South Padre Island council approves landscaping study, moves forward with $6 million tax‑note plan for streets, ambulances and equipment

At its June 4 meeting the South Padre Island City Council approved a contract proposal for an islandwide landscaping architect, reviewed the draft five‑year Capital Improvement Plan and authorized staff to prepare for issuance of tax notes not to exceed $6,000,000 to finance street improvements, ambulances and public‑safety equipment.

Landscape architect: The council approved a proposal from SSP for an islandwide landscaping assessment and maintenance plan to standardize plantings, maintenance and beautification of medians, sidewalks and other public areas. “The concept with this is that we’ve got a large number of grass and landscape areas on South Padre Island…we kinda looked at the idea of getting a landscape architect to survey the island and to give us direction,” Director of Operations Wendy Delgado said. Councilmember motioned to approve the proposal; the motion carried unanimously.

CIP and budget overview: Director Delgado presented the draft five‑year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), required by the city’s Home Rule Charter, noting the packet contains detailed project forms and a point score system for ranking projects. Projects scoring highly in the draft CIP include beach renourishment, dune restoration, the CMP coastal management program, Marisol boat ramp infrastructure, and major street reconstruction. Delgado said the draft CIP will be published for public inspection and returned to the council by July 30 as part of the budget calendar.

Tax notes and public‑safety equipment: After discussion of needs for street reconstruction and emergency vehicles, the council adopted a resolution directing staff and advisers to prepare documents for tax‑note financing not to exceed $6,000,000. Budget presenters outlined an illustrative allocation of $2,500,000 for street improvements, $1,200,000 for two fully equipped ambulances and engine equipment, and $300,000 for additional public‑safety vehicles and radios. Council discussed timing, lead times for ambulances and engines, and debt service impacts. One councilmember summarized the financial effect as roughly a 3‑cent increase in the city’s property‑tax rate if the full amount were used; staff said the final debt service and tax‑rate impact will be determined when documents are priced.

Vehicles, radios and grant vehicle: Council approved a budget amendment to purchase a Chevy Tahoe (Operation Stone Garden) that is 100% reimbursable by the Stone Garden grant. The council also approved purchases and outfitting of city vehicles for multiple departments, including Ford F‑150 trucks for code enforcement and public works and a Chevy Tahoe and Silverado for police. Police Chief Claudine O’Carroll told the council the department plans to begin phased replacement of aging radios and dispatch equipment; preliminary estimates to replace all radios and console equipment exceed $1 million, so staff will replace radios incrementally.

Public‑safety fleet and timelines: Fire Chief Jim Pigg described long lead times for ambulances (quotes ranged from six to 29 months depending on the vendor and model) and outlined equipment costs such as power loaders and CP R devices. He said the department is pursuing grants to offset costs but that market lead times make early planning essential.

Votes and formal actions: Council approved the landscaping architect proposal, the budget amendments for the reimbursable grant vehicle, the vehicle outfitting purchases, and the resolution to begin the tax‑note issuance process (not to exceed $6,000,000). Several items on the fee ordinance were pulled for a future meeting and no change was made at this meeting. The draft CIP and budget presentation were accepted for review and scheduling under the city’s budget calendar.

Ending: Staff said the draft CIP and budget will be published for public inspection in July and returned to council with final recommendations and a public hearing in August; the tax‑note financing timetable would allow documents to be priced and funding to be available in mid‑August if the council proceeds with issuance.