Alpine
While city staff at an April 21 City Council meeting were ready to press the gas on much-needed projects and on the city budgeting process, one council member was throwing up caution signs over debt and a lack of information regarding city funds.
The meeting included the presentation of the City Improvement Plan (CIP) by City Manager Henry Arredondo, information regarding a proposed partnership with the Alpine Independent School District to improve the softball field at Kokernot Park and discussions over the city’s financial standing.
The CIP included about $17 million in projects over the coming five years, with about $3.5 million spent in the first year. The majority of the spending would be in the Utilities Department, with about $215,000 spent in the first year, $2.1 million in the second year, and about $7.1 million in the third year.
The $17 million in the CIP represents the total needed for the projects, before subtracting any grants or assistance the city might receive, said Arredondo, who was optimistic about the amount the city could receive. “Our goal is to get the biggest bang with grants,” he said.
“The City of Alpine is actively pursuing alternative financial sources to offset the financial burden of the CIP,” Arredondo said. He was also optimistic about how much the city could receive in grants and how much in loans taken out through the state program would eventually be forgiven.
His optimism was questioned by Councilmember Rick Stephens, who asked when they would have information regarding how much they could count on coming from grants. It could take up to two years, Arredondo said.
The list of Utility Department projects in the CIP included a changeover to smart water meters, annexing areas to the east of Alpine and the refurbishment of wastewater treatment facilities.
The CIP also includes remodeling of the police department and updates, repairs and relocations of areas at the city airport.
While Mayor Catherine Eaves and all present council members, including Stephens, complimented Arredondo on the format of the CIP, saying it was easy to read and understand, Stephens said that it was difficult for him to move forward with projects, even those he supported, without knowing how much was in the city’s fund balance, and if or how the city could support the debt.
Stephens also questioned whether the city’s priorities aligned with the community’s.
“One of the things I’m going to be asking,” Stephens said, “is where will the funding be coming from…. I’m really worried about the level of debt.”
Replying to Stephens’ concerns, Arredondo explained that the goal is to pursue as many grants as possible and that the debt can be financed over the life of a project. Arredondo also cautioned the City Council about the “hidden cost of delay,” saying that delaying work on some projects could lead to more damage and higher costs.
Stephens went on to ask multiple times to see a budget and/or be told where the city’s budget stood. Arredondo answered that the city was “tracking at about 40%” in spending what was budgeted while at the “50% mark” of its fiscal year.
After several more questions from Stephens, Arredondo answered that there was $3.5 million to $3.7 million in the city’s fund balance.
While members of the council expressed support for a partnership with Alpine ISD to improve the softball field at Kokernot Park, Stephens’ support was qualified. The project is important because it is for the kids of Alpine, he said, and therefore, he would find the budget information he needed to make the partnership happen.
New “Artwalk” street name
In other action, the council also unanimously approved the naming of the corner of 5th Street and Avenue E as “Artwalk Plaza.”
The naming of Artwalk Plaza comes after the city approved the purchase of the area, located in downtown Alpine, “for the purpose of preserving and enhancing public art and establishing a visitor kiosk to promote tourism,” said the city.
The corner is the home of two of Alpine’s original murals and Artwalk Alpine, the longest-running free arts festival in West Texas.