YEAR IN REVIEW
Annexation, upgraded sewers occupy City Council during very busy 2007
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Advancements in everything from city water systems to municipal boundaries started as part of a City Council hunt for a vision last May.

So far, that workshop effort has led to a $1.65 million capital improvement bond, five newly annexed sections and a revamped 2020 Comprehensive Plan.

Election Outcomes

May was a month of change for City Council from its very make up to its direction.

As Councilman Larry Russell opted not to seek another term, Ed Erwin, a construction business owner and Planning & Zoning commissioner, entered the political ring.

At the same time Council reorganized, asking freshman at-large representative Philip Spenrath to take the position of mayor. Spenrath agreed and quickly asked his fellow Council members where they wanted to take the city - not just in the remaining seven months of 2007, but in decades to come.

That effort, done is a series of Council workshops, created a city wish list of projects still being addressed.

Also in May, El Campo city voters overwhelmingly approved a tax freeze for senior citizens and the disabled which becomes effective with the setting of the 2008 tax levy in September.

For those turning 65 or already there, taxes freeze at .55976 cents per $100 in property. Under state law, the tax rate can't rise any more although it can be lowered.

With that tax rate, the city sets a $7.6 million general fund budget with $4.1 million for utility funds.

Moving Forward

In February, preliminary steps for the capital improvement bond got under way with RWS Architects engaged to make preliminary cost estimates.

RWS has a history with El Campo having previously designed the Academic Building at El Campo High School and, more recently, the new middle school under construction on FM 2765.

As the proposed CIP bond is developed, the city also takes its first looks at annexation and updating the Comprehensive Plan. Both efforts start in February, but don't come to fruition until late summer.

The next step on the bond comes March 27 when the city approves $589,362 for a new fire department pumper truck - before setting a payment method. There's enough cash in the fund balance (the city's savings account) to pay for the unit, but its later decided to lump it into the CIP plan for 2007.

In April, a major revamp of the El Campo Civic Center is added to the plan - a muchneeded effort in the former K-Mart building with its original 1979 air-conditioning units. The facility opened for public use in 1989 when the retail store closed.

Work on the Civic Center is scheduled to get under way in 2008.

At the same time, the city adds a police station expansion and a new animal control building to the CIP plan.

In all the CIP plan rings in at close to $2.2 million although $1.25 million of the planned work will be paid for from fund balance dollars.

Economy

Before annexation plans solidified, Council members focused on several areas designed to help the city grow.

In April, two $25,000 incentives from the City Development Corp. are approved. One for New ICM is designed to help them expand product offerings while one for Cardell Cabinets is meant to keep the struggling company in business locally.

At the same time, a sewer lift station planned to accommodate the new middle school is oversized to allow for future growth. The city agrees to spend $132,000 on the project.

By August, annexation planning is in full swing with seven areas targeted for possible involuntary inclusion into the city. That's quickly lowered to five sections - all of which are accepted at least in part by Dec. 11.

New Faces

In administration, Courtney Sladek joined the city as finance director in January. Sladek previously worked for College Station and Friendswood.

Also during the year, the city added financial analyst Willie Gutierrez, clerk Julie Evanicky, tech advisor Sterling Labay and recreated the community service director's post.

Former City Councilman Leonard Sternadel took the job covering everything from activities in parks and general oversight at the Aquatic Center to directing general planning on Civic Center renovations.