JONESing for the City

Bobcats of the world unite! After our recent victories over Texas A&M, Texas Tech & Baylor on the baseball diamond, I am stoked and excited to say, “It’s a great day to be a Bobcat!” Things are going great in the city of San Marcos. Your city is leading the way in Central Texas and has recently received several accolades acknowledging these achievements. Furthermore, in the spirit of letting our light shine, we have a new housing program for those interested in becoming a permanent part of the San Marcos community.

I am proud to announce that the city of San Marcos was named in BusinessWeek as one of the best places to raise your kids. BusinessWeek noted, “San Marcos, located in Central Texas between San Antonio and Austin, is home to Texas State University-San Marcos. For residents, the university provides plenty of cultural opportunities and the San Marcos River and parkland allow for a variety of outdoor recreation.”

I am also proud to announce one of our favorite shopping destinations, Prime Outlets, in partnership with the City of San Marcos, was honored with an award recently. The Silver 2010 U.S. Shopping Center MAXI Award for Marketing Achievement was given for its innovative Prime Outlets – San Marcos CVB Partnership program in the national competition’s Alternative Revenue category. The award ceremony, hosted by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), was held in Chicago March 3. The U.S. Shopping Center MAXI Awards is considered the professional retail industry’s most prestigious honor for marketing excellence. The group recognized the outlet center and the city for its matching funds initiative, designed to help increase regional tourism to the area along with city revenue. I am also pleased to report that as a result of this joint effort, shopping traffic to the center increased nearly nine percent which also benefited San Marcos with a more favorable sales tax contribution despite the economic downturn.

The Texas Municipal League has awarded the City of San Marcos the “Municipal Excellence Award in Management Innovations” for cities of more than 25,000 in population in honor of our “Achieving Community Together” campaign. ACT focuses on common values, missions and goals and has developed a problem-solving model to identify issues and seek solutions. This historic effort marks the first time major parties have come together on a large scale to promote positive relations between student and non-student residents through education, community connectedness and resources. Since its formation, ACT has rapidly evolved to a large scale ongoing program with a long term impact.

With all of the wonderful things happening in San Marcos, you’ll be pleased to know we have room for you. The City of San Marcos is currently accepting applications for the Texas Neighborhood Stabilization Homebuyer Program. The City received funding to purchase three foreclosed homes, make repairs, and sell the homes to three income-eligible households. If you are eligible, the city will be able to offer you a 30-year, no-interest loan and closing cost assistance! The loans will be made by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and require only a $500 down-payment by the homebuyer. This program has maximum income limits based on an estimate of the household’s total income for the next twelve months. Income from all sources for all adults who will live in the home is counted to determine the household income. The income maximum is based on the number of people who will live in the house, as follows:

People In Household Maximum Income
1 $25,650
2 $29,300
3 $33,000
4 $36,650
5 $39,600
6 $42,500
7 $45,450
8 or more $48,400

A credit score of 620 or higher is preferred. If you would like more information about this program contact City Hall or visit the City of San Marcos website.

The City of San Marcos Public Services Department has implemented two new programs to encourage energy efficiency. Through the Energy Efficient Heating/AC Rebate Program, City of San Marcos residential electric utility customers may receive rebates for making upgrades to their heating/ac systems. Rebates are offered for the following: Replacing central heat/AC systems with efficient models, adding attic/wall insulation, sealing duct systems, installing radiant barrier and installing programmable thermostats. City of San Marcos residents may also receive rebates for upgrading their home appliances to efficient models. Rebates are available for upgrading refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, hot water heaters, and window AC units.

Both programs require the homeowner to have a free City Energy Audit prior to making any improvements.

In closing, I want to thank all Bobcats, citizens and the businesses listed at the end of this column for their support of our Haiti relief fundraiser entitled “Dine Out San Marcos.” Through this fundraiser San Marcos raised around $5,000 for the Clinton/Bush Haiti Fund. Once again, we thank you.

Remember, the eyes of Texas are not upon you, they look up to you because Bobcats are the stars of Texas!
www.dineoutsanmarcos.com

Participating Businesses:
Tres Hermanas Restaurant & Cantina, Texas Roadhouse, Woody’s Barbeque, Fuschak’s Pit Barbeque, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Grin’s, Cafe on The Square, San Marcos, River Pub & Grill, Root Cellar Cafe and Subway San Marcos Texas

Thank you for reading.

Chris Jones
City Council Place 4