SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — When Mayor Barry Patel entered office, the three main city management positions were in disarray.
After hiring a new city manager, fire chief and visitors and convention center director, he says the Island is now on the right course of becoming a world-class destination.
“In 2016 the most important thing was hiring the leadership team for the city,” Patel said.
He said he is excited for the upcoming year and for having tremendous leadership in the administration, public safety and visitors departments.
Patel said he will introduce the city’s new Fire Chief Doug Fowler.
Patel is set to deliver the State of the City Address tomorrow at 5 p.m. before the regular city meeting.
He said he will be talking about the upcoming year planned for South Padre Island.
“We have many exciting things coming along,” Patel said. “It will be interesting.”
During the last election, the city of South Padre Island passed a venue tax to help take the Island to the next level with development projects.
City officials project the venue tax of 2 percent on eligible hotel and condo rentals mostly paid by visitors will bring in an additional $2 million annually to South Padre Island.
That proposal was passed by voters in November. It increased the 14.5 percent hotel occupancy tax to 16.5 percent.
It authorized the city of South Padre Island to provide for planning, design, development, acquisition, renovation and construction of a convention center annex on Padre Boulevard.
Patel urges people to tune into the meeting over the Internet or to show up to the State of the City Address.
“We would love to see you there,” Patel said.
