City manager reports positive utility operations, progress on Tenth Street and City Hall renovations

City Manager Garrett reported that Borger's water and sewer fund is operationally $710,000 in the positive, despite an overall fund showing expenditures above revenues because of planned transfers to cover capital work at the Youth Center swimming pool.

Garrett said major users affect consumption: "Tokai right now, their water consumption is up. They're already at 80% of their budget for the year, and we're only 41% through the year," and that Nutrien is trending positive on water use. He also reported sales tax up 5% in February and year-to-date, while hotel tax was about 7% below budget, a roughly $40,000 shortfall that he expects to recover later in spring as maintenance turnarounds occur.

On public works and capital projects, Garrett said crews are finalizing punch-list work on Tenth Street, raising water-valve assemblies to final grade and finishing concrete rims around valve boxes. He said the city has started the reimbursement process with TxDOT for that work. The Second Street/Rock Creek sewer project is complete and signed off, and plans for Well 13 (replacement for a well that "got sanded in") are being finalized for bid; city utility crew work on contractor connections is expected to reduce the contract price by an estimated $150,000–$200,000.

The manager said the city issued a notice to proceed on new screw pumps for the wastewater treatment plant and that a rental pump line item is appearing over budget; the rental is being used while manufactured screw pumps are built. Garrett said the rental and special services budget pressure will be addressed in the midyear budget adjustment.

Construction updates included progress at the Youth Center (pump house roof, gutter system, plumbing connections) and City Hall (phase 1 wall texture and painting complete, bathroom tile and fixtures installed, front entrance expected to reopen mid‑March, and council-room meetings possibly resuming in April). He reported HVAC ductwork and heating units are installed upstairs and basement work continuing.

On administration and finance, Garrett said finance and HR are transitioning to new financial software and an employee self‑service HR portal; he expects the new report styles to appear in April. Finance staff continue audit work with the city's auditor and are preparing debt reporting and continuing disclosures; Garrett reported a recent S&P credit‑rating upgrade.

Public-safety updates included proposed changes to animal-seizure procedures to allow higher-offense charges where warranted, police recruitment progress with a recruit expected to start the May academy, Sergeant Sanford completing FAA drone certification, and three officers finishing advanced TCO instructor certification. Fire department hiring added a paramedic and an advanced EMT and completed driver/operator aerial training for one firefighter; one firefighter, Nathan Black, is leaving to join the Air Force.

Emergency management and OEM activity included participation in a regional critical‑infrastructure task force, meetings with a refinery complex, planning for wildfire resources at the airport (including water-system upgrades), and work with Excel Energy on fire-detection camera access. Garrett said a city grant application has received favorable feedback from FEMA and the state for a three‑camera mitigation system around Borger's periphery.

Public-works operations are preparing for chip sealing and a microsurfacing pilot on Roosevelt and West Wilson; Garrett provided per‑unit cost comparisons reported at the meeting (sealcoating roughly $3.60 per [unit reported], microsurfacing roughly $5 per square yard). Solid-waste staff are pursuing CDL training for employees; the city received a new automatic side-loader but that vehicle required service after a check‑engine light came on.

Garrett closed by summarizing community engagement work (Keeler area cleanup with 4,100 pounds removed), events planning for Boomtoberfest and a 2026 centennial celebration, and pilot changes to taxi ordinance language. He emphasized increasing preparedness for more frequent weather extremes and said the city is evaluating diesel generators and fuel trailers for critical facilities to reduce risk in disaster scenarios.