Jan 30, 2007 5:47 pm US/Central
Fort Worth Considers How To Spend Millions
by Mary Stewart
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 News) ―
It's a problem many cities would like to have, how to spend gas drilling revenue.
Drilling in the Barnett Shale under city parks and airports is netting $14 million for Fort Worth.
More than 600 gas wells have gotten permits for Fort Worth. The city has seven of its own, up and running, bringing in $400,000 a month.
Some of the proceeds from under city parks must go back into maintaining parks.
But what about the rest? Should it be used to fix potholes and drainage problems?
"The roads in this area are not good at all. They're actually horrible," Fort Worth resident Dale Ballard said as he drove in the Fairmont area.
"The biggest call we get is 'Fix my street! When are you gonna fix my street?'" Chuck Silcox said.
But other council members say what's needed is a lasting legacy, an endowment, in interest bearing investments.
Wendy Davis disagrees, "If we today make the decision to fix every street there is, and we could, it's very short-sighted and won't best serve our citizens."
Council members acknowledge it's a dilemma many cities would welcome.
"Just like the parable of talents, god's given us a blessing," council member Danny Scarth said. "We need to be sure we're good stewards of it."
"You can't both spend and save. There's going have to be a balance struck," Mayor Mike Moncrief told council members in the pre-council meeting. "We're going to have to find that balance and I'm confident we can and we will."
(CBS 11 News)
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