By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
During the Tuesday, Sept. 16 Copperas Cove city council meeting, City Manager Ryan Haverlah gave a report on the recent town hall meetings being held to share information about a proposed new ordinance.
“I really just wanted to provide a very quick and brief summary. It’s not an official written summary of any kind, just really from what I’ve seen, what I’ve experienced, and the discussions that we’ve had,” Haverlah said.
So far, the City has held four town hall meetings, two commercial and two residential. Additionally, Haverlah said that there have been four meetings with different civic groups.
“The general consensus is an understanding that our streets need some improvement and support. There’s an understanding that we’re at a score of a 60 PCI back in 2022, and that, over time, that has slowly started to slip because we have not invested in those streets. There’s also an understanding that it takes resources, money to put into improving our streets.”
Haverlah also acknowledged to council that the “overwhelming consensus” is that for commercial the rates that have been drafted and proposed “are not acceptable to the business community.”
He pointed to the $2,500 monthly cap for larger businesses such as H-E-B Plus!, to other businesses that are much smaller having to pay a monthly fee that could cripple that business, or worse.
“The fact that there is a cap of $2,500 for a rather large business compared to many of the small businesses in town, and comparing that cap to the actual rates prepared and drafted for those small businesses, again, is not acceptable.
“Many comments, especially on the commercial side about that this fee, will put them out of business. Many of those small businesses will go out of business, or they’ll have to sell because they don’t want to have to deal with that increase in expense.’
He thanked the council members who have attended all or some of the town hall meetings thus far.
“Many of you have heard a lot of those comments on the residential side, again, quite a few comments stating that they don’t like the fee, they don’t want to see the fee, but also still an understanding that streets do need to be worked on and streets do need to be improved.
“Many times we’ve been asked about how long is this fee going to last, and we’ve provided them very honest, direct information that our streets are supposed to last forever and the fee will likely last forever as well.”
He added that recommendations have been shared on how to fund this in other ways, through other taxes, such as jumping on with the gasoline tax, or an additional fee on vehicle registrations.”
“Some comments from businesses in particular, that if the fee was more reasonable, or more aligned, and the word ‘equitable’ we used in our presentation…that word got used back to us.
“If the large businesses are to have a cap of $2,500 then those other businesses should be able to follow that same kind of trajectory or percentage on their fees as well.
“Overall, I think the sense is that the business community does not at all accept the current proposal.”
The City has sent out via the Utility Administration Department the proposed fees for the businesses for which they had an email address.
Monday evening’s town hall meeting started at 6 p.m. and did not finish until 9 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Vonya Hart was presiding over Tuesday’s council meeting and thanked Havlerah along with Public Works Director Scott Osburn for having the meetings.
“As a city council, we wanted to hear from our residents and our citizens in regards to this fee that we are thinking about implementing. It was something that was generated from a study, and we decided a couple of months ago, ‘Let’s bring it out to the public for them to see what may happen…not saying that it was going to happen, but to have it out there so we can hear… and we heard it definitely yesterday, but that’s what the town halls are for.
“We’re definitely going to think about those things. I can only speak for myself, I know, but I’ve known these council members for quite a long time, but we are really taking in consideration your comments, and we’re going to try to make the best decision possible.”
This proposed ordinance has not been voted upon yet by the city council but is set for the agenda coming up in October. More discussion will be held by the council at the Oct. 7 meeting and there will be possible action taken at the Tuesday, Oct. 21 meeting. Several city council members also attended the town hall meetings that have been held so far. City council members can be contacted via email at:
Dan Yancey, Mayor: dyancey@copperascovetx.gov; Vonya Hart, Mayor Pro Tem/Place 6: vhart@copperascovetx.gov; Christian Strohfus, Place 1: cstrohfus@copperascovetx.gov; Rita Hogan, Place 2: rhogan@copperascovetx.gov; Shawn Alzona, Place 3: salzona@copperascovetx.gov; John Hale, Place 4: jhale@copperascovetx.gov; Dale Treadway, Place 5: dtreadway@copperascovetx.gov; Jack Smith, Place 7: jacksmith@copperascovetx.gov.
Those with questions may direct them to Public Works Director Scott Osburn, who can be reached at (254) 547-0751 or by email at sosburn@copperascovetx.gov.
There are two more residential town hall meetings, set for Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. There is one more non-residential town hall meeting, set for Monday, Sept. 15 and Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. All town hall meetings will be held at the Copperas Cove city council chambers, located at 508 S. 2nd St.
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