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Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
August 21, 2024
Notes from Bandera City Council
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
As the budget crunch winds up, Bandera City Council members continue to deliberate residential fees and infrastructure.
A feww increases citizens may see include a 1.5 percent increase for residential/commercial water and sewer rates, as well as new proposed construction permit fees, including water softener installation ($100), siding and window replacement (up to 75 square feet $75/more than 75 square feet $100), concrete work (up to 75 square feet $75/more than 75 square feet $100), and foundation repair ($150). The penalty for work done without a permit is proposed to double to four times the initial permit amount.
Mayor Rebeca Gibson read aloud a written comment from city resident Rilla Stephens asking council to reconsider raising utility rates across the board, and instead increase only those who use larger amounts of water.
“A lot of our citizens are seniors and live on fixed incomes,” the letter said.
The proposed construction permit fees drew considerable conversation from council members.
“Don’t you think this could be an overreach of government?” Council Member Debbie Breen said.
“So if I’ve got one rotten board on my porch, I need to go to City Hall and get a permit?” Gibson said.
Council Member Lynn Palmer, who questioned the logic of requiring a permit to replace a window, requested the proposals be included in a budget workshop for further discussion.
~ In other business, council received a report from GrantWorks representatives Joe Beeler and Nick Hill on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Economic Development Grant.
Currently in Phase I planning, Beeler said nearly 300 survey results were received from community members who indicated overwhelming support for local business, followed by concerns for infrastructure.
The stakeholder meeting takeaways listed the number one priority was wastewater treatment improvements; number two priority was water conservation and rainwater collection; number three priority was City Park improvements, such as an amphitheater, pavilion or splash pad; number four priority was mobility support, such as sidewalks and ADA ramps; number five priority was beautification projects downtown; number six priority was a Cedar Street Horse Pass Trail; number seven priority was an education center, such as post-high school secondary education or training facilities; and number eight priority was closer access to medical facilities.
Once the city completes Phase I, Phase II will begin, during which $1 million will be released for project development. The funds are administered by the Texas Department of Agricultures Community Development Block Grant program.
~ Bandera Marshal Nancy De Foster requested the addition of one to two full-time deputies for the Marshal’s Office. Currently, the department has a chief deputy and three deputy marshals, however they all need training hours, holiday and leave.
“I have really good officers and I don’t want them to burn out,” De Foster said, adding deputies are afraid to submit for time off because they know it will compromise around the clock coverage. “I want the city to have the coverage it deserves. I want the city to feel safe.”
A feww increases citizens may see include a 1.5 percent increase for residential/commercial water and sewer rates, as well as new proposed construction permit fees, including water softener installation ($100), siding and window replacement (up to 75 square feet $75/more than 75 square feet $100), concrete work (up to 75 square feet $75/more than 75 square feet $100), and foundation repair ($150). The penalty for work done without a permit is proposed to double to four times the initial permit amount.
Mayor Rebeca Gibson read aloud a written comment from city resident Rilla Stephens asking council to reconsider raising utility rates across the board, and instead increase only those who use larger amounts of water.
“A lot of our citizens are seniors and live on fixed incomes,” the letter said.
The proposed construction permit fees drew considerable conversation from council members.
“Don’t you think this could be an overreach of government?” Council Member Debbie Breen said.
“So if I’ve got one rotten board on my porch, I need to go to City Hall and get a permit?” Gibson said.
Council Member Lynn Palmer, who questioned the logic of requiring a permit to replace a window, requested the proposals be included in a budget workshop for further discussion.
~ In other business, council received a report from GrantWorks representatives Joe Beeler and Nick Hill on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Economic Development Grant.
Currently in Phase I planning, Beeler said nearly 300 survey results were received from community members who indicated overwhelming support for local business, followed by concerns for infrastructure.
The stakeholder meeting takeaways listed the number one priority was wastewater treatment improvements; number two priority was water conservation and rainwater collection; number three priority was City Park improvements, such as an amphitheater, pavilion or splash pad; number four priority was mobility support, such as sidewalks and ADA ramps; number five priority was beautification projects downtown; number six priority was a Cedar Street Horse Pass Trail; number seven priority was an education center, such as post-high school secondary education or training facilities; and number eight priority was closer access to medical facilities.
Once the city completes Phase I, Phase II will begin, during which $1 million will be released for project development. The funds are administered by the Texas Department of Agricultures Community Development Block Grant program.
~ Bandera Marshal Nancy De Foster requested the addition of one to two full-time deputies for the Marshal’s Office. Currently, the department has a chief deputy and three deputy marshals, however they all need training hours, holiday and leave.
“I have really good officers and I don’t want them to burn out,” De Foster said, adding deputies are afraid to submit for time off because they know it will compromise around the clock coverage. “I want the city to have the coverage it deserves. I want the city to feel safe.”