Written by Amanda Coers – Early Mayor Dr. Robert Mangrum gave his annual State of the City address at noon on Friday, March 24th, at the Early Chamber of Commerce. In his opening remarks, Mayor Mangrum noted the city had seen “tremendous growth,” in the past year.
“I’d like to commend our chamber, citizens, the Early ISD, and all my hardworking, dedicated city employees for what we have been able to do,” the mayor said.
In a slideshow presentation for the Early Chamber’s “Lunch & Learn” event, Mayor Mangrum highlighted the city’s $6.1 million in earned revenue for the year, with $5.6 million used for expenses. The city of Early is showing growth with taxable property valued at $188 million, which the mayor noted as “a fabulous amount for as small a city as we are.”
Early’s current tax rate is 0.563 percent, the second lowest in Brown County, according to the mayor.
Sales tax was an issue addressed in the mayors remarks, with the impending closing of the J.C. Penney store inside Heartland Mall causing some local concern. Sales tax collected in Early last year totaled $1.3 million.
“We’ve been very well blessed with our sales tax revenue,” Mayor Mangrum stated. “And contrary to panicky thinking, Penney’s by itself doesn’t make all that money coming in. It’s small businesses and our other businesses contributing as well. Yes, we’re going to notice if Penney’s disappears and we don’t have a replacement, but it’s not going to be any drastic difference as far as revenues. We have a very vibrant economy here.”
The mayor told attendees Heartland Mall owners as well as the Early Chamber of Commerce and Municipal Development District employees are strategizing to recruit new businesses for the space inside the mall.
“We’re already on top of it as far as what we need to do to fill the void when Penney’s closes.”
Utility revenue collected last year for the city totaled $2 million, with water and sanitation services.
After discussing tax revenue for the previous year, Mayor Mangrum moved on to discuss economic development in the area. The city of Early saw quite a few changes recently with the adoption of the Municipal Development District, which began operating in October 2016, replacing the Economic Development Council. Mayor Mangrum praised the move, calling the MDD “more flexible,” and able to offer a diverse range of assistance to new and existing businesses for development and economic growth.
With the changes from the EDC to an MDD, the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau is now operating under the city’s supervision. The bureau is focused on increasing tourism for the area, including hotel stays.
“Visit Early, Visit Often is the new visitors’ bureau slogan,” the mayor revealed. “You’ll be seeing that a lot, we’re debuting that at this particular meeting.”
As the city of Early looks to attract new visitors, the mayor informed attendees there will be a focus on ‘way-finding’ signage to guide visitors to attractions and destinations throughout the city, including parks, museums, and other public buildings.
“We’re putting these out pretty soon, and this will be part of branding Early as a community to visit, shop, live, and play in,” the mayor said.
Mayor Mangrum also discussed upcoming plans to expand housing options within Early over the next year. The mayor noted 64 acres have been annexed in order to build residential housing. Construction is well underway, with two new homes completed as well as the installation of a new street. Options for income-based housing, as well as homes with a diverse price range are being developed, including new town homes along Early Boulevard.
The city recently hired a full-time code enforcement officer, which Mayor Mangrum noted will help bring several areas up to code, “so we can have a city everyone can be proud of.”
The city of Early will soon be upgrading their sewage and wastewater facilities with a new lagoon system, capable of doubling the daily intake capacity which will be needed as the city continues to grow in years to come. As the new system requires no discharge, treated wastewater will be used to irrigate nearby hay fields. The hay fields will be a new revenue stream for the city of Early, according to the mayor.
The city’s sanitation department has already seen many changes in the past year.
“As you’re all aware we’ve evolved to the roll-out trash cans,” the mayor said. “The system is coming along, and the beauty of the one-driver system is we can use personnel for other things.”
With the streamlined trash collection system in place, the city of Early will offer once a month brush and bulk trash pickup services.
Mayor Mangrum also highlighted improvement to local parks and recreation areas, specifically plans to improve McDonald Park, which has been developed as funds become available within the city’s budget. The park was purchased in 2015 from the Early Independent School District, and the city looks to establish the area as a multi-use recreational park, complete with a lighted walking track, park benches, picnic tables, a sand volleyball court, and a basketball court. A donation program is being offered to allow residents to purchase the park benches and light posts in memory of loved ones or to show support from local groups and organizations.
Near the close of his state of the city address, Mayor Mangrum discussed the upcoming renovation of the Early Visitor and Event Center. The center will use the donated Lions Club building and architectural plans for a complete renovation are being finalized. The mayor noted the city is hopeful to see the center open in the spring of 2018.
Mangrum shared at the close his speech, “we’re definitely great, getting better, and we’re in for another great year. You need to buckle up. All we’re going to do is go up and up and up.”
