The San Angelo City Council is set to review updated Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) policies and recommendations from the TIRZ Strategic Planning Committee during its upcoming meeting.
The proposals outline a unified plan for the final ten years of TIRZ Zone Number One, including public and private project priorities, simplified funding policies, and a commitment to projects that support property occupancy, safety, infrastructure connectivity, and downtown and neighborhood redevelopment.
The San Angelo City Council will consider adopting updated Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone policies and a visionary public funding plan for the final ten years of TIRZ Zone No. 1, covering both North and South designated areas.
The Strategic Planning Committee, which began meeting in June 2025, developed a unified approach for public and private projects to streamline priorities, simplify access to funds, and create a shared vision among the council, TIRZ Board, and public.
Key Goals of the Updated Plan
- Establish a unified project plan for public and private projects within TIRZ Zone No. 1.
- Review and update TIRZ policies to simplify fund access and project approval.
- Align City Council, TIRZ Board, and public expectations for the remaining 10 years.
- Provide an action plan for City staff to implement policies and project timelines.
Financial Split and Priorities
- Funding is split roughly 50-50 between public projects and private incentives.
- Emphasis on projects that improve:
- Building occupancy and small business growth
- Safety and public infrastructure connectivity
- Redevelopment of historic and underused areas
Examples of Public and Private Initiatives
- Public Projects: Infrastructure improvements, pedestrian and placemaking enhancements, and public safety initiatives.
- Private Incentives: Historic façade upgrades, ADA compliance improvements, fire-safety systems, and support for small business growth.
Board Recommendation and Fund Reallocation
- The TIRZ Board recommended approval of the updated policies and funding plan with a 5-0 vote.
- $103,740 from the North TIRZ Public Improvement set-aside will be returned to available funds for allocation.
TIRZ Public Project Funding Requests
Following the presentation of the updated TIRZ policies and strategic plan, the council will consider funding requests for specific public projects in the TIRZ for fiscal year 2026.
The agenda highlights three main areas: Public Safety, with $100,000 allocated for San Angelo Police Department enhancements—$70,000 from the North TIRZ, and $30,000 from the South TIRZ—to support capital purchases such as security cameras, specialized equipment, and lighting to improve response times and overall safety; Environmental Remediation and Safety, with $75,000 proposed to address Dangerous and Boarded Buildings across both zones, providing property owners with funds to secure structures and reduce blight; and for Parks and Public Facilities, with $125,000 from the South TIRZ to assist in planning improvements for Santa Fe Park and downtown public spaces.
The funding plan also prioritizes private incentives for building safety improvements—including asbestos abatement, fire suppression, egress upgrades, and ADA compliance—as well as historic façade preservation and landscaping.
Public investments in the North TIRZ focus on infrastructure connectivity, street trees, drainage improvements, and public safety, while the South TIRZ emphasizes placemaking projects, cultural district connectivity, parking partnerships, tree canopy management, and traffic enhancements.
Chadbourne Street Pedestrian and Drainage Project
The council will consider awarding Task Order 8 to Kimley Horn for the design of pedestrian and drainage improvements along North Chadbourne Street, a project with a total design cost of $1,299,900.
The work will include engineering services for sidewalks, curbs and gutters, drainage, pedestrian lighting, and minor water and sewer line adjustments along Chadbourne Street from W. 29th Street to W. 43rd Street, as well as additional improvements along 43rd Street, Coliseum Drive, and 39th Street.
The total project limits cover approximately 2.1 miles. According to city documents, the design phase is being completed to position the city for potential construction grant funding. Funding will come from the Street Maintenance and Stormwater budgets.
Police Department Pay Plan Adjustments
Council will also revisit an item first introduced earlier this month: the second reading of an ordinance amending the FY 2025–26 budget to update the Police Department’s pay plan and staffing levels.
The agenda does not list any new details about the amendment, but the proposal is connected to the Meet-and-Confer agreement the council approved at its last meeting.
That agreement, along with the related first reading of the budget amendment, was covered in a previous Concho Observer report. You can read that article HERE.
That earlier reporting explained the changes discussed during the first reading, including pay adjustments and structural updates within the department.
Emergency Response Improvement
Council members will also consider awarding a contract for two new ambulance box modules
totaling $415,670. According to city documents, these units are already included in the FY 2026
budget.
Northeast Sector Master Plan
The council will review the Northeast Sector Plan, a long-term blueprint for growth, utilities, infrastructure, and land use. As part of the agenda, council will consider ratifying funding through City of San Angelo Development Corporation (COSADC) for up to $255,000 and approving a related task order with Westwood Professional Services for planning work.
The plan is expected to guide future development in one of the city’s largest areas of available land and could have significant implications for housing and economic development.
Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Funds
Council will review agreements to allocate $69,000 in HOT funds to local arts and cultural organizations.
Core funding recipients include the San Angelo Broadway Academy, San Angelo Symphony, Ballet San Angelo, and Angelo Civic Theatre. Additional project support will go toward Dia de los Muertos and the Mini Miss Wool Pageant.
HOT funds come from hotel taxes and support local tourism, events, and cultural programs that benefit residents and visitors alike.
Attend a Meeting
The San Angelo City Council will hold a regular meeting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the McNease
Convention Center South Meeting Room, 501 Rio Concho Drive. The meeting is open to the
public.
