The following are highlights from Mangrum’s address:
COVID IMPACT ON EARLY
Early’s hotel tax revenue was reduced by 7.3%, which is equal to $21,734. The hotel industry appeared to have been impacted far greater than other sectors.
With local economy slowing down and businesses forced to close their doors, the sales tax collection began to decline. The budget was tightened and spending was slowed to deal with the reduction. Overall, the decrease was 5% or nearly $75,000.
The response to COVID required additional costs to the city budget. Expenditures topped $373,000, but Early is eligible for a reimbursement of up to $171,000 from the CARES Act.
OPPORUNITIES TO LEARN FROM COVID
Because of Early’s continued growth over the last few years, the bounce back from any losses happened quickly.
Due to growth, Early has been able to lower its tax rate for consecutive years and share the prosperity of the city with its citizens.
The City of Early works hard to fill the void of retail, restaurants, industrial/manufacturing, and job growth in general.
Our job is to promote positive growth, and not obstruct it.
Building a great place to live, work, and play makes everyone happy.
BUSINESSES THAT OPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC
- Legacy IT
- Starbucks
- Hummingbird Hemp
- Xtreme Jump
- Dollar General
- The UPS Store
- Shearly Southern
- Family Dollar
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
The City of Early’s partnership with Solaris and its contributions to the sales tax collections has proven to be a vital part of the rapid recovery that the community’s local economy is experiencing. This positive impact is happening even during a down turn in the oil industry.
EARLY MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
The EMDD created a small business grant program to provide a limited amount of financial assistance, however, it provided businesses with a reassurance that the City of Early is here to assist in any way possible to help fill the gap. The City of Early awarded 25 businesses with the small business grant in 2020 for a total of $46,424.
POST COVID RECOVERY FORECAST
Since the end of 2018, the City of Early has seen several new jobs created. The growth will continue for the coming years.
There are opportunities in the near future for new retail shopping companies entering the Early market.
With more than 30,000 vehicles a day driving through Early, there are challenges as well as opportunities that come with it.
Calls and visits from developers are happening daily. The interest in rural Texas is increasing.
A migration is occurring from other states and urban areas to Early.
EARLY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Added a new patrol office position in 2020.
Added 2 new patrol vehicles
Early is continuing its efforts to provide top of the line equipment to its officers.
This year Early is upgrading all emergency radio equipment to include new mobile and portable radio for officers.
EARLY FIRE DEPARTMENT
Early continues to increase its budget for the fire department in an effort to move toward a full-time professional fire department.
The value that volunteer firefighters provide in cost savings to the budget is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In 2019-21, the fire department received $60,000 in donations and grants. This money was used for the purchase of emergency equipment for the fire department.
In 2021, the City of Early hired its first full-time firefighters in its history.
Early now employs 3 full-time and 12 part-time firefighters.
In 2021, Early purchased a new command vehicle for the fire chief and a new brush truck.
Throughout the efforts to develop and equip a full-time fire department, the City of Early has not raised property taxes in order to fund it. Growth in the local economy has made this possible.
BALLPARK IMPROVEMENTS
The City of Early continues to make improvements to the baseball and softball complex as well as McDonald Park.
The year, new sidewalks and ADA parking that address accessibility and mobility concerns are being constructed.
Phase 1 will be completed this summer. The city is confident that the citizens of Early and the citizens of visiting cities will enjoy the new look and comfort. The overall improvements to the park are a fraction of the cost that would be needed to build a new complex.
STREET IMPROVEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION
Chip seal improvements for 2021 are projected at 7,000.
Major street improvements for 2021 include Scarlet Dr., while Autumn Dr. and McDonald Dr. are forecast for 2022.
The City of Early aims to keep its streets repaired and cleaned. In 2020, the City purchased its first street sweeper.
IMPACT OF WINTER STORM
The Brown County Water Improvement District did a great job keeping the water treated and flowing.
City water department employees worked tirelessly to fix water related issues around the city.
The sanitation department continued the scheduled routes and assisted in other areas where needed.
Employees provided prompt assistance to residents with burst pipes at their homes by pointing them in the right direction to get help from a private plumber.
PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD
Early launched its new citizen engagement SeeClickFix app on March 1. Since then, 75 issues have been addressed around the city. The App keeps citizens informed and engaged; residents can us it to report issues as potholes, trash or street light problems; it provides direct access to our website with up to date information about your city.
Tech upgrades include a new city logo; large smart touch screens at the Visitors and Event; an updated website; streaming city council meetings; updated city council chambers; higher social media traffic.
The Unified Development Code is an over a year project to update the outdated development standards. The Unified Development Code provides for consistency and clarity for development, and is user friendly and easy to follow. The adoption is scheduled for June 2021.
COMING SOON
The City of Early is very excited to see the growth over the past two years despite the COVID-19 pandemic as well as upcoming growth in 2021.
R4 Parkway Properties has begun the construction of a 4,000-foot square foot, 2 tenant building that will house Up in Smoke, a 2,000 square foot barbecue restaurant and another business to be announced.
Kanar RV is building a 7,300 square foot showroom and RV repair shop.
Bear Creek is entering Phase II with 25 additional apartment units.
CEFCO will demolish the existing store and construct a 6,000 square foot convenience store with automotive and semi-truck pump stations.
TOWN CENTER PROJECT SCHEDULE
The street to access this project is in engineering and is planned to begin construction in 2021.
Concepts for the recreational area are nearly complete.
Public hearing for citizen input on the recreational area in the summer of 2021.
Construction on recreational elements will begin after funding options are identified.
Concept site plans for the mixed use development will begin next week.
Public hearing for citizen input on the mixed-use development late summer of 2021.
Site work development and building construction could begin as early as fall of 2022.
WHERE WE ARE IS GREAT, WHERE WE ARE HEADED IS EVEN BETTER
Our team is established, talented and prepared. Our vision is clear, progressive and achievable, and our future is ambitious while remaining prosperous and sustainable.