What is the No. 1 complaint we hear about at City Council in San Antonio? The answer is infrastructure issues. Studies have shown that the poor conditions of some of the roads in our city cost our drivers hundreds of dollars a year in auto repairs.

Local government is where democracy is most direct and tangible to the average citizen, and it is incumbent upon us to clearly meet and strive to exceed the community’s expectations. The condition of our infrastructure can be improved, and should be a main priority in this year’s budget.

San Antonio is on the cusp of major change. From an expected population boom, continued economic growth and new developments across the community, a simple drive through the city shows that we are in the midst of progress. There are many positives occurring in San Antonio. However, to ensure that our city can continue to progress in a favorable manner, your municipal leaders often have to make tough decisions on infrastructure projects where immense needs far exceed available funding.

Voters and city leaders have made great strides over the last several years through large bond programs, focusing millions of dollars on the immense infrastructure requirements across the city. More work is needed communitywide, and with your help, we will structure bond packages that the public can support so more infrastructure projects can continue to be completed.

The $550 million 2007 bond program approved by the voters included 43 street, bridge and sidewalk projects totaling more than $306 million, and 26 drainage improvements projects totaling more than $152 million. Based on the overwhelming success of the 2007 bond program, voters approved another larger $596 million bond program in 2012. It included 41 streets, bridge and sidewalk projects totaling more than $337 million, and 17 drainage and flood control projects totaling more than $128 million.

In addition to these two recent large bond programs, City Council has committed millions of dollars every fiscal year toward the maintenance of our existing infrastructure through the city’s five-year Infrastructure Management Program, or IMP. While the IMP projects may not be as large as the bond projects, they are equally important for the preservation of our city’s infrastructure.

Recently, we have seen innovative solutions to common infrastructure problems. We instituted the first pothole repair enhancement program, an effort focused on repairing potholes across the city. This highly welcome effort was launched in April. It substantially increased the number of potholes repaired, as well as locating recurring problems through mapping techniques and the identification of hotspots.

Another great innovation that we have invested millions of dollars in is our Traffic Signal System Modernization program. This initiative has synchronized signals along heavily traveled corridors across the city. It resulted in 32 percent fewer vehicle stops and a 12 percent travel time reduction. Likewise, we’ve seen a 33 percent reduction in fuel consumption and a 51-percent reduction in emissions along synchronized corridors.

The list of innovative ideas to improve public infrastructure expands year after year, and we should continue to make funding for infrastructure a top priority during budget season. San Antonio has the right mix of talent, leadership and determination to develop innovations while researching best practices in other cities. When we find creative, cost-effective infrastructure solutions, the entire community wins. We will continue to make great strides, and with the community’s support and participation, we can all take pride in planning, development, and implementation of innovations in our city.

City Councilman Mike Gallagher represents District 10.