent from the meeting and did not vote.
Buda Assistant City Manager Micah Grau said the naming policy would not take precedence over council’s authority to name, rename or transfer the name of any facility in Buda.
It is also not intended to replace the street naming process through subdivision platting, which is the current way streets in Buda are named. Guidance from the recently approved policy could be applied to that process, Grau said.
In Buda, criterion for naming a facility, park or major city feature is based on historical, cultural or social significance, as well as whether it fits the character of Buda and to engender a positive image, according to city documents.
Grau said that the new policy helps avoid duplicate, long and possibly profane names from being adopted.
Future facilities, parks and features could be named after exceptional individuals, historical events or places, corporations, or associations that make major monetary gifts to Buda, Grau said. Names at current facilities will be able to transfer over.
City officials also have an option to sell naming rights to a company in exchange for a certain percentage of funding.
Council member George Haehn expressed concern over commercializing city facilities and advocated for more restrictions in selling naming rights.
Buda Mayor Todd Ruge agreed and said that it may be enticing to future councils to have a developer or company pay for the majority of a needed project in exchange for the company’s name being emblazoned on it.
“We need to not look at the money, but look at our reputation,” Ruge said.
