City Manager Peter Zanoni Delivers City's Record-Setting Proposed FY 2023 Annual Operating and Capital Budget to City Council

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - In today's regularly scheduled City Council meeting, City Manager Peter Zanoni presented the City of Corpus Christi's $1.4 Billion Fiscal Year 2023 Proposed Annual Operating and Capital Budget. The budget focuses on public safety, streets, parks, and water and wastewater. It reflects the City's continued commitment to providing public services, programs, and infrastructure that enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Corpus Christi. At the same time, the budget maintains the City's strong financial reserves in the General Fund and other funds consistent with City Council-approved financial policies.

The City Manager's budget addresses Mayor Paulette Guajardo's July 2022 challenge to add 25 additional police officer positions in FY 2023 with similar investments in our Fire Department by adding 24 more firefighter positions in FY 2023.

"The Proposed FY 2023 record-setting Budget reflects Corpus Christi's economic growth and continued investment that allows the city to better address community needs including public safety, streets, water, and wastewater infrastructure and parks," City Manager Peter Zanoni said.

"Our proposed budget is prudent and progressive and builds a foundation to make significant strides that will leave our community in good standing for years to come," said Mayor Paulette Guajardo. "I want to invite all residents to join one of the five public meetings in August as we set priorities for a balanced budget that supports the needs of our growing community."

Highlights of the Proposed 2023 Budget include:

Police

• Funding for 25 new police officer positions. Total police count increases to 491
• Two police academies
• Officer position converted to police captain
• Funding for BearCat armored vehicle
• Funding for ten unmarked police vehicles
• Funding for a 3D scanner, microscope, and crime scene lighting
• Construction of a new Police Academy Complex at Del Mar South campus to begin in FY 2023 as approved in the prior fiscal year

Fire

• Funding for 24 new firefighter positions to create an additional medic unit and increase fire truck staffing from three to four firefighters for eight of 22 companies, up from four of 22 companies. The total fire count rises to 446
• Fire academy scheduled for January 2023
• Replacement of the alerting system
• Replacement of two 75-foot ladder trucks
• New fire records management system
• Funding for planning and assessment study for new Emergency Operation Center
• Construction of a replacement Fire Station #3 located on Morgan Avenue to begin in FY 2023 as approved in the prior fiscal year

Streets

• $136.4 million in street maintenance and reconstruction, a 12 percent increase over the current budget. Three-year total is $335.9 million.
• Ocean Drive Sustainability 10-year Program included in Capital Budget with $153 thousand budgeted in year one (FY 2023) to properly maintain the Drive
• $4.3 million Industrial Park Roadway reconstruction in Council District 5 off Yorktown Boulevard
• $8 million in Downtown Water Street Improvements for utility work
• Engineering Study for Leopard Street from Lantana Street to Tuloso Road to prepare a plan for future reconstruction
• $2.75 million for Vision Zero pedestrian mobility and safety projects
• The new street median for Kostoryz Street and Masterson Drive
• Installation of a traffic signal battery backup system
• New High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signal at Staples and Barry
• Addition of a four-person Right-of-Way Management Team
• Addition of new Street and Traffic Engineering Survey Crew and Engineer for plan review
• $2.32 million for two new gateway signs with lighting at IH37 and US 181 and one monument sign at Labonte Park

Parks & Recreation

• $2.0 million was budgeted for park amenities in all five City Council Districts
• $1.95 million for Cole Park Plaza shade structure
• New dog park in Flour Bluff
• Lighting improvements for Swantner Park
• Funding for improved park maintenance to include the addition of five maintenance positions for Bayfront Parks and the Seawall (including at the Selena Mirador) and funding for maintenance at two dog parks at West Guth Park and Sherwood Park
• Addition of three positions and vehicles for expanded Gulf Beach cleaning
• Addition of two lifeguards and one beach compliance officer and vehicles/equipment for Gulf Beaches

North Beach

• $2.5 million in State Hotel Occupancy Tax funding to support the North Beach restroom and parking lot project
• $835 thousand for North Beach Historical Plaza shade structure
• Addition of four lifeguards and vehicles for a new lifeguard unit on North Beach during the summer season
• Funding for merchant and vendor pilot incentive program on the beach
• Bond 2022 proposal for North Beach Eco Park design

Gulf Beach

• $4.5 million in State Hotel Occupancy Tax funding for a new restroom facility at Zahn Road adjacent to the Gulf Beach and Packery Channel to include restrooms, showers, and a parking area

Economic Development

• Creation of a new Economic Development Office to centralize economic development activity under one department - redirecting four existing positions and adding two

Health Department

• Renovate Health Department Building - Three phase project with FY 2023 begin phase one of three in the amount of $5.4 million
• Add three positions: two environmental public health inspectors and one public health technician

Vital Statistics

• The transition from the Health Department to City Secretary as part of a new business model
• Add two vital records clerks for issuance of birth and death certificates

Libraries

• Location study for a new branch library in City Council District 5
• Funding for Library capital repairs, purchase of a generator, and replacement of patron computers
• Addition of security guard services for all branch libraries during all operating hours
• Addition of one librarian position for reference services

Neighborhood Services

• $500 thousand for additional spay/neuter funding
• Addition of one veterinary assistant and conversion of one temporary veterinary assistant to full-time
• Addition of three kennel techs and two dispatchers

Municipal Court

• Funding for operations review of Municipal Court
• Addition of two court clerks
• Increase hours for part-time judge magistration services

Communications

• Additional overtime for the new 311 Customer Call Center
• Additional funding for training and event advertising

City Auditor

• Addition of one staff auditor

Airport

• New outdoor concourse patio project
• Terminal building roof replacement and window glazing project
• Terminal building enhancements to include improvements to the restrooms, new nursing room, and service animal relief area project

Development Services

• Implementation of Year Two of the Four-Year Plan to adjust fees to market level
• Addition of seven inspector positions, vehicles, and equipment
• Addition of two plans examiner
• Addition of one permit technician
• Addition of one records management specialist to manage contracts and records

Water

• Capital improvements over the next three years to replace and repair water lines citywide totaling $148 million
• Capital improvements over the next three years to rehabilitate and upgrade the O. N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant totaling $195 million
• Addition of seven positions to create additional Valve Construction and Preventative Maintenance Team
• Convert nine temporary positions to full-time for customer service
• Addition of one work coordinator to manage purchasing and inventory

Wastewater

• Addition of 28 positions for Wastewater pretreatment inspections, repairs and construction projects, Lift Station maintenance, expansion of concrete and restoration division, Laguna Madre and Whitecap treatment plants, and positions and vehicles to assist with work orders
• Capital improvements over the next three years to repair, rehabilitate, and upgrade all six Wastewater Treatment Plants totaling $157 million

Gas

• Addition of two positions to support the Line Location Program
• Purchase of vehicles and machinery to modernize the fleet

Stormwater

• Funding for emergency storm water infrastructure improvements
• Addition of five inlet cleaning and maintenance positions for increased cleaning of City inlets, inlet grates, and catch basins

Solid Waste

• Monthly residential rate adjustment of $1.15 to offset rising diesel fuel prices, cart price increases, and labor.
• Additional funding for refuse and recycling carts
• Addition of one lead compliance officer and one administrative compliance position for the recycling program

City Rates

• Property tax - No proposed rate change
• Water - No proposed rate change
• Wastewater - No proposed rate change
• Gas - No proposed service delivery rate change
• Stormwater - Proposed monthly rate adjustment of $1.57 for a typical residential customer
• Solid Waste - Proposed monthly rate adjustment of $1.15 for residential customers

The City will hold community public meetings in each district to solicit input from residents on the proposed budget. The meetings will provide brief opening remarks and a budget video, with most of the time reserved for a question-and-answer session.

All meetings begin at 6 p.m. on the following dates:

• Monday, August 8 District 1 Owen R. Hopkins Public Library
• Wednesday, August 10 District 2 Del Mar College Center for Economic Development, Room 106
• Thursday, August 11 District 3 Water Utilities Building-Choke Canyon Room
• Monday, August 15 District 4 Ethel Eyerly Senior Center
• Wednesday, August 17 District 5 Veterans Memorial High School

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