Fate of City Hall in Schulenburg Headed to Election

Schulenburg voters will likely decide the fate of City Hall. The Schulenburg City Council voted on July 6 to pursue $8 million in certificates of obligation to finance renovations for the downtown City Hall building at 535 North Main St. It has sat empty since 2024, when structural issues were discovered following a heavy rain event.

Last week, the Record reported that Schulenburg property owner Chad Zimmermann drafted a petition to force an election on the financing plan. Zimmermann owns property in Schulenburg, but he lives out of town. Accordingly, he cannot sign the petition himself. However, over the weekend he reported that he has already collected more than enough signatures needed to force the election.

Certificates of obligation (COs) are one of two methods local governments can use to take on debt. The other method, general obligation bonds (GOs), require voter approval in an election. Both methods finance the debt by raising property taxes.

Local governments can approve COs with just a vote by the governing body, in this case the Schulenburg City Council. However, Texas law grants citizens the right to petition the City Council for an election to decide whether or not to increase property taxes to pay for the debt. If at least five percent of registered voters sign the petition, the City Council will have to call an election. In Schulenburg’s case, that number is 81. As of Sunday, July 26, Zimmermann reported collected 82 signatures.

The financing plan that the Schulenburg Council approved on July 6 calls for $8 million in total debt, with no more than $7.5 million going toward the City Hall renovation project. The City’s design firm, PGAL, estimated that the renovations should cost about $7.1 million. City Administrator Tami Walker said financing costs could amount to $200,000 to $250,000. The Council stipulated that any remaining funds would be used on improvements to the police station or upgrades to the water and wastewater systems.

The City Hall renovation plan would address the structural issues along with a remodel of interior spaces. Previously, the second floor of the building was unused except for storage. If the project moves forward. The second floor would be fitted with additional office space and a new City Council chamber. Currently, City Council meets at the police station. The second floor additions would require the installation of an elevator and new staircase.

Plans also call for the removal of an addition that was built on the rear of the building many years ago. That space would be converted to a pocket park, Walker said.

The exterior would feature red brick to blend in with the other historic buildings on Main Street.

“While, the building will be constructed to today’s standards, its design will reflect the charm of yesterday and serve the residents for decades to come,” the City said in a statement on social medial last week.

Plans also call of a large mural on the west side of the building.

“Inside city hall will be functional, welcoming space equipped with modern technology that makes city services more accessible, efficient, and secure while continuing to deliver excellent customer service,” said the statement from the City. “The building will also include public spaces that reflect the values and interests of our community.”

In a post on Facebook over the weekend, Zimmermann offered an alternative plan.

”This $8 million project budgets up to $7.1 of funding for city hall with whatever is left over going towards the (1) police station and (2) water well and wastewater plant,” he said. “Water well and wastewater treatment are needs, not wants. If you’re not aware, there is a major problem with one of our wells and we have been told that it’s going to cost over $1 million to fix it. The city doesn’t have a great track record of coming in under budget. The odds that the $8 million will fund any of our needs are not very good. For this reason, water well and wastewater treatment need to be voted on in a separate bond.

“Citizens have expressed zero interest in investing into the police station, yet it holds a higher priority in the notice than the needs of the citizens,” he added. “For this reason, it needs to be voted on a separate bond. Most citizens want the city hall project to move forward, but the potential $7.1 million price tag is the sticking point. They love the renderings of the outside but don’t see the need for the council chambers upstairs when the civic center that they’re still paying for is not being used. Move the council meetings there or leave them in the police station; eliminate the upstairs remodel, elevator, and staircases from the project and present a lower cost, standalone bond for the exterior and first floor of the building.

“No matter what, this is going to a vote,” he said. “The question is whether citizens want to vote on an all or nothing $8 million project that likely won’t fund infrastructure needs, or vote on separate bonds that will increase the chances that needs and wants get funded. Please contact your mayor and aldermen and let them know how you want this to play out.”