Aug 18, 2020 City Council Meetings

[00:00:01]

GENTLEMEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

THANK YOU, MARTHA. >> ABSOLUTELY.

LET'S PRAY. FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE HERE THIS EVENING. WE THANK YOU FOR THE GRACE, WISDOM AND GUIDANCE WE RECEIVE FROM YOU TO BE ABLE TO GOVERN OUR CITY IN SUCH A WAY OUR CITIZENS' INTERESTS ARE WELL REPRESENTED. WE REMEMBER THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE STILL HEALING FROM THE EFFECTS OF COVID.

WE ASK THAT YOU MEET THEIR EVERY NEED.

I ASK AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED HAND OF PROTECTION AND BLESSING OVER OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, OUR CITY EMPLOYEES, AND CITIZENS. MOW PRAY IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

>> AMEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[5A. Presentation of proclamation recognizing the week of August 23 – 29, 2020 as “Women’s Suffrage and Equality Week” in the City of Rowlett.]

>> OUR FIRST ITEM TONIGHT 5A. IT'S IN OUR PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATION. THIS IS THE FIRST PROCLAMATION WE'VE DONE SINCE WE STARTED MEETING VIRTUALLY.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ONE AND WE WANTED TO KICK IT OFF WITH AN IMPORTANT ONE. ITEM 5A RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF AUGUST 23 -- KEEP IT THERE FOR A SECOND, PLEASE.

RESIDING THE WEEK OF AUGUST 23 THROUGH 29, 2020S WOMEN'S SUFFICIENTAGE AND EQUALITY WEEK FROM THE CITY OF ROWLETT.

WE HAVE OUR VICE CHAIR, DIANA WITH US.

THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER MEMBER. ALENA?

>> I COULDN'T PRONOUNCE YOUR NAME.

BEFORE I READ THE PROCLAMATION, WHICH ONE OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS OF WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT AND WHY WE ARE DOING

THIS? >> RIGHT TO YOU, DIANA.

>> SO WE ARE EXCITED THAT WE ARE HAVING THIS AS OUR FIRST PROCLAMATION. THIS IS ACKNOWLEDGING A VERY HISTORIC MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY, THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD IN THE GOVERNMENT OF OUR SOCIETY. I THINK THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT

NOW AS ALWAYS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, DIANA.

ALENA, DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING?

>> THIS IS AN EXCITING TIME IN OUR COUNTRY IN VIEW OF THE DEMOCRAT PROCESS AND EVERYTHING IN TERMS OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN BEING SELECTED FOR THE DEMOCRAT NATIONAL NOMINEE FOR VICE PRESIDENT. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

IT'S JUST A GREAT TIME RIGHT NOW.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU TO YOU TWO LADIES AND TO EVERYBODY ON THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION.

WUR DOING GREAT WORK AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE.

AT THIS POINT I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION.

I WILL VIRTUALLY HANDS IT TO YOU LADIES SOMEHOW.

WHEREAS IN 1848, THE WOMAN'S SUFFER RAJ MOVEMENT WATCHED AT A WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION IN SENECA FALLS, NEW YORK WITH A SIGNING OF SENTIMENTS WHICH PROCLAIM WE HOLD THESE TRUTS FOB SELF-EVIDENT THAT ALL MEN AND WOMEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.

SUFFRAGETTES LOBBIED FOR WOMEN TO HAVE A VOICE AND A VOTE.

TWO MOST INFLUENTIAL GROUPS LEADING THE CHARGE FOR THE NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMEN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION AND THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S PARTY. WHEREAS WOODROW WILSON WELLS ADDRESSED AN AMENDMENT IN 1918, CONGRESS PASSED THE PRESSURE IN 1919 AND NWP BEGAN CAMPAIGNING TO RATIFICATION WHICH OCCURRED 100 YEARS AGO TODAY, AUGUST 18, 2020.

WHEREAS THE AMENDMENT STATES THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES TO VOTE SHALL NOT BE DENY OR ABRIDGED BY THE UNITED STATES, OR BY ANY STATE ON ACCOUNT OF SEX.

WHEREAS, IN HONOR OF THIS ACHIEVEMENT, 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SINGLE LARGEST EXTENSION OF VOTING RIGHTS, THE MANY ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN SINCE. WE RECOGNIZE THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT AND WILL WORK STILL TO BE DONE. THEREFORE, I TAMMY DANA-BASHIAN, THE FIRST WOMAN MAYOR, DO DISTINGUISH THE WEEK OF AUGUST 23 THROUGH 29 AS WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE AND EQUALITY WEEK IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT AS A SYMBOL OF INCLUDESTY AND TO ENCOURAGE

[00:05:01]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, LADIES. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITIES TO RECOGNIZE THIS IMPORTANT EVENT IN OUR HISTORY.

>> THANK YOU. YOU ARE WELCOME TO STAY, BUT YOU

ARE ALSO WELCOME TO DROP OUT. >> BYE-BYE.

>> TALKING ABOUT FINANCIALS NEXT.

WE GET NO RESPECT. >> I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT.

[5B. Hear presentation for Comprehensive Monthly Financial Report (CMFR) for the period ending June 30, 2020.]

TONIGHT'S FINANCIAL PRESENTATION REPORT IS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30, 2020, WHICH IS THE THE THIRD QUARTER FOR THE FISCAL YEAR. AS YOU REMEMBER FROM THE SECOND IS QUARTER END PRESENTATION THE CITY WAS HOADING A STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION THROUGH MARCH.

AFTER THE PANDEMIC WE EXPECTED TO SEE A DECLINE IN THE THIRD QUARTER, THAT WOULD BE APPARENT IN THIS FINANCIAL REPORT TO COUNCIL. KOOGDLY THE CITY MARGOLIS PRESENTED AT THE APRIL 13TH MEETING THE PANDEMIC RELATEDDED SHORTFALLS AND IMPLEMENTED A SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY.

AS WILL YOU SEE ON TONIGHT'S REPORT, SOME OF THE DECLINES HAVE NOT OCCURRED TO THE LEVEL WE HAD ANTICIPATED.

THAT IS GREAT NEWS. OUR CITY MANAGER DISCUSSED THIS IN MORE DETAIL IN TONIGHT'S WORK SESSION.

COUNCIL HAS RELEASED A GOOD PORTION OF THE MITIGATION STRATEGY TONIGHT AS WELL. TONIGHT'S REPORT WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE CITY IN RELATION TO BOTH THE ORIGINAL BUDGET FORECAST, AS WELL AS THE COVID SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES FORECAST, IMPLEMENTED BACK IN APRIL.

AS WELL MENTIONED EARLIER WE HAVE GOOD NEWS TO REPORT.

STACY, YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

FOR THE JUNE QUARTER END ON A BUDGETARY BASIS, THE CITY HAS YEARTO DATE REVENUES OF 94.000000, 6.4 MILLION OR 2.8% MORE AND 4.1 MILLION OR 4.7% MORE THAN THE COVID FORECAST.

PRIMARILY DRIVEN BY INCREASED PROPERTY TAX, SALES TAX AND UTILITY SALES. THE CITY HAS YEARTO DATE EXPENSES OF 77.4 MILLION. 2.5 MILLION OR 3.1% LESS THAN THE ORIGINAL FORECAST, 1.3 MILLION OR 1.6% LESS THAN THE COVID FORECAST. THIS IS PRIMARILY DRIVEN BY SAVINGS IN CONTRACT SERVICES, AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND EXPENDITURE REDUCTION IMPLEMENTED IN THE PANDEMIC STRATEGY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

PROPERTY TAXES REPRESENT OVER 50% OF THE GENERAL FUND REVENUE BUDGET IN THEIR COLLECTED PRIMARILY IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY. THE CITY COLLECTED 341,000 IN GENERAL FUND PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IN THE THIRD QUARTER.

YEAR-TO-DATE RERCHES ARE 1% ABOVE THE ORIGINAL FORECAST AND 1.3% ABOVE THE COVID FORECAST. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SALES TAXES ARE COLLECTED BY THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND REPRESENT 20% OF THE GENERAL FUND RETCHES. THEY REPORTED FROM THE STATE COMP TROLLERS OFFICE AND THE CITY COLLECTED 1.2 MILLION IN APPRAISAL AND MAY. AT THE TIME THE PACKET WAS CREATED IT WAS ESTIMATED AT BUDGET RESULTING IN YEAR-TO-DATE BY 78,000 AND ABOVE THE COVID FORECAST BY 154,000.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AS BRIAN MENTIONED EARLIER, MORE RECENTLY THE STATE REPORTED JUNE COLLECTIONS AT 697,000.

WITH THIS UPDATE, YEAR-TO-DATE SALES TAX REVENUE IS BEFORE THE ORIGINAL FORECAST AND 296,000 ABOVE THE COVID FORECAST.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. REVENUES REPRESENT 60% OF THE UTILITY FUND REVENUE BUDGET. IN THE THIRD QUARTER THE CITY 7 MILLION IN WATER REVENUES, YEAR-TO-DATE WATER REVENUE OF 400,000 OR 3.3% MORE THAN THE ORIGINAL FORECAST OR 6.4% MORE THAN COVID FORECAST LIEU TO LOW PRESCRIPTION DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER WHICH IS THE FIRST MONTH OF THE FISCAL YEAR, COMBINED WITH INCREASED SUMMER USAGE DRIVEN BY MORE CITIZENS STAYING HOME DURING THE PANDEMIC PERIOD. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

[00:10:04]

THEY ARE TYPICALLY IN LINE WITH THE WATER REVENUES.

CITY EARNED 6.6 MILLION IN SEWER FEES WITH YEAR-TO-DATE REVENUE 2.2 ABOVE THE ORIGINAL FORECAST, 3.7% ABOVE THE COVID FORECAST.

OVERALL, ON A BUDGETARY BASIS, YEAR-TO-DATE GENERAL FUND REVENUES, 346,000 BEFORE THE ORIGINAL FORECAST AND 1.3 MILLION ABOVE THE COVID FORECAST PRIMARILY DUE TO INCREASE THE PROPERTY TAX, SALES TAX AND DEVELOPMENT REVENUES.

EXPENSES 2.5 MILLION BELOW THE THE ORIGINAL FORECAST AND 1.5 MILLION BELOW THE COVID FORECAST, PRIMARILY DUE TO TIMING AND SAVINGS AND SUPPLY AND CONTRACTORRAL SERVICES AS WELL AS THE COVID STRATEGY TO DELAY CASH FUNDED CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND RUNNING -- IN THE WATER AND SEWER FUND YEARTO DATE 535,000 BOTCH THE ORIGINAL FORECAST AND 1.2 MILLION ABOVE THE COVID FORECAST DUE TO THE LOW PRECIPITATION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR AND INCREASED SALES DURING THE MONTHS OF MAY AND JUNE. EXPENSES IN THE WATER AND SEWER FUND 741,000 BELOW THE ORIGINAL FORECAST.

446,000 BELOW THE COVID FORECAST.

PRIMARILY DUE TO TIMING AND SAVINGS IN CONTRACT SERVICES AND PURCHASE SUPPLIES AND PERSONNEL FAKECIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS WELL AS THE HIRING FREEZE. DURING THE PANDEMIC STRATEGY.

IN OTHER FISCAL YEAR 20 BUDGETED FUNDS, THE DEBT SERVICE FUND, THE DRAINAGE FUND, ETHANOL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS AND GOLF COURSE FUNDS MET OR COMPETED REVENUES AND WERE WITHIN BUDGETED EXPENSES. EXPENSES EXCEEDED THE BUDGET IN THE BENEFITS FUND, WE HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF STOP LOSS REIMBURSEMENTS AND EXPECT TO COVER MOST IF NOT ALL OF THE OANCH BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

THAT CONCLUDES THE TONIGHT PRESENTATION.

I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION.

COUNCIL AS A REMINDER WE HAVE A FINANCE COMMITTEE, MARTHA, BLAKE AND MYSELF. WE REVIEW THESE FINANCIALS IN GREAT DETAIL BEFORE THEY ARE PRESENTED BY TO COUNCIL.

TO LET YOU KNOW. WE LOOK AT A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL LINE ITEMS VARIANCE ITEMS. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING SPECIFICALLY TO REPORT AS A RESULT OF THAT REVIEW.

DO YOU MICHAEL OR BLAKE? YOU HAVE YOUR HAND UP?

>> THAT'S GREAT REPORT, ESPECIALLY THE SALES TAX NUMBERS. DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHT OR FEEL HOW MUCH OF THAT IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE CHANGE IN THE LAW ABOUT ONLINE ORDERS AND SHOPPING AND THE TAXED ASSOCIATED WITH THAT?

>> WE DO. >> YES.

I DON'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER. >> I CAN LOOK IT UP REAL QUICK.

>> I'VE GOT IT THEN. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, THE CHANGE WENT INTO EFFECT IN OCTOBER.

THEN WE ONLY HAD THROUGH MAY RIGHT NOW.

BASED ON THE WAY THEY REPORT, THAT WOULD ONLY GET US THROUGH MAY. WE DON'T HAVE THE JUNE YET.

BUT WE HAVE COLLECTED OVER $207,000 FROM THIS.

THE POINT IS, WITHOUT THAT CHANGE BEING MADE THIS YEAR, WE WOULD BE BELOW OUR ORIGINAL FORECAST, NOT ABOVE.

>> REPORTER: THE JULY NUMBER, WOULD STILL BE THAT HIGH BECAUSE THE JULY NUMBER DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR ONLINE SALES NUMBERS.

>> THE REVENUE IS ALREADY IN THERE.

IT'S JUST WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUC- >> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE

IT IS. >> EXCEPT THROUGH MAY.

WE DON'T KNOW THE JUNE PORTION OF IT YET.

>> OKAY. >> BUT THE CHART SHOWED US IS THAT THERE IS A SPIKE FOR CHRISTMAS, WHICH WE WOULD EXPECT IN DECEMBER. THEN YOU WENT DOWN IN THE WINTER MONTHS, WHICH IS NORMAL. SINCE COVID, WE HAVE SEEN A REAL INCREASE IN ONLINE SALES. WHICH WE EXPECT WILL CONTINUE

BOTH IN JUNE AND JULY. >> THAT'S HUGE.

THAT'S AWESOME. VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU. WHEN YOU HAVE THOSE NUMBERS, IF YOU COULD SEND THEN OUT TO US. I THINK THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE STAFF REPORT. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM AS THEY COME IN. JUST KIND OF CURIOUS.

>> WE GOT IT TODAY. ROBERT SENT IT TO ME.

I'LL HAVE ROBERT SEND THAT DIRECTLY TO COUNCIL.

>> BRIAN, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

I BELIEVE AS EXISTING 380 AGREEMENTS EXPIRE, THAT NUMBER WESTBOUND BE INCREASED BY THAT POINT.

[00:15:01]

>> YES, IT WILL. >> THAT WILL GO BACK TO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> THAT PERIOD IS PRETTY LONG. >> SO THAT NUMBER -- THE POINT IS, I THINK YOU SEE THAT NUMBER CONTINUE TO AGREE OVER THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS. IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL SALES TAX THAT WE HAVE, WE'LL BE RECOUP, A LOT MORE.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 5C, HEAR PRESENTATION OF THE THIRD

[5C. Hear presentation on the third quarter investment report for June 30, 2020.]

>> I'LL TAKE THIS ONE. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

I'M PLEASED TO PRESENT THE THIRD QUARTER INVESTMENT REPORT FOR PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30, 2020. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

OUR INVESTMENT OBJECTIVING FOR DEBT SERVICE LIE FIRST AND FOREMOST ON SAFETY, THEN LIQUIDITY TO INSURE WE HAVE SUFFICIENT TAX FLOW AND FINALLY RATE OF RETURN.

THE MEASURES SHOW LONG TERM INVESTMENTS, SHORT TERM IS EXCEEDING AVERAGE RETURN OF THE INVESTMENT.

LONG TERM IS TO EXCEED ONE TO THREE YEAR INDEX.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE ECONOMIC INDICATORS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 2020 INCLUDED INCREASING UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FROM 4.4% TO 11.1%.

A LARGE DECLINE IN GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FROM THE 2.1% INCREASE, TO A HIGH CONTRIBUTION, CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FALL FROM 1.5% TO 0.5%. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THIS SHOWS THE CITY'S INVESTMENTS MET OR EXCEEDED CREDIT QUALITY DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

SECURITY TYPES ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE INVESTMENT POLICY LIMITS. LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS WERE MET AND REMAINED AT APPROXIMATELY 72% OF PORTFOLIO.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE RETURN OF OUR PERFORMANCE, THE QUARTER WEIGHTED AVERAGE KNEELED MATURITY DECREASED FROM 3.1 TO 26.2 OR 69 BASIS POINTS FROM THE LAST QUARTER.

OVERALL QUARTER PERFORMANCE MEASURES WERE MIXED, ALTHOUGH MOST WERE POSITIVE. INVESTMENT FUND INVESTMENT RETURN, OUTPERFORM THE BENCHMARK BY 34%.

THE LONG-TERM FUND PORTFOLIO QUARTERLY RETURN PERFORMANCE OF 22.5%. OUTPERFORMED BENCHMARK PERFORMANCE OF 0.13% BY 0.12%. FOR THE LAST 12 MONTHS THE TOTAL RETURN PERFORMANCE OF 3.5% UNDER INFORMED THE BENCHMARK OF -- BY 24.9%. THERE WAS A MIX THERE.

THAT IS THE END OF THE QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT.

GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. >> THANK YOU, ROBERT.

ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE.

APPRECIATE IT. THE NEXT ITEM IS 5D UPDATE FROM

[5D. Update from the City Council and Management: Financial Position, Major Projects, Operational Issues, Upcoming Dates of Interest and Items of Community Interest. ]

>> IS YES, MAYOR. I WANT TO ANNOUNCE WE HAVE ANOTHER BUDGET WORK SESSION. WE WILL MEET ON MONDAYS AND AGAIN ON THURSDAY TO GO OVER THE BUDGET, PROPOSED BUDGET.

THEN AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER WE WILL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING -- WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING OBVIOUSLY. WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 14 FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE INVOLVED.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> THANK YOU, BRIAN.

ANYONE ELSE ON STAFF OR COUNCIL? SEEING NONE, AT THIS TIME WE MOVE TO THE CITIZEN'S INPUT SECTION.

THIS IS WHEN THE CITIZENS CAN COMMENT ON SUBJECT MATTER.

[00:20:06]

WE WILL MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[7. CONSENT AGENDA]

STACY, IF YOU WOULD READ THOSE INTO THE RECORD.

>> WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> I CAN READ THEM IN IF YOU WANT. 7 ACIALTIONZ, APPROVING MINUTES.

ITEM 7B. CONSIDER RESOLUTION TO DONATE PROTECTIVE GEAR. ITEM 7C, CONSIDER RESOLUTION FOR ALLEY RECONSTRUCTION. 7 DCIALTIONZ, CONSIDER RESOLUTION FOR ACCEPTING VOTING EQUIPMENT.

7 ECIALTIONZ, CONSIDER AN ELECTION SERVICES CONTRACT AND 7 F CONSIDER BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, STACY. I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION AT THIS TIME. MICHAEL? I MAKE A MOTION WE ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ INTO THE

RECORD. >> THE SECOND FROM MATT?

>> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE

RAISE YOUR HAND. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.

>> I'M SORRY. >> FOR DAVID, DO I NEED TO RECRUISE MYSELF GIVEN THE -- REACCUSE MYSELF GIVEN THE ELECTION? NO.

JUST MAKING SURE. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. THE ITEM PASSES 7-0.

WE WILL MOVE TO THE INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION ITEMS. TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT DURING A PUBLIC HEARING YOU CAN CALL 877-853-5247 AND ENTER THE MEETING NUMBER.

THE THIRD METHOD IF YOU WANT TO CHIME IN IS USING THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER AS OPPOSED TO THE ZOOM MEETING.

THE FIRST ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION IS ITEM 8A, ALLOW PUBLIC

[8A. Allow public comments on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021.]

SO, SOMEBODY. WHO IS DOING THE PRESENTATION? OKAY, THANK YOU. WITHOUT THE PURRING.

>> WITHOUT THE PURRING. I'M HERE TO OPEN THE BUDGET WITH 2020 PROPOSED BUDGET FOR PUBLIC -- NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

JUST YEAR 2021 BUDGET IS CREATED AND CERTAIN BUDGET PRIORITIES ARE HIGHLIGHTED. THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF WHICH ARE TO CONSIDER THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND ALLOCATE THEM BASED ON PRIORITIES IN THE CITY'S STRATEGIC PLAN.

SOME OF THESE PRIORITIES WITH EXCLUSIVELY, THE 21 BUDGET INCLUDES THE TAX RATE BY 1%. THAT INCLUDES A PROPOSAL TO LOWER THE TAX RATE BY ABOUT 1%. AS WELL AS INCLUDES PROPOSALS LOWERING WATER RATES BY 5%. INSURING A SAFE COMMUNITY, IT INCLUDES PROPOSED INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE SAFER GRANT FOR FIREFIGHTERS, AS WELL AS ALLOCATION FOR A NEW FIRE STATION. STRENGTHENING NEIGHBORHOOD LIVEABILITY THROUGH FINISHING PHASE TWO IMPROVEMENTS FOR LAKE COUNTRY ESTATES. ALLOCATING 2.5 MILLION FROM THE 2018 BONDS IN ALLEY IMPROVEMENTS.

ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE. WE HAVE NUMEROUS PROPOSED PARK, STREETS, AND FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET. AND FOR INVESTING IN OUR TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE, THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES PROJECTS TO WIDEN CHIETS ROAD FROM DAHLROCK TO MILLER AND THE RIGHT TURN LANES THROUGHOUT THE ROWLETT AS WELL. GOOD NEWS INCLUDES PROPOSED 1 PENNY APPROXIMATELY REDUCTION IN THE PROPERTY TAX, AS WELL AS PROPOSED 5% WATER RATE REDUCTION INCLUDED PROPOSED IN THIS 21

[00:25:05]

47.8 MILLION IN GENERAL FUND EXPENSES.

I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE.

THEN UTILITY FUND RET RETCH -- REVENUES.

AS YOU WILL NOTICE GENERAL FUNDS ARE UPSIDE DOWN THERE.

THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET WAS IMPACTED BY CORONAVIRUS. WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE AN ONGOING ECONOMIC IMPACT INTO NEXT YEAR.

THE PANDEMIC, ALONG WITH THE PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BY 1 CENT IS RESULTING IN A $734,000 REDUCTION IN GENERAL FUND REVENUES. WHEN COMPARED TO THE CURRENTLY YEAR GENERAL FUND BUDGET, THAT DIFFERENCE IS GOING TO BE OFFSET BY MAINTAINING A RELATIVELY FLAT EXPENSE BUDGET AND USE THE CURRENT YEAR PROJECTED SURPLUS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

AS BRIAN MENTIONED, SOME OF THESE DATES EARLIER AT TONIGHT'S MEETING, MOVING FORWARD WE HAVE MANY MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET, AS WELL AS PUBLIC TO GET MORE INFORMATION. PUBLIC HEARINGS, SEPTEMBER 14, BUDGET WORK SESSIONS AUGUST 24, AUGUST 27, OR SEPTEMBER 1ST, DEPENDING UPON WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS NECESSARY.

OBVIOUSLY DEPENDS ON WHAT HAPPENS ON THE 24TH.

THE FINAL MEETING ON THE BUDGET IS SEPTEMBER 15.

THAT FINISHES MY PRESENTATION ON PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR THE 2021 BUDGET. I THINK YOU ARE MUTED.

>> I ALMOST GOT THROUGH A WHOLE MEETING.

IT'S FRUSTRATING. SORRY.

ROBERT, THANK YOU. THAT WAS A VERY GOOD SUMMARY.

COUNCIL, THEY QUESTIONS BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENTS? STACY DO I GO TO YOU TO SEE IF WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS?

>> NO ONE HAS CONNECTED. >> I NOTICE THAT NOT PUBLIC HEARING LANGUAGE, SO I DIDN'T OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I JUST ASK FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS?

>> YEAH. IT'S OPEN.

>> I DID, IT WAS CONFUSING ME THAT IT DOESN'T SAY PUBLIC

HEARING. >> IT'S NOT A HEARING.

IT'S JUST PUBLIC COMMENTS. SAME THING, PRETTY MUCH.

>> WITH THAT SAID I WILL MOVER TO 8B, CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING,

[8B. Conduct a public hearing (1st) on the ad valorem tax rate for Fiscal Year 2021. ]

S UTIONZ YOU. >> GCHG.

>> I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED TAX RATE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

TO BEGIN WITH TRUTH IN TAXATION. STATE OF TEXAS TRUTH IN TAXATION LAW REQUIRE THE CITY COUNCIL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING EACH YEAR. IF SUCH A RATE EXCEEDS THE NO NEW REVENUE TAKES RATE, WHICHEVER IS LOWER.

THE PROPOSED TAX RATE DOES NOT EXCEED THE CERTIFIED NO NEW REVENUE RATE OR VOTER APPROVAL RATE, THE GOVERNING BODY IS NOT REQUIRED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX RATE.

HOWEVER WITH FULL TRANSPARENCY SURROUNDING THE UNCERTAINTY TO THE CERTIFIED VALUES CAUSING INSTABILITY OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, COUNCIL ACT ON AUGUST 10 TO SET TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF THE RATE.

AUGUST 18 IS FIRST, SOANTD. SECOND IS HELD SEPTEMBER 14 THE

[00:30:01]

>> DESPITE THE VARIOUS TAX RATES WE HAVE, WE WILL USE NEW LANGUAGE THIS YEAR. BECAUSE OF THE NEW SENATE BILL.

WE HAVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 NO NEW REVENUE RATE 0.787935.

THIS IS THE RATE THAT IS NEEDED TO RAISE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAX REVENUE AS LAST YEAR. THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE OF 838653. THIS IS THE RATE NEEDED TO RAISE THE SAME TAX REVENUE AS LAST YEAR, PLUS 8%.

YOU THE PUBLISHED PROPOSED RATE AS CALCULATED.

.787935. THIS IS THE MAXIMUM RATE THAT CAN BE ADOPTED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021.

THEN WE HAVE THE BUDGET PROPOSED RATE THIS IS THE RATE INCLUDED IN THE CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED BUDGET OF 0.747343.

THIS IS THE TAX RATE THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED BUDGET. THE PROPOSED RATE IS LOWER THAN THE CURRENT 0.757173 RATE. WITH THAT MY PRESENTATION ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE HEARING IS COMPLETED.

I AM OPEN FOR QUESTIONS. >> QUESTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING? SEEING NONE.

AT THIS TIMELY OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND TAKE ANY COMMENTS, IF ANYONE IS ON THE LINE. STACY?

>> MA'AM, NO ONE IS ON THE LINE. >> WITH THAT SAID I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND JUST CHECK ONE MORE TIME IF COUNCIL HAS ANYTHING TO ADD. BRIAN? SEEING NONE. THAT INCLUDES OUR REGULAR MEETING. WE HAVE ONE EXECUTIVE SESSION

[2. EXECUTIVE SESSION]

GOOD NIGHT,

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.