City manager endorses bond project, urges preparing for growth sooner, not later

Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell has come out firmly in support of Sulphur Springs ISD’s $157.15 million bond package.

Maxwell spoke during the public forum portion of Monday’s regular meeting of the board of trustees.

“I’ve been the city manager here for 28 years now,” Maxwell said. “But never during my time have I felt the need to address this board about school business or city business I don't want. But tonight is different. We are at an inflection point in our community. In my opinion, we are about to enter a new era of growth and prosperity, and this new era could be greatly enhanced or terribly hampered by the conditions of our school as we move to the May bond election.

Maxwell said he was pleased to say the buzz he’s been hearing about the bond seems more positive than past election efforts, but he’s concerned about those who wonder if the board should have gone with a more modest proposal. He described the current proposal as “reasonable and necessary, but not a panacea.

He described several new developments that have already been approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, including a national homebuilder planning to build a 1,100unit housing development on State Highway 11 west. Maxwell also described talks with two different developers looking for two different sites in Sulphur Springs for 5,000 or more units.

“We may need all of them for two reasons,” Maxwell stated. “First, growth is marching this way from the west. We've all watched it as it hit Rockwall, then Fate and Royse City. Now, Greenville is in the midst of their growth. We're next. Our timetable for growth is likely to be expedited by industrial growth for the 5,000 acre Thermo industrial site. “Two weeks ago, the city adopted a tax increment reinvestment zone at the Thermo site. One week ago, the county adopted the same reinvestment zone, and, in a couple of weeks, the hospital district will adopt it as well. My point is, this is the same financial mechanism that the city, county and hospital adopted in 2007 that jumpstarted the downtown revitalization, and we're about to do it again, on a much grander scale.

“This time, we will build roads, water and sewer mains into the industrial park, and that will drive growth. In fact, it's already happening. City staff and the Economic Development Corporation are in discussions with industries that would invest more than $2 billion at the site, and others continue to inquire. I encourage you to begin planning for that growth.

“The bond proposal before us is not the end of the process, or at least, it shouldn't be. I view it as a stopgap measure that will replace buildings that were old when I moved here 28 years ago. There are some very exciting developments coming. If we play our cards right, we can secure the future of the community and the school district.”

The bond election is set for Saturday, May 4 at the SSISD Administration building at 631 Connally Street from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.