On Tuesday, the Kyle City Council unanimously approved an ordinance calling for a $37-million bond election on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. If approved, the city would immediately begin construction of a new public safety facility, including a dedicated police department building.
According to the city, Kyle’s population has grown by 724-percent over the past two decades, rising from from 6,348 to 52,327.
“As our community grows, our public safety needs grow too. We have been evaluating facility options and discussing our public safety challenges for nearly a decade,” said Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell during last night’s meeting. “We know this is a real need, and this bond would be an investment in our community. Our residents deserve high-quality public safety services and a purpose-built facility that will last for the next 20 years and beyond.”
Currently, the Kyle Police Department includes 54 sworn officers, which represents slightly more than one officer per 1000 residents. That officer-to-resident ratio is reportedly below the standard national ratio of 1.5 officers per 1000 residents.
Proposition A calls for a 64,000 sq. ft., two-story facility that would provide dedicated space to fully staff the Kyle Police Department – in a single location – with room to grow over the next 20 years. Additionally, the Public Safety Center would create dedicated space to create an Emergency Operations Center where the City could collaborate with surrounding counties and authorities during critical times such as natural disasters, community-wide security threats, or even pandemics like COVID-19.
“We’ve adapted as best as possible to our current facilities, but the limited space creates challenges for delivering public safety services to our growing community,” said Police Chief Jeff Barnett. “A new Public Safety Center would provide dedicated space for the Police Department to increase officer training and pursue accreditation, accommodate victims or residents experiencing trauma as a result of crime, expand community-based programs and mental health services and more.”
In light of COVID-19, Council has deferred the tax rate impact until October 2021, meaning residents wouldn’t see an increase in their property taxes until the facility is nearly complete.
