While it carries out projects from the outstanding bond issues, the city of Cibolo is already looking toward a future where additional bonds could address public safety, drainage, street and quality of life matters.

Under direction from City Council, city staff has been talking with financial advisers Southwest Securities about the possibility of floating a multi-proposition bond election as early as next spring.

Specifically, City Manager Todd Parton asked Southwest Securities to explore financing scenarios where the interest-and-sinking part of the local property tax rate would rise to 12 to 15 cents per $100 valuation. The I&S rate allows a city to meet its debt service obligations. Cibolo’s current I&S rate is 9 cents.

The rapidly growing city has issued debt four separate times this decade to handle newer and older infrastructural and municipal facility issues, the latest issuance being a $7.9 million package that voters approved in May. The city also issued revenue bonds in 2006 and 2007.

Parton briefed council Oct. 23 about another potential bond issue. According to the city manager, the Capital Improvements Plan Advisory Committee has identified $50 million worth of potential projects over the next five years, more than half of which regard streets and drainage.

The key, Parton said, is to have council and residents help prioritize projects. Parton added one bond proposal would fund construction of a new police station near City Hall and a fire substation. One concept is to have a limited-size police station for the short term, but for that physical complex to have enough space for the police force to grow into.

A second proposition would cover roads and drainage, emphasizing development of a Town Creek detention facility. Describing it as a regional project capable of addressing numerous area drainage and flooding problems, Parton said the detention facility could qualify for a federal grant and even garner participating from other governing entities whose jurisdictions cover Town Creek.

Phase 2 of the Town Creek West project and enhancements along Cibolo Valley Drive, including extension of that route to Main Street, also could make the next bond issue.

A third proposition could cover utilities and a fourth proposal could address quality of life matters, primarily parks and recreation.

A consensus among a group of residents that attended the Oct. 20 charrette about the Cibolo Valley Drive parkland emphasized a need for a community park and community center.

Additionally, council members have endorsed a desire to see a veterans’ memorial park and to see a few minor amenities placed at the undeveloped parkland at Cibolo Valley and Green Valley Road by late next spring. For the latter suggestion, Parton said a few staff members could install such amenities at a low cost.

While they are looking toward the future of bond-funded improvement projects around Cibolo, council members also have said it is important for the city to make as much progress as possible on outstanding bond projects before it requests another tax rate adjustment.

“If we haven’t shown to citizens that we’ve prudently finished previous bond projects in a good timeframe, voters will have a hard time approving this next bond,” Parton said Oct. 9.

Council members told city staff to keep an eye on current bond projects through this year’s end and to keep in mind scenarios for feasible future bond proposals before any firm action is taken.