Lyford Plans Assessment

This is an area in which city government has been reluctant to maintain transparency, limiting the community’s ability to understand how their tax dollars are being used. Residents deserve clear access to information, especially regarding critical infrastructure needs. Key areas of concern include:

1. Infrastructure Expenditures
Spending should reflect the true needs of the community, with realistic and prioritized investments.

2. Street Reconstruction
Several streets remain in substandard condition, yet there is little public visibility on plans, timelines, or funding allocations for reconstruction.

3. Wastewater System Upgrades
The wastewater system requires significant improvements to support current and future sewer taps.

The Sunset neighborhood lift station has the smallest lift station well in the city.

It was not designed to support the growth of the subdivisions currently connected to it, creating a long-term risk of sewer backups, service failures, and environmental hazards.

4. Aging and Undersized Water Lines
Many areas of the city are in urgent need of water line replacement and expansion.

On the west side—Glen Lofton, 1st Street, 2nd Street, and 3rd Street—residents depend on 2-inch rusted metal pipes, and in some areas, asbestos piping is still in use.

These outdated lines limit water flow, reduce fire protection capacity, and pose potential health and safety concerns.

For the past forty years, the City of Lyford has actively endorsed and promoted affordable housing within the community. The City has consistently supported residents by securing grants and funding through the Texas Homeowner Rehabilitation Program. Each year, the City assists as many as seven homeowners in receiving newly built or fully rehabilitated homes at no cost to the resident.

The only requirement for participation in the program is that applicants must obtain homeowner’s insurance. Through this long-standing commitment, the City of Lyford continues to improve the quality of life for its residents, enhance neighborhood stability, and ensure safe, affordable housing for families most in need.

1. Free Wi-Fi Access Near City & School Buildings:
This initiative is crucial, especially in communities where access to the internet might be limited. By providing free Wi-Fi in public areas like near city centers and schools, you can improve access to vital services, information, and communication for residents who might not have reliable internet at home.

2. Promoting and Educating the Community on 2-1-1 Texas:
2-1-1 Texas is an important resource for connecting individuals with services, including health, emergency preparedness, and community assistance. Focus on educating the community, particularly seniors and residents with disabilities, on how to access 2-1-1 services for everything from housing support to emergency help. This could involve flyers, social media campaigns, or local outreach programs.

3. Weather Awareness Services:
Promoting weather awareness, especially before hurricane season (May) and winter season (November), can save lives. Offering two annual services to help residents prepare—educating them on safe practices, emergency supplies, and evacuation plans—would be vital, especially in light of recent deaths due to generators during power outages.

4. Addressing Generator Risks:
It's heartbreaking that there have been deaths in the community due to improper use of generators. Promoting safe practices around generator use, perhaps in the form of community workshops or informational materials, could significantly reduce the risk. It could also help highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and unsafe indoor usage.

5. Creating an Augmented Community Response Unit:
Building a group of dependable community members, alongside city government officials, could strengthen the response to emergencies. This unit could be trained to assist in weather-related disasters, distribute information, and even help with emergency relief efforts. Having a team that’s well-prepared and familiar with the community's needs would be invaluable during crises.