Mayor Lori Dodson and the City Council approved this year’s Capital Improvement Program after extensive deliberation and citizen input through public hearings. The final plan included a few adjustments to originally proposed amounts. The CIP includes a number of improvements in the city’s infrastructure such as: streets and drainage; improvements to parks; construction of a dog park and skate park; economic development; library improvement and more. The program focuses on completion of projects already begun and includes a delay in the beginning of new projects awaiting the results of the vote on the 2019 Bond Program.
The amount of the CIP is $279,716,000 and the money is divided as follows:
Parks $14,698,000 – Includes skate park, dog park, renovation of Granger Recreation Center, equipment needs at pools, fencing, erosion control, pedestrian/bike bridges, drainage improvements, canopy replacement at softball complex, cultural arts facilities improvements, trail development
Street/Transportation $39,400,000 – Navasota Drive, Oates, Road, Pleasant Valley Road, Brand alignment study, Leon Road, street/alley/sidewalk programs, railroad crossing improvements, traffic signal replacement and modernization, emergency services signal equipment installations
Drainage $6,503,000 – Local flooding programs, bridge remediation, erosion protection along Walnut Street and Classic Drive, improvements in Parkmont Drive area
Libraries $1,728,000 – Safety upgrades, parking lot improvements, security cameras, ADA-compliant bathrooms, other various upgrades
Public Safety $6,129,000 – Ambulance remounts, equipment replacement or upgrades, completion of radio system used by police, fire and other city departments
Economic Development $4,760,000 – Catalyst area improvements, Rosehill Development Agreement in Rosehill Targeted Area, downtown improvements and construction of gateways at entry points to downtown, streetscape improvements, Neighborhood Vitality Grant Program, downtown square design, pedestrian corridor to link DART station with downtown destinations
Municipal Facilities $7,074,000 – Completion of renovations and repairs to Carver 3 building and Carver Senior Center, replacement of 130 golf carts and two beverage carts, equipment upgrades and replacement for CGTV production, upgrades to HVAC systems, roof replacements, safety and security improvements, parking lot upgrades, Firewheel Golf Park improvements
Internal Services $1,390,000 – Replace northern and wastewater route fiber paths, telephone system replacement, upgrade network and cabling at city facilities, replace various equipment in Stormwater Management operations and Environmental Waste Services, land acquisition
Landfill/Transfer Station $7,519,000 / Environmental Waste Services $3,377,000 – Replacement of old dump trucks and dozers, transfer station rebuild completion, Hinton Landfill gas collection and control system expansion, wheel wash installation, automated weight scale system
Stormwater Management $300,000
Water $25,614,000 – Transmission mains, water distribution line construction, water pump station equipment, fire hydrant installations, radio read water meter installations, enhancements to meet water quality assurance standards.
Wastewater $41,328,000 – Continue funding for infiltration, sewer collection, mains, line rehabilitation, improvements at Duck Creek and Rowlett Creek plants, relocate sewer mains in conjunction with street projects, rehab of clay sewer mains, odor control improvements at Duck Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
Electric $119,896,000 – Transmission lines, substation upgrades, construction of transmission lines and stations in North Garland and lines that cross Lake Ray Hubbard, replacement of overhead distribution feeders with underground duct lines on south side of Rosehill Road, overhead and underground distribution facility, street lighting, residential construction and communications upgrades, production facilities, commercial construction, relocation of facilities
Required rate increases:
Residential rate increases for water and wastewater were to be increased before the CIP was approved. The water increase will be $1.92 per month based on 7,500 gallons used – 64 cents of that amount is due to the CIP. The wastewater increase is 62 cents per month (also based on 7,500 gallons) and 40 cents of that is a result of the CIP. The trash collection residential rate will be $1.50 per month and 78 cents of that is due to CIP.
There will be no increase in electric utility rates or stormwater management rates.