Copperas Cove council backs public outreach on plan to create transportation utility; staff to model $10 SFE and $2,500 cap

City staff presented a package of outreach materials, a draft ordinance and revenue models on July 15 as the City of Copperas Cove continued work on a proposed transportation utility fee to fund street maintenance and reconstruction.

Public works director Scott Osborne outlined a public-engagement schedule that would begin in August with a multi‑platform media push, seven town halls (four residential, three commercial), online materials and targeted meetings with civic groups. Osborne said the city maintains about 168 centerline miles of streets and that the pavement condition index (PCI) for the system has fallen since the 2021–22 assessment; staff estimated the citywide average at about 58 PCI compared with 61 previously and cited a past analysis that found roughly $52.4 million in needed repairs. "One of the first questions we'll hear is how much is this gonna cost me on my bill," Osborne said, explaining the need to settle an initial residential rate before public outreach.

Why it matters: The city is seeking a sustainable revenue stream to move from reactive patching toward proactive maintenance and reconstruction. Osborne…