The city of Mineral Wells, Texas, now has a plan for its bond program, one that will give voters two opportunities to decide the projects they would like to see completed.
Following a motion by At-Large Place 1 Councilman Brian Shoemaker, city council Tuesday evening unanimously voted to accept Ward 3 Councilman John Upham's proposal to present some bond projects to voters in a Nov. 7 election, and then another slate of projects in May 2018.
The Nov. 7 election will allow voters to decide converting the former Bank of America building into new city hall administrative offices ($5.5 million); a list of streets projects ($7.1 million); and a water service line upgrade ($3.75 million) along U.S. 180 West.
Other capital improvement projects including parks improvements, a new rec/sports complex, new police/fire public safety building and other proposals, will be further studied to gather more details and better costs for presentation in a May referendum.
The items will be presented to voters individually.
Council on Tuesday heard bond elections proposals from Upham and Ward 4 Councilman Doyle Light. They were made public Friday and covered in an Index article Monday.
Both councilmen included the city hall and streets projects. Light's also included parks and city gym improvements for a one-time bond presentation to voters of $14.1 million. He did not want to present too much too early.
"We don't see the growth yet," said Light. "None of these things we are going to do are going to bring growth."
Light said the Bank of America building is the "perfect location" for city hall offices.
He said his proposal was based on what he felt was financially best for citizens now, then see if the city's property and sales tax bases grow as some are projecting.
Upham wanted to get on the November ballot the city hall project and the two-year streets improvements program out there -- of which about $1.8 million of the $7.1 million in listed projects are related water and sewer infrastructure costs that will be paid for using utility fees, requiring a rate increase if the proposition is passed.
He also wants to move ahead on a water line upgrade along U.S. Highway 180 from West City Park west to the split at Indian Creek Road. The projected $3.75 million project would replace with a 16-inch line an 8-inch water line that comes off a 21-inch line at the park and extends to S.W. 25th Avenue, and then narrows to a 6-inch line from that point to Indian Creek Road. If approved, that project would also be funded from water and sewer revenue fees.
The line upgrade project is seen as one that would entice development to the west of town. Because of the smaller existing lines, areas to the west can experience pressure and volume issues.
Public Works Director Kelly Jones said the hospital is adequately served through a 12-inch that runs into U.S. 180 from S.W. 10th Avenue, but he said there is no room growth otherwise on those 8- and 6-inch lines.
City Manager Lance Howerton said the infrastructure was purchased from a water system coop that was "not built and designed by the standard of today."
Still, he said while upgrading the west end line would be a benefit and would accommodate economic growth, it is not posing a problem.
"We can continue as we are," Howerton said of the water line. "It's not ideal, but it's not an immediate problem."
Upham pitched waiting on the other proposed projects until more information and details can be obtained. He said there wasn't time to pull those projects together now to present to the public. But he said he wants to eventually to let the citizens make the call on all the projects currently on the table.
"I am of the opinion we should put everything out there and let the citizens decide," he said. "I'm under no illusion that some things won't pass. I just want to be transparent with it."
According to projections provided by the city's bond counsel First Southwest, approving the city hall project and financed over 20 years would require about a 7-cent ad valorem tax increase per $100 property valuation. If financed over 30 years it drops the tax rate hike about a penny.
A water and sewer rate increase to pay for work related to streets projects would be in addition to proposed 7 percent and 3 percent increases before council in the fiscal year 2018 budget. A meeting on the budget is Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 6 p.m.
Terry Blevins addressed council, saying he considered the city hall project "excessive" and asked for more street improvements. As a postal carrier, Blevins said he sees the conditions of the city's streets every day.
"People who come here and see it, it's embarrassing," he said. "I'm embarrassed."
He said he did not want the council to put it in the voters' hands, largely because of a history of low-voter turnouts in council elections. He said if that happens in the bond election, then too small of a percentage of the citizens will decide the outcomes.
"I don't like the idea of letting voters decide," Blevins said. "I want it (the decision) to stop with council."
When invited to take a tour of City Hall and see its condition and working environments for the police, fire and administrative departments, Blevins said doing so would not change his opposition to converting the bank building.
"If you want to spend $5 million, spend it on streets and the water system," Blevins said.
