[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6093117,"mediaKeyId","2849599-1c5cef9fa308c21fad46dc201c595187","parentId",2849599,"title","Mayor highlights water, roads, jobs and new senior center at 2025 State of the City","audioSeconds",898,"startMs",350000,"endMs",1248000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2849599-1c5cef9fa308c21fad46dc201c595187&start=350&end=1248","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2849599-1c5cef9fa308c21fad46dc201c595187/thumbnail_350000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6093117/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/Mayor-highlights-water-roads-jobs-and-new-senior-center-at-2025-State-of-the-City","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093117-8fe8521f9bc2d030541e0f79556a023b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191416&Signature=lvkQJjhdZQGDsE9Nw~nN5KT9qapBY4DwAYIk7usWpaGrIfGQI31NtOjcRJuywsDtLaHUMYBs~IIhOlWqFhRiFvWInfuUPX7jH8xnWi1DAoZQTL0OQ883YS1RnxqFJIrRBZTUdPlqqO1872u6TYFVu1XGPTXJIZqr1Bwx1hPJY8Ry4-nUQPCFDal02B6WeR-dv0QdU-qYMo9rvZiq9vfI8cnxg4T09q5Gcg0jPJeFin4y2SBUITy5Y82cwl4Eh7G11FDsWYOXnDbLrwdbq7xrhhOXcyluUvUa4e95CA0Bg9kmGF6wZ6a374VTGN-FOV4tkFXqE9q4y8tnqEjWw-ksig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Copperas Cove TX","date","2025-04-02T16:45:09.573Z","article","Mayor Dan D. Yancey delivered Copperas Cove’s 2025 State of the City address and outlined ongoing and planned projects the city says will support population growth, infrastructure resilience and economic development.

“Coppers Cove is a city of resilience and strength,” Mayor Dan D. Yancey said as he opened the address. He told residents the city’s population is 40,638 as of January 2025 and that officials are preparing services and infrastructure to accommodate future growth.

City officials emphasized water supply and treatment as top priorities. Yancey and city manager Ryan Averill said the city purchased generators to keep water treatment and supply running during extended power outages and that council authorized an expansion of the regional water treatment facility. The city’s share is an additional 7,000,000 gallons per day when the project is completed in 2028, city officials said.

Officials also raised concern about raw water rights. The mayor said that if the city grows at 3% annually, “our raw water rights will be maxed out at around 2,040,” and the city is pursuing new water-supply options including an aquifer storage and recovery project with Fort Cavazos and Bell County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 and regional cooperation to form a Central Texas Water Authority.

Economic development activity is central to the city’s plan. City and Economic Development Corporation (EDC) leaders said the EDC helped secure more than $14,000,000 in grants for infrastructure along State Highway 9 and the south side of U.S. Highway 190 and is updating a study for a truck‑rail multimodal facility in coordination with Fort Cavazos. EDC director Fred Welch also told the audience the EDC helped secure $10,300,000 for new highway ramps from State Highway 9 to Tank Destroyer Road and credited TxDOT with an additional $2,600,000 for that project.

Road and drainage work completed or underway include Oak Hill Drive and Deer Flat Drive reconstruction (estimated cost $1,900,000), replacement of a failed concrete drainage channel (just over $1,000,000), and restoration work that covered more than 51,430 square yards of roadway, officials said. The State Highway 9 to Business 190 interchange project is funded through the Killeen‑Temple metropolitan planning organization and TxDOT at about $1,400,000.

Parks and community projects cited by the mayor include the Raising Cane’s Dog Park (opened January 2023), replacement of ballfield lights, a new walking path and pedestrian bridges around the duck pond (procured with the city acting as general contractor and saving residents more than $200,000), and the voter‑authorized animal shelter at 2441 FM 1113 (behind Fire Station No. 2), which officials said will open in the coming months.

City council approved purchase of land and a building for a new senior center at 2402 Walker Place Boulevard in 2024; officials said land preparation and foundation work will begin soon and they expect completion in fall 2025 at an estimated cost of $3,500,000.

Public safety funding passed by voters was credited with helping police approach full staffing and improving recruitment for the fire department and emergency medical personnel, the mayor said.

Why this matters: City leaders framed the projects as preparation for continued population growth and regional economic opportunity, including the potential for Copperas Cove to host industrial and multimodal logistics facilities because of its location between I‑35 and State Highway 281 and along U.S. 190.

City leaders closed the event by urging residents to complete an upcoming citizen survey and engage with advisory committees and civic groups that feed recommendations to council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Copperas Cove - 2025 State of the City Town Hall","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Dan D. Yancey delivered Copperas Cove’s 2025 State of the City address and outlined infrastructure and economic projects including a 7,000,000‑gallon‑per‑day water‑treatment expansion, more than $14 million in EDC grant funding and a $3.5 million senior center expected this year.","taxTitle","Copperas Cove, Coryell County, Texas","taxId",52762,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6093102,"City outlines pavement condition and explores transportation utility fee to fund road maintenance",1108,3872000,4980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2849599-1c5cef9fa308c21fad46dc201c595187&start=3872&end=4980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2849599-1c5cef9fa308c21fad46dc201c595187/thumbnail_3872000.jpg","/articles/6093102/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/City-outlines-pavement-condition-and-explores-transportation-utility-fee-to-fund-road-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093102-16592df4d25ba4dd67c72306182d5c5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191416&Signature=cmIx6N36fReji64LSyF5EJ2CM4W9XguFICck0tEs1KMUDlx0COMaS-v1C4rePxMu8BKSACKYBGjvekMdv8iQskw-16PZ4XTkt35l7dq5sHMLKgfsxRRrtlKMR7kTWC2zUOjL6s0Uo3fI3kAGPU83ON1CwjeRjWsqpO2egKLs~tbOksGlWekWoMzZPlaVp7HKQmOdiXPgKmfbjEr3g-dse8l1JybstcTdxnqvrVKCPJK0OcfB2OLV1a1Bt1xfQye67nN1fKPmXQRULk9a5-iOZNaGhmrb66BJ6lJO6EEv-EtjJtC7LD2K1drSIjczbpcZNaji1~OijLR-tLopyf8tlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Copperas Cove public‑works officials told residents the city’s average pavement condition index (PCI) is about 60 and that existing maintenance funding is limited, prompting city leaders to discuss a potential transportation utility fee to fund road improvements.

“We have a significant issue with the condition of our network. It's currently at a... pavement condition index average citywide of 60,” Public Works Director Scott Osborne said during the town‑hall Q&A. Osborne said the city currently has “just over a million dollars” for roadway maintenance and that the fund balance will limit the city’s ability to sustain prior levels of work without a new revenue source.

Osborne said the transportation utility fee is an option staff and council are exploring but that the city has not adopted any ordinance. He said staff does not recommend exemptions and that council has not made a final decision; council members had discussed potential exemptions at a February retreat but were leaning away from exemptions in the models presented.

If adopted, the fee would be an alternate mechanism to generate stable revenue for roadway maintenance, Osborne said. He and other officials said there will be public information, community engagement and further council discussions before any action.

Other roadway updates cited at the meeting include reconstruction projects (Oak Hill Drive and Deer Flat Drive) and a grant‑funded study with BNSF that will evaluate railroad crossings and possible grade‑separated (overpass/underpass) options in the downtown area.","Public works director said Copperas Cove’s average pavement condition index is 60 and the city has about $1 million for routine road maintenance; city staff and council are discussing a transportation utility fee as a potential revenue source, with staff advising against exemptions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6093107,"EDC and city begin multimodal truck‑rail study with Fort Cavazos; planning expected to span years",588,1779000,2367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2849599-1c5cef9fa308c21fad46dc201c595187&start=1779&end=2367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2849599-1c5cef9fa308c21fad46dc201c595187/thumbnail_1779000.jpg","/articles/6093107/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/EDC-and-city-begin-multimodal-truckrail-study-with-Fort-Cavazos-planning-expected-to-span-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093107-3a9d5a572a9a8844c405e673ba8870f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191416&Signature=XlqwwyJGKu669WP2YYWAWalcxav7l3m06MKNrsW0KxN0AUg146~UGjq-XnX6US1~7vYtYdyz4UwmlWJJlGtVttM2KjMLC6KPvqdNfK7gJRDRdZejAR4tMMOMmvnXFYSX15qzPuLNR5lZUXBABqllj8Q6ug639izj89phL71BR3X4nMZrX5d42hDitegCUlE1EmkWkFFjVmDYZheCiecIKogSIY9C8~aX63LCv9WwBjdIWyR~MVhHWXXp5cS-QPkgqq17YtCJk5jPTjdkcvp23q1Yf7g1SMtQ0CFGLYswit1hLditugPaKxDozlDx9nx-LglLhMNIXNZ7JHVtfN2JPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City and Economic Development Corporation officials told residents at the State of the City town hall that a planning study is underway to evaluate a truck‑rail transfer point and related multimodal infrastructure on the city’s east side.

“We are working with the EDC who’s also working with Fort Cavazos… the study right now is trying to determine from the military perspective where we could put that truck transfer center,” Mayor Dan D. Yancey said, describing the project as a major growth spur for Copperas Cove if it proceeds.

EDC director Fred Welch said the study will separate truck and rail transportation functions, examine ramp projects (including new ramps from State Highway 9 to Tank Destroyer Road), evaluate road improvements such as Tractor Star Boulevard, and consider site options including a possible land exchange with Fort Cavazos.

Welch described the current phase as data gathering and said a project website is expected within about three weeks. He said the planning study is expected to be completed this year and that additional work will be required, potentially through the Department of Defense’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, for infrastructure investments and security‑related truck inspection points.

Funding updates: Welch and other officials said the EDC helped secure $10,300,000 for the Tank Destroyer Road ramp project and that TxDOT added roughly $2,600,000 to the effort. Officials emphasized the project’s multi‑year nature and said the study is an initial step in a long process that could also lead to other development near the proposed railhead.

Why this matters: If realized, a multimodal truck‑rail facility could change land use and transportation patterns in and around Copperas Cove and influence economic development activity in the region, officials said.","City and Economic Development Corporation officials said a planning study will evaluate a truck‑rail transfer point, highway ramps and related improvements; they said the work is an early, multi‑year effort that may require federal defense community cooperation funding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6093112,"City says utility providers must reimburse Copperas Cove for damage; MetroNet works under state authorization, officials say",411,1437000,1848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2849599-1c5cef9fa308c21fad46dc201c595187&start=1437&end=1848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2849599-1c5cef9fa308c21fad46dc201c595187/thumbnail_1437000.jpg","/articles/6093112/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/City-says-utility-providers-must-reimburse-Copperas-Cove-for-damage-MetroNet-works-under-state-authorization-officials-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093112-411a68af5bd628b9176cefc3ede9306d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191416&Signature=NAd6DG7xbNwdtPUgvRGBO9nfxgL6FKhTCYZ71~Br5pRQpA3dNiSEbgMxsYdemqFDU1nSkMvzTxVK6LdLpUU7aVah5--PF-gE5aO~qvOrhJipiSv-E3aiQ-yY3gB32~jmv74~QwEip2OD5M9k7tP0HTZHiZ9cEorHdmgmMzPSCkmGxXZMV72o54~x6Y7Qc25gYyuzc~K9KRXJNcEh4B1CZ~3vjt5XHrdFCENUB5wo286LFcZIUO~fitYp9tatLrSE~1WnXykFKBO8W34ScoGT1vcsuuPksebSPhDJc8rTJLA8djThRNPoE9jFPscV6SniMlVLhmNP5kDRgh8Q1R3E8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Copperas Cove State of the City town hall, City Manager Ryan Averill said the city requires utility providers that damage public infrastructure to reimburse the city for materials and staff time.

“If a utility provider strikes a city waterline, a city wastewater collection line, or causes any other damage to public facilities, yes. Those utility providers must reimburse the city for not only the direct cost of the materials, but we bill them for our staff time as well,” Averill said during a town‑hall question about MetroNet utility work.

Averill and other officials said city crews coordinate with utility contractors, require pot‑holing and ground‑penetrating radar and meet regularly with MetroNet on projects. Averill told residents MetroNet has repaired both public and private interruptions when notified and that property owners should contact MetroNet directly for private‑service repairs.

A resident asked whether MetroNet works under a state contract. Averill said MetroNet does not operate under a city contract but under state legislative authorization giving telecommunications providers rights to use rights‑of‑way. He said that authorization allows providers to place facilities in public right‑of‑way but does not relieve them of repair obligations when they damage city infrastructure.

Where this stands: City staff said they coordinate nearly weekly with MetroNet on projects and will assist residents by providing MetroNet contact information, but they acknowledged some residents have reported frustration in dealing with the company.

Speakers and source material for this account came from the town‑hall Q&A and the city manager’s remarks.","City manager said utility providers that damage water or wastewater lines must reimburse the city for materials and staff time; MetroNet is addressing private and public repairs and operates under state legislative authorization for right‑of‑way access.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor highlights water, roads, jobs and new senior center at 2025 State of the City

City outlines pavement condition and explores transportation utility fee to fund road maintenance

EDC and city begin multimodal truck‑rail study with Fort Cavazos; planning expected to span years

City says utility providers must reimburse Copperas Cove for damage; MetroNet works under state authorization, officials say