City Statement: Citizen Comments
This month marks the City Manager's sixth anniversary, a period during which Corpus Christi has seen transformative progress. With the support of the Mayor and City Council, alongside an exceptional leadership team and dedicated employees across 29 lines of business, our city has realized substantial improvements benefiting residents, businesses, and industry. This remarkable advancement has been achieved through strategic investment and a readiness to embrace change, to which the City of Corpus Christi has responded with impressive resolve.
A small group of people continues to try to undermine this progress, including attempts to disrupt the region’s water security. Their arguments are built around inaccurate information and a disregard for constructive conversation. This regrettable situation diverts city resources and attention from essential services and the core mission of keeping Corpus Christi safe and prosperous.
In his six years as City Manager, Corpus Christi has experienced unprecedented advancement, driven by a strategic vision for a safer, more vibrant, and financially secure future.
Public safety has been dramatically strengthened with the addition of 55 new police officers and 41 new firefighters, alongside the opening of our cutting-edge Police Training Academy. A modern new police substation has been opened, with three more in various phases of design and construction. Similarly, one new fire station has been completed, and four more are underway.
Infrastructure investment has nearly doubled, paving the way for hundreds of miles of reconstructed roads, including neighborhood streets using appropriate design standards and materials. A stormwater program has also been developed to include frequent street sweeping citywide.
Quality-of-life amenities have seen remarkable revitalization, including a brand-new Cole Park Pier, renovated Lozano Golf Course, new splash pads, and several dog parks. This week marks a historic moment with the opening of the Bill Witt Aquatic Center, our city's first new outdoor public pool in five decades.
Corpus Christi’s fiscal health is stronger than ever. We've maintained a balanced budget for six consecutive years. Thanks to diligent financial planning, the City's Bond rating has significantly improved with three upgrades to AA status. Importantly, we've achieved all this while implementing multiple tax cuts for residents and ensuring top-tier City services continue uninterrupted.
Beyond progress in public safety, financial stability, and infrastructure, Corpus Christi remains intently focused on long-term water security. During his tenure as City Manager, the City has not only planned but is actively moving forward with developing the first municipally-owned seawater desalination plant. The Inner Harbor Water Treatment Campus project will address a critical regional water crisis and ensure a drought-proof water supply for a seven-county region. In addition, the City is diligently advancing multiple, diversified initiatives, including recent upgrades to the Mary Rhodes Pipeline expansion, which increased daily water delivery by 84%, and developing new groundwater supply projects.
With an unwavering commitment to progress and the citizens of Corpus Christi, the City Manager and City staff teammates will continue to deliver impactful results for our city's future.