The project would be funded in cash, not financed through a bond. The proposed FY 2020-21 budget also includes a new staff position, called the technician for the outdoor warning system, whose job would be to install and oversee the emergency warning system.
When the city council met late last year to discuss future capital improvement projects, the need for a outdoor warning system was expressed by the majority of the city council.
The FY 2020-21 is being presented to the Lubbock City Council this week in a series of work sessions. The city council is scheduled to approve the budget by the end of September.
"Another item that I know has long been discussed in this community, and truly it's a tool or technology that's been missing in the community for a long time, is an outdoor warning system," Jarrett Atkinson, city manager, told the city council on Monday. "You have in your budget, just under $1 million and it is in cash, the purchase and installation of an outdoor warning system."
A panel of experts in the 2013 Emergency Warning Task Force recommended purchasing outdoor warning sirens to be used only for tornadoes. In 2014 the Citizens Advisory Committee also recommended the City Council purchase an outdoor warning system.
At those times, the cost for the project was estimated to be more than $10 million. Now, city leaders say the system will cost about $1 million. The material is cheaper, as is the maintenance and the connection.
When the City Council met late last year to discuss future capital improvement projects, the need for an outdoor warning system was expressed by the majority of the city council.
The debate isn't new. A panel of experts in the 2013 Emergency Warning Task Force recommended purchasing outdoor warning sirens to be used only for tornadoes. In 2014 the Citizens Advisory Committee also recommended the City Council purchase an outdoor warning system.
The Citizens Advisory Committee wrote that Lubbock is the only city in Tornado Alley with a population greater than 200,000 that doesn't have outdoor warning sirens.
The issue comes up yearly when the region enters tornado season and looks back on the catastrophic 1970 tornado. One thing tornado sirens have working in their favor is cost.
When city leaders were discussing a potential bond election in 2015, tornado sirens were estimated at more than $10 million. Now, city leaders say they can come at a cost of $1.1 million. The material is cheaper, as is the maintenance and the connection.
Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope said the City Council expressed significant interest in outdoor warning sirens in the upcoming city budget, but acknowledges the coronavirus pandemic could change priorities for the time being.
When Lubbock's current city council was talking about a potential 2020 bond election, which was before the COVID-19 outbreak consumed all matters of discussion, it was said that those funds can be found in the city's annual operating budget. Tornado sirens wouldn't require a bond election.
Again, this was before COVID-19. The city expects to see a significant hit in revenue, particularly in sales tax, which is the highest budget driver. It could put most projects on hold.
Mayor Dan Pope said he believes the council wants to get this done, but it'll be a decision for the 2020-21 budget, which needs to be approved prior to October 1.
"I think the desire of the council was very clear around tornado sirens," Pope said near the end of April. "We need to find a way to get it done. I think there was some thought we could find a way to do it in this year's budget. I would say in light of the situation we're in now that's probably unlikely.
"However, I think it's very likely to be a decision during budget time," he continued. "The technology has gotten more affordable. The sirens are smaller and easier to maintain with batteries and solar technology. There are a lot of reasons why it makes sense to do it."
The city launched a personal alert system several years ago. LBKAlert is a way to alert and engage the community in a variety of different ways through call, text or email notifications. The method of contact is at the subscriber's discretion, and in the event of an emergency any mobile device within the designated distance will receive a notification.
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