BOERNE, Texas – The city of Boerne is hearing some opposition while planning its new City Hall, which is expected to open in 2018.
"It's time to build a new City Hall, and we're going to do it right," said City Public Relations Coordinator Pamela Bransford.
The current City Hall and adjacent buildings is the workplace for 67 employees, according to the city's website. It's centered around a 106-year-old former school building.
Becky Welch, a Kendall County resident, understands the need for a new City Hall, but has some concerns.
"I don't like the conceptual drawing that they drew out, and the price tag on it," Welch said.
Estimated costs for the new city hall range from $15 million to $20 million, as explained in the attached presentation. City officials said the price tag is not set in stone, since they haven't hired an architect for the project nor finalized a design.
"We're going do it the right size to last for our elected officials and staff for at least 100 years," Bransford said. "We're going do the right architectural design that fits in with our Hill Country environment, and we're going do it at the right price. We're going get the best price we can, and we're going to utilize the citizens' money as efficiently that we can."
The new building is expected to be paid for by existing city revenue, selling the current city hall and by issuing certificates of obligation. There is no anticipated increase in the property tax rate for Boerne residents.
Welch is hoping the new building will be a place Boerne residents can be proud of.
"I know you're not going to make everybody happy, but I think if the effort is made to make a lot of people happy, or show that you're listening, I think it'll go a long way," Welch said.
The next ad hoc committee meeting for the proposed City Hall takes place at 6 p.m. Thursday at the police training room at 124 Old San Antonio Road.