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08-01-2005 (City Council) Minutes MINUTES Wylie City Council Special Called Meeting/Work Session Monday, August 1, 2005 Wylie Municipal Complex—Council Chambers/Conference Room 2000 State Highway 78 North p � Mayor Pro Tern Eric Hogue called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council Members present were: Councilwoman Merrill Young, Councilman Rick White, and Councilman Earl Newsom. Mayor John Mondy, Councilman Carter Porter,and Councilwoman Reta Allen were absent. Staff present were: City Manager, Mark B. Roath; City Engineer, Chris Hoisted; Planning & Zoning Director, Claude Thompson; Finance Director, Larry Williamson; Public Services Director, Mike Sferra; Fire Chief, Shan English; Police Chief, Jeff Butters; Interim Library Director, Donna Shirley; Building Inspection Director, Johnny Bray; Human Resource Manager, Lynn Fagerstrom; Budget Analyst, Karla Stovall; Assistant Fire Chief, Noe Flores; Captain Robert Ballard; Parks Superintendent Bill Nelson, Assistant Parks Superintendent, Robert Diaz; Public Information Officer, Mark Witter, and City Secretary, Carole Ehrlich. INVOCATION&PLEDGE.O '.,ALLEGIANCE,, Fire Chief English gave the invocation and Police Chief Butters led the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Porter arrived at 7:45 p.m. • FY 2005/06 Operating Budget City Manager Roath addressed Council stating that the FY 2005/06 proposed Operating Budget seeks to maintain the same basic service levels as in the current fiscal year despite a modest increase in revenues and ever- increasing expenditures. He explained that this has been a difficult balance to achieve but the FY 2005/06 budget does it. The proposed operating budget includes the following funds and amounts: General Fund $16,008.460. Utility Fund $ 9,450,160 4B Revenue Fund $ 1,252,640 Emergency Communications Funds $ 912,480 Fire Training Center Fund $ 164,600 Park Acquisition&Improvement Fund $ 79,000 Minutes—August 1,2005 Wylie City Council Special Called Work Session Page 1 This brings the combined total budget for FY 2005-06 to $27,867,340. He explained that some of the obstacles in the economic overview this year include: limited ad valorem tax revenue because nearly 30% of our land is tax exempt;, heavy dependence on ad valorem tax revenue generated by residential growth, which is mainly supported by entry level housing; modest sales tax revenue from commercial growth that has yet to catch up to our growing population; some delayed ad valorem tax revenue from industrial development caused by the need to offer incentives to attract said businesses, and uncontrollable costs such as the rising cost of health care, fuel, etc. Other short term fiscal challenges include: Wylie's current tax rate, the City's residential development of impact fees, the shifting of operations and infrastructure costs for parks and recreation (4B Revenue fund), and the City's increasing personnel costs. Mr. Roath explained that despite the short-term fiscal challenges, the City's long-term financial situation appears to be more positive. The City should experience decreased residential development and correspondingly, a decrease in the need for public services while at the same time, the City should see additional ad valorem revenue generated by more expensive residential properties. With the current population growth, the City should also see more commercial development; especially, after the completion of State highway 78. Lastly, the City should experience a boost in ad valorem revenue from our industrial development sector once the tax incentives have expired. Mr. Roath reported that the projections for this year's General Fund revenues will be close to the budgeted amount while the expenditures decreased by 2.45% from FY 2004/05. Some of the highlights in the proposed budget include: • Funding to replace all current water meters with 3G Master Meters • Funding to implement a Fixed Asset Program • Funding of the City's Annual Resurfacing Program • Funding of Valentine Park as well as installation of tennis court lights at Founders Park • Funding of a Contract Mowing Program for State Highway 78 and other key areas. • Funding to purchase a new Quint Fire Truck • Funding to purchase a new Radio System for Public Safety • Expansion of the City Animal Control Program including funding construction of a euthanasia room at the Shelter • Funding for annual physicals for Fire and Police personnel • Implementation of an abandoned Structure Demolition Program • Funding to continue the relocation of certain offices within the City Hall for improved accountability and effectiveness • Funding to expand the Library part-time employee hours • Funding to develop a new compensation Plan based on a merit system including monies for implementation upon completion of the study. • Funding of an IT and GIS management review to determine the appropriate service level and manpower necessary for these key City operations' and • Funding to purchase and install an additional Alert Civil Siren for improved public notification during an emergency. In conclusion Mr. Roath explained some of the proposed initiatives for the coming year to respond to the challenges set forth in the economic overview. • Develop and initiate a Strategic Plan for increasing Commercial Development in Wylie • Consider alternative service delivery mechanisms such as community partnerships, public- private partnerships, to reduce overall operational costs. • Improve business practices by emphasizing performance and focusing on employee productivity and simplifying City operations. • Explore opportunities to establish new fees for service where applicable • Efforts to reach cost recovery in the development services process through phased fee increases in such areas as Planning,Building, Public Works, and Fire. Minutes—August 1,2005 Wylie City Council Special Called Work Session Page 2 City Manager Roath thanked the Mayor and City Council for formulating policies that guide our City operations in general,but most especially this proposed budget. He also thanked division managers, directors, and other staff members who worked on the FY 2005-06 proposed budget. Departmental Directors addressed their budgets and answered specific questions regarding their departments for Council. P N' "'. '."G,M°iu`,'_', t.&'�.£`ixe ,3 .k....'' tM:' >r With all budget areas addressed and not further questions from Council, a motion was made by Councilman Newsom, seconded by Councilman Porter to adjourn the Work Session at 9:07 p.m. Consensus of Council was to adjourn. J n Mo dy ayor O F '% ATTEST: ,. K ......... /, • • SEAL • Carole Ehrlich,Cit retar '� ••••'•'•••••� Minutes—August 1,2005 Wylie City Council Special Called Work Session Page 3