Eye On Government
By Jon Mark Hogg
San Angelo City Manager Daniel Valenzuela is on his way out, retiring later this summer. The City of San Angelo announced earlier this year that it’s seeking applications, and we know that the next city manager is going to be one of these men:
Jerry Hendrix, former interim city manager/assistant city manager of Kyle, TX. Jud Rex, former city manager of Garland, TX, or Phillip Urrutia, assistant city manager of Garland.
This columnist has been asked to be a part of the community panel of interviewers of the prospective City Manager candidates next week. I consider it an honor to represent the community in this way.
I have been involved in City Government off and on for over twenty years now. I am familiar with the role of the City Manager and the needs of our community. I was thinking about what sort of questions I might want to ask during the interview process, when I realized I would really like to know what sort of questions our readership might want to ask.
I am sure data centers will be discussed. But there are many important issues other than data centers facing the City.
For example, the limitations on tax revenue imposed by the Governor will likely result in reduced city services over the next few years. Will the City be able to make that revenue up some other way or will layoffs be necessary?
It is going to take hundreds of millions to build new water and wastewater treatment plants.
There are insufficient revenues to maintain, fix or build new streets. Around 30 percent of city employees are eligible for retirement. How will they and their institutional knowledge be replaced?
The City still operates using some late 20th century technology. Can we bring out technology at least into the early 21st century, like we’ve seen with water utilities? How can we afford it?
If you were there, what question would you like to ask the candidates for City Manager next week?
Comment below and send me your questions and I might get a chance to ask it.
Jon Mark Hogg is Senior Editor of the Concho Observer, former city councilman, and mayor pro-tempore.
