Voters could decide how to fund street work

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Snyder citizens may soon have the opportunity to decide how to fund street upgrades and maintenance.
On Monday, the Snyder City Council discussed the three options the city has to raise money dedicated to streets: take on debt through a bond or certificate of obligation, introduce a street maintenance fee or re-direct existing sales taxes. While no agreement was reached on the funding mechanism, there was agreement that the decision should ultimately be made by the public.
“We need to find $20 million, however we can do it, and get it done,” council member Vernon Clay said when asked about a figure needed for the streets.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people about it (streets),” Mayor Tony Wofford said. “If it’s a worthy cause, people don’t mind paying more. We need to determine the best way and take it to the people.”
Clay agreed and said the time for talk had passed and it was time for action.
“We have to do something. We need to do something for our streets,” he said. “If we’re going to have the benefits of living in the city, you have to pay for it.”
Each funding method has its disadvantages, though.
Paying off bonds and certificates of obligation usually takes longer than the streets they paid for last, meaning that taxpayers would still be paying for the original work when additional money for maintenance and repairs would be needed. According to figures prepared last summer, financing $20 million would increase property taxes by between 23 and 27 cents per $100 valuation, depending on the payoff term.
A street maintenance fee, similar to one approved by Abilene voters recently, would be paid by businesses and residences through their utility bill. With approximately 4,500 utility customers in Snyder, it would take an average fee of $18.52 per customer to raise $1 million per year. In Abilene, businesses pay more than residential customers, and are charged based on a formula that includes the number of vehicles involved at the business. The City of Abilene and Development Corporation of Abilene have also both agreed to add money to the street fund.
Because the city already collects the maximum allowed by state law, the only way to dedicate a portion of the two-cent sales tax, which is split between the city, county and Development Corporation of Snyder (DCOS), would be to take a portion away from one of those entities.
Resident Gayle Summers said the council should give voters the option of eliminating the DCOS and setting that money aside for streets.
“The DCOS is just a big expense with no benefit,” she said. “At some point something has to give. If there’s any election, it should be to dissolve the DCOS.”
Clay said that was not the best option.
“I don’t think dissolving the DCOS is the answer,” he said. “We don’t need to go backward, we need to move forward.”
The council asked for additional funding options for its June meeting and may vote to call an election at that time.
The city’s current drought contingency plan was repealed and replaced with a new water conservation plan establishing quantity, day and time restrictions for watering lawns and irrigation. According to City Manager Merle Taylor, the only changes were updates on recent usage. The plan is required to be updated regularly by the state.
Under the plan, residents in odd numbered homes may water their lawns on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday and even numbered homeowners may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Council members approved a pair of bids, each for a water truck. The two bids total just more than $277,000. One truck will be used at the landfill and the second by the water department.
The council approved a resolution denying Oncor’s requested increase in distribution rates, the quarterly investment report, a contract approving new health insurance rates with the Texas Municipal League and a distance variance for a beer and wine permit for Sushi House and Grill at 4509 College Ave. 
The restaurant’s variance request was because the location is 240 feet from the Jumpstart for Tomorrow’s Students campus at the old Stanfield Elementary School.
The council recognized Gaynel Cline for her service to the city, specifically her volunteer work at the downtown pocket park, and received an update on the city’s phone app.