Resources, News, and Announcements
From the Mayor’s Desk - 12/13/24:
Happy Friday!
Thanks
to all attending the City Council meeting this week. One comment on
the Zoom meeting, we can and will work on the A/V at City Hall, but
honestly that isn’t a top priority for us right now with all that is
going on. The “to do” list has many other big ticket items that need
attention which I hope that everyone can understand. I urge anyone
local to come to the meetings in person to ensure that you can engage
properly before we can address the Zoom meeting quality.
The
Groins Project: As promised last week, I planned and expected to be
providing a detailed update on this project today. We should have some
additional updates and knowledge upcoming next week that will provide
much more detail and answer your questions much better. So, if you’ll
excuse me… please wait just one more week for a complete update on the
status of the Groins Project. I appreciate your patience on this one!
The
first round of court dates were held at City Hall today for violations
of remittance of hotel occupancy taxes (HOT). Again, anyone failing to
comply with hotel tax remittance to Village of Surfside Beach will be
receiving a court date. We have a list of roughly 150 addresses to
start. If you believe that you may be in violation of remittance of
this local HOT, I suggest that you contact City Hall and clear it up
prior to any legal action. Mistakes happen! Please spread the word to
save people the headaches.
True Operating Cost of Water, Sewer & Garbage:
As
shared last week, our operating expenses for both water and sewer have
been exceeding the collection of income from our water/sewer/garbage
bills. The gap between water bill collections and water operating
expenses was over 20% short. The water bill proposed increase was
discussed in detail at this week’s council meeting, and a decision was
made and approved by council to increase water bill by 10%. That would
be about $4 per month for the average single family home.
Below
is a chart shared at the council meeting. What I want to highlight
from this chart is that the usage of Freeport water, and the high costs
associated with that water source, increases in the 6 month period
between March – August. It makes sense, as we have a massive increase
in tourists and beach house visitors in this period. Important to
understand that in order to afford to deliver water to homes in March –
August of 2025, it will cost us more than we will be collecting in water
bills, even with the 10% increase approved by council. We will have to continue to find solutions to this problem prior to March.
Public Works:
There
has been a great collaboration of Beach & Parks and the Public
Works Departments to find and uncover dozens of the buried water
meters. This effort continues until we get all of them in working order
and visible to the meter reader crews. Thanks to both departments for
working together on this project!
We
have both vacuum pumps and all 3 sewer lines up and running in the
vacuum sewer system. Please call the numbers listed for any pump outs
or repairs needed.
Beach & Parks:
Plans
are in place, and money is available in Beach Fund budget, to purchase
and place hay bales (small square ones) on the dunes during the
Christmas tree placing in January. Our Beach & Parks employees will
work in concert with the SOBA group to fortify the dunes and allow for
sand buildup with nourishment for vegetation growth from the hay. This
dune mitigation activity will require GLO permitting, of which Josh is
spearheading from the Building Department. Assuming this dune
mitigation project does improve the growth of healthy beach dunes, then
this project will become an annual Hay-Christmas event in January. A
point of note… SOBA could use the volunteers for this labor intensive
activity, so please flex your muscles for the beach in January by
helping out!
Human Resources:
Our
new Utilities Clerk, Breana Renee Wied will be starting a little bit
later this month. Please help to welcome Breana to Surfside Beach if
you see her at City Hall.
Safety/Risk:
We
had a site visit from FEMA this week on Tuesday & Wednesday to
evaluate Beryl damages primarily to the roads. In addition we discussed
the possible mitigation efforts that could exist in the fairly
immediate future. For example, replacing Beach drive (and other roads)
with an improved foundation and a concrete surface, instead of blacktop
overlayments. This was a great collaborative visit, and I want to
thanks the representatives from FEMA for taking the time to work with us
in Surfside Beach for the 2 days. In addition, thanks to Mayor Bisso,
Janet, Toby, and John for working hand in hand with FEMA for 2 full
days.
Other items of Interest:
Another reminder that the Early Bird beach pass will be available on January 2nd – 31st
at City Hall for the discounted rate of $15. This is limited to one
per person, with a valid drivers license. After January, they go up to
the full price of $30. Act fast!
As
mentioned before, we will be planning for and posting notice for a
townhall meeting to openly discuss the water and sewer systems we
currently have in Surfside Beach. The goal will be to educate the
community about our inherent issues, answer your questions, and then
openly discuss future solutions. Everyone should expect to walk away
with a better understanding of Surfside’s infrastructure as it is today,
and also what is required to improve it long term.
As always, take care of yourself and each other.
Hope to see you around the island this weekend!
Zach
Notice
This year's levy to fund maintenance and operations expenditures exceeds last year's maintenance and operations tax levy. The following statements must be included in the ordinance, resolution, or order setting this year's tax rate. The statements must be in larger type than the type used in any other portion of the document.
VILLAGE OF SURFSIDE BEACH ADOPTED A TAX RATE THAT WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS THAN LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE.
THE TAX RATE WILL EFFECTIVELY BE RAISED BY 3.50 PERCENT AND WILL RAISE TAXES FOR
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ON A $100,000 HOME BY APPROXIMATELY $-1.99.
Notice
Public Works After Hours: 979-248-2085 (Please Text)
Notice
If you need help obtaining a WPI-1 for Windstorm Inspection, feel free to call the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Angleton Office at 800-248-6032, option 4, then option 3; or you may hire a Texas Certified Windstorm Engineer.
NOTICE OF DEADLINE TO FILE AN APPLICATION FOR PLACE ON THE BALLOT