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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/30/2007 City Council September 30, 2007 Special Session 1 l' .~ ,') r:'" C) 'j U (; d 0 () MINUTES OF SPECIAL SESSION OF COUNCIL HELD ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 The Special Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at 7:01 p.m. on the 30th day of September 2007, at City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, with the following roll call: John Dillard Allen Harris John Marshall Joe McCourry Kirk Mikulec Perry Schrag Joel Marks Mayor Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Mayor Pro-tern Councilmember Present Present Present Present Present Present Present And with seven council members present a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Dillard asked city attorney Bob Hager to review the procedure for this meeting. Bob explained that a motion and vote in favor by the majority of council is needed in order to reconsider each of these items: budget, tax rate and resolution ratifying the tax increase reflected in the budget (Items A, C, E.). Then a motion to amend the ordinances and resolution that were previously adopted if a change in those is desired (Items B, D, F.) 2. A. Discuss and consider a reconsideration of the approval of the budget for fiscal year 2007-2008. Motion to reconsider approval of the budget for fiscal year 2007-2008 as adopted by Ordinance 07-1736- Schrag; second by McCourry. Councilmember Marshall stated he is opposed to reconsidering the budget since council had an opportunity during August and September to make changes, and the council had already approved it. Motion passed with the following vote: Nos- Dillard, Marshall, Marks Ayes- Harris, McCourry, Mikulec, and Schrag , "["3 ,-j\J b d ' ~ September 30, 2007 Special Session B. Discuss and consider approval of the budget for fiscal year 2007-2008. Mayor Dillard asked for suggestions to cut the budget. Councilmember Marshall stated the list of items brought forth by the city manager was not acceptable to him, however asked for input from city manager Dale Cheatham. Mr. Cheatham said he tried to identify possibilities and added that it is unusual to reconsider the budget after it's been approved. Councilmember McCourry stated he did not want to cut any personnel items. He does want to consider use of the general fund fund balance to reduce the budget by $350,000, with the exception of using $25,000 for ADA requirements for the police and courts building. An additional $100,000 could be taken from the SIB Loan proceeds, or let staff decide where to reduce the budget. Councilmember Marks said that in order to make a decision he would need to know exactly where the funds will be cut. Councilmember Mikulec confirmed with the city manager that the SIB Loan funds are available for one-time use and would not be used for recurring costs, such as salaries. He also said that he believes the budget could be cut without impacting city services or staff positions, and that he is in favor of keeping the cost of living adjustment (3%) for city employees. Discussion followed regarding the wall along North Colony in the Northpointe area that needs replacing (cost of $100,000). Councilmember Marks said the residents want the wall changed. Councilmember Harris agreed with keeping the wall in the budget. He said that there will be some savings in the budget since the new positions won't all be filled October 1st. He also said he's in favor of repairing streets and alleys, hiring new positions and keeping the COLA, and continuing with plans for the police and fleet maintenance buildings. Mayor Dillard voiced his opinion saying it is too late to reconsider the budget and quick decisions don't need to be made. In addition, property appraisals could be lower in the future and he doesn't feel this amount of a tax break will make an impact on residents. First Motion- to amend the 2007-2008 budget as adopted by Ordinance 07-1736 by reducing the capital and general funds by the amount of $350,000 [or approximately 1 % centsJ- Schrag; second by McCourry; motion passed with the following vote: Nos- Dillard, M,arshall, Marks Ayes- Harris, McCourry, Mikulec, and Schrag Second Motion- to approve Ordinance 07-1736 as amended- McCourry; second by Schrag; Motion passed with the following vote: Nos- Dillard, Marshall Ayes- Harris, McCourry, Mikulec, Schrag, Marks September 30, 2007 Special Session , .} t., Jud't. c. Discuss and consider a reconsideration approval of the tax rate for fiscal year 2007-2008. Motion to reconsider approval of the tax rate for fiscal year 2007-2008 as adopted by Ordinance 07-1737- Schrag; second by Milulec; motion passed with the following vote: Nos- Marshall, Marks Ayes- Dillard, Harris, McCourry, Mikulec, Schrag D. Discuss and consider approval of the tax rate for fiscal year 2007-2008. "1 move that property taxes be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of 69.75 cents per $100 valuation"- Schrag; second by Milulec; motion passed with the following vote: Nos- Dillard, Marshall, Marks Ayes- Harris, McCourry, Mikulec, Schrag E. Discuss and consider reconsideration of a resolution ratifying the property tax revenue increase reflected in the budget in accordance with House Bill 3195. Motion to reconsider the vote on Resolution 07-081 ratifying the property tax revenue increase reflected in the budget- Schrag; second by Mikulec; motion passed with all ayes. F. Discuss and consider approval of a resolution ratifying the property tax revenue increase reflected in the budget in accordance with House Bill 3195. Motion to approve Resolution 07-081 ratifying the budget as approved by Ordinance 07-1736 as amended that will require raising more revenue from property taxes than in previous years- Schrag; second by Mikulec; motion passed with all ayes. 3. ADJOURNMENT And with no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. APPROVED: .&J Dillard, Mayor ofThe~~y. " :~" '- "'~) '\ o j :l J i q . , J ;"iV" -c~~. "..E.).i'~S 'C~,~,:_ '__.