The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About07/16/1988 City Council MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JULY 16, 1988 The Special Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 8:20 a.m. on the 16th day of July, 1988 at City Hall with following Council roll call: Don Amick, Mayor Present Rick Harris,Mayor Pro-tem Absent Johnny Spears,Councilman Absent Michael Robinson,Councilman Absent Steve Glazener,Councilman Present Dick Weaver,Councilman Present Joel Marks,Councilman Present and with four members present a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. WORK SESSION REGARDING THE PROPOSED 1988/89 MUNICIPAL BUDGET Mayor Amick directed the City Secretary to add review of the proposed capital expenditures to the July 18, 1988 agenda and stated that there would be another budget work session on July 25 and August 8, 1988. City Manager, Bill Hall stated there had been an increase in taxes from 1.934 to 1.995 but stated that figure would change again after the final tax roll is received. He also stated that after reviewing licenses and permits with Mike Russell they felt those revenues would increase also. Mr. Hall said the fees may change after the Fees Committee meets. Councilman Weaver asked about franchise taxes and there followed a genera] discussion regarding the amounts received from T.U. Electric and Denton County Electric Coop. Mr. England said we received $268,000. from T.U.E. and $9,000. from Denton County Coop, with another $9,000 from them (Denton County Coop) expected. Mayor Amick said some increase in utility revenue should be reflected in the budget. All agreed. Mayor Amick opened the floor for general questions. Councilman Weaver said he thinks it is a waste of time to address items of '$600.00 or less. The Mayor agreed general]y, but stated that in some departments $600.00 is significant. Councilmen Weaver and Marks both felt Miscellaneous was too high and that it should not be a line item, but items included in that account should be broken out. Bill Hall said that account covers many, many small items and to create an account for each of those is not feasible. Mayor Amick said every budget has a "miscellaneous" account although it may be called something else, that account covers items that do not belong in any other category. There followed a general discussion regarding what is included and what, if anything could be broken out individually. James England, Finance Director, stated that most of the items taken from that account are expendable supplies, purchased as needed. Mayor Amick directed the City Manager to provide a list of items purchased this past year from that account to Councilmen Weaver and Marks Councilmen Weaver and Marks both noted that the total revenue vs the total expenses does not add up. Mr. Hall agreed, stating that as he had mentioned in the budget letter, there is no capital and no personnel included in the budget proposal and that staff had been asked to cut by 5% before this work session, going on to say that now, with the increase of revenues as mentioned previously and the 5% cut the revenue is now higher than the expenditures. Mr. Hall went on to say it is now up to the staff and Council to set priorities and determine the needs of the City. Mayor Amick said he wants one print-out including total revenues, o.o. total expenditures by department, capital and personnel by July 25 work session. Councilman Weaver said personnel makes up most of the budget and that he wants to know what persons are charged from what department. Mayor Amick asked Mr. Hall to give a break down of employees to Councilmen Weaver and Marks. Councilman Marks said that he and Councilman Weaver and new to the budget process and probably have a lot of questions. Councilman Glazener said he had questions when he was new also, but that he is not concerned with individuals or small items because he feels the City Manager and staff are responsible for handling such things but he is .... interested in major expenses, or large decreases or increases. Mayor Amick explained that in the past, the Personnel Committee has reviewed each individual employee and each proposed employee and then makes a recommendation to the full Council. The Council then discussed revenues by account as follows: Ad Valorem Taxes - Mr. Hall said that there is not usually much effect from the tax payer complaints about higher appraisals. City Sales Tax - Mayor Amick asked James England to provide a comparison between actual sales tax in 1985/86 and 1986/87. Franchise Tax - All agreed this is fairly constant, but Mayor Amick stated that we should compare with 1985/86 and see if we can project more growth. Cable T.V. and Texas Waste generated no questions or comments. License and Permits - Councilman Marks asked if the increase if SFR revenue is due to the newly passed ordinance and Mr. Hall said yes. Mike Russell said he feels this is a very conservative figure that is likely to increase more. Park & Recreation - Mayor Amick asked why the large increase from' ~-~ 86/87. Mr. Hall said that at budget preparation time last year~ we had no way to project what the impact would be from the new center and with it's opening, and additional programs the fees revenue has gone sky high, going on to say that next'year~, that account should level out. Mayor Amick stated that the fees committee should meet as soon as possible and directed Mr. Hall to provide them with every fee in the City. Councilman Glazener asked why building permits was only $78,000 with 120 starts. Mr. Hall said that is only F & J Northpointe development. Animal Control - Mayor Amick asked what those fees are and Chief Ristagno said registration, pick up fees, etc. Mayor Amick asked if another A.C. officer is added would the fees increase and the Chief responded probably, because the added personnel would mean more animals would be picked up. Mayor Amick asked if our fees are comparable to other cities and Chief Ristagno said they are. Health Permits - Bill hall said they are looking at adding a food handler's permit which may increase revenues. Mayor Amick said he is in favor 100%, but he does not want the fee to be exorbitant, and directed this to be given to the Fees Committee. Aquatic Park - Bill Ha]l said staff has been checking into some ~ changes to be brought up later. Mayor Amick said the fees committee should look into every aspect of the pool. Bi]l Hall ~ said he feels the No Smoking rule has hurt attendance at the pool. Mayor Amick said the whole place was trashy with butts, and if an area can be identified as a smoking area, then that issue can be brought before Council for change. There was a general discussion regarding several ideas to increase attendance at the pool. Ambulance Fees - No questions or comments Court Fines - Bill Hall said there will be a shortfall in that account. Mayor Amick said he thought Judge Roller would not cut the fines. Bill Hall said that Judge Roller is not the whole probl~m;~ but the substitute judge cuts fines and there are many outstanding warrants that need to be served. Mr. Hall said an off-duty officer will start attempting to serve the warrants by phone first and then in person. Mayor Amick said to track the cost of overtime for officers against the revenue generated by this plan. Library System - No questions or comments There was a general discussion regarding other revenues. Mayor Amick stated that he wants Department Heads present when there individual departmental budgets are discussed and stated that the Personnel Committee will meet July 23, 1988. Councilman Marks moved to adjourn and Councilman Glazener seconded the motion which carried with all members voting Aye. APPROVED: Don ~Nmi~k, Ma~6~ ' ATTEST: ~cretary