08/03/2009-CC-Minutes-Work Session MINUTES: CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
August 3, 2009
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Higgs, Councilman Thomas Muir, Councilman Russell
Martin, Councilman Glenn Ervin, Councilman Andy Garza,
Councilman Robert Patton
OTHERS
PRESENT: Mike Brice City Manager, Rose Chavez City Secretary/Asst. City Manager,
1.Call Meeting to Order.
Mayor Higgs called meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
2.Review and Discussion of 2010 Budget and Tax Rate.
The City Manager discussed the Economic Development budgets for 4A and
4B with Council. He discussed that last year the transfers from each board
to the General Fund were $25,000, and this year it was reduced to $20,000.
The transfers cover advertising and administrative costs for Economic
Development. The biggest change in the 4B is their debt service, and in the
4A it is their loan payment.
The City Manager continued with a discussion concerning the General Fund
and Enterprise Fund budgets. He indicated that the proposed tax rate
reflected on the General Fund budget is $0.62000. Detail overviews of the
General Fund Departments and Enterprise Fund Departments were as
follows:
City Council budgets will reflect the same amount of expenditures.
This is due to the final payment on the lawsuit that was getting
expensed out of the General Fund budget.
The City Attorney expenditures were moved from Administration to
the City Council’s budget since he reports to the Council.
Public Works budget is funded out of both funds and their budget
reflects an increase. This is due to computer hardware expense for a
new tremble. This will allow staff the capability to use it for GPS
locations. Discussion continued on the cost and the life of the
equipment.
Police budget includes funding for the Advocacy Center, two new
vehicles, and their payment of their debt service for their building.
Brief discussion concerning Animal Control Budget.
Fire Department included budgeted matching grants funds of
$46,000. One of the grants is a 95% to 5% matching for an Aerial
Fire Truck. If funded for the grant the cost to the City will be $37,000
instead of $750,000. Also, there is another grant match of 90% to
10% for Public Education Grant. The Fire Chief has applied for the
SAFER Grant again. Discussion continued on some line item
expenses.
Discussion concerning Reserves for the Police and Fire Departments.
City Manager briefly reviewed the Municipal Court and Custodial
Budgets.
Street Department budget included $100,000 for street improvements
and $50,000 for sidewalks. The budget includes $20,000 for rental of
equipment to clean-out borrow ditches and for a front-end loader that
is needed for the chipper-truck. Discussion regarding street
sweeping.
Parks budget has been increased. It includes one new position and
some part-time seasonal employees and new mowing equipment. This
is mainly due in preparation of the new Sports Complex. Discussion
continued regarding the maintenance and upkeep of all the parks, and
the architectural design and plans for the new Sports Complex.
Pool budget does not reflect major changes.
Sullivan Center does not reflect major changes. The City Manager
discussed a request from SPAN concerning additional funding from
the City. SPAN recently received funds from a federal grant for rural
transportation. SPAN is asking the City for additional funds of
$5,049.47 to help meet their required match. If they had submitted
the request 6 months ago it might have been considered. He advised
that he instructed the City Secretary to send them a letter indicating
that the request is sent too late in the budget year for consideration.
Discussion concerning what affect this will have on transportation.
The proposed budget does reflect the $5,000 for the Nutrition
Program.
Library budget did not have any major changes. There was some
discussion concern any possible plans for expansion. City Manager
advised that currently the $40,000 in funds that are available are not
significant to fund a major expansion.
Community Center also did not have major changes.
Economic Development reflects funds to maintain the margin of
expenditures. It is easier to reflect those funds in the General Fund
than in 4A and 4B.
Data Processing had no major changes except one de-funded
temporary position.
Water and Electric Departments reflect contingencies to help build
emergency reserves. The budget in the Water Department reflects
$25,000 for repainting the exterior of the water tower. Two positions
were de-funded.
Wastewater Collection reflects a $100,000 to work on the lines on 5th
Street. It may be a possibility that this project will be funded from
2006 bond funds. Brief discussion that these funds can then be used
on Cowling Road to eliminate the lift station.
Wastewater treatment reflects one de-funded position.
Electric budget reflects one new truck. The wholesale electric
numbers were lowered from last year.
The City Manager advised he will review the CIP projects with the Council at the
next meeting. There was a brief discussion concerning dates for the public
hearing on the budget.
3.Overview of Items on Regular Agenda.
None
4.Adjournment.
Mayor adjourned the meeting.