Copperas Cove city council to discuss water rates
By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press
The Copperas Cove City Council will hold a discussion and provide direction on the city’s Fee Schedule during its workshop meeting this evening which starts at 5 p.m.
The specific fees being discussed are the city’s water rates for its utility customers.
“Per City Council’s request during last fiscal year’s budget discussions, this is simply a follow-up discussion on all city water and sewer rates, to include tiered rates,” said Kevin Keller, Public Relations Director for the City of Copperas Cove.
No action is expected to take place this evening regarding any rate adjustments.
The council is also beginning discussions on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 during their workshop.
This is the next step on the Budget Calendar, which provides the roadmap for the next six months of budget preparation. The items discussed in the presentation will range from property taxes to fees and employee benefits to Strategic Plan Initiatives. The proposed budget will be presented to the council in June, during which the city council will hold several workshops finalizing the budget in order to be adopted by the scheduled date of August 9.
The City Council will also discuss and provide direction on the 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Plan. City staff have prepared a draft of the 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) based on city’s current and future infrastructure needs. The council members are being asked to prioritize the projects submitted by the various city departments. Previous direction by city council during a debt capacity discussion was for limiting debt to $40 million over the next five years. There are 56 CIP projects currently proposed in the 2023-2027 CIP, totaling $70,583,526, plus 15 projects proposed for future years (worth $75,607,401.)
Some of the Fiscal Year 2022 CIP projects include the new Animal Shelter, which is funded by General Obligation Bonds as authorized by Copperas Cove voters last November; the redesign of Fire Station #3; property purchase for Fire Station #4; repairs to Public Works Drive Road and parking lot repairs, Suja Lane reconstruction; and the renovation of the Library’s Children’s Room.
For Fiscal Year 2023, the CIP projects include the expansion of Fire Station #3; the reconstruction of Walker Place Boulevard and the renovation of the Municipal Court Building; as well as the expansion of the Transfer Station and the expansion and rehabilitation of the Scale House.
During the regular meeting, the city council will take action on appointments to the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee. There are currently two vacancies, and three applicants submitted applications for review: Nibu Wadhwani, Krystal Burnes, and Anca Neagu.
City Council will consider and take action on an ordinance amending the city’s Fee Schedule, specifically for a Land Disturbance Permit, increasing it from $36 to $396, and regarding the Public Hearing USPS Mailing Fee, which is proposed to increase 58 cents per notice.
The city council will also consider and take action on an ordinance amending the Capital Outlay Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-2026 and amending the official Capital Outlay Plan for Fiscal Year 2022.
The amendment to the 2022-2026 Capital Outlay Plan includes the following change, which will be covered under the savings identified in the amount of $19,870: under the general fund, adding two new power units (generators) for the Jaws of Life extrication tools. Savings in the amount of $19,870 identified in the 2019 Certificates of Obligation will be utilized to cover the expense.
The city council workshop meeting starts at 5 p.m., with the council meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. or 10 minutes after the workshop adjourns. The meetings will take place in the city council chambers at 508 S. 2nd St. and will also be live streamed on the city’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIHkZ_Fwq-Y0iRkNU1-fM8w and also broadcast on the local Spectrum Channel 10.