District 2 Newsletter
 

Recently Mayors from different cities in the United States held a national forum to discuss the effects of the pandemic. Mentioned was that the coronavirus is forcing state and local governments across the country to rethink how they could improve their delivery of services and manage employees.

Three areas were highlighted - Working across jurisdictional lines, Adopting new technology and Rethinking the way government leaders mange their work-places and staff. Bringing these ideas closer to home I feel that Galveston could very well experience a positive outcome in all of these areas.

Working Across Jurisdictional lines: Partnerships are becoming increasingly important in this new era. There are some City challenges that are ours and ours alone but there are many others, from a funding and expertise level, that would be more efficiently managed as a Partnership with State, Federal and Public/Private entities. Public Transportation , Middle Income Housing, Beach Nourishment, Drainage Improvements and Post Storm Rebuilding Efforts are just a few of the areas where working together is in everyone’s best interest.

Adopting New Technology: Many Americans now expect to be able to take care of a wide variety of tasks online and local governments can do a better job of offering virtual services. Our Planning Department is getting much better in its management of permitting and inspections on line and this should be just the beginning, in making as many as possible governmental processes available virtually, which saves the public time and prevents the need to travel.

Managing Workplaces and Staff : The virus put cities in a situation where they had to suddenly reckon with how to offer services as employees worked from home or otherwise away from traditional workplaces. Providing a more flexible work environment is another shift brought on by the pandemic and in some form will probably remain with us permanently.

If we are to move forward from this pandemic, public officials have to acknowledge that our best Partnership is the one we have with our residents and that we sure don’t have all the answers. Transparency and inclusiveness are of utmost importance as we set policies that establish the new “Normal”.

Wishing you an October full of as much normalcy
as possible !

Craig

Campaign Update

As we close out this election cycle, I want to remind everyone to go exercise our most important right...VOTE.
It has been my honor and privledge to serve District 2 for 6 + years and as Mayor Pro Tem for the last 2 years. The facts speak for themselves and I am proud of the issues I have brought forward and our accomplishments. It is now time to continue our drive forward and build the future we all know is possible on our Island.

I would appreciate your vote.

For all voting information go to my website under the news drop down.
www.craigbrownformayor.com
facebook.com/craigbrownformayor

2021 Budget and Tax Rate

During the month of September Council approved the City’s Budget, Capital Improvement Plan and Tax Rate for 2021. The Tax Rate was reduced two cents, all commitments to our Firefighters and Police were funded, a reduction in the number of employees was accomplished and reserves were funded across all of the City’s accounts for 90 days. All of this with no reductions in City services.

The Pandemic and active Hurricane season have placed a lot of pressures on our upcoming Budget but the City was prepared.

CLICK HERE for Highlights of the Budget and Tax Rate.

Short Term Rentals

On September 17th Council discussed the concept of entering into an agreement with Short Term Rental ( STR ) Platforms such as Expedia (VRBO) or Airbnb.

These agreements allow for these Platforms to collect the State and City Hotel Occupancy Tax ( HOT ) and then remit it to the State or City. The State has been in these agreements for a few years and their total HOT collections have increased.

After much discussion the City Attorney, in conjunction with the Director of Finance, will research the topic in more detail with Stakeholders as well as Industry representatives and bring recommendations back to Council’s November meeting, for further discussion and possible approval.

If you have any thoughts concerning these agreements please feel free to contact me.

City Flag and Public Art

After many meetings to establish the application criteria for accepting proposals for the selection of an official City Flag and Public Art, the Cultural Arts Commission presented their requests to City Council on September 24th and they were unanimously approved. Both “Call for Projects” will be presented to the Public on October 1st with recommendations to Council for their approval in 2021.

Please CLICK HERE to view more details on the City Flag Project and CLICK HERE for more details on the Public Art Project. Watch for the announcements in the media and on the City’s website.

City Council Snippets

Dickens Will Return December 5 & 6, 2020

 

New $500,000 City Park Funded By The Moody Foundation Scheduled For Completion By January 2021.

Council Supports Tax Credits For New Owner Of Sandpiper Cove.

Council, In Conjunction With The Planning Commission, To Re-examine Certain Zoning Classifications.

Emergency Disaster Declarations For Hurricane Laura And Tropical Storm Beta Extended By Council.

National Fire Prevention Week, October 4 - 10.

Galveston College Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15.