February 9, 2009

4B BOARD RECOMMENDS MAINTENANCE
The Midland City Council will consider an item proposed by the 4B Board to address the capital and maintenance needs of the Scharbauer Sports Complex.  The facility, which is now nine years old, is in need of basic upgrades which will help maintain the integrity of entire sports complex.

The 4B Board is proposing the use of the ¼ cent sales tax, currently in place, to fund not only capital needs but maintenance as well.  Currently, the maintenance of the Scharbauer Sports Complex is paid for from the city’s General Fund (property taxes).  The maintenance costs are approximately $750,000 annually. 

The 4B Board believes using a portion of the ¼ cent sales tax revenues for maintenance, not just capital improvements, is good fiscal responsibility.  It would allow flexibility when it comes to repairs.

For example, the spectator seats in each stadium (roughly 9,000 chairs) are in need of new arm rests.  To replace the entire seat, a capital expense, would cost the city approximately $1 million with labor.  If just the arms are replaced under maintenance, the cost is estimated at $225,000.

Sales tax revenues generated under the ¼ cent sales tax have more than doubled the original 1999 projections.  City leaders believe the added revenue will allow the city to pay off the debt of the Scharbauer Sports Complex at its first opportunity in 2016.  If sales tax revenues were to decrease by as much as 10%, the debt could still be paid off in 2016.  Paying for the maintenance of the facility with the ¼ cent sales tax would not affect the pay off date.

A public hearing on the issue will be held on March 10, 2009, at 11:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Scharbauer Sports Complex Facts

• November 1999, voters approved a ¼ cent sales tax for the construction of the Scharbauer Sports Complex
• In 2000, debt was issued for the amount of $35 million
• Originally, sales tax for the ¼ cent projected to generate $3 million a year
• FY01, the first year, the ¼ cent actually generated $3.3 million
• Currently, FY08, the ¼ cent generated $6.2 million - more than double the original projection
• In 2006, the city advance refunded to shorten the pay off timeline – 2022 instead of 2030
• 2016 - call date – first opportunity to pay off remainder of Sports Complex debt
• Maintenance averages $750,000 per year

TUG-O-WAR
The Midland Fire Department will face off against the Odessa Fire Department in three Tug-O-War matches scheduled for tonight, February 9, 2009, during the half times of the men’s and women’s basketball games at the Odessa College Sports Center.  The Midland College Chaparrals face the Odessa College Wranglers on the court.

Twenty-four men from the MFD have been training in preparation for the event.  There will actually be six men on each team in the categories heavy weight, middle weight, and light weight.  Two extras have been training for backup in case changes need to be made based on weigh ins. 

Each match will be the best out of four pulls.  If there happened to be a tie, a one pull match would take place with the teams comprising of two men from each category. 

The loser of each match has agreed to wear the jersey from the opposite team and have shaving cream placed on their head.  Chief Russ Conley from the MFD and Tanner Drake from the OFD are expected to participate. 

CITY HOLIDAY
The City of Midland will observe the President’s Day on Monday, February 16, 2009.

In observance of this holiday, City of Midland offices will be closed.

All Monday trash pickups will move to Tuesday and all Tuesday pickups will move to Wednesday.  Normal service will resume on Thursday and Friday.  Visit www.midlandtexas.gov for a complete trash pickup schedule. 

Emergency personnel will work normal shifts to provide services to the community.

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