Harvey, budget shortfalls challenge local leaders

Nov. 09--Overcoming sales tax shortfalls and hardening Victoria's infrastructure after Hurricane Harvey are top priorities for Victoria's government leaders.

More than 100 government officials, business leaders and residents flocked to the Victoria College Emerging Technology Complex on Wednesday for a special event focused on the state of the city and the county.

During the luncheon, Mayor Paul Polasek and County Judge Ben Zeller spoke about 2017's successes and challenges for government officials, which ranged from falling sales tax revenue to dealing with millions of dollars in hurricane damage.

"The hurricane dominated this past year," Polasek said.

Figuring out how to ensure the city's water system is better protected from future disasters by purchasing generators and rebuilding a road to a water facility is top on the city's list, said Polasek.

The city does not yet have an estimate for how much that would cost.

"It's a really important discussion," Polasek said.

Covering windows of key city buildings, such as city hall and the 700 Main Center with ballistic film, could also prevent staff from spending hours boarding up windows in the future, Polasek said.

Additionally, the city is exploring expanding a fire station to accommodate first responders during disasters, which could also be used to store valuable equipment such as fire trucks from neighboring counties.

In the meantime, city crews are working feverishly to open Riverside Park, where hundreds of trees were damaged by Harvey.

The Texas Zoo also took a major hit, which has spurred officials to look into boosting flood protection and potentially finding a better location.

"I know most of us are sitting here thinking, 'Why is it in a floodplain?'" said Polasek.

The county government is dealing with its own set of challenges after Hurricane Harvey. County Judge Ben Zeller said county buildings sustained about $4 million in damage, most of which will fortunately be covered by insurance.

So far, getting specific data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been a challenge, in addition to working with the Texas General Land Office -- the state agency tasked with overseeing programs such as repairing homes, Zeller said.

But even though there have been some hiccups in the recovery process, Zeller said Victoria's local officials and private agencies are greatly helping residents start to rebuild.

"We're looking at what we can do to fix problems," said Zeller.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, there has been an increased focus on how to equip officials with more extensive emergency training, Zeller said. Before Hurricane Harvey, Victoria hadn't seen a major storm since Hurricane Claudette in 2003.

"There's a newfound interest in participating in those (trainings) now," said Zeller.

Related coverage

Day 1: Here comes Harvey

Day 2: Brace yourself

Day 3: 'Prayers protect us'

Day 4: 'We thought we were going to die'

Day 5: 'At least God let us live'

Day 6: 'It's the luck of the draw'

Day 7: 'Everybody will pull together'

Day 8: Guadalupe floods parts of Victoria

Day 9: Texas Zoo evacuates animals (w/video)

Day 10: The Long Road Ahead (w/video)

Day 11: Residents rely on families to rebuild

Day 12: For some, normal still far away

Day 13: Church offers refuge for devastated town

Day 14: Victims find hardship, opportunity (w/video)

Day 15: FEMA frustrates Harvey victims

Day 16: Displaced and in disarray

Day 17: Disaster for humans means catastrophe for pets

Day 18: Nature interrupted (w/video)

Day 19: 'It was like we had been bombed'

Day 20: Students returning to school feel weight of Harvey

Day 21: International Crane Foundation loses office after hurricane

Day 22: Ranching structures, cotton mostly damaged by Harvey

Day 23: Port Lavaca struggles back after Harvey

Day 24: Refugio: 'We're trying to get back to normal'

Day 25: Nonprofit leaves people lost after Harvey

Day 26: 'We are human beings like everyone else'

Day 27: Refugio schools find way to reopen

Day 28: Bloomington schools begin year in different classroom setups

Day 29: Methodist church serves those in need after hurricane

Day 30: Scientists measure damage to endangered species' habitat (w/video)

Day 31: Medical community feels impact of Harvey

Day 32: Harvey's speed leaves many in harm's way

Day 33: After Harvey, Seadrift couple forced out of home

Day 34: Bloomington Elementary School educates students in FEMA dome

Day 35: School districts share issues with state, US senator

Day 36: VISD students observe See You at the Pole

Day 37: Expectant family struggles after Harvey (w/video)

Day 38: Woodsboro pulls together after Harvey

Day 39: Housing options slim for displaced families

Day 40: SBA approves more than $500M in disaster loans

Day 41: Hunger greater in Crossroads post-Harvey

Day 42: 'Harvey broke me'

Day 44: Goliad baby born as hurricane swirled toward Crossroads

Day 45: Mother recalls 'scary' birth during Harvey

Day 46: Harvey devastates homeowners without insurance

Day 47: Officials have no details on housing relief

Day 48: Harvey impacts couple's 2 Victoria businesses, Rockport home

Day 49: Crews begin repair work on historic McFaddin church

Day 50: Hurricane, flood force Jaguars to make adjustments

Day 51: Texas Zoo thanks Vickers students for donation

Day 52: Seadrift women helping people affected by hurricane

Day 53: Mold creates big problem for homeowners

Day 54: Crossroads public agencies deal with FEMA challenges

Day 55: Special delivery

Day 56: Texas Gulf Coast mayors discuss Harvey aftermath

Day 57: Tenants sue after Harvey eviction

Day 58: Nonprofit directors face difficult fundraising decision after Harvey

Day 59: VISD applies for waivers to reduce Harvey burden

Day 60: Victoria's relief efforts lacked coordination, leadership

Day 61: Popular restaurant battles back from Harvey

Day 62: City looks to buy sprinkler controls for $160K

Day 63: Housing after Harvey (w/video)

Day 64: City looks to help with hefty water bills

Day 65: Men's shelter, soup kitchen closed because of Harvey

Day 66: Watt routes almost $1M to Crossroads' hungry

Day 67: Recovery group seeks members, community leaders

Day 68: Habitat volunteers help Harvey victims rebuild

Day 69: Lawmakers, counties to discuss Harvey response

Day 70: Oyster season opens after Harvey; new rules adopted

Day 71: Crossroads leaders talk storm damage to lawmakers

Day 72: Symphony to open concert season after Harvey delay

Day 73: Harvey recovery group works to measure unmet needs

Day 74: City considers ways to shore up water system

Day 75: County officials: Mobile homes need more oversight

Day 76: Recipient of state honor persists despite Harvey setbacks

Day 77: Heroes, lessons emerge in Harvey's wake

Helpful information

Where to get water, gas and other supplies

Helpful information after the storm

Updates on city services

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