Finding ways to pay for much-needed infrastructure improvements took center stage at the April 19 Sealy City Council meeting, with discussion on using bonds and a potential tax hike.

There are two options on the table calling for slightly different tax rates.

“The city’s infrastructure in its current condition cannot continue without the replacement, construction and/or improvement of our water wells, water lines, sewer lines, gas lines, roads and ditches,” said Public Works Director Rudy Flores.

He added, “Three of our four wells have been in service for over 50 years. The failure to acknowledge these aging wells could result in the failure of the city’s water system. The city has 72 miles of interconnecting water lines. Out of the 72 miles… we have approximately 31% of water lines that need to be replaced.”

During the discussion, which included information about using bonds to cover the costs of the repairs, Place 4 Councilwoman Yvonne Johnson said, “The whole issue is, where are we going to get the money from? That’s really a good question, but the safety of our citizens is the most important thing. These lines and clay pipes, we can’t live with that… and we’ve just got to get it done.”

Mayor Carolyn Bilski noted much of the financial support needed for repairs already came out of the city’s enterprise funds.

“We need these certificates just to replace the money that’s been shifted out to make these clay lines and water lines be repaired,” the mayor said. “There are going to be people not real happy with us if we raise the taxes, because they’ll forget the taxes were lowered two years ago.”

In the end, the council approved a resolution to publish an announcement of their intention to use bonds, in a maximum of $18 million, for the public-works projects.

During discussions April 19, city leaders received information on both 20-year and 25-year repayment plans for the bonds and how they would affect city taxes. The city’s property tax rate increase for the 20-year plan would be about 7 cents and for the 25-year plan would be about 6 cents.

City Manager Kimbra Hill recommended the 25-year plan option.

“I just think that long-term it’s going to cost us a little more, but we keep the tax rates as low as we can. I don’t think this is the time to increase it and we need to minimize the impact,” Hill said.

In other business, the council approved the street closure for the Mudbugs on Main event, and gave Saddleback Saloon permission to sell beer, wine and liquor on city property in front of 207 Main St. for the event.

In addition, the expansion of the Donut Palace Mural downtown was approved in a 5-2 vote. Dissenters Bilski and Place 5 Councilman Edward Zapalac said they opposed the artwork because, in their opinions, the cartoon characters depicted in the mural do not promote positive family values.

The council also appointed Lora Lenzsch as presiding Municipal Court Judge for a term beginning May 1 and ending in May 2023. Presiding Judge John Campos is retiring April 31.

In other news, the council:

• Discussed a swimming pool contract with All-Star Aquatics for lifeguard staffing services, to include an aquatics director. In addition, there is a proposal to change pool hours from noon to 8 p.m. daily to noon to 6 p.m. to cover the additional cost, but the council asked for more information before voting on the $55,000 contract.

• Heard a presentation on the Texas Municipal Retirement System, which handles the city employee pension plan.

• Annexed a 2.894-acre tract of land, which includes portions of Harrison Road, after a second public hearing in which no one spoke against the measure.