By Tony Cantú
Contributing Writer

Terrell Hills City Council members recently endorsed a measure that would allow for reimbursement of land acquisition as part of any future bond issuance – a move that could potentially put an immediate $600,000-plus back in its general fund coffers.

At their Oct. 13 meeting, Terrell Hills City Council members approved a motion to include a reimbursement clause in future bond issues. Although no public debt issuance is being considered in earnest, the clause is being seen as a way for the city to recoup $629,000 it paid for two vacant residential lots previously purchased as possible expansion space for an enlarged City Hall.

“A portion of those proceeds would be put back in the general fund,” City Manager Mark Browne said about future bond referenda. “It might help us with our cash flow and general fund account.”

The city previously purchased two vacant residential lots near city property at 108 Wilshire and 302 Arcadia for $300,000 and $329,000, respectively. City officials are eyeing passage of the reimbursement clause as a way to recoup that expense, even absent any immediate plans for a bond issue.

“It’s something state law allows, and helps preserve flexibility to the city,” Browne said.

Coincidentally, the amount the city might immediately recoup through future bond issuance is roughly the same as a recent windfall gained through the sale of its sewer system. In July, the city sold its sewer lines to the San Antonio Water System for $590,000 after months of negotiations – boosting the city’s total gross income to 130 percent over budget.

Property acquisition reimbursement would further bolster the bottom line, though no imminent plans for bond issue are being considered. In September, Browne said future expansion of municipal quarters might require a $3 million bond referendum, with a separate, equal amount for street repair, primarily at the Garrity and Bryker arteries.

But in an Oct. 15 interview, Browne said no immediate bond issuance is being contemplated: “We’re talking about it, but we’ve made no decisions.”

In other action, council renewed its dispatch contract with Alamo Heights for another year. For several years now, all locally generated emergency calls – fire, police and ambulance – have been routed through Alamo Heights.

“We have an outstanding dispatch service for all three cities,” Browne said of the Alamo Heights-led arrangement, which also services Olmos Park. “They do a great job.”

Browne said the renewed contract will cost Terrell Hills $90,455.77, a three percent increase from the previous year modified for inflation. The previous contract expired in September, he added.

Council also took action in streamlining separate ordinances related to property upkeep under a single ordinance. The move – strengthening enforcement related to overgrown weeds and grass as well as zoning non-compliance on property lots – was largely an administrative move making it easier for city crews to know how to respond to such scenarios, Browne said. The change does not portend a crackdown on violations, but is seen as a way to stay on top of the issue, he added.

“I think it is mostly an administrative change, taking several ordinances that are very similar when we just need one,” Browne said. “If we need to take enforcement action, it makes it clearer for the staff to see what they need to do.”

While property non-compliance is not abundant, safeguards like the modified ordinance must be in place, the city manager said: “We’ve seen our vacant lots overgrown, and it’s always an issue that needs to be dealt with, but I don’t consider it to be pervasive problem. It’s just something we need to be vigilant on.”