By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
The City of Copperas Cove turned 146 last week, and one of the events that took place was the annual State of the City Town Hall.
The event served as a recap on the past year and recent city projects, as well as a look ahead.
Mayor Dan Yancey delivered an address to those assembled. The event was better attended compared to past years, and the entire meeting can be seen online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHqPbRrHVk0.
Yancey’s address touched on the growth of Copperas Cove, which has surpassed the 40,000 population mark – at 40,638.
“Many of you may still have the same question – are we prepared for more people moving into our community?” Yancey said. “In the last year, we have become more prepared for that growth. We have identified infrastructure and service needs for our community through numerous strategic planning efforts to include economic development, water, roads, parks and public safety.
“City council will be preparing their next strategic plan this year. The City strategic plan will utilize portions of a recent planning study conducted by the Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation, the economic investment arm of the city, for economic growth and marketing, supporting current businesses and an improved business corridors with new businesses locating to Copperas Cove.”
He said that the Copperas Cove EDC has helped secure over $14 million in grants for infrastructure along State Highway 9 and the south side of U.S. Highway 190 to establish space for industrial companies, and that the EDC is also updating a study for a truck/rail multimodal facility, in collaboration with Fort Cavazos.
“This collaboration will make Copperas Cove a central regional transportation hub along east-west I-14/U.S. 190, an equidistance between IH-35 and State Highway 281, two major north-south transportation highways.”
Yancey also spoke about the backup generators that the city has secured in the event there is another major power outage, such as what occurred during Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
As far as future water supply, Yancey said that if the city continues with its current growth rate of 3% per year, by 2040 the city will be maxed out on its water rights.
“That doesn’t mean we will run out of water. It means we’ll no longer be able to grow our community without new water rights,” Yancey explained. “In response to those future demands, the city has been earnestly searching for new water supplies.”
He said the city has been working with its current water supplier and has also given its support and will be part of the Central Texas Water Authority.
Major roadway improvements include the reconstruction of Oak Hill Drive and Deer Platte Drive, costing $1.9 million. The city also allocated over $1 million to replace a failed concrete drainage channel and restore various roads.
Copperas Cove City Park has seen significant improvements, including a new dog park sponsored by Raising Cane’s and new pedestrian bridges.
Also, in 2024, voters approved a property tax rate increase to fund public safety pay raises.
Yancey said that the police department is on track to fill all authorized positions, while the fire department is still recruiting new personnel.
The city is building a new animal shelter and a senior center facility, with the senior center expected to be completed in fall 2025.
A number of department leaders for the City of Copperas Cove gathered at the Copperas Cove Civic Center last Thursday to welcome the community to the annual State of the City town hall. Departments included Parks & Recreation, Information Technology, City Utilities, Police & Fire Departments, Code Compliance, Public Works, Development Services (also known as the building and permits department), Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful.
Attendees could stop by each of the tables and ask questions of each of the departments and find out more about their operations. Along with the City Departments, the Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation had an information table, as did the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce.
On Saturday morning, the city held a celebration at the Copperas Cove Public Library, in which a proclamation was read and a cake was served. Members of the Copperas Cove Historical Society were present and talked about Allin House, and local historian James Powell was on hand to share about city and regional history.
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