[00:00:19]
          QUORUM PRESENT IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS. AT THE BEGINNING WE WILL DO OUR PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE AND WE DO NOT HAVE AN INVOCATION THIS EVENING. PLEASE STAND WITH ME FOR THE PLEDGES OF 
          ALLEGIANCE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH 
          LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> AND NOW THE TEXAS PLEDGE. 
          >> HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU. ALL 
          [1. Call to Order]
          [4. Citizens’ Input]
RIGHT. WITH THAT WE WILL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 6:OH 1 AM -- P.M. WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 4 WHICH IS CITIZENS  INPUT. AT THIS TIME COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE AUDIENCE ON ANY TOPIC AND NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN DURING CITIZENS  INPUT. I HAVE TWO REQUEST TO SPEAK FORMS. IF THERE'S ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK THERE ARE FORMS IN THE BACK LEFT CORNER OF THE ROOM. 
          OUR FIRST SPEAKER THIS EVENING IS JERA FOLLOWED BY BETSY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO STEP UP TO THE PODIUM MISS HERRON AND STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY OF RESIDENCE YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. 
          >> MY NAME IS JERA HERRON. I LOVE THAT 3409 SUMMER SOLSTICE. 
          MY HUSBAND JAMES AND I HAVE LIVED IN THE CITY FOR APPROXIMATELY 24 YEARS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME A FEW MINUTES TO SPEAK ABOUT OUR CONCERNS. ROWLETT HAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000 RESIDENCES , I AM SURE YOU ARE AWARE. BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND THE ROOM THE ATTENDANCE IS VERY LOW. I KNOW YOU'VE HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS EARLIER IN THE WEEK SO MAYBE YOU'VE HAD A LARGE ATTENDANCE THERE. BUT IN TALKING WITH MY FRIENDS IN THE CITY, ONE OF THE RESOUNDING THINGS I HEAR IS THAT THEY DON'T COME TO THE MEETINGS BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE COUNCIL LISTENS TO THEM OR CARES ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS. THAT IS QUITE A SHAME . ONE BIG EXAMPLE OF THAT IS HOW FOR YEARS THE CITIZENS HAVE ASKED YOU TO STOP ALLOWING APARTMENT BUILDINGS TO BE BUILT IN THIS CITY. HOWEVER THAT HAS CONTINUED UNTIL ALMOST EVERY VACANT SPOT IN OUR CITY IS OCCUPIED WITH NEW APARTMENTS. THEN ON TOP OF THAT WHEN THE APARTMENTS ARE BUILT, IT APPEARS THAT THEY GET TAX BREAKS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, FOR EXAMPLE AT BAYSIDE IN THE 190 APARTMENTS , AS PART OF THAT PLAN WE UNDERSTOOD THERE WERE GOING TO BE A LOT OF BUSINESSES BUILT AROUND THOSE APARTMENTS AND THAT HAS NOT OCCURRED. AND ESPECIALLY NOW BETWEEN 190 IT APPEARS THAT LAND IS UP FOR SALE. I WOULD THINK IF WE PUT THOSE BUSINESSES UP FIRST BEFORE THE APARTMENTS, MAYBE WE COULD INCREASE OUR TAX BASE. I THINK THAT WOULD HELP US A LOT. AND BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THAT TAX BASE NOW YOU ARE WANTED TO COME BACK TO RESIDENTS AND INCREASE THE TAX RATE FOR THEM. SO IT DOESN'T REALLY APPEAR THAT THE CITY HAS THE CITIZENS AS THEIR TOP PRIORITY. WITH THE $20 MILLION BOND THAT YOU NOW HAVE, TO ME IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING THAT YOU WOULD GO THROUGH A PROJECT AND AFTER THAT PROJECT IS COMPLETED YOU WOULD HAVE $20 MILLION EXTRA. THAT SEEMS QUITE A LARGE AMOUNT. IN MY BUSINESS WORLD WE WOULD ESTIMATE A LOT CLOSER THAN THAT. BUT TO YOUR BENEFIT NOW WITH THAT YOU HAVE PROPOSED A NEW CITY HALL. I UNDERSTAND WHAT-- WITH THE BALL AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE CITIZENS  INPUT OR A VOTE ON THAT TO ME IF YOU REALLY CARED ABOUT WHAT THE CITIZENS THOUGHT, YOU WOULD MAYBE PUT THAT OUT TO A VOTE TO EVERYONE. IF I COULD ASK ONE QUESTION OF Y'ALL TONIGHT IT WOULD BE THIS. WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO DO THINGS THAT THE CITIZENS HAVE TOLD YOU THEY DON'T WANT? AND IF THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT, WHY CAN'T YOU SHARE THAT INPUT WITH US TO HELP US BETTER EXPLAIN? I'M GOING TO STAY AROUND A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE MEETING TODAY. IF MY THOUGHTS ARE INCORRECT OR I AM NOT SEEING CORRECT INFORMATION YOU CAN STOP BY AND LET ME KNOW WHERE I CAN COME UP WITH BETTER INFORMATION. I APPRECIATE YOUR 
          TIME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT AND LAST SPEAKER THAT I HAVE A CARD FOR IS BETSY CHAPMAN WHITE. IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY OF RESIDENCE YOU WILL HAVE THREE 
          MINUTES. >> BETSY CHAPMAN WHITE, ROWLETT . PLEASE EXCUSE MY VERY CASUAL AND DUSTY APPEARANCE. I'VE BEEN PREPPING FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTERS ARRIVAL ANY DAY NOW AND REDOING THE NURSERY. GOOD EVENING CITY COUNCIL , CITY MANAGER AND STAFF. FIRST I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE BUDGET PLANNING PROCESS. I KNOW THE DIFFICUL DECISIONSHAD TO BE MADE AND I TRULY APPRECIATE ALL THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT 
          [00:05:01]
WENT INTO IT. THE SAYING GOES YOU CAN PLEASE SOME OF THE PEOPLE SOME OF THE TIME BUT NOT ALL OF THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME. I KNOW YOU ALL TRIED YOUR VERY BEST TO ACCOMPLISH THAT. 
          THIS BUDGET IS COMPRISED OF BONDS VOTED ON AND PASSED BY CITIZENS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TO HELP FUND FIRST RESPONDERS, EQUIPMENT, AND PERSONNEL. AS A FORMER POLICE OFFICER I CAN TELL YOU FIRSTHAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE OFFICERS THAT STAY. 
          THESE OFFICERS GET TO KNOW THEIR BEATS AND THE PEOPLE AND FAMILIES THAT LIVE THERE. THEY WILL BECOME FAMILIAR WITH WHAT CARS ARE NORMAL FOR THE AREA AND WHAT ARE NOT. INDIVIDUALS THAT RESIDE THERE, THOSE MOVING IN AND THOSE MOVING OUT. COMMUNITY POLICING AS IT IS TURNED, IS VITAL TO A COMMUNITY. IT ALSO LETS THE OFFICERS GET TO KNOW THE KIDDOS, WATCH THEM GROW UP, BUILD RAPPORT AND RELATIONSHIPS. COMUNITY POLICING ALSO HELPS IDENTIFY AT RISK YOUTH OR FAMILIES AND PROVIDE LITERATURE THAT NEEDS PLACES OF SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE. WE HAVE WISE, EXPERIENCED AND TENURED CHIEFS IN MICHAEL AND TIM. THEY ASK FOR WHAT THEY NEED, NOT WHAT THEY WANT. EVERYTHING PROVIDED TO THESE CRUCIAL DIVISIONS GOES TO KEEP THIS COMMUNITY SAFER, STRONGER, AND BUILD TRUST. WHEN SECONDS COUNT AND LIVES ARE ON THE LINE I WANT THE BEST EQUIPPED AND WELL-TRAINED RESPONDING TO CALLS FOR SERVICE. AND I HAVE NO DOUBT WE ARE IN THE SAFEST OF HANDS. OUR CITY HAS TRULY TURNED AROUND IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND I AM THANKFUL TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR SERVING SELFLESSLY ON COUNCIL AND EVERYONE IN THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE AND ALL OF THE CITY STAFF. FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T SAY THANK YOU, I WANT TO SAY A HUGE AND SINCERE THANK YOU TO NOT ONLY COUNCIL STAFF AND THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE BUT ALSO TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO COMPRISE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR DEDICATED CHIEFS. THANK YOU. 
          >> MISS CHAPMAN WHITE? THOSE ARE THE ONLY TWO SPEAKER CARDS I 
          [5.A. Consider action to approve an ordinance to adopt the Budget for FY2026.]
HAVE. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE PUBLIC WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ? SEEING NONE WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 5, INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. THE FIRST ITEM IS 5A. CONSIDER AN ACTION TO APPROVE AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE BUDGET FOR FY 2026 AND MAKING THE PRESENTATION IS WENDY BADGETT, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE. 
          >> HEY, THANK YOU MAYOR AND GOOD EVENING COUNCIL. WE HAVE FINALLY REACHED THE FINISH LINE AND WE ARE HERE TONIGHT TO CONCLUDE THE BUDGET AND TAX RATE PROCESS FOR OUR NEW FISCAL YEAR 2026. 
          TONIGHT IS THE FINAL STEP OF THIS FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET PROCESS THAT BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 13. LAST NIGHT WE HELD OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON BOTH THE TAX RATE AND THE BUDGET AND TONIGHT WE ARE HERE TO FORMALLY ADOPT THE RESPECTIVE ORDINANCES AND ALSO TO CONSIDER ACTION TO RATIFY THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE WHICH IS REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 26. WITH THAT I WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS, ANY COMMENTS AND ALSO THE THREE REQUIRED ACTIONS FOR TONIGHT'S CONSIDERATION. 
          >> ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR ITEM 5A . IN FRONT OF YOU ARE A LIST OF MOTIONS AND THERE IS SPECIFICALLY WHICH FOR PARTICULAR ITEMS THAT HAVE TO BE READ. WE HAVE A MOST IN BY MISTER SCHUPP. 
          >> I MOVE THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 - 26 BUDGET AS PRESENTED 
          >> MOTION BY MISTER SCHUPP AND SECONDED BY MISTER REAVES. 
          >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS 
          PRESENTED. ANY DISCUSSION? >> I'D LIKE TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS, MAYOR . I DIDN'T WRITE THIS OUT AND MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO GO DOWN A RABBIT HOLE BUT I REALLY WANTED TO SPEAK FROM MY HEART AND MY CONVICTIONS. EVER SINCE WE HAD OUR BUDGET SESSION A WILD BACK , I'VE BEEN AT ODDS WITH THIS BECAUSE AS COUNCIL KNOWS, I DID OPPOSE THE TAX INCREASE. THE ODDS ARE NOT THAT I AM WAVERING ON THE TAX INCREASE, BUT I AM WAVERING ON THE BUDGET BECAUSE THIS IS A GOOD BUDGET. IT PROVIDES THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY IS WELL-FUNDED , THAT WE ARE MAINTAINING A COMPETITIVE EDGE WITH OUR POLICE AND OUR FIRE SO THAT WE ARE NOT LOSING THEM TO OTHER CITIES. AND HATS OFF AGAIN FOR THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE A SUPERB JOB GETTING US TO A FINANCIAL SITUATION WHERE, THAT WE ARE SOFTENED. WE ARE GOOD. BUT I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH RAISING THE TAXES AND MAYBE MORE SO BECAUSE WE ARE IN SUCH GOOD SHAPE, I WOULD PROBABLY BE MORE PRONE TO ACCEPT A TAX INCREASE 
          [00:10:03]
IF WE WERE NOT IN SUCH A GOOD SHAPE BECAUSE I FIGURE THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE WARRANTED. I REMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER REAVES ' DISCUSSION LAST NIGHT. IT WAS REASONABLE, WELL THOUGHT OUT AND IT WAS LOGICAL AND HE IS RIGHT. WE ARE A CITY THAT IS VASTLY DIFFERENT THAN OTHERS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF DEPENDING ON A LARGECOMMERCIAL BASE TO OFFSET THE PROPERTY TAXES THAT WE HAVE TO GET FROM CITIZENS, SO YOU ARE RIGHT. BUT THEN AGAIN MY CONVICTIONS ARE REALLY BEATING ME UP HERE. THIS WAS TRULY A GAMETIME DECISION. WE HAD A LOT OF CITIZENS THAT SENT US EMAILS, I THINK AT LEAST 24. I CAN'T REMEMBER. MOST OF US WERE OPPOSED AND TO YOUR COMMENTS, I WOULD THINK THIS CHAMBER SHOULD BE FILLED IF THAT SENTIMENT WAS WIDESPREAD. I DON'T KNOW, I ASSUME A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE JUST NOT AWARE OF WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE WHICH IS A SHAME ITSELF. BUT I THINK THAT WE NEED TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT MAYBE NEXT YEAR WHATEVER GIVING THAT WE ARE IN SUCH A GOOD FINANCIAL SITUATION THAT INSTEAD OF HAVING TO RAISE TAXES I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US START SLOWLY REDUCING OUR TAX RATE AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. SOMETIMES THAT REQUIRES US TO LOOK AT THE NEEDS AND LOOK AT THE WANTS. OBVIOUSLY WE'VE GOT TO MAINTAIN THE NEEDS. WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN ALL THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN OUR CITY. THE WANTS, I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND IF IT TRULY DOESN'T RISE TO THE LEVEL THAT WE CAN DO THAT, THEN WE JUST DON'T DO IT. WE PRESERVE OUR FINANCIAL STANDING IN ORDER TO GIVE CITIZENS A TAX BREAK. 
          THERE'S A LOT MORE THINGS I CAN PROBABLY SAY. I KNOW THAT IT'S IMPORTANT A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE HAVE VOTES LIKE THIS, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR COUNCIL TO BE UNIFIED AND I APOLOGIZE THAT I AM GOING TO BE VOTING AGAINST THIS. I RESPECT EVERYBODY'S OPINION HERE AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT MAKES OUR COUNCIL GOOD. 
          THAT WE COME WITH OUR OWN CONVICTIONS AND OUR OWN BELIEFS, AND WE SHOULD ACT ON THOSE BELIEFS. SO I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING UNIFIED ON THIS BUT MY HEART TELLS ME I NEED TO VOTE 
          NO. >> THANK YOU, MISTER BRITTON. 
          ANY OTHER COMMENTS? MISTER GIBBS? 
          >> THANK YOU. OKAY SO, COMING INTO THIS I CALL MYSELF THE FRESHMAN COUNCILMAN , I MET WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BUDGET AND THE FIRST THING I TOLD HIM WAS I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR ANY TAX INCREASES. SO, WE WENT INTO THE CITY'S FINANCES AND WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH EVERYTHING AND IT STARTED TO BECOME VERY CLEAR THAT WE DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY TO DO THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO ESPECIALLY ONE OF MY TOP PRIORITIES WAS TO KEEP THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH COMPETITIVE PAY TO KEEP THEM IN THEIR SEATS. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE KEEP PEOPLE HERE AND KEEP THEM IN THEIR SEATS BECAUSE IF WE DON'T GIVE THEM HERE THEY WILL LEAVE AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND THEN WE HAVE TO TRAIN SOMEBODY ELSE AND IT COST US MORE IN THE LONG RUN JUST TO HIRE A NEW PERSON AND WE LOSE ALL THE EXPERIENCE THAT COMES WITH IT. WHAT I WANT TO SEE IS A ROWLETT WITH OUR OFFICERS OUT THERE STANDING FOR 20 OR 30 YEARS. I WANT TO CITIZENS TO GET TO KNOW THEM. WE ARE NOT PUTTING A NEW PERSON IN A BEAT EVERY TWO MONTHS THAT IS NEW TO THE CITY. WE DON'T WANT TO PUT A NEW FIREFIGHTER BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT THAT'S TRYING TO GET TO A FIRE AND HE'S HAVING TO USE MAPS GO. THAT'S OLD FOLKS, OR USE WHAT YOU CALL IT? GOOGLE OR SOMETHING TRYING TO GET THERE. WE DON'T WANT THAT . WE WANT PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE, THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING, THEY HAVE TENURE, THEY KNOW THE LAW, WE DON'T HAVE NEW ROOKIES THAT ARE STILL LEARNING AND WE HAVE SEASONED OFFICERS OUT THERE THAT CAN DO THE JOB AND WHO KNOW HOW TO DO THE JOB UNSUPERVISED. YOU DON'T NEED TO STAND OVER THEM EVERY MINUTE. YOU WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOB AND DO IT WELL. 
          IF WE CANNOT KEEP THEM HERE WE ARE IN TROUBLE. ATTRACTING QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND HAVING THEM COMING HERE AND HAVING THEM LEAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER CITY WITH MORE MONEY THAT PAYS MORE IS HARD TO DO. I DON'T WANT TO TRY TO HAVE US BE ONE OF THE HIGHEST PAYING BUT I WANT US TO BE COMPETITIVE SO WE CAN KEEP OUR FOLKS HERE. SOMETIMES IT'S NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST FOR TTLE BL BE HERE IF THEY ARE LOVING THE CITY AND THE PEOPLE HERE WHO ARE SERVING. I'VE SEEN IT THROUGH MY CAREER IN MY 36 YEARS. OUR PUBLIC SAFETY NEEDS, EVEN THOUGH IT'S FACEBO, EVERYBODY ON FACEBOOK SAYS THE CITY IS OUT OF CONTROL ON SHOOTINGS AND EVERYTHING ELSE BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE OFFICERS OUT ON THE STREET THAT HAVE FREE TIME TO GO AND ANSWER THOSE CALLS AND PATROL, 
          [00:15:02]
IF WE LET THEM STAY BEHIND IT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OFFICERS ON THE STREETS TO BE OUT THERE WITH FREE TIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS, THEN WE ARE GOING TO BE REACTIVE AND GOING FROM CALL TO CALL AND YOU WILL BE SEEING THEM UNTIL THEY PULL UP TO YOUR HOUSE 45 TO 50 MINUTES LATER FOR YOUR CALL THAT YOU ARE NEEDING THEIR HELP NOW. YOU, ME, AND EVERYBODY ELSE ARE SPOILED WITH A SIX MINUTE OR LESS SOMETIMES RESPONSE TIME. THAT'S WHAT WE WANT, WHAT WE EXPECT AND YOU DESERVE THAT. BUT ANYWAY, THE REVENUE, COUNCILMEMBER REAVES SAID THAT THE OTHER NIGHT TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH THE TAX CREASE REALLY EQUATED TO. NOT ONLY THAT, ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE TAKEN AWAY FROM US WHICH, ALL THE EXEMPTIONS EVERYBODY GOT OR GETS IS WELL-DESERVED. IF YOU ARE A SENIOR CITIZEN AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE SENIOR TAX CREDIT I URGE YOU TO GO FILE THAT. IF YOU ARE A VETERAN OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY AND DISABLED, I URGE YOU TO GO GET THAT. THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WILL COME AWAY FROM THE CITY BUDGETS AND WE ALL APPLAUD THAT AND WE ARE OKAY WITH THAT. EVERY ONE OF US UP HERE. BUT I'M TELLING YOU THAT WHEN YOU SEE THE MONEY THAT LEAVES THAT WE DON'T GET TO KEEP AND ALL OF THE UNFUNDED MANDATES THAT THE STATE PUTS ON US, LET ME GIVE YOU A GOOD EXAMPLE. LAST NIGHT WE PASSED SOME CAMERAS FOR THE CARS, BODY CAMERAS FOR THE OFFICERS, THOSE ARE MANDATED. YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THE STATE GIVES US? NOTHING. IT'S A MANDATE. 
          THEY'VE GOT TO HAVE THEM. SO I'M GOING TO BE IN FAVOR OF THE BUDGET. I WAS THE OPPOSITE WAY , BUT THIS IS A VERY, VERY LEAN BUDGET IF YOU LOOK AND SEE WHAT IS BEING PASSED. IT'S ALL REASONABLE, EVERY BIT OF IT. THERE'S NOTHING THAT'S ANY FAT THAT ANYBODY IS GETTING. IT'S THE PAY THAT WE NEED TO PAY FOLKS AND I'D BE REMISS IF I LEFT OUT THE CIVILIANS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CITY. IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE PUBLIC WORKS THAT'S BEEN WORKING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT GETTING THE SEWER SYSTEM BACKUP TOGETHER TRYING TO GET YOUR ROADS TOGETHER, THE OFFICERS RISKING YOUR LIES DIRECTING TRAFFIC FOR CONVENIENCE TO GET YOU TO WORK IN THE MORNINGS, THAT IS A HIGH PRICE FOR SOMEONE TO PAY TO GET PEOPLE TO WORK ON TIME IN THE MORNING. PLEASE UNDERSTAND WE PAY THE SAME TAXES THAT EVERYBODY ELSE DOES. I AM ON A FIXED INCOME MYSELF, I'M RETIRED, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY HAS TO PASS A BUDGET AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS. 
          NOBODY SITTING UP HERE HAS EVER TRIED TO MAKE ANY BUDGET THE FAT. THEY'VE TRIED TO MAKE IT LEAN AS POSSIBLE AND ONCE YOU SIT UP HERE YOU WOULD SEE THAT. SO ANYBODY THAT REALLY WANTS TO GET THE BEHIND THE SCENES, ELECTIONS ARE COMING AGAIN. SO 
          THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MISTER GIBBS. ANY 
          OTHER COMMENTS? >> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER BRITTON AND COUNCILMEMBER GIBBS. FOR THOSE OF YOU WATCHING THIS EPISODE OF CITY COUNCIL ON THE INTERNET, I MADE MY COMMENTS VERY CLEAR LAST NIGHT ON MY POSITION AND THE REASON FOR BEING FOR THIS BUDGET. BUT TO COUNCILMEMBER GIBBS'S POINT, JUST TO BE CLEAR THE BUDGET INCREASE IS 3.82 CENTS . AS THE FINANCE TEAM MENTIONED LAST NIGHT, 75% OF THAT IS VOTER APPROVED THAT VOTERS APPROVED ON THE BOND. SO ONLY 25% OF WHAT IS ACTUALLY INCREASING IS GOING IN OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE WHICH IS THE DECISIONS THAT WE MADE UP HERE. FOR AN EXAMPLE, THE TAX RATE, THE TOTAL TAX RATE PER $100,000 WORTH OF PROPERTY VALUE IS $38.20 INCREASE PER YEAR. OF THAT IT IS ONLY $9.55 ON THE BUDGET THAT HAD A PART OF THAT SO THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE INCREASE WAS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS. SO AGAIN IF YOU LIVE IN A MEDIAN HOUSE OF $330,000 WHICH MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE AVERAGE PRICE, THAT IS ABOUT $28 MORE PER YEAR BASED ON THE BUDGET THAT THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY COUNCIL PUT TOGETHER. SO AGAIN THERE IS SO MUCH THAT GOES OUT OF THE CITY THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER AND I THINK THIS IS A VERY REASONABLE BUDGET. THERE'S NO FAT IN IT AND THEREFORE AGAIN FOR FURTHER COMMENTS I WOULD SUGGEST YOU GO TO LAST NIGHT'S VIDEO AND WATCH MY COMMENTS THERE BECAUSE I LAID OUT MORE OF A CASE FOR IT BUT I WANTED TO ADD SOME ADDITIONAL CONTEXT TO IT SO THANK YOU. 
          >> COUNCIL ANY OTHER COMMENTS? GO AHEAD. 
          [00:20:07]
          >> I JUST LIKE TO MAKE A COUPLE COMMENTS. APPRECIATE ALL OF THE CITIZENS  INPUT THAT WE DID GET. I THINK EVERYBODY'S EMAILS HAVE BEEN LOADED UP AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DO HEAR FROM CITIZENS , BUT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE AT. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID. WE LIVE HERE, TOO. WE PAY TAXES HERE, TOO. I'M ON A FIXED INCOME ALSO. THESE ARE NOT THINGS THAT WE TAKE LIGHTLY. BEING A MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL AND JUST BEING A CITIZEN EVERYBODY UP HERE IS HERE BECAUSE THEY LOVE THIS CITY AND WANT TO DO THE VERY BEST BY THE CITY THAT THEY CAN. NOBODY IS UP HERE, I GUARANTEE YOU NOBODY IS UP HERE REAPING ANY KIND OF PERSONAL BENEFIT FROM WHAT WE DO AND THESE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE. WHAT WE ARE CHARGED WITH DOING IS JUST BEING AS CONSCIENTIOUS AS WE POSSIBLY CAN LOOKING AT EVERY DOLLAR, LISTENING TO CITIZENS AND IT BREAKS MY HEART TO FEEL THAT PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE AND DON'T FEEL WE ARE LISTENING TO THEM BECAUSE WE ARE LISTENING TO THEM CONSTANTLY AND TRYING TO ADJUST. AND I HATE TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO YOU BUT I DON'T-- IF YOU DON'T MIND, ONE OF THE THINGS WE HEAR ALL THE TIME, APARTMENTS APARTMENTS. THOSE THINGS WERE DONE PRE-COVID IN THE 10 YEARS PRIOR TO US AND WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM AND WHAT WE BEEN DOING THE LAST 2 1/2 YEARS IS TRYING TO UNDO A LOT OF WHAT WAS DONE BUT THIS IS THE TYPE OF INFORMATION THAT COMES OUT. I DON'T WANT TO BE NEGATIVE BUT IF YOU ARE GETTING YOUR INFORMATION ON HOW THIS CITY IS RUN AND HOW OUR MONEY IS BEING SPENT AND HOW TAXES ARE BEING HANDLED AND YOU ARE GETTING THAT OFF OF FACEBOOK I WOULD MAYBE SUGGEST YOU MIGHT WANT TO FIND A LITTLE HIGHER AUTHORITY AND DO THE RESEARCH FOR YOURSELF BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION AND BAD INFORMATION, OLD INFORMATION, OPINION, AND IT SHOWS UP IN THE EMAILS, IT SHOWS UP HERE, AND THAT'S FINE. THAT'S EVERYBODY'S RIGHT . BUT I REALLY WANT TO IMPLORE PEOPLE BECAUSE WE KEEP HEARING THE SAME THINGS OVER AND OVER THIS IDEA THAT WE ARE NOT RESPONSIVE. WE ARE VERY RESPONSIVE BUT THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF WE'VE HAD TO CLEAN UP IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND I APPLAUD THIS COUNCIL AND ESPECIALLY OUR CITY MANAGER FOR HIS LEADERSHIP IN GETTING US. WE ARE MAKING ADVANCES. THIS CITY IS GETTING BETTER AND HOPEFULLY YOU ARE STARTING TO SEE IT. IT HAS TAKEN A WHILE BUT THIS CITY IS ABSOLUTELY GETTING BETTER. COUNCILMEMBER BRITTON SAID WE'VE GOT PRETTY GOOD FINANCES. THAT IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE I STARTED HERE 2 1/2 YEARS AGO AND MY FIRST BUDGET SESSION AT THE PREVIOUS -- AS THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION CAME IN WAS A NEGATIVE BUDGET. THEY CAME TO A BUDGET AND WE WERE $2 MILLION IN THE HOLE BEFORE WE EVEN STARTED SHAKING THE BOX. SO I JUST THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND AND FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH EFFORT, HOW MUCH THOUGHT , HOW MUCH CONSIDERATION , BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS GOES INTO THIS. I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO HAVE THIS FEELING THAT WE JUST SORT OF SIT UP HERE AND SAY YOU ALL SHOULD PAY MORE BECAUSE WE DON'T. WE TAKE THIS EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY. BUT WHAT IT DOES COME DOWN TO IS WHAT KIND OF CITY DO WE WANT TO BE? I THINK AT THE CRUX OF IT FOR ME THAT'S A LOT OF WHAT IT IS TONIGHT AND FOR ME PERSONALLY GOING FORWARD. WHAT KIND OF CITY DO WE WANT TO BE? WE INVEST IN THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US. WHETHER THAT'S YOUR FAMILY, YOUR HOME, YOUR RELATIONSHIPS, YOUR CHURCH, WHATEVER THOSE THINGS MAY BE, THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE INVEST IN. FOR ME ONE OF THE GREATEST INVESTMENTS THAT I AM MAKING IS IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT. I BELIEVE IN THIS CITY, I BELIEVE IN THE FUTURE OF THE CITY, I BELIEVE THE CITY IS GETTING BETTER AND CAN GET MUCH BETTER AND WILL CONTINUE TO GET BETTER. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS. YOU MAKE THE VERY BEST ONES THAT YOU CAN, YOU TRY TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT ON EVERYBODY, YOU CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO PUT ANYBODY IN A DIRE SITUATION BUT WE INVEST IN WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO US. WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME IS THE FUTURE OF ROWLETT OF THIS BEING A BETTER CITY. IF YOU ARE CONTENT WITH IT BEING THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW OR FIVE YEARS AGO MAYBE YOU FEEL LIKE WE DON'T NEED A TAX INCREASE. I'M NOT CONTENT WITH THAT. I SEE GREATNESS IN THE CITY, GREAT OPPORTUNITY, I SEE GREAT PEOPLE, BEHIND-THE-SCENES I SEE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE NOT SEEN AND I KNOW THE DIRECTION WE ARE GOING AND IT 
          [00:25:03]
ABSOLUTELY MAKES ME FEEL SO EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE BUT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN FOR FREE. PEOPLE HAVE SAID THIS IS A VERY, VERY CONSCIENTIOUS, WELL-DESIGNED, DEEPLY DISCUSSED AND THOUGHT THROUGH BUDGET. IT'S NOT JUST A BUNCH OF THROWING THINGS AGAINST THE WALL AND SEEING WHAT STICKS. I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT WAS DONE BY THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, BY WENDY AND HER GROUP IN THE FINANCE OFFICE. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE UNDERTAKING TO COME TO YOU WITH THE VERY BEST BUDGET THAT WE CAN FOR YOU, FOR THE CITY, FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED AND BECAUSE OF THAT I WILL BE VOTING 
          TO SUPPORT THIS. >> THANK YOU, MISTER SCHUPP. 
          >> WE HAVE TWO MORE MOTIONS TO GO THROUGH SO THERE IS STILL AN OPPORTUNITY IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY. WITH THAT WE DO HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALONG WITH A SECOND. IF THERE'S NO MORE DISCUSSION LET'S CALL THE VOTE PLEASE. 
          [5.B. Consider an ordinance approving and adopting the ad valorem tax rate of $0.807891 per $100 of taxable value for fiscal year 2025-2026 (FY2026).]
THAT ITEM CARRIES BY A VOTE OF 6 - 1 WITH MISTER BRITTON VOTING IN OPPOSITION. THE NEXT ITEM CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE TAX RATE OF 0.807891 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 - 26. I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. I ASSUME THERE'S NOT A PRESENTATION, RIGHT? THANK YOU. I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. 
          MOTION BY MISS BOWERS . >> I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE AND ADOPT THE AD VALOREM TAX RATE OF $0.807891 WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 2.07% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE . 
          >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND BY MISTER GIBBS. 
          ANY DISCUSSION? >> I'LL JUST SAY, I MADE COMMENTS LAST NIGHT AND WILL NOT TAKE ANY MORE OF YOUR TIME BUT I AM DELIGHTED THAT THIS IS PASSING. 
          >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> WHEN I THINK ABOUT ALL THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE BY MY FELLOW COLLEAGUES AND ALSO LOOKING AT MY HOMETOWN AS I SIT HERE WHAT CITY ARE WE MOVING TOWARD AS WE GET BIGGER AS A CITY AND NOT JUST A SMALL TOWN? WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD TO AND THAT COMES AT A PRICE. A LOOK SAFETY IS WHAT OUR BUDGET WAS REALLY BASED IN AND I AM IN 100% AGREEMENT WITH THAT PASSING. 
          >> COUNCIL ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? THAT'S CALLED A VOTE FOR THIS 
          ITEM. >> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE COUNCILIS AWARE THAT IT TAKES FIVE VOTES TO PASS THIS 
          ONE. >> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT CLARIFICATION. ANY LAST DISCUSSION? LET'S CALL THE VOTE PLEASE. THAT ITEM PASSES BY A VOTE OF 6 - 1 WITH MISTER 
          [5.C. Consider action to ratify the property tax revenue increase reflected in the Budget for FY2026.]
          BRITTON VOTING IN OPPOSITION. >> THE LAST ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS CONSIDER ACTION TO RATIFY PROPERTY TAX REVENUE INCREASE REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026. I HAVE A 
          MOTION BY MISTER SCHUPP. >> I MOVE THAT THE RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE REFLECTED IN THE ADOPTED FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET BE APPROVED. 
          >> MOTION TO APPROVE BY MISTER SCHUPP AND SECOND BY MISTER 
          BOWERS? >> I SECOND. 
          >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? I'M GOING TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS LAST. I DID WRITE DOWN MY THOUGHTS AND I APPRECIATE THOSE WHO SPOKE FROM THE HEART BECAUSE YOU CAN TELL THE CONVICTION AND THE PASSION AND FIRST AND FOREMOST IT IS SO IMPORTANT AND HAS BEEN SAID BY MANY AT THE DAIS HERE TODAY, SO IMPORTANT WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK OF OUR FINANCE STAFF WHO ARE HERE IN THE FRONT ROW WHETHER THEY ARE BUDGET OFFICER, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, WHATEVER. ALL THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN PREPARING THIS BUDGET INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS AS WELL BECAUSE THEY FEED INTO THIS AND PROVIDE INPUT. THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS THAT GO ON IN ADVANCE WELL AHEAD OF EVEN COUNCIL GLANCING AT THE BUDGET. TO THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, THANK YOU. THIS IS BEEN ONE OF THE SMOOTHEST PROCESSES THAT I'VE BEEN A PART OF AND I AM DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT . I THINK ANY OF THE HICCUPS AND FRUSTRATIONS AND STICKING POINTS WE RAN INTO ALONG THE WAY ARE HONESTLY SELF-IMPOSED BY THE COUNCIL. I THINK WE RAN INTO A COUPLE OF POINTS WHERE WE WERE IN DISCUSSIONS FOR LONGER THAN WE NEEDED TO BE AND THEY WERE THE RESULT OF POLICIES THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AND ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THOSE IN THE FUTURE AND SEE IF IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO IN THE FUTURE GOING FORWARD. TO THOSE THAT SPOKE TONIGHT I DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE BECAUSE IT SHOWS YOU ARE 
          [00:30:01]
COMMITTED AND THANK YOU FOR THAT. NOT ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS SPEAK UP AT OUR MEETINGS AND SOME IS DUE TO FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING, SOME IS DUE TO DISCOMFORT BEING IN FRONT OF THE COUNCIL BUT WE ARE JUST PEOPLE, TOO. WE ARE JUST RESIDENTS OF THE CITY WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO GIVE OUR TIME ENERGY EFFORT AND BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS AND ALL THOSE THINGS TO TRY TO MAKE ROWLETT BETTER. I DO ALSO APPRECIATE THOSE WHO SENT US EMAILS AND THE PURPOSE OF WHAT I'M GOING TO SHARE TONIGHT IS REALLY TO ADDRESS THOSE EMAILS BECAUSE I DO WANT TO ADDRESS WHAT HAS BEEN SHARED WITH US BY MANY IN THE COMMUNITY. I BELIEVE THAT ROWLETT IS FACING SOMEWHAT OF AN IDENTITY CRISIS. RESIDENTS EXPECT HIGH-QUALITY ROADS, RELIABLE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND WELL-FUNDED POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND AT THE SAME TIME MANY ARE UNDERSTANDABLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF RISING TAXES. PEOPLE WANT AN EFFICIENT, TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT BUT THEY ALSO HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT INVESTING IN THE FACILITIES THAT ARE NEEDED TO HOUSE STAFF AND MAKE THAT POSSIBLE. WHILE WE WANT NEW BUSINESSES TO CALL ROWLETT HOME THERE'S OFTEN FRUSTRATION WHEN THAT GROWTH REQUIRES NEW HOUSING OR INCENTIVES FOR COMMERCIAL GROWTH. I DEFINITELY WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE CONCERNS DIRECTLY BECAUSE THEY ARE REAL AND REFLECT THE DIFFICULT BALANCE THAT WE FACE AS A GROWING CITY. TONIGHT'S PROPOSED BUDGET AND TAX RATE REPRESENT A MODEST BUT NECESSARY STEP TO KEEP ROWLETT STABLE AND MOVING FORWARD . MORE IMPORTANTLY MOST OF THE INCREASE YOU SEE IS NOT FOR NEW DISCRETIONARY SPENDING BUT FROM FROM PROJECTS VOTERS APPROVED IN THE 2023 BOND ELECTION. THREE SENSE OF THAT RATE IS TIED TO THE BOND WHICH FUNDS THE NEW PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY AND ANIMAL SHELTER AND IMPROVEMENTS. 
          THE PORTION WE ARE CONSIDERING THAT IS NOT VOTER APPROVED IS LESS THAN A PENNY. IT'S ACTUALLY THREE QUARTERS OF A CENT TO SUPPORT DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS. THAT IS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR PEOPLE. NEARLY HALF OF ALL THE NEW ENHANCEMENTS ARE GOING DIRECTLY TO PUBLIC SAFETY INCLUDING 500,000 OR ALMOST $500,000 IN RAISES FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS, $170,000 AND RAISES FOR POLICE OFFICERS, THE ADDITION OF TWO NEW POLICE OFFICERS AND A DETENTION OFFICER AND WE ARE ALSO SPENDING AND OPERATIONAL BACK BONE BY ADDING A FLEET AGENT, AND OPERATIONS TECHNICIAN ALL OF WHICH ARE ROLES THAT KEEP EVERY DEPARTMENT RUNNING MORE EFFICIENTLY. WE ARE ALSO HONORING THE COMMITMENTS THE CITY HAS MADE IN THE PAST. THE SENIOR TAX FREEZE THAT WAS MENTIONED HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN A COUNCIL LONG AGO AND IS EXPECTED TO PUT NEARLY $8 MILLION BACK IN THE POCKETS OF SENIORS THIS COMING FISCAL YEAR ALONE. THAT'S ABOUT 10% OF OUR CITY'S ENTIRE TAX LEVY. TO THE TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE DISTRICTS WE ARE COMMITTING ANOTHER $4 MILLION THIS YEAR WHICH IS ABOUT ANOTHER 5% OF THAT LEVY INTO THE AREAS DESIGNED TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES. WITHOUT THOSE COMMITMENTS OUR TAX RATE WOULD LOOK VERY DIFFERENT THAN IT DOES TODAY. I KNOW THAT INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE PARKS AND CITY FACILITIES IS NOT ALWAYS POPULAR IN THE SHORT TERM BUT THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT MAKE A COMMUNITY SUSTAINABLE IN THE LONG TERM. 
          BONDS FOR CITY HALL APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY THIS COUNCIL LAST DECEMBER WILL ALLOW US TO MODERNIZE PROCESSES, STREAMLINE OUR SYSTEMS AND PROVIDE BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE ALL WITHOUT RAISING THE TAX RATE. WE ALSO GARNER THE COST SAVINGS ASSOCIATED WITH A SINGLE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT INCLUDING THE ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING AND SITE PLANNING TO COME WITH DOING THIS AT ONE TIME INSTEAD OF AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE SEPARATE FROM THE EXISTING PUBLIC SAFETY AND ANIMAL SHELTER BUILDINGS. THE BUDGET WE ARE ADOPTING IS ABOUT BALANCE. IT REFLECTS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT TAXPAYER DOLLARS WHILE ENSURING ROWLETT REMAINS A SAFE VIBRANT AND WELCOMING COMMUNITY. 
          IT IS NOT A PERFECT ANSWER TO THE IDENTITY CRISIS BUT IS A THOUGHTFUL STEP TOWARD STABILITY AND BALANCE. WITH THAT I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS BUDGET AND I WANT TO THANK STAFF. IT POSITIONS ROWLETT WELL FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT LIE AHEAD . 
          THANK YOU MISTER HALL, WENDY AND ALL OF OUR STAFF THAT MAKE THIS BUDGET POSSIBLE. ANY COMMENTS OR OTHER DISCUSSIONS? MISTER GIBBS? 
          >> I JUST WANT TO AGAIN REAL QUICK THANK MISTER HALL BECAUSE AS A FRESHMAN COMING IN HE DID MAKE THIS BUDGET PROCESS A LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR US AND HE DID A VERY GOOD JOB OF EXPLAINING AND I'M TELLING YOU FOLKS, THIS MAN KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING. FROM ALL THE CRITICS OUT THERE HE WILL TAKE CARE OF THE CITY. THE CITY IS FIRST AND FOREMOST ON HIS MIND EVERY DAY AND HE IS TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING EVERY TIME. JUST KNOW 
          THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> I WANT TO ECHO MY FRESHMAN COLLEAGUE COUNCILMEMBER GIBBS AND CONGRATULATE CITY MANAGER HALL. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US INTO THIS AND ORIENTING US IN A WAY WE ARE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND AND GIVE-- DECISIONS AS WELL AS 
          TO THE FINANCE TEAM. >> COUNCIL ANY LESS COMMENTS? LET'S CALL THE VOTE PLEASE. THAT ITEM CARRIES BY A VOTE OF 6 - 1 WITH MISTER BRITTON VOTING IN OPPOSITION. WITH THAT WE ARE 
          [00:35:11]
ALL OUT OF AGENDA ITEMS. WE DO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AGAIN TO ADD TOPICS TO THE AGENDA. MEMBERS MAY REQUEST TOPICS TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS. DELIBERATION OR DECISION TO SHALL BE LIMITED TO
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.