Page 16 - NRH FY20 Approved Capital Budget

FY 2019/2020 Capital Projects Budget Highlights

In addition to several continuing projects approved in previous years, there are new projects included in
the FY 2019/20 Capital Projects Budget. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of these
projects for you.

Iron Horse Golf Course is 30 years old and located almost entirely in the floodway. Over the years
flooding has deteriorated the fairways, bunkers and greens. Many of the fairways are scoured with the
loss of turf due to the velocity and volume of water on the course. Urban development upstream of the
course has increased the impact of flooding water damage to the course. The irrigation system is also
old and parts are hard to find. Irrigation is essential to maintaining a quality playing surface and
preventing the erosion of areas throughout the course. In order to maintain Iron Horse’s position as one
of the premier municipal courses in the region, it is important to address these concerns and make
improvements to the course. A consultant was retained in 2019, and has submitted a draft improvement
plan that will be presented to the City Council in August 2019. The proposed budget includes
$3,000,000 in certificates of obligation to fund these improvements. The course is privately operated
by Arcis Golf who have indicated that they believe the debt service can be fully funded through golf
course revenues.

The City Council continues to recognize the importance of dedicating funds annually for the repair and
preventive maintenance of city streets. This is important in that it delays more costly street
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reconstruction and extends the life of the current street system. The funding for the 29 consecutive
year of the Preventive Street Maintenance Program is proposed at $1,000,000. While the funding will
improve street conditions over time, it does not represent the full amount of work necessary to keep
NRH streets at an acceptable level. The expectation is that the overall street rating of 80 will remain
the same due to this work being performed. The General Fund will be used to fund this maintenance.

In other street improvements, a traffic signals are proposed to be added the intersection of Northeast
Parkway and Davis at a cost $380,000 along with an extension of Northeast Parkway at a cost of
$790,000. The signal at Northeast Parkway is planned to address traffic associated with the Smithfield
TOD and the new Smithfield Elementary which will open in August 2021.

It is hard to believe the Library is already 12 years old and building components are showing their age.
The Library hosts over 250,000 visitors each year and the carpet has reached the point where it should
be replaced. This budget proposes $321,000 to fund replacement of carpeting at the Library.

The Utility Fund CIP Budget proposed $3,640,000 in projects funded through certificates of obligation
and $565,000 in projects funded through Utility Fund revenues. Earlier in 2019 a 24 inch wastewater
main located along Holland Drive collapsed due to corrosion. The budget allocates $1,255,000 for
repair of this section of the wastewater system. The Conn Pump Station has been experiencing pump
failure due to an improper configuration of the piping that feeds the pumps. Replacement of the pumps
and the associated piping will cost $1,500,000. Each year the Utility Fund allocates $445,000 for
replacement of various water and sewer mains that fail during the year. In addition $440,000 is allocated
for replacement of small water mains. Ideally these two projects would be funded directly from the Utility
Fund, however, the financial condition of this fund requires that we use certificates of obligation

The North Richland Hills park system is an award winning quality of life amenity that provides well
maintained open spaces, trail and recreation opportunities for citizens and visitors of NRH. Keeping
the NRH parks and trails attractive requires maintenance and redevelopment in order meet the needs
and expectations of the community. Linda Spurlock Park is 25 years old, and the amenities are aged
and in need of renovation. The FY 2018/2019 Capital Budget included $189,000 for the design of
renovations to Linda Spurlock Park, with funding coming from both park impact fee reserves and sales

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