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The Cit~r Council met on September 3, 2009, at the Plainview Convention Center,
West 4t Street, Plainview, Texas. The agenda for this meeting was posted in City Hall
at 4:30 p.m. on August 28, 2009. Mayor John C. Anderson presided. Councilmembers
present were: Kelvin Tipton-District 1, Cathy Waggoner-District 2, Belinda Pena-District
3, Ron Truster-District 5, Wendell Dunlap-District 6 and Roland Nash-District 7.
Councilmember John N. Bertsch-District 4 was absent.
Staff members present were: Greg Ingham-City Manager, Mike Gilliland-Director of
Public Works, Will Mull-Police Chief, Dale Simpson-Civil Service Director, Leslie
Pearce-City Attorney, Jack Keller-Budget Manager, Rusty Powers-Fire Chief, and
Belinda Hinojosa-City Secretary.
Media Present: Hayley Cox, Plainview Daily Herald
The Council granted an excused absence to Councilmember John N. Bertsch.
Greg Ingham, City Manager presented information on the proposed tax increase. He
stated the development of the 2009-2010 Budget has been a challenging exercise. The
budget has been approached as a transition budget that tries to balance the need to
keep City operations moving in a positive direction and at the same time being
conservative in terms of the cost of service impact it has on our citizens. The City has
started to see a flattening of our sales tax revenues and a flattening in the assessed
values of property. Interest rates have continued to decline and the cost of many of the
goods and services that the City purchases are seeing upward pressures, which may
further increase as federal Stimulus Funds start finding their way into the process.
The City's goals with this budget are to continue moving forward, formalize the City's
plans for the future, take advantage of opportunities that may present themselves, and
together build a strong future for the citizens of Plainview.
Things we have accomplished in 2008-2009 are as follows:
• Two new water wells were completed and a new SCADA system was installed
on the newest three wells in our system so that they are now an integral part of
the system.
• A major upgrade is in the process of being done on the SCADA system at our
wastewater treatment plant to improve our monitoring and control of the
processes there and our lift stations.
• The City is working actively with other CRMWA cities to develop additional
alternative groundwater sources due to Lake Meredith's persistent low levels. A
new cell at the landfill has been completed and we are in the process of getting
new monitoring wells installed at the site.
• We have continued to work with the YMCA to improve the conditions of the City's
softball fields in Regional Park and the City has completed the second phase of
the three year lighting replacement plan for those fields.
• Our Main Street/CVB has continued to work to market Plainview; is working with
the Chamber of Commerce on the process of becoming a Certified Retirement
Community; and is moving towards being certified as an entrepreneur friendly
community.
City Council Minutes September 3, 2009 Page 1 of 5
328
The Budget includes the General Fund, Solid Waste Management Fund, Water and
Sewer Fund, Theater Arts Fund, Special Revenue funds, Internal Service Funds, Debt
Service, and Capital Improvements. Total Budgeted Expenditures for the 2009-2010
Fiscal Year are $22,886,930 excluding the Internal Service Funds. This total is up
$50,110 this year or 0.2% (two tenths of a percent).
The budgeted revenue for the major operating funds (General Fund, Solid Waste
Management Fund, Water & Sewer Fund, and Debt Service) for fiscal year ending
September 30, 2010 is $19,835,040. The total budgeted expenditures for the major
operating funds (General Fund, Solid Waste Management Fund, Water & Sewer Fund,
and Debt Service) for fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 is $19,656,790 which is an
increase of 0.13%.
The General Fund revenues for fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 are
$11,086,690. The City is seeing fluctuation in the sales tax collections however the
City budgeted conservatively in this area.
Services paid by the General Fund are as follows:
• 24 Hour Police Protection
• 24 Hour Fire Protection
• 24 Hour EMS Service
• Maintenance of all Public Streets and Alleys
• Park Facilities including baseball, softball and soccer fields
• Animal Control Services
• Environmental Health Services -including restaurant inspections
• Public Health Services
• Building Inspections and Permitting Services
• Code Enforcement Services
• Emergency and Disaster Management
• Economic Development and Grant Administration
• Main Street Program
• General Administration, Legal and Finance Services
As we worked through the 2009-2010 budget process we saw that our revenues were
exceeding our projections and our expenditures were coming in under budget so we are
acquiring some items in the current fiscal year such as radio repeaters and two vehicle
cameras for the Fire service; spike strips, tactical jackets and other equipment for the
Police Department; and some items for other departments that had originally been
requested for the upcoming fiscal year. The City is transferring funds into the
Equipment Replacement Fund, Capital Improvement Fund, and the Economic
Development Fund.
The General Fund Expenditures for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 are
$11,061,690 which is up just 0.95% over last year.
The current tax rate for Plainview is $.5685 and the proposed tax rate for 2009-2010 is
$.5685. Mr. Ingham presented a slide of twelve cities with a population in the 20,000 to
25,000 range and the average tax rate for them is $.6645 which is above the City of
Plainview's proposed tax rate.
City Council Minutes September 3, 2009 Page 2 of 5
He presented the following tax rate information for fiscal year 2009-2010: 329
Rollback Rate for 2009-2010 Fiscal Year $0.6225
Proposed Tax Rate for 2009-2010 $0.5685
Adopted Tax Rate for 2008-2009 $0.5685
Effective Tax Rate for 2009-2010 $0.5638
Mr. Ingham stated there are no cost of living adjustments in the budget this year.
However, due to the work of the staff we are projecting to come in under budget and he
is proposing a one time pay adjustment of 2.5% for all employees.
Councilmember Tipton moved to open a public hearing on the proposed tax increase.
The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Trusler and carried by a vote of
seven "for" and zero "against".
Mayor Anderson asked for public comment. There was no public comment.
Councilmember Trusler moved to close the public hearing. The motion was duly
seconded by Councilmember Dunlap and carried by a vote of seven "for" and zero
"against". The public hearing was closed at 12:05 p.m.
Mayor Anderson announced that a vote on the first reading of the Ordinance to adopt
the proposed tax rate will be held on September 17, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. at the Plainview
Convention Center, 2902 W. 4th Street. A vote on the second and final reading of the
Ordinance to adopt the proposed tax rate will be held on September 22, 2009 at 7:00
p.m. at City Hall, 901 Broadway.
Councilmember Belinda Pena left the meeting at 12:12 p.m.
Mr. Ingham presented information on the 2009-2010 City of Plainview Budget. Since he
had already discussed the general fund, he did not go over that part again. The Solid
Waste Management Fund revenues for fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 are
$2,804,850. The expenditures are $3,073,705, He stated there is no proposal to
increase the solid waste fees since we have had a reduction in fuel costs.
The Water & Sewer Fund revenues for fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 are
$5,943,500 and the expenditures are $5,115,270 in operating expenses, $781,125 in
debt service and $460,000 in system improvements for a total of $6,356,395. This fund
is seeing a major increase in fees to the State of Texas. There is also new debt service
for the additional water wells through CRMWA.
The current residential water rate for Plainview for 5,000 gallons is $19.40 and $27.35
for 10,000 gallons. The proposed rate for 5,000 gallons is $20.35 and $28.45 for
10,000 gallons. Mr. Ingham presented a slide of twelve cities with a population of
20,000 to 25,000 and the average water rate for 5,000 gallons is $26.75 and $43.76 for
10,000 gallons which are above the City of Plainview's proposed rates. The base rate
would increase from $11.45 to $12.25 per month and the rate per thousand would
increase from $1.59 to $1.62 per thousand under 25,000 gallons. The rate per
thousand over 25,000 gallons will go from $1.75 to $1.79.
City Council Minutes September 3, 2009 Page 3 of 5
330 The current residential sewer rate for Plainview for 5,000 gallons is $16.00 and $23.35
for 10,000 gallons. The proposed rate is $16.45 for 5,000 gallons and $23.95 for
10,000 gallons. Mr. Ingham presented a slide of twelve cities with a population of
20,000 to 25,000 and the average sewer rate for 5,000 gallons is $23.38 and $36.96 for
10,000 gallons which are also above the City of Plainview's proposed rates. The base
rate would increase from $8.65 to $8.95 and the rate per thousand would increase from
$1.47 to $1.50 per thousand for the first 14,000 gallons.
Mr. Ingham stated there are some water and wastewater infrastructure needs as
follows.
• City staff is recommending that funds are budgeted each year to replace a
minimum of one half mile of water distribution system and one half mile of
wastewater collection system.
• TCEQ has issues with three Plainview water towers and has requested new paint
and minor repair work at an estimated cost of $943,000 or the City has the option
of replacing these towers with one strategically placed tank at an estimated cost
of $2,000,000.
• TCEQ has an issue with two concrete water storage tanks with flat concrete
roofs. TCEQ has requested that we implement a strategy to prevent rainwater
from ponding on these roofs. Estimated cost for this is from $445,000 to
$500,000.
• Two wastewater lift stations need extensive work at an estimated cost of
$650,000 to $720,000.
• Rebuild Headworks screen at Wastewater Treatment Plant at a probable cost of
$55,000.
Mr. Ingham stated this all adds up to approximately $3.5 million. He stated this is not
included in the budget and is something the City would need to look at in the future.
He also mentioned that the other funds such as the Fair Theatre are doing well and the
Service Center is seeing some improvement.
Councilmember Dunlap moved to open the Public Hearing regarding the 2009-2010
City of Plainview Budget. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember Waggoner
and carried by a vote of six "for" the motion and zero "against" the motion. Mayor
Anderson asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Councilmember
Tipton moved to close the public hearing. The motion was duly seconded by
Councilmember Truster and carried by a vote of six "for" the motion and zero "against"
the motion.
Mayor Anderson closed the public hearing at 12:41 p.m. He announced that a vote on
the budget will be held on September 17, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. at the Plainview
Convention Center, 2902 W. 4th Street. A vote on the second and final reading of the
Ordinance to adopt the budget will be held September 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at City
Hall, 901 Broadway.
The Council and staff reviewed the agenda for the City Council meeting of September
8, 2009.
City Council Minutes September 3, 2009 Page 4 of 5
331
There being no further business, Mayor Anderson adjourned the meeting at 12:54 p.m.
~~~~
Belinda Hinojosa
City Secretary
City Council Minutes September 3, 2009 Page 5 of 5