Spring Hill's State of The City returned this week to provide updates on city projects, budget items and a look into the future of growth and planning.

And according to Mayor Jim Hagaman and his fellow city staff, the state of Spring Hill is "stronger than ever" with many major items of business on the horizon.

"I can confirm that the state of the city is strong, is financially secure; it is safe, and like our state and region, is well situated to enjoy an even better and more prosperous future in all that we do for it," Hagaman said. "I can also confirm that there is a lot of work to do, and that's why we all ran for office, to get good things done."

The Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen is set to adopt its 2022-2023 fiscal budget next month, which includes approximately $83 million in operating costs.

That doesn't include the additional millions of dollars designated for capital projects, such as the widening of Buckner Road and Buckner Lane in conjunction with the new Buckner I-65 interchange, which is scheduled to be completed and operational by late June of next year.

During Thursday's address, Hagaman was joined by top city staff members, including City Administrator Pam Caskie, Assistant City Administrator Dan Allen and Director of Planning Calvin Abram, along with Project Manager Missy Stahl, who highlighted Spring Hill's capital project goals over the next 3-4 years.

Caskie highlighted the city's increase in sales tax revenue, which nearly doubled since 2020 to about $37 million by the end of fiscal year 2022.

The revenue has opened up opportunities to hire new city staff members, including additional fire personnel (about three per year over four years), as well as funding for a new fire truck. There are also plans in the 2022-2023 budget to provide consulting and resources for small business startups, such as zoning and code regulations.

"Not that long ago, the city didn't have good fund balance reserves, and it was struggling to provide the necessary funds to do the necessary capital projects," Caskie said. "We're going to end the fiscal year with $37 million in the general fund alone, which is equal to 99.5% of our operating budget."

Caskie also acknowledged the city's recent AA+ bond rating from S&P Global Ratings, which raised its long-term municipal bond rating for both the city’s existing general obligation debt and the long-term rating by about $40 million in 2022 general obligation bonds.

"This was a giant success for the city of Spring Hill, and I don't think anybody thought we could do it," Caskie said. "The ability to get that rating through the things we have done probably saved the tax payers between $1-$2 million in bonds. Doing the things that made that happen is extremely important."

One of Spring Hill's hot topics of discussion, not just among citizens but its leaders, is the state of capital projects, many of which are beginning to take shape after years of planning.

This includes roadway and infrastructure improvements, as well as the need for a new Spring Hill Police headquarters and additional park improvements.

Stahl said such projects could see the light of day over the next couple of years.

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"In about two-and-a-half years, all of Buckner Lane will be five lanes with two 'light travel' lanes on each side, as well as a multi-use path and a sidewalk. We're also adding about five new traffic lanes down there, and this will be about a $28 million construction project as well," Stahl said.

Stahl also shared updates on the new police headquarters, which will be located behind Kroger on Port Royal Road in the Kingsley Place development.

The facility will be located on approximately five acres and will consist of about 58,000 square feet. This will also include a new courtroom and an emergency operations center, as well as additional training areas for officers and areas for future expansions.

Designs for the new police headquarters are expected to go for bid in November, with an estimated 12-month buildout.

The final major project Stahl mentioned is the Harvey Park greenway project, which will span from the park along Miles Johnson Parkway behind Lowe's and Walmart connecting to Wilkes Lane.

"This is through a state grant that we received, and we expect this to be done in about three years," Stahl said. "It will be a multi-use path where people can bike or walk along it. In about four years we hope to have all of these projects done."

Allen has served on city staff for many years, first as utilities director, later an alderman and now as assistant city manager.

Since being appointed to his latest position, Allen has been in charge of finding solutions to the city's ongoing sewer and water capacity struggles while combating population and development growth.

Most recently, the city has combated potentially low water reserves by issuing an emergency declaration to preserve water irrigation levels, asking citizens to refrain from nonessential uses, such as watering yards. The moratorium allowed water supplies to remain sufficient in the event of an emergency and/or fire-related incident. Water reserves were replenished Wednesday, following a seven-day moratorium. 

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These solutions include installing a new water pump booster station off U.S. Highway 31, as well as designs for constructing a new wastewater plant.

"Our Public Works and utilities departments, they need a new home. They have a very old building ... and the reality is that we need to expand our sewer plant," Allen said. 

One solution Allen, working with city staff, has found is the federal American Rescue Plan, which awarded Spring Hill with $13 million to construct a new facility that would not only house Public Works, but also planning, coding and engineering departments.

"We're happy to report that we are well into the appraisal process on that, and will hopefully be bringing some recommendations on the new site to the board later this year, where we can talk about the purchase and get that going," Allen said.

"That's a critical project, and it really kills two birds with one stone. It gives us a new space, a modern facility for our employees and also allows us to expand the sewer plant, which is the beating heart of our economic development program."

When it comes to the U.S. 31 booster station, that project is a long-term plan between Spring Hill and Columbia Power and Water Systems, which will allow the city to draw more water into its system.

The status of the station is near completion, Allen said.

"The building is built, most of the pumps are in and will be connected to the water system by the end of the day [Friday]," Allen said.

One of the greatest drivers of growth in Spring Hill continues to be its increasing population, which currently is estimated to exceed 50,000 citizens.

Abram said the city, over the next 10 years, is estimated to experience an increase of 33,000-50,000 new residents.

"To sum everything up, essentially, let's make certain that we adhere or comply with the old zoning ordinance and the Unified Development Code and administer it in a formal manner," Abram said. "Now, what does that look like? Essentially, it's livability and being responsible with our growth over a finite amount of time."

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To him, Abram said livability means, "to continue to improve the quality of life for residents, businesses and stakeholders," while responsible growth is related to using the city's zoning ordinance as a means for guidance.

"These both will match with our long-range comprehensive plan, which is our 2040 Spring Hill Rising plan, and ultimately that is what directs the guidance throughout the city as a whole," Abram said.

In closing, Hagaman said he has much optimism for the future, by having strong leadership to create a more livable, workable community. 

"The team that's here in Spring Hill is absolutely skilled, and they want to be here and want to do a good job for you," Hagaman said.