InCibolo Magazine Winter 2023

inCIBOLO Celebrating a wonderful year because of YOU!

ONLINE AT CIBOLOTX.GOV

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C I T Y

O F

C I B O L O

important INFO CITY COUNCIL

MARK ALLEN

Mayor mayor@cibolotx.gov

T.G. BENSON

DISTRICT 1 district1@cibolotx.gov

RANDY ROBERTS

DISTRICT 2 district2@cibolotx.gov

ROBERT MAHONEY

DISTRICT 3 district3@cibolotx.gov

KATIE NORMA SANCHEZ CUNNINGHAM STEPHENS

DISTRICT 4 district4@cibolotx.gov

DISTRICT 5 district5@cibolotx.gov

DICK HETZEL

DISTRICT 6 district6@cibolotx.gov

CITY OF CIBOLO DIRECTORY

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

City Manager’s Office...................... 210-619-0003 City Secretary’s Office....................... 210-566-6111 Communications............................... 210-619-0004 Municipal Court...................................210-658-7324 Economic Development....................210-659-1471 Fire Department Main..................... 210-858-3299 Permits & Inspections........................210-658-4175 Police Department Main.................. 210-659-1999 Police Dispatch (Non-Emergency)..... 210-619-1274 Planning................................................ 210-619-0050 Public Works:.......................................210-619-0059 Utility Billing Office.......................... 210-619-0090

GVEC - 210-658-7033 GVSUD - 830-914-2330 SCUCISD - 210-945-6200 Post Office - 210-658-2631 County Tax office - 210-945-9708

JOEL HICKS

DISTRICT 7 district7@cibolotx.gov

EMERGENCIES

CALL 911

CIBOLOTX.GOV

InCibolo Magazine is designed and published by Leapfrog Promotions - (210) 236-7270 2

incibolo MAGAZINE - WINTER 2023

THE WINNING CIRCLE

SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS NAMES CITY OF CIBOLO A WINNER OF THE SAN ANTONIO METRO AREA TOP WORKPLACES 2023 AWARD The City of Cibolo has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2023 honor by The San Antonio Express-News Top Workplaces. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.

“A top workplace starts with its people and its culture,” says Wayne Reed, City of Cibolo City Manager.

“Over the past two years, I have intentionally worked with Cibolo employees to develop our core values to clarify what is expected of one another and create our mission statement to understand our purpose and how we add value. We have implemented a performance management program that is about informing and involving our team members in telling their stories.”

“I’m pleased that Team Cibolo members find that we have created a great workplace that they are excited to come to work and serve the community of Cibolo.”

— WAYNE REED, CITY OF CIBOLO CITY MANAGER

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Following the City Council’s approval on September 12, 2023, Building Ordinance 1410 was created to enhance the stability of building foundations in Cibolo’s expansive soils. As per the ordinance, builders of new homes in the City of Cibolo are now required to take foundation elevation measurements and submit them to the City. This ordinance applies to all new home build permits submitted on or after October 9, 2023. The new requirement serves as a proactive measure, establishing a baseline for future reference in the assessment of potential foundation movement and settling. By implementing this ordinance, the city aims to prioritize long-term structural health and resilience, addressing the unique challenges posed by the local soil conditions.

Residents can obtain the submitted information by filing an Open Records Request through our website at

www.cibolotx.gov/BuildingServices City Ordinance 1410 4

incibolo MAGAZINE - WINTER 2023

BUDGET FY2024 HIGHLIGHTS As the City continues to grow in population and

Our residents will see continued improvements to

businesses, so too does the size of the organization.

the quality of life in Cibolo through increased road

The FY24 budget will exceed $62 million, including

maintenance, capital projects, strategic partnerships,

the General Fund at $23 million. The City Council has

improving parks and trails, being fiscally responsible,

adopted a lower tax rate of $0.4699 for the coming

and investing in our employees. Take a look at some of

tax year, which will result in residents with a home

these highlights and stay tuned for progress on these

value of $335,000 paying an additional $104 in taxes.

projects and initiatives.

OPERATING FUNDS, DEBT SERVICE FUND, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FUND

ADOPTED TAX RATE OF $0.4699 FROM EXISTING $0.4835 Operations & Maintenance: $0.2906 Interest & sinking: $0.1793

TOTAL FUND VALUE

n General Fund - $23M n Water/Wastewater - $17.1M n Drainage Utility District - $1.4M n EDC Fund - $1.1M n Debt Service - $7M n All Other Funds - $12.6M

VICTIM COORDINATOR AND LIAISON GRANT This grant was made available through the State of Texas Attorney General’s office for a 1 year period beginning September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2024. City Council authorized the application to be submitted in May 2023 by Resolution, and the City received Notification of Award on August 25, 2023. The grant was awarded for a Crime Victim Liaison personnel costs at $49,500 for reimbursement.

The no-new-revenue tax rate (formerly known as the effective rate) is the tax rate that would produce the same amount of tax revenue if applied to the same properties taxed in both years. The voter-approval tax rate (formerly known as the rollback rate) is the maximum rate allowed by law without voter approval. The adopted budget is based on a tax rate of $0.4699. This will require a public hearing prior to adoption.

What does this tax rate mean to a Cibolo homeowner? n A Cibolo homeowner with an average home value

of $335k (per Guadalupe Appraisal District certified 2023 tax roll) will pay $1,574 in municipal ad valorem tax based on the proposed tax rate of $0.4699. Average home value has increased from $304K in 2022 to $335K in 2023. ​

n As a result of the increased average home value over

past year, a homeowner with an average home value will pay an additional $104 in municipal property taxes based on adopted tax rate of $0.4699.​

n The adopted FY24 budget will raise more total

property taxes than last year’s budget by $1,401,089 (10.32%), and of that amount $684,393 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year.

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2024 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

(CONTINUED)

UNFUNDED STATE MANDATE: $129K

COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITIES & OTHER REQUESTS: $1.5M

With the update to Texas House Bill 3, an Interlocal Agreement was signed with SCUCISD to add four new School Resource Officers to increase public safety measures.

Fiscal Impact Model (ARPA), Retail Market Study (ARPA), IT Strategic Plan (ARPA), Fire ISO Study (ARPA), Strategic Partnership Grants (General Fund), Resident Survey (ARPA), City Hall – New Furniture (ARPA), Fiber to City Facilities (ARPA), Animal Services Facility (ARPA), Parks and Recreation Master Plan (Impact Fees) and Downtown Master Plan (EDC Fund)

PERSONNEL HIGHLIGHTS n Maintaining low employee per capita ratio

(Employee per 1,000 residents) City

Cibolo

Schertz Boerne UC

Population*

34,814

43,010

20,707

19,990 33,408

Full-Time Employees**

188

357

212

133

355

Ratio (Number of citizens per employee)

185

120

98

150

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FY24 CIP: $17.63M

Seguin

The City Council has an ambitious list of projects in FY24.

This will be an unprecedented number of projects under design and/or construction in a single year for the City.

*From the 2022 US Census Estimate **Comparable Service Areas n Maintaining market competitive compensation n Adding four new School Resource Officers n Providing 3% Performance Pay ($262K) n Increase in healthcare costs ($142K)

n Decrease in workers’ compensation ($37K) n Increase in retirement ($99K)

DEFEASE DEBT n By strategically stabilizing the I&S tax rate at $0.1793

through the passage of a Defeasance Resolution, the additional I&S revenues are required to be used for the early payment of existing debt n For FY23 and FY24, the estimated early principal retirement is $1,105,000 and the interest cost savings generated for the City’s taxpayers is $414,795 CIBOLOFEST: $30K

Dean Rd

$1,088,000

Bolton Rd

$1,285,000

5 Other Roads - Design Only

$245,000

Lower Seguin Rd

$3,817,000

Deer Creek Automatic Low Water Crossing Gates

$100,000

Sewer Trunk Line Venado L.S. West to Haeckerville Area

$2,000,000

15” Wastewater Gravity Main – Tolle Rd

$1,250,000

12” Water Main – GV Road Mesa Western to Town Creek Rd

$750,000

12” Water Main – Haeckerville Rd South to Arizpe Rd

$675,000

12” Water Main – Haeckerville Rd – Arizpe to Lower Seguin

$1,000,000

Fire Fleet - Engine/Pumper

$1,000,000

Fire Fleet - Ladder Truck

$1,800,000

Public Works Fleet

$675,000

Loose Equipment

$101,445

Fiber to City Facilities

$482,000

Animal Services Facility

$500,000

Warbler Woods Preservation

$100,000

Park Renovations

$750,000

Schlather Park - Restrooms

$13,000

n City Council direction to support the City’s annual sig-

Additional Police, Fire, & Public Works fleet will be financed through the Enterprise fleet program funded by operating funds.

nature event.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP GRANTS: $10K Provide annual grants within available funds to organizations that serve Cibolo residents by providing assistance and/or support to those in need, promote active lifestyles for all ages, or provide unique events that promote Cibolo’s historic roots.

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ESTIMATED TOTAL COSTS: $17.6 M

n Roads n Wastewater n Water n Fleet n Facilities n Parks & Recreation

$6,435,000 $3,250,000 $2,425,000 $3,576,445 $982,000 $863,000

incibolo MAGAZINE - WINTER 2023

INFRASTRUCTURE Roads Update!

Street maintenance tax is an investment in safety, economic vitality, property values, the environment, and the overall well-being of our community. It is a fundamental aspect of urban infrastructure management and serves as the financial backbone for the repair, maintenance, and development of our streets and roads. The street maintenance tax is not a property tax but a portion of sales tax that is appropriated to spend on roads within the City Limits.

During December’s council meeting, D&D Contractors was awarded a reconstruction contract for Dean Rd., Bolton Rd., & Lower Seguin Rd. This will provide our residents with a newly paved road surface; construction is expected to begin January 2024. Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates on these projects.

DEAN ROAD

BOLTON ROAD

LOWER SEGUIN ROAD 7 7

EVENTS FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Cibolofest 2023 Recap We’re excited to share the highlights of Cibolo 2023, a fun celebration that brought our community together at the Multi Event Center! The annual fall festival was a great success, filled with Halloween-themed activities and a myriad of attractions for all ages.

One of the festival’s standout features was the costume contest, where participants of all ages, including our furry friends, showcased their creative and spooky outfits. On the festival grounds, attendees enjoyed carnival rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, and train rides for the younger members of our community. With over 120 food and craft vendors, Cibolofest offered a diverse range of local crafts and delicious eats, ensuring there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Adding a new twist to the festivities this year was the Trunk-OR-Treat event, generously provided by Off the Pavement Adventures. It brought a unique and safe trick-or-treating experience, creating lasting memories for the children and families in attendance.

Throughout the day, guests enjoyed performances by community organizations including Mary Lou’s Dance Company and the O.G. Wiederstein Elementary School Choir. Live entertainment kept the energy high by the talented Gene Reeves Band, the rocking tunes of Redline, and a grand finale by Las Vegas’ premier tribute band, Another Journey.

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CIVILIAN RESPONSE TO ACTIVE SHOOTER C.R.A.S.E. Saturday, January 20 9 AM – 12 PM Fire Station #2 – 3864 Cibolo Valley Dr. PIZZA WITH THE POLICE Wednesday, January 24 6 PM – 8 PM Grampie’s Pizzeria 121 Cibolo Commons HOA KNOWLEDGE SERIES SESSION #3 Saturday, February 3 10 AM – 2 PM City Hall 200 S. Main St. Register at www.cibolotx.gov/HOAseries CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY Thursday, February 15 7 PM – 10 PM Class meets every Thursday for 11 weeks Register at www.cibolotx.gov/CPA EASTER EGG HUNT & PHOTOS WITH THE EASTER BUNNY Saturday, March 23 10 AM City Hall Annex 201 W. Loop 539 DOWNTOWN MARKET DAYS Saturday, March 23 9 AM – 2 PM Main Street from Loop 530 to Pfiel Rd.

incibolo MAGAZINE - WINTER 2023

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the sponsors whose support made Cibolofest possible. Your contributions helped create an unforgettable experience for families and neighbors of all ages. Thank you for making Cibolofest 2023 a tremendous success!

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

COPPER SPONSORS

BRASS SPONSORS

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POLICE DEPT

Hello, Cibolo!

It’s Nice to Meet You! Hello, City of Cibolo community. My name is Thedrick Andres, and I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next Chief of Police for the Cibolo Police Department. I am excited to begin my journey as Chief of Police and work to earn the respect of the men and women of the Cibolo Police Department.

I am passionate about 21st Century Policing and believe in the value of relational policing. I believe when community policing is implemented appropriately, police officers and the communities they serve can benefit equally. My belief is based on our officers building a constructive relationship with community members as they actively work to ensure their policing efforts are productive. When residents and business stakeholders are fully engaged, they are more likely to cooperate with police, keep a watchful eye over their neighbors, and report suspicious individuals or criminal incidents. I look forward to building on the strong work done by former Chief of Police Bryan Hugghins and taking the police department from “Good” to “Great.”

As I transition to the Cibolo community, I will be joined by my wife of 28 years, Frankie Andres. We are both excited to reside in the City of Choice, and become active members of this fantastic community. We have two adult children, Sierra and T.J., who are excited for the City of Cibolo to become their second home.

Sincerely,

Thedrick Andres

Chief Thedrick Andres

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FUN FACTS n A lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan. n Favorite genre of music is Jazz. n Fan of the UTSA Roadrunners and attended their first bowl

game appearance. n Enjoys grilling and boiling crawfish (mudbugs)!

incibolo MAGAZINE - WINTER 2023

ANIMAL SERVICES H I G H L I G H T S The Cibolo Animal Services (CAS) team is a dedicated and vital component of our community, responsible for the welfare and well-being of animals and the safety of the public. They offer a range of services and often form partnerships with various organizations to ensure that animals are cared for and protected. Read about a few key services and partnerships provided by the Cibolo team and ways you can get involved, too!

The City of Cibolo’s Animal Services Department protects public health and welfare while enforcing humane animal treatment while operating within the city’s ordinances and County, State, and Federal regulations.

PARTNERSHIPS Vanguard Veterinary Associates provides a mobile clinic several times a month at the CAS location and offers low-cost vaccinations and services for animals.

The Bissell Pet Foundation allows CAS to offer discounted adoptions! Their Empty the Shelters campaign in 2023 has already assisted in finding 44 pets new homes in our community.

The Grooming Coop offers one free bath to any dog adopted from Cibolo Animal Services.

SERVICES CAS provides safety to the community by offering registration and microchipping for your feline and canine friends.

CAS helps reunite lost pets with their families.

CAS provides deceased animal removal on public property and city-maintained roadways. Simply submit the location and details through the See Click Fix app or on the website at www.cibolotx. gov/SeeClickFix.

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CONNECT WITH US! There are many ways to connect with us! Find us on social media, visit us at community events or browse the website and find the digital version of the quarterly magazine!

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Our last issue made it all the way to London!

Take the inCibolo Magazine with you on your next adventure and take a photo. Then submit the photo to PR@cibolotx.gov for a chance to be featured in the next magazine.

Let’s see how far the magazine can travel! incibolo MAGAZINE - WINTER 2023

PLANNING AHEAD

Cibolo IH-10 Corridor Plan The City of Cibolo is planning for its future along one of its most important corridors in the City. The IH-10 Corridor is anticipated to experience growth over the next 20 years, and a plan is needed to help establish a vision and guide the future of the area, striving for the best outcome.

This plan looks out to 2050 to help establish an overall vision that can be achieved as it builds out.

>> A Corridor Study/Plan is

a document that expresses a community’s values and desires for the future of the corridor and provides a basis for development decisions, laws, regulations, and policies. This corridor plan will focus on developing an illustrative vision and development framework for land use, mobility, placemaking, wayfinding, and economic development.

Corridor Plans typically address a wide range of issues that are important to residents and business leaders.

Cibolo’s IH-10 Corridor Plan aims to provide an overall vision for Land Use & Character, Transportation, Economic Development, and Implementation along IH-10.

Instituting the IH-10 Corridor Plan will allow your community to establish the overall vision for a major thoroughfare and pinpoint project priorities and strategies in

light of changing conditions, new challenges, and experience of city growth.

The Corridor study and plan writing is expected to take ten months to complete. Throughout the course of the project, the City is engaging the stakeholders and members of the general public through a series of engagement activities. To stay informed and learn about ways to participate: n Bookmark this website.

www.cibolotomorrow.com will be the central public portal of information for this initiative.

n Make sure to sign up to receive notifications via email

or text about the IH-10 Corridor Plan Update process.

n Public meetings, stakeholder interviews, topic-focus

groups, and online surveys will be scheduled by the City.

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OUTDOOR FUN

Visit Our City Parks!

Going to a park, playing on the playground, shooting hoops, or walking trails is the perfect way to slow down and get outdoors. According to a study done by The American Institute of Biological Sciences in recent years, spending time outdoors is stress-reducing, lowers anxiety, and promotes well-being.

Take the opportunity to get outside and visit the park in Cibolo in 2024!

Schlather Park is located at 174 Wiedner Road. The land for Schlather Park was donated by Fritz and Sandy Schlather, and the park was opened for public use in the Summer of 2012. The Cibolo City Council approved naming the new park in honor of Ernst and Elaine Schlather, the parents of Fritz Schlather. The park provides a large, covered pavilion near its playscape with restrooms adjacent.

Along the park’s paths, you will find an 18 hole disc golf course and picnic tables with BBQ grills waiting for your next outdoor picnic. For the safety of our community, three emergency call boxes are located within the park.

Niemietz Park is located at 618 FM 78.

Niemietz Park has a football field that benefits residents and football leagues.

This park offers a covered basketball court and a nearby pavilion. Adjacent to the park’s restrooms is a baseball field perfect for a family game or Little Leaguers. This park includes a colorful playscape, a rock-climbing wall, and a handicap-accessible park and swing set.

Surrounding the playground are picnic tables for a quick break, a snack, and then back to playing!

Veterans Memorial Park is located at 3864 Cibolo Valley Drive. The City of Cibolo dedicated Veterans’ Memorial Park on July 12, 2008, to represent our local veterans who served in the United States Military Armed Forces. There is a POW Memorial at the park’s entrance, alongside memorial bricks dedicated by

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the veterans’ families and friends. Veterans Memorial Park has two pavilions that are close to the basketball courts and to the football field. The pavilions offer shaded areas for parents to watch their children play, with restrooms nearby.

Al Rich Park is located at 228 Deer Meadow. Al Rich Park was named after Retired Senior Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force and Vietnam Veteran Al Rich, who served twenty-six (26) years of honorable service. In 1986, he moved to Main Street in Cibolo and quickly became an active member of the community. Although Mr. Rich has passed away, his contributions to the community live on through the park that bears his name. It serves as a reminder of the positive impact he had on the people of Cibolo. Al Rich Park has a baseball/softball field area outfitted with bleachers. The park is equipped with a small playground area, a pavilion, picnic tables, and restrooms.

Looking to rent out a pavilion or a field?

Visit cibolotx.gov/Parks for more information.

COMING SOON! The City has developed a long-range plan to construct a linear trail system that would allow residents the ability to walk, hike, and bike along trails that link neighborhoods with City parks and Old Town (downtown) areas. This project will include approximately 2-miles of ten-foot-wide hike and bike trails extending from north of Schaeffer Road near the City’s Sports Complex, past FM 78, through Old Town (downtown), north to FM1103, and connecting to the existing trails in Schlater Park. Follow us on our social media channels for updates on this project!

PUBLIC WORKS

Fats, Oils and Grease

Plugged up?

Here are some common reasons as to why you may be experiencing clogging and backup in your kitchen sink. Fats, oils, and grease, also referred to as FOG, comes from meat fats in food scraps, cooking oil, and dairy products. FOG poured down kitchen drains accumulates inside sewer pipes. As the FOG builds up and solidifies, it restricts the flow in the pipe and can cause untreated wastewater to back up into homes and businesses, resulting in high costs for cleanup and restoration. FOG discharged into septic systems and drain fields can cause malfunctions, resulting in more frequent tank pump-outs and other expensive repairs. Excessive FOG in the sewer system can also affect local wastewater rates. Fats, oils, and grease are integral parts of our daily lives, but their improper disposal can have severe consequences for the environment and infrastructure. By adopting responsible disposal practices, individuals, businesses, and communities can contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.

PRO TIP Cool it, Can it, Trash it! incibolo MAGAZINE - WINTER 2023

2023 REDISTRICTING

Redistricting Plan In November 2021, Cibolo voters approved an amendment to the City’s Home Rule Charter, including changing from seven (7) single-member districts to four (4) single-member districts and three (3) at-large. The Council redistricting was necessary to balance City Council districts following the 2020 United States Census results.

The City Charter amendment included transitional language on how and when this change would occur: Upon the release and acceptance of the 2020 Census, but no earlier than November 15, 2022, the city shall appoint a demographer to develop the new four districts for the city, which will need to be approved by the City Council. The four Council members elected in November 2021, will continue to serve the Districts that were in place at the time of their election. The three Council members elected in November 2022 will continue to serve the Districts that were in place at the time of their election. In November 2024, elections would be for newly created Districts 1 and 4 and at large council Districts 5 and 6. In November 2025, elections would be for newly created Districts 2 and 3, at large council District 7, and Mayor.

City Council completed the redistricting process with the adoption of Ordinance 1406 on August, 22, 2023. During this seven-month process, the City Council afforded Cibolo residents multiple opportunities to provide feedback with two (2) public town hall meetings, an online feedback form, and four (4) public hearings at City Council meetings.

The adopted Cibolo Redistricting Plan was submitted to Guadalupe County Elections Offices on September 5, 2023.

New City Council districts will be in place for upcoming elections in November 2024, November 2025, and beyond.

Map of current City Council Districts.

Adopted Redistricting Plan 1A

CIBOLOTX.GOV

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200 S. Main Street Cibolo, TX 78108

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