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Infrastructure Reinvestment

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In 2000, Missouri City had a population of 52913. In 2003, the estimated population was 62570 representing a 18.3% increase. The last data available is from 2005 estimates our population at 69941. Some sources have projected that our population will reach 100000 by 2010. With such growth problems with maintaining aging infrastructure has become critical.

While our population, and the stress on our infrastructure has increased by 32% during this period, the level of infrastructure reinvestment has not kept pace. Though budgets have increased, the actual amount of capital investment in our infrastructure has remained stagnant.

While looking at the CAFR reports, one can see clearly that GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) methods are not being utilized yet noted as a side item. When placed in GAAP format, the actual increase of expenditures for public works (streets drainage & traffic control) between 2003 and 2007 reflects a 25% increase. The large percentage of these expenditures are going to "other services" and "contractual services" which are not defined.

Most eye opening is the fact that of the $3.7 million actually spent in 2007, only $ 253 thousand was actually utilized for capital outlay. Of this, it is impossible to determine how much was utilized in the acquisition and repair of city owned equipment. Why is it that out of the actual funds expended by this department, only 6% went to actual repairs of infrastructure?

In 2003, the city passed a bond to upgrade existing infrastructure. However, according to multiple press statements attributed to Mr. Simpson, those funds will be "slipped" to pay for other projects.

The time has come to reject this type of malfeasance with respect to changing the use of bonds approved by the voters. When the voters approve infrastructure improvements, those funds should be utilized for that purpose only. Additionally, true accounting must be provided to reflect actual spending with reference to our tax dollars spent to maintain and upgrade our aging infrastructure.

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