Ann Powers
Editor
MINERAL WELLS – City officials discussed raising the proposed 56.45-cent property tax to absorb the cost of a school resource officer at a budget workshop, Aug. 6.
The SRO is one of four new Mineral Wells police officers included in the tentative $51.7 million 2024-25 budget which begins Oct. 1.
Finance Director Jason Breisch said raising the tax to 57.32 cents will generate roughly $100,000 – enough needed to fund the full-time position. It will also generate $6.85 million for the general fund, versus $6.76 million under the 56.45-cent rate. The proposed general fund is $21 million, compared to $17 million this year.
The city’s funding of the SRO is a one-year agreement with Mineral Wells ISD and will be revisited when it expires, Breisch added.
The council also considered reducing the city’s trash services after Frontier Waste Solutions requested a 2.94% increase for residential garbage pickup. Frontier’s contract with the city allows rate increases linked to the consumer price index.
The CPI rose 3% from June 2023 to June 2024.
“I think we’re getting a steal of a deal,” Breisch said noting CPI and inflation spikes.
Frontier’s 2.94% increase equates to a 53-cent increase for trash service on customers’ monthly utility bills, or $6.36 per year.
After meeting with Frontier District Manager Grant Gregg and his assistant Forrest Hunter, Breisch recommended adopting the rate bump while maintaining the same services. He said Gregg was “very persuasive” that a reduction in the twice-weekly curb pickup may not sit well with residents upset with the city for privatizing the services in 2022.
“I’m not certain if now would be the right time to alter those services,” Breisch said.
During the meeting with Frontier, Breisch said Gregg and Hunter expressed interest in the former Devon Gas Services complex now vacant and owned by the city. Frontier is considering opening an office in Mineral Wells.
Frontier’s nearest location is in Cresson. That’s a 78-mile roundtrip commute for the company’s employees living in Mineral Wells who travel to Cresson for garbage trucks used in their local routes.
Some drivers get up as early as 4 a.m. to make the journey, Breish told the council.
“It will help (Frontier) and it will help us because a lot of their workers live in Mineral Wells,” Breisch told the council. “We know they want this and it will be mutually beneficial for both parties.”
Breisch said he expects more discussions on the matter soon.
Many departments will see increases in the coming spending plan including an impressive 59.94% jump in funds for the Boyce Ditto Public Library – $384,000 in the current budget to $685,000 in the next.
Library Manager Kathy Spencer said plans for the Col. Will Casper’s Storybook Park are underway. The park is in its early stages and there will be an architect to help with designs, she added.
Preliminary plans include a walking trail featuring art installed along the way.
“We are very excited about the park,” Spencer said.
The Streets Department’s budget will grow 39.14%, from $3.05 million to $4.25 million in the coming fiscal year. Public Works Superintendent Chris Thibault said the extra funds will be used to repair the 4,000-stretch of road from Municipal Highway 379 from U.S. 281 to Withers Road.
“That road really needs it so we welcome the extra funds so we can get the contractors in to fix that road,” Thibault said. “It’s one of the main thoroughfares. It’s highly traveled.”
A 24.93% increase is allocated for the Code Enforcement/Inspections Department – from $732,608 to $915,213. Building Official Michael Dunn said the money will primarily be used to hire a consultant to update the city’s zoning ordinances to match the comprehensive plan.
The Mineral Wells Police Department is slated for an 11.4% salary boost – from $2.25 million to $4.25 million. The department’s overall budget will see a 21.9% budget bump – from $4.58 million to $5.58 million.
Four patrol vehicles are in the proposed plan with an estimated cost of $400,000. Instead of officers having to furnish their own weapons, $30,0000 has been set aside for patrol rifles.
A 13.31% increase for the Parks and Recreation budget is also in the works, from $1.1 million to $1.26 million.
Parks and Recreation Superintendent Carrie Stevenson said the packages seemingly on the road to approval include resurfacing and converting the old tennis court behind the city gym to pickleball courts. The project is expected to cost about $48,000.
“We hope to add an outdoor ‘backyard’ concept to include a few family games such as corn hole and horseshoes,” Stevenson said.
A new tractor is on the wish list as well. Stevenson said she didn’t have an estimated cost, but will purchase a tractor appropriate for the budget.
The current department tractor is 42 years old.
“It’s lived a good life,” Stevenson noted.
A public hearing on the proposed budget is set for 6 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at the City Hall Annex, 115 SW 1st St., Aug. 20. If the council adds increases to the plan after that, an additional public meeting is set for 6 p.m., at the same location, Sept. 3.
The budget’s final approval is scheduled for Sept. 17. The complete proposal can be viewed on the city’s website at www.mineralwellstx.gov.
