09/09/2026
Dear Copperas Cove,
I have been thinking about our city and all the people who work here every day. As residents, we all have opinions. We have things we would like to see changed, things we think could be done differently, and things we want our city to improve on. That's part of being a resident and caring about where we live.
But sometimes, in all of that, we forget to stop and say thank you.
I recently spent time looking through the City's reports and information about our departments and what they accomplished. The more I read, the more I realized just how many people it takes to keep Copperas Cove running. There are departments most of us deal with regularly, and there are others we may never have a reason to contact. But every one of them has a job that matters.
So, as a resident of Copperas Cove, I want to say thank you.
First, to the Copperas Cove Police Department, thank you for what you do every day to keep our community safe. Police work is more than answering calls and enforcing the law. Our department has made an effort to be involved with the community through programs such as Cove Watch, the R U Okay Program, the Citizens Police Academy and the Youth Leadership Academy. These programs give officers and residents opportunities to get to know each other outside of an emergency. The R U Okay Program gives regular check in calls to seniors, people with disabilities and homebound residents. That is the kind of program that can make someone feel like their community hasn't forgotten about them.
I also want to recognize the Police Department for National Night Out. NNO has become an important community event here in Copperas Cove. It gives our police officers, firefighters, city employees and residents a chance to get together, meet one another and build relationships. The department also participates in Christmas in Cove and other community events. Those things may seem small to some people, but they matter. A child seeing a police officer at a community event instead of only seeing one when something bad happens can make a difference.
The Police Department also continues to report on its work through annual reports, including its 2025 report, covering calls for service, crime trends, enforcement and community engagement. The department has also worked on traffic safety, facility security, active threat preparedness and other public safety efforts. There is a lot that happens that we don't see.
Most importantly, thank you to the individual officers. Thank you to the officers who answer the difficult calls, the dispatchers who take the first call for help, the detectives who work cases, and the officers who stop and talk to a resident or a child. Thank you for the nights, weekends and holidays you spend working while the rest of us are home with our families.
To the Copperas Cove Fire Department and EMS, thank you. When there is a fire, wreck, medical emergency or other crisis, somebody has to go. Our firefighters and EMS crews continue to maintain the training required for fire protection and emergency medical response. The City's 2025 report also notes that the department managed multiple real world incidents that tested the Emergency Operations Plan and began the addition and remodeling of Fire Station 3.
Those are accomplishments that deserve recognition. But behind every call is somebody having a bad day and needing someone to show up. Thank you for being those people. Thank you for running toward an emergency when most of us would be trying to get away from it.
To Public Works, thank you for everything you do that most of us don't see. Public Works oversees a lot of the services we depend on, including streets, drainage, fleet services, wastewater collection and treatment, solid waste and water distribution. That's a tremendous amount of responsibility.
The city has continued work on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity Analysis and Master Plan, the Street Maintenance Utility, utility rate planning, emergency generator improvements and the renewal and expansion of the Killeen to Cove utility easement. These aren't projects that necessarily get people excited, but they are the things that determine whether a city can continue to grow and provide basic services.
To the Streets Department, thank you for taking care of the roads we use every day. Copperas Cove has approximately 168 miles of city roadways and rights of way. That's a lot of pavement, signs, drainage areas and right of way to maintain. The city has also been working on the long term Street Maintenance Utility and pavement condition planning. We all have somewhere to go, and those roads connect us to work, school, stores, doctors, churches, friends and family. Thank you to the people who maintain them.
To Water Distribution, thank you for making sure one of the most basic things we need is available. Most of us turn on a faucet without thinking about where the water came from or who keeps the system working. The city's capital plans include projects involving transmission lines, pump stations, water line replacements and other improvements. There is also ongoing planning for the water distribution system. That's work that matters today and will matter even more as Copperas Cove continues to grow.
To Wastewater Treatment and Wastewater Collections, thank you for doing a job most people don't think about. It isn't the kind of work that usually gets celebrated, but it is absolutely necessary for a healthy community. The city continues planning for wastewater capacity and improvements to the treatment system. Thank you to the people who operate, maintain, inspect and repair these systems.
To Drainage, thank you for work that becomes especially important when the weather turns bad. Drainage is something most of us don't think about until we see water where it shouldn't be. The city maintains a Drainage Master Plan and continues working on infrastructure and stormwater requirements. Thank you for dealing with the problems that come with heavy rain and for working to plan ahead.
To Fleet Services, thank you for keeping the city's vehicles and equipment going. Police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, garbage trucks, work trucks and equipment don't maintain themselves. When another department needs a vehicle or piece of equipment to do its job, somebody has to make sure it is ready. That's an important part of city operations that is easy to overlook.
To our Solid Waste Department, thank you for getting up and doing a job that has to be done every day. The City's 2025 report says 1,927 tons of recyclable materials were collected and kept out of the landfill. The city also completed a Solid Waste Site Master Plan and hosted two citywide cleanup events. That's something worth being proud of.
Keeping a city clean isn't just about picking up trash. It takes employees, residents and volunteers all working together.
That brings me to Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful.
Thank you to everyone involved with KCCB. The commission has up to 15 volunteer members and focuses on education and public awareness, litter prevention, beautification and property improvement. It was established by the City Council in 2002, and volunteers have spent years working to educate people about recycling, litter and taking care of our community.
I especially appreciate that KCCB reminds us that keeping Copperas Cove beautiful isn't only the city's responsibility.
It's ours too.
Every time somebody picks up trash instead of walking past it, that's helping. Every person who keeps their property looking good is helping. Every volunteer who gives up part of their weekend for a cleanup is helping. Every parent who teaches a child not to litter is helping.
Let's keep Copperas Cove beautiful.
To Parks and Recreation, thank you for giving our kids somewhere to go and something to do. The City's 2025 report shows 450 youth basketball participants, 362 swimming lesson participants, 1,341 winter soccer participants and more than 790 youth baseball and softball participants.
When I look at those numbers, I don't just see statistics. I see kids. I see parents sitting in the stands. I see coaches giving their time. I see families spending evenings together. I see children learning teamwork, responsibility and how to be part of something bigger than themselves.
The Parks and Recreation Department also maintains approximately 489 acres of park land and works with other departments and community organizations on programs, events and community improvements. Thank you for maintaining the places where our families make memories.
To the Hills of Cove Golf Course, thank you for providing another recreational opportunity in our community. The City's capital plans include improvements involving stormwater erosion mitigation, the driving range, tee boxes, cart paths, waterways, restrooms and the pro shop. These improvements are part of maintaining a city facility that residents and visitors can enjoy.
To the Copperas Cove Public Library, thank you for giving our community a place to learn and grow. The library maintained its accreditation through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. It also provided a successful Summer Reading program and Hero Camp. Community volunteers helped add artwork and murals throughout the children's room.
A library may be quiet, but there is a lot happening inside. Kids are reading. Students are learning. Parents are looking for resources. People are discovering things they didn't know before. Thank you for keeping that opportunity available to our community.
To our Senior Center, thank you for giving our older residents a place to gather, stay active and stay connected. A community isn't just about young families. Our seniors are an important part of Copperas Cove, and they deserve places and programs where they can remain involved and connected with others.
To the people who care for our Municipal Cemetery, thank you for maintaining a place that means so much to families. Cemeteries are more than property. They are where people go to remember parents, grandparents, spouses, children, friends and other people who have been part of their lives. The city has also included cemetery planning and improvements in its capital plans.
To Animal Control, thank you for taking care of animals and dealing with situations that can be difficult. Thank you for responding to calls, helping with lost animals and handling problems that residents may not know how to deal with themselves. It takes patience and compassion to do this work.
To Code Compliance, thank you for doing a job that probably doesn't win you a lot of popularity contests. Sometimes your job means telling someone that a property needs attention or that a city ordinance isn't being followed. Those conversations aren't always easy, but maintaining safe and healthy neighborhoods takes people willing to do that job.
To Planning Services and Development Services, thank you for helping Copperas Cove grow in a responsible way. Development doesn't happen overnight. Roads, drainage, utilities, buildings and neighborhoods all require planning. Your work helps determine what our community will look like years from now.
To the Building Department and inspectors, thank you for reviewing plans, issuing permits and inspecting construction. These are the people making sure buildings are being constructed according to the requirements that protect residents and property. It may seem like paperwork to some people, but good inspections can make a real difference in safety.
To the Engineering Department, thank you for working on the technical side of our city's infrastructure. Roads, drainage, water systems, wastewater and construction projects all require engineering. A lot of your work happens before residents ever see a project being built.
To Finance and the Budget Department, thank you for dealing with the city's money. Residents expect their tax dollars and fees to be handled responsibly, and that requires people who understand budgets, revenues, expenses, audits and long term planning. Copperas Cove has also received recognition for the quality of its budgeting and financial reporting. That kind of work may not be exciting, but it is important.
To Human Resources, thank you for taking care of the people who work for the city. Hiring, benefits, employee programs, training and personnel issues are a big part of keeping departments staffed and functioning. The city has also worked on employee leadership and wellness programs. A city can only provide good services when it has good people working behind those services.
To Information Technology, thank you for keeping the city's technology working. Almost every department depends on computers, communications, databases and other technology today. When technology works, most people never think about the people behind it. But when it doesn't work, everybody notices. Thank you for keeping things connected.
To the City Secretary's Office, thank you for handling records, elections, city ordinances and the many details that are part of local government. You help make sure the public's business is documented and accessible.
To Municipal Court, thank you for handling the cases and responsibilities that come through the court system. Court work can involve people having difficult circumstances, and it takes professionalism and patience to handle those situations.
To Public Relations and Communications, thank you for keeping residents informed. The department has worked on city announcements, community events, the State of the City, volunteer appreciation, employee activities and communication through the city's various public information channels. Good communication is important because residents can't support or understand something they don't know about.
To the City Manager's Office and city administration, thank you for coordinating all of this. The City Manager's Office is responsible for overseeing numerous departments, including Finance, Human Resources, Engineering, Solid Waste, Library, Golf Course, Parks and Recreation, Police, Fire and Water and Wastewater. That's a lot of moving parts, and somebody has to keep them working together.
To our City Council, thank you for being willing to serve. People will not always agree with your decisions. That's part of being in public office. But sitting in that seat means making decisions about budgets, roads, public safety, utilities, development and the future of our city. I appreciate anyone willing to step forward and take on that responsibility.
There are also the boards, commissions and volunteers who give their time to Copperas Cove. The Library Advisory Board, Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful Commission, Economic Development Corporation, Housing Authority and other boards help residents have a voice and help the city work through different issues. Thank you for giving your time.
I also want to thank the Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation for the work they do for our community. Economic development is an important part of Copperas Cove's future. The EDC works to attract new businesses, support existing businesses, encourage investment and help create more opportunities for our residents. That work doesn't always happen where the public can see it. It takes time, meetings, planning and working with businesses and property owners to bring new opportunities to town.
I appreciate the effort that goes into helping Copperas Cove grow while also supporting the businesses that have already invested in our community. When new businesses come here, they can bring jobs, services and additional opportunities for local families. Thank you to the EDC for continuing to work toward a stronger local economy and a better future for Copperas Cove.
When I started looking through all of this, I realized something.
A city doesn't run because of one department.
It takes everybody.
It takes the police officer answering a call.
It takes the firefighter climbing onto a truck.
It takes the paramedic treating someone on the side of the road.
It takes the person fixing a water line.
It takes the person picking up our trash.
It takes the person repairing a street.
It takes the person mowing a park.
It takes the librarian helping a child.
It takes the inspector checking a building.
It takes the person answering a phone at City Hall.
It takes the person working with the city's budget.
It takes the IT employee keeping the computers running.
It takes the volunteer picking up trash on a Saturday morning.
It takes the parent teaching their child to take pride in their hometown.
It takes all of us.
And that's really what I want this letter to be about.
Not politics.
Not complaints.
Not pretending that Copperas Cove doesn't have problems.
We do.
Every city does.
But I believe we can talk about the problems and still appreciate the people working to solve them.
We can ask for better roads and still thank the Streets Department.
We can ask for better services and still thank Public Works.
We can ask questions about spending and still thank Finance.
We can disagree with decisions and still respect people who volunteer to serve.
And we can be proud of our community while still wanting it to be better.
That's what being part of a community means to me.
I am thankful for the people who work for Copperas Cove.
I'm thankful for the police officers who show up at National Night Out and spend time getting to know our families.
I'm thankful for the firefighters and EMS crews who are there when we need them.
I'm thankful for the employees working outside in the heat.
I'm thankful for the people working early mornings and late afternoons.
I'm thankful for the people who take care of our parks.
I'm thankful for the people who keep our water running.
I'm thankful for the people who pick up our trash.
I'm thankful for the people who volunteer to clean up our community.
And I'm thankful for every resident who still cares enough to say, "This is my hometown, and I want it to be better."
Copperas Cove has a lot going for it.
We have people who care.
We have people who serve.
We have people who volunteer.
We have families raising their children here.
We have businesses that have invested here.
We have organizations that bring people together.
And we have city employees who come to work every day and do their jobs.
So maybe we need to say thank you a little more often.
Thank you for the work that makes the news.
Thank you for the work that never makes the news.
Thank you for the big projects.
Thank you for the small things.
Thank you for answering the phone.
Thank you for answering the call.
Thank you for fixing what breaks.
Thank you for maintaining what we already have.
Thank you for planning for what comes next.
And thank you to the residents who volunteer their time and help make this community better.
I am proud to call Copperas Cove home.
I want to see our city continue to improve. I want to see us take care of what we have, invest wisely in our future, support our public servants and take better care of one another.
Most of all, I want us to remember that we are all part of this city.
City government can do its part.
Our police and fire departments can do their part.
Public Works can do its part.
Parks and Recreation can do its part.
Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful can do its part.
But residents have a part too.
Let's pick up the trash when we see it.
Let's take care of our property.
Let's respect our parks.
Let's support our local programs.
Let's get involved.
Let's look out for our neighbors.
Let's thank the people who serve us.
And let's teach our children to be proud of where they come from.
Let's keep Copperas Cove beautiful.
Let's keep Copperas Cove safe.
Let's keep Copperas Cove strong.
Let's keep Copperas Cove moving forward.
And most importantly, let's remember that this isn't just a city on a map.
This is our home.
Thank you to everyone who works, volunteers, serves and gives their time to make Copperas Cove a better place.
From one Copperas Cove resident to all of you,
Thank you.
And keep up the good work.
A grateful Copperas Cove resident
