The Fort Stockton City Council moved forward with several major community infrastructure and public safety projects during its regular meeting Monday night, though members signaled a cautious approach to rising construction costs by rejecting several high-priced bids.

One highlight on the meeting was the warm welcome for councilmen Kenneth Ripley, who had been absent from previous meetings, but whose input was a welcome return to this meeting.

From the approval of a new outdoor fitness court to a significant investment in a new sanitation truck, the council balanced expansion with fiscal oversight while preparing for the upcoming budget cycle.