CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Earlier this week, 3News reported the possible closing of Garcia Library because of budget cuts. But due to the rising concern of the community, Corpus Christi city manager Peter Zanoni will be presenting alternative options for the city council to consider.
"We're providing professional recommendations, ones that we feel are the best that have less and the least impact to the community," Zanoni said. "And ultimately, city council will pick from those and we'll have a balanced city budget."
The second budget plan will give the city council another choice instead of deciding on closing the Garcia Library, the Oso Bay Learning Center, and the Greenwood Senior Center.
"Things like more vacant positions we can eliminate, over-time budgets we can eliminate, things like additional fill positions as well," Zanoni said. "We're confident that with those reductions plus using a little of our fun balance, that would be a choice that our city council would have."
Zanoni emphasized that no final decisions have been made in regards to the possible closing of the other centers and library. But there are several locals who say they will fight to keep these buildings open.
Ashton Sigler has three sons who enjoy learning at the Oso Bay Learning Center and library. She hopes these important resources continue to be provided in the community.
"It's incredibly unfortunate that we are targeting these free resources for our children and for our seniors," Sigler said. "We really need to take a look at where all the rest of the money is going and where we can cut to keep these resources here in the Coastal Bend."
Inez Garcia is a regular at the senior centers across the city and said the Greenwood Senior Center is important to the senior community.
"All of us that are seniors and that attend the centers, it means a lot. It's not just a place where we go to eat. It's a place we consider our second home," Garcia said.
Co-founder of For the Greater Good, Isabel Araiza said she hopes city council considers what is most important to the residents and the impact these resources make in our community.
"It was inspiring to see the people rise up for the Garcia Center and to see people talking about the wetlands, and we should be reminded that these things are valuable resources but we shouldn't have to fight for them to exist," Araiza said.
Zanoni said in the end the council makes the final decision about the city budget cuts.
"There's still a lot of time for input from the community, still a lot of time for the city staff to develop proposals to provide to city council who ultimately have to make the decision," Zanoni said.
Zanoni said there will be seven community engagement or input sessions in each city district from August 5 to 21. Residents are encouraged to attend and voice their concerns.
