During the recent City of Schertz Strategic Planning Retreat, city officials emphasized the critical need for infrastructure investment, outlining a comprehensive plan that aims to enhance roadways, sidewalks, and essential utilities over the coming decades. This initiative is seen as vital for the community's growth and sustainability.

The meeting highlighted four key objectives under the infrastructure investment goal: developing and maintaining roadways and transportation infrastructure, ensuring a reliable water supply, and supporting strategic investments in city facilities. City leaders acknowledged the progress made in recent years but stressed that much work remains to be done to meet the community's long-term needs.

A significant focus was placed on the city's street maintenance program, which has seen improvements through the acquisition of new equipment, including a specialized pothole repair truck. This vehicle allows for more efficient repairs compared to previous methods, which often relied on temporary fixes. The city has also implemented a performance dashboard that tracks street maintenance activities, providing residents with a visual representation of ongoing work and progress.

City officials noted that staffing remains a challenge, particularly in the streets department. To address this, they are exploring opportunities to outsource certain services, such as bulky waste collection, which would allow city staff to concentrate on core street maintenance tasks. This strategy aims to optimize resources and improve service delivery to residents.

Additionally, the city plans to enhance its street striping efforts, ensuring that road markings are clear and visible, which is crucial for safety and navigation. Officials are committed to being more aggressive in this area, particularly as new asphalt roads are developed.

As Schertz continues to grow, the discussions from the retreat underscore the city's commitment to investing in infrastructure that will support the community's needs now and into the future. The next steps will involve refining these plans and ensuring that the necessary resources are allocated to achieve these ambitious goals.