City projects about $1.87 million in revenue from Shore Acres; infrastructure needs remain

Attendees pressed city officials on whether Shore Acres’ revenue would cover conversion costs and outstanding loans. A resident asked specifically about tax revenue reductions, a $250,000 loan and a previously cited $15,000,000 infrastructure need. “I had some questions about the... tax revenue for Shore Acres,” the resident said when posing the question.

City Manager Orby Alexander responded with staff’s current projection: “There’s a number of $1,872,000. That is the number that we believe is the total revenue that will be derived from Shore Acres, as they come into the port,” he said, explaining the estimate includes property tax at La Porte’s lower rate, water sales, garbage revenue and sales-tax receipts recorded with the city. On the $15 million figure residents cited, Alexander said that represented identified needs and that only parts have been funded: “I think it’s clear to me that there is some infrastructure needs that will take place… there is a volume of work out there that ultimately will have to be done,” he said, adding the city will triage and prioritize those needs along with the rest of La Porte.

Shore Acres’ city secretary (transcript: Andy Barr) clarified the sequence of past funding requests, saying the city had sought up to $15,000,000 and received less (about $5,000,000), and that the larger number represented estimated needs not a current unfunded loan. Officials cautioned the revenue estimate is based on current appraisal trends and typical reappraisal timing; Alexander said staff is not assuming a tax-rate increase but that the projection depends on future property-value appreciation.

Next steps if consolidation passes include canvassings to certify vote results and then staff-led prioritization of capital needs; residents were told that specific project-by-project funding decisions would follow council budget and capital-planning processes.