By HEATHER C. COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
City officials at a workshop on Tuesday attempted to address confusion regarding the pending street repair project, including the process of selling certificates of obligation to help pay for the project.
The San Benito City Commission has not defined specific allocation of designated funds to repair city streets, though according to City Manager Manuel Lara, the city will not sell any certificates of obligation until November. Depending on November’s market interest rate, the amount borrowed would range from 2.9 million to as much as $3.5 million.
Lara asserted, “We’re not going to incur any more debt on the City of San Benito,” which at last check has long-exceeded a $30 million deficit. Comparatively, Lara also assured those present on Tuesday that the property tax hike will not increase from the additional $.04 per $100 valuation, and funds generated from this hike will reportedly be placed into a separate account for street repair monies.
Additional funding which could potentially produce up to $400,000 extra for street repairs might surface in the near future, though at this time Lara would not speak for certain. If these funds become available, the total amount would be placed into its own account, separate from funds incurred by the tax hike but also to be utilized solely for street repairs.
Commissioner J.D. Penny suggested that the city obtain estimates regarding the approximated cost to repair one city block and that such an estimate could be utilized in obtaining an overall estimate. Mayor Joe H. Hernandez was not convinced such an estimate could be helpful due to the differing nature of street width. Commissioner Rene Villafranco sided with Hernandez.
Assistant City Manager Hector Jalomo estimated materials for repairs might cost $17,500-$19,000 per block; albeit, this number is merely an estimate and would only be inclusive of materials. This figure does not include labor or equipment and is not otherwise solidified.
Lara maintained that until core samples are retrieved on a street, the street’s condition will remain uncertain as will the total cost of repairs on the street. It was mentioned that the cost of repairs to each street could differ from one to the next.
Additionally, some streets are concrete. These streets can potentially be repaired sectionally, according to Jalomo. In other words, if part of a concrete road is in disrepair, it would be possible to address only the portion of the street requiring repairs. This “band-aid” effort could temporarily solve a problem while saving money. Lara mentioned that “patchwork” streets would not look as beautiful as ones in which top dollar was spent to refurbish the entire road.
For at least some roads, it is anticipated that core samples could indicate low levels of caliche. In cases such as this, the entire road must be treated to bring caliche levels up to the TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) standard. Lara explained that in residential neighborhoods, the roads should have underlying caliche levels of 6-8 inches and in commercial areas, the caliche levels should be 12 inches.
Mayor Hernandez voiced concern for how the city would select which streets to repair, i.e. which streets would take precedence. Some commissioners have explored city streets and, as a result, developed the beginnings of a list of roads which are presently in poor condition.
Lara has divided the city into 12 quadrants and has hired teams to address the conditions of each street in each quadrant. A book of street disrepair findings is in existence, though at this time no motion has been made to start repairs in a certain location. Mayor Hernandez expressed his desire to delegate such a choice to the administrators and staff, who in his words, “Are out on the streets. They know which streets are worse.”
Lara said, “We’ll fix as many streets as we can with the funds available.” But since no one at Tuesday’s meeting either knows or will say exactly how much each city block will cost, due to the nature of uncertain variables, no verdict was reached.
Another question which still remains unanswered is who will fix the roads. It was mentioned that of 20 city employees who work in city maintenance, only five are designated to work on street repair, and according to Lara, these individuals have their hands full with a heavy day-to-day workload.
Approved in the 2012-2013 budget was one extra position for full time mower. Lara explained, “We approved a new position for mowing. TxDOT has cut down on the cycles they do, and we’re seeing our grass grow out of control. We want to beautify the city. We want people to see a clean town. We’re trying to get permission to mow at our cost.”
In addition to an F/T mower, the new budget approved a position for a street department supervisor. A certain budget has been allotted for this position (in the mid-upper $30k range) though the actual salary will depend on the individual’s qualifications. Lara said, “We’re looking to bring in someone with at least 10 years of experience.”
Jalomo pointed out, “We want to try to get someone experienced, but sometimes those individuals are already working for a contractor. Some people might feel the city doesn’t pay enough – but the city offers benefits contractors don’t.” Benefits Jalomo referenced include paid time off, sick leave, holiday pay, and more.
As of presstime, at least a few applications for employment have been dropped off to the city, though no one has yet been interviewed or hired.
Furthermore, the city wants to utilize its resources and equipment and make calculations for the most effective construction process possible. Commissioner Villafranco invited individuals from the community to share with the elected officials lists of streets in disrepair. He said, “We will listen to your comments.”
The News has affirmed aforementioned numbers with Lara and Jalomo. Other numbers recently reported in another local newspaper could not be substantiated by the city managers.
Read this story in the Oct. 14 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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Above I asked this question: “Anyone…wonder why there is such a rush to…get [the commissions] hands on money without first knowing how much they will need and how and where it will be spent?”
It is being reported today in another daily publication, that San Benito’s sales tax increased “3.47 percent” over same period last year. In September, the SB News reported increased sales tax receipts from May-August 2012, as “slight.” For the sake of argument, let’s assume an increase in sales tax revenue for the past six months at 3.47 percent.
Now let’s look at the SB general fund budget for 2012-13, which increased $995,628, or 9.25 percent over 2011-12 budget. Since we have a six-month period to draw on of 3.47 percent income growth leading up to the passing of the SB budget in September 2012, why would there be a proposed 9.25 percent increase in expenditures? A 3.47 percent increase in the budget over the past fiscal year would have meant an increase of $338,858, to $10,104.,235 — not 10,761,006.
Why is it that the 2012-13 budget bumps legal fees nearly $100,000? With all the legal woes that’s been in the papers the past few years, you mean there’s more trouble coming to the tune of $100,000?
Why budget more than $36,000 for “International Travel” for city commission/staff at a time when the city is raising property taxes just to fix streets? Why spend more money this year when there hasn’t been a return from last year’s junket to China? This year they budget enough to take the entire commission!
To answer my question, they need this money now to make it through the minimum $600,000 shortfall the city will encounter this fiscal year. If $3,000,000 is borrowed, the citizens will be lucky to see two million dollars spent on the streets. That’s why there is such a rush to borrow with no plan.
Hey Denny, hold on. I knw every family that lives on Ratliff St, the mayor does not reside on Ratliff.. But ur point is well taken.
I was referring to the (Sept. 26, 2012) statement on another local Media where “Hernandez said he will propose that the city repair Ratliff Street from Combes Street to Scott Brown Road” and not that it was his residence.
Rumor has it that Ratliff Street is his commute route to his barber shop.
Road to confusion ..already. They’ll be mis-appropriated money, missing materials,back room deals ,favortism all capped off with”no comment”
getcha popcorn ready!-
The favoritism began already. the mayor will get his Ratliff street paved, rest assured! I will bet maquinita money.
This is a “very good report” covering what transpired at the workshop,
The key point to focus on is that whether the total amount of CO’s (certificate of obligations) issued is between $2.9 and up to $3.5 million dollars, the recent 4 cents property tax increase will cover the span. It will all depend on the interest rate on the day of the transaction sale!
There will be “no more tax increases” this current fiscal year as some citizens suspect.
As reported, prioritizing the streets is not an easy task due to the many variables involved. However, I have confidence that the qualified in-house staff will rise to the task.
The key is that there is “no undue influence” from the city commission or external sources from here on.
I have a suggestion…DON’T repair the streets where the Mayor and City Commissioners live until AFTER all other streets are repaired.
Typical of this San Bnito Commission: They have no plan for this city. The Commission rushes to raise property taxes so they can incur more debt on the citizens by borrowing an undertermined amount to repair undetermined streets that will cost an undetermined amount. On the brink of incurring more debt, the Commissioners have no formulated plan other than to incur more debt.
Anyone aside from me wonder why there is such a rush to heap upon the citizens more debt and get their hands on money without first knowing how much they will need and how and where it will be spent?
Anyone aside from me appalled by this commissions’ actions to raise property taxes on its citizens to generate $147,000/year to pay for the debt they are about to amass, but willing to accept a lower bid and waive back taxes of more than twice that amount that could be gained in one single transaction?
Anyone aside from me find this ludicrously poor and irresponsible management?
Here’s a proposed plan that might not be too popular with those constituents the commission is trying to benefit but serves the best interest of the entire community: Repair all roads in commercial districts before repairing one in a residential neighborhood. Fixing the streets to attract business will benefit the entire community long-term by generating a sustainable source of income from which the remaining roads can be fixed. That’s what the commission needs to do for this community to improve it.
What the citizens need to do for this community to improve it at the next election is remember these examples of poor management and how their pleas not to raise taxes fell on the deaf ears of each of these men on the commission.