Somerton earmarks more for streets and utilities in new FY
SOMERTON — Improvements to streets and utilities are priorities in Somerton’s budget for the new fiscal year.
City Hall’s $23.6 million spending plan for fiscal 2019-20 is scheduled to be adopted by the Somerton City Council July 16.
“We are going to continue improving streets on the south side of the city, in areas where repairs are needed but haven’t been done for a long time,” Mayor Gerardo Anaya said. “Last year we concentrated, finishing projects like Centennial Park, but now the priority will go back to being streets, water and sewer.”
Projects include the installation of a sewer line at a cost of $370,000 to serve the various phases of development of the Valle del Sol residential subdivision on the south side, and expansion of the water delivery system to serve residents on the city’s east side and future businesses in the same area. A sum of $154,683 has been allocated for the latter project.
Also to be funded in the new year are paving of Cesar Chavez Avenue on the west side and installation of a traffic sign at the intersection of Cesar Chavez and Main Street.
Other budget projects include construction of a walking and biking path in the Valle del Sol subdivision and resurfacing of the basketball court at Joe Muñoz Park.
Anaya noted that recently approved increases to city water and sewer rates are taking effect in the new year that began July 1. The extra revenue from the rate hikes approved by the council will go for repairs to a water tank, replacement of utility lines and other system upgrades.
The fiscal 2019-20 budget will be presented to the council at its 7 p.m. meeting on July 16 at City Hall, 143 N. State Ave.