[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:04]
GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. IT IS 7:30 P.M. AND WE ARE AT THE CITY HALL CONFERENCE ÃOR THE COUNCIL ROOM AT THE DAIS. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG, LONG TIME. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. WE ARE SOCIALLY DISTANCED AND WE ARE HERE IN PERSON BECAUSE WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN IN PERSON PUBLIC HEARING IN RELATION TO THE BUDGET IN THE TAX RATE. AS AUTHORIZED THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, THIS MEETING MAY BE CONVENED IN CLOSED EXECUTIVE SECTION LEGAL ADVICE FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ON ANY AGENDA ITEM HERE IN THE CITY BALLOT RESERVES THE RIGHT RECONVENE, RECESSED REALIGN THE REGULAR SESSION OR CALL EXECUTIVE SESSION THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT. DID THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY INTO CONFORMAL SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS TONIGHT HAS LIMITED CAPACITY AND WE ALSO OFFERED OUR CITIZENS AND ABILITY TO PROVIDE CITIZEN INPUT BY SENDING AN EMAIL BY 3:30 P.M. TODAY. THE PUBLIC CAN VIEW THIS MEETING LIVE ON THE CITIES WEBSITE OR ON OUR RT AND 16 PORT WE CALL THE MEETING TO
[Items 2A & 2B]
ORDER AND WE DO HAVE A QUORUM WE HAVE TWO ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA.DO YOU WANT ME TO READ BOTH OF THEM INTO THE RECORD? OR ARE WE GOING TO DO SEPARATE? WE WILL DO TO PUBLIC HEARINGS, BUT ONE PRESENTATION FOR BOTH ITEMS? OKAY. SO ITEM 2A, WHICH IS CONDUCTED PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 AND TO BE, CONDUCTED PUBLIC HEARING THE SECOND ONE ON THE TAX RATE FOR FISCAL 2021. COUNCIL WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION.
I ASSUME BY ROBERT? AND THEN I WILL OPEN EACH PUBLIC HEARING AND THAT IS OUR
AGENDA FOR THIS EVENING. GOOD EVENING, ROBERT. >> GOOD EVENING MADAM MAYOR, COUNCIL. ROBERT, I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO PRESENT TO YOU ITEMS 2A AND 2B PROPOSED BUDGET IN THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE.
TO COMPLY WITH STATE STATUTE, THESE ARE REQUIRED TO BE TWO SEPARATE HEARINGS AND ITEMS, HOWEVER, THIS PRESENTATION WILL COVER BOTH THE ITEMS. FOLLOWING THIS PRESENTATION WILL HAVE BOTH PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE BUDGET AND FOLLOWING THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE. BEFORE I BEGIN I WANT TO MENTION THE STAFF REPORT FOR TWO NIGHTS BUDGET HEARING CONTAINS THE BUDGET AS PROPOSED IN THE CITY MANAGER ON AUGUST 4 HEAR THE STAFF REPORT FOR TOMORROW'S NIGHTS ADOPTION INCLUDES THE CHANGES THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED TONIGHT. THIS YEAR HAS PRESENTED SPECIAL CHALLENGES UNLIKE ANY IN PREVIOUS YEARS. COVID-19 HAS BEEN ECONOMICALLY DAMAGING IN WAYS SOME ECONOMISTS BELIEVE WILL CONTINUE TO NEED TO BE ADDRESSED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
WHILE IT IS WHAT THE IMPACT BETTER THAN MANY OTHER CITIES AND RELIED MORE HEAVILY ON TOURISM AND RETAIL. HOWEVER, THE CITY AND COMMUNITY OF STILL FELT ITS IMPACT.
THERE IS NO WAY TO FORECAST THE LENGTH AND SEVERITY OF THIS PANDEMIC, ALONG WITH THE GUIDANCE OF COUNSEL, CITY STAFF PLANNED AROUND A TWO-YEAR ECONOMIC IMPACT WHILE PRESERVING OPTIONS OF THE IMPACT IS DEEPER OR IF IT CONTINUES INTO 1/3 FISCAL YEAR.
TO DO THIS WE DEVELOPED A BRIDGE OF STRATEGY UTILIZING A COMBINATION OF PROGRAM BUDGET REDUCTIONS AND EXISTING RESOURCES TO CARRY ROWLETT INTO FISCAL YEAR 2022.
THAT BRIDGE STRATEGY TO ADDRESS COVID-19 IMPACTS PROVIDES CORNERSTONE OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 PROPOSED BUDGET. THIS INCLUDES ÃINCLUDED FREEZING EMPLOYEE VACANCIES, CUTTING OPERATIONS AND DEFERRING OR DELAYING EQUIPMENT PURCHASES AND CAPITAL PROJECTS DEPENDING UPON HOW LONG THE DOWNTURN TAKES, ROWLETT WILL NEED TO REBUILD MOMENTUM IN FISCAL YEAR 2022 AND BEYOND. IT PROVIDES SOME CUTS THAT WILL NEED TO BE RESTORED IN FUTURE YEARS. AGAIN, THIS IS A THOUGHTFUL, MEASURE BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT ECONOMIC IMPACT THE COVID-19 WILL IMPROVE IN MID TO LATE 2021.
THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET WAS THE FIRST BUDGET CYCLE THAT BEGAN IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIORITY-BASED BUDGETING. IT IS HOPED THIS TOOL WILL PROVIDE THE ABILITY TO MOVE AWAY FROM INCREMENTAL AND LINE ITEM BUDGETING AND THE PROGRAM REVIEW ALLOCATING RESOURCES WHERE THEY HAVE THE LARGEST IMPACT. IT WILL TAKE TIME FOR THE CITY TO BECOME EXPERTS WITH THIS TOOL, HOWEVER, THE POTENTIAL IS THERE TO HAVE MORE VALUABLE DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN POLICYMAKERS AND STAFF, MAKE MORE INFORMED DECISIONS AND BETTER EDUCATE OUR PUBLIC ON HOW THE CITY IS USING THEIR TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
WITH THE BRIDGE STRATEGY GUIDING OUR FORECAST FOR AVAILABLE RESOURCES, STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AS ESTABLISHED IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN IN 2018 GUIDED THE ALLOCATION OF THOSE RESOURCES. LET'S EXAMINE HOW THE PROPOSED BUDGET IN VIEW OF OUR STRATEGIC
[00:05:02]
PRIORITIES. GOVERNING TRANSPARENTLY AND INCLUSIVELY.DUE TO NO INCREASE FROM OUR WATER PROVIDER, NORTH TEXAS MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT, THE CITY WILL BE ABLE TO LOWER THE WATER BILL FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR FOR THE AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER USES APPROXIMATELY 7500 GALLONS PER MONTH AND WILL SEE A DECREASE OF $3.18 PER MONTH, EQUIVALENT $1.05 ON THE PROPERTY TAX RATE. THIS MEETS GOAL 1.5, MAINTAIN EQUITABLE AND COMPETITIVE TAX RATES, FEES AND SERVICE CHARGES.
IN ADDITION WE ARE PROPOSING TO REDUCE THE TAX RATE TO MEET THE EFFECT.
MORE ON THAT LATER. ENSURING A SAFE COMMUNITY. BEING SAFE AND FEELING SAFE ARE IMPORTANT COMPONENTS THAT ENSURING A SAFE COMMUNITY. IN 2019 WE ADDED NINE FIREFIGHTERS TO FULLY STAFF FIRE STATION NUMBER FOUR BUILT IN 2005.
IN 2020 WE ADDED EIGHT NEW POLICE OFFICERS TO ADDRESS AND INCREASING RESPONSE TIME ON PRIORITY ONE CALLS. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 CITY COUNCIL FELT IT NECESSARY Ã FELT IT IMPERATIVE TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICER TO OUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
PART-TIME EMPLOYEE IN THE CRIMINAL CASTIGATION DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO FULL-TIME STATUS. STRENGTHENING NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY TO BEGIN NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY TOUCHES THE LIVES OF ROWLETT CITIZENS WHERE THEY SEE IT MOST, THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. FROM LAND USE DECISIONS TO CODE ENFORCEMENT TO LOOSE DOGS, OUR RESIDENTS SEE THE IMPACT OF THE BUDGET HAS A LOT TO EXCITE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
BECAUSE OF THE 2019 BOND ELECTION, WE WILL BE ABLE TO FINISH PHASE 2 NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS FOR COUNTRY ESTATES. THIS IS ON TOP OF PROJECTS RECENTLY COMPLETED IN HIGHLAND MEADOWS. IN ADDITION, TO THE 5 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FROM THE 2018 BONDS FOR ALLEYWAY IMPROVEMENTS WHICH WILL BOOST SPENDING AND NEIGHBORHOODS ALL OVER THE CITY. THESE PROJECTS ARE IMPORTANT FOR STRATEGICAL 3.1 VALUE TO EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS. ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE.
WHILE IT OFFERS MANY AMENITIES TO OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. GOAL 4.2 CREATE A DESTINATION PARK SYSTEM IS THE BIGGEST WINNER IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET ADDING $800,000 FOR TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS.N ADDITION WITH THE NEW SAPPHIRE DAY PROJECT SOUTH OF I 30, THE CITY WILL BE ABLE TO ENHANCE GOAL 4.1 TO SEEK AND IMPLEMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND PUBLIC ACCESS TO LATE RAY HUBBARD. FOSTERING ECONOMIC VITALITY.
ROWLETT HAS A VIBRANT GROWING ECONOMY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SAPPHIRE BAY BECOMING ANOTHER REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTOR. DIGITALLY SAPPHIRE BAY WILL BE MORE THAN DESTINATION, IT WILL BE AN EXPERIENCE THROUGH THIS PROJECT SOUTH OF I 30 AND DEL ROCK ROAD WILL ADD 1 BILLION IN NEW INVESTMENT AND CONTAIN A WORLD-CLASS FACILITY, RETAIL EXPERIENCE AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES WE HAVE LONG DESIRED. SPECIFICALLY SAPPHIRE BAY INCLUDES A CRYSTAL LAGOON AND SHOW FOUNTAIN THAT WAS THE BACKBONE TO OUR ORIGINAL VISION FOR THE PROPERTY AS WELL AS THE MARINA. AN IMPORTANT MODIFICATION FROM PREVIOUS PLANS MOVES THE CONFERENCE CENTER AND RESORT TO END THE CENTER OF THE PROJECT TO GET A GREAT CHANGE.
SAPPHIRE BAY RECENTLY LAUNCHED ITS LIVE WEB CAMERA WOULD YOU CAN ACCESS IT ON OUR WEBSITE@ROWLETTONTHEMOVE.COM. INVESTING IN TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
SEVEN YEARS AGO THE CITY DEVELOPED THE THREE YEAR BOND PROGRAM RESULTING IN SUCCESSFUL BOND ELECTIONS IN 2015 AND 2018 THEY RAISED 85.7 MILLION FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
LIKE EVERY COMMUNITY, ROWLETT CONTINUES TO HAVE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS TO MEET BOTH CURRENT AND FUTURE DEMAND. IN ADDITION, ROWLETT NEEDS TO BEGIN BUILDING ITS FINAL FACILITY CONFIGURATION LIKE CITY HALL, PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING, LIBRARY, FOR ITS BUILDOUT TO ADDRESS THESE NEEDS, THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH CITY STAFF AND ENGINEERINGCONSULTANTS TO DEVELOP A RECOMMENDED SLATE OF PROJECTS WITH CITY COUNCIL REVIEW LATER THIS YEAR FOR AN UPCOMING BOND ELECTION .
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET, IT ALSO INCLUDES RIGHT TURN LANES AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS FOR HALF A MILLION , FOR AN IMPROVEMENTS TO WATER AND SEWER FACILITIES FOR $7 MILLION REPRESENTING GOAL 4.7 AND 6.A. PROMOTING OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE.
WE CANNOT FORGET WE ARE A SERVICE ORGANIZATION. STAFF ORIGINALLY REQUESTED 35 FTES IN FISCAL YEAR 2021 TO ADJUST EXISTING NEEDS AND PREPARE FOR UPCOMING CHALLENGES. IN THE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSAL ON AUGUST 4 CONTAINED REDUCTION OF THREE FTE BUT AFTER TWO BUDGET SESSIONS, COUNCIL FELT IT WAS NECESSARY TO ADD ONE POLICE OFFICER AND TO INCREASE A PART-TIME CLERK TO FULL-TIME ADDING BACK 1.5 FTE.
NOW SWITCHING GEARS A LITTLE BIT TO THE PROPOSED TAX RATE. TRUTH AND TAXATION.STATE LAW
[00:10:05]
REQUIRES A PUBLIC HEARING IF THE PROPOSED TAX RATE EXCEEDS THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE OR THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, WHICHEVER IS LOWER. WE ACTUALLY HELD TO WITH THIS WOULD BE IN THE SECONDARY FIRST ONE WAS ON AUGUST 18 AND THIS IS THE SECOND ONE TOOK NUMBER 14 BEING HELD AT CITY HALL. THE MEETING TO ADOPT A TAX RATE WILL BE TOMORROW SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 FOR THE VIRTUAL MEETING. NOW TO REVIEW THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 TAX RATES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 NO NEW REVENUE RATE .74057. THAT IS THE RATE NEEDED TO RAISE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAX REVENUES AS WAS RAISED LAST YEAR FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 VOTER APPROVAL RATE 0.79 357 IS THE RATE NEEDED TO RAISE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAX REVENUE +8 PERCENT, WHICH IS POSSIBLE DUE TO THE DISASTER PROVISION BEING IN EFFECT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 NOTICE RATE 0.745, 000 IS THE RATE INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER AND ONLINE FOR THIS IS THE MAXIMUM RATETHAT CAN BE ADOPTED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 .IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 PROPOSED RATE 0.745, 0003 THAT IS A TAX RATE INCLUDED IN THE CITY MANAGERS PROPOSED BUDGET AS REVISED. WHAT IS THAT PROPERTY TAX GET YOU? ROWLETT CITIZENS ARE GETTING GREAT GREAT VALUE FOR THEIR INVESTMENT. IT COMES TO $1863 AND CITY TAXES PAID ON THE HOME $250,000 HOME. THAT IS ONLY $5.10 PER DAY. THIS IS AN INTERESTING CHART WHAT YOU CAN GET FOR $5.10 A DAY. THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN GET THE LESSON $5.10 A DAY, BUT IF YOU WANT THE SPICY POPEYES CHICKEN SANDWICH COMBO, YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK BECAUSE THAT COSTS MORE. $6.99.VALID CITIZENS ARE TRULY GETTING A GREAT VALUE. AS MENTIONED EARLIER, A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES REPLACED BEFORE THE COUNCIL ON THE CITY MANAGER PRESENTED HIS PROPOSED BUDGET ON AUGUST 4 HERE ARE THE TWO LARGE ISSUES THAT HAD TO BE SOLVED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 OH $734,000 REVENUE SHORTFALL IN CONTRACTUAL INCREASES IN THE CITIES PORTION OF THE SAFER GRANT WOULD COMBINED THIS MEANS WE HAVE THE SOFTWARE 1.6MILLION FISCAL YEAR 2021 , NOT EASY TO DO IN THIS PANDEMIC ENVIRONMENT. UTILIZING THE BRIDGE STRATEGY DISCUSSED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS PRESENTATION, THE CITY MANAGER COMPILED A LIST OF OPTIONS TO ADDRESS THE FORECAST SHORTFALL AND INCORPORATE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMATIC REDUCTIONS IN THE AUGUST 4 PROPOSED BUDGET IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SERVICES AS BEST AS POSSIBLE WHILE RETAINING RESOURCES TO THE IMPACTS THE COVID-19 STRETCH BEYOND FISCAL YEAR 2021.
UNDER TWO BUDGET WORK SESSIONS, CITY COUNCIL DECIDED ON THE PACKAGE OF UPDATES TO THE ORIGINAL BUDGET PROPOSAL LEVERAGING INCREASED PROPERTY TAXES FROM FINALIZED PROTESTS.
HIS PACKAGE WAS ABLE TO LOWER THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BY 1.2 173 CENTS AND STILL ADD ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THE BUDGET TO PROVIDE INCREASED SERVICES TO RELAPSE.
THOSE REVISIONS MADE SINCE AUGUST 14 CITY MANAGERS PROPOSED BUDGET ARE ONE ADDITIONAL CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM POLICE OFFICER, ONE ADDITIONAL VEHICLE FOR SAID OFFICER AND INCREASING POLICE DEPARTMENT CID CLERK FROM PART-TIME TO FULL-TIME, ADDING ANNUAL IT DISASTER BACKUP AND STORAGE PLAN, ADDING ANNUAL ROWLETT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION ACTIVE IN DISASTER FUNDING, REINSTATING CONCRETE PAVEMENT REPAIR PROGRAM FUNDING, ADDING FUNDING FOR HIGHWAY 66 MEDIAN MAINTENANCE CONTRACT AND ADDING SUNDAY FOR HIGHWAY, ADDING FUNDING FOR PLANT REPLACEMENTS, INCREASING THE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE BUDGET.
REDUCING PROPERTY TAX RATE TO P0.745 000, INCREASING PROPERTY TAX BUDGET, ILLUMINATING THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER POSITION, ELIMINATING CAPITAL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM FUNDING, ELIMINATION OF THE SALVATION ARMY, UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM , REDUCING THE TRANSFER OF THE SECURITY FUND FOR THE SALVATION ARMY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE GENERAL FUND BUT THE CITIZENS OF ROWLETT WILL STILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE ASSISTANCE TO THE
[00:15:03]
PROGRAMS TO OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.TO DIVE INTO THE ACTUAL NUMBERS FOR EACH OF THE FUNDS. THESE ARE THE DIFFERENCES AS PRESENTED AUGUST 4 AS PART OF THE BOOK BUDGET AND WHAT IS BEING PRESENTED HERE TODAY FOR THE COMBINED BUDGET ORIGINALLY HAD REVENUES OF 143.5 MILLION AND EXPENSES OF 143.4 MILLION AND WE NOW HAVE REVENUES 144.4,000,144.0 MILLION. JUST FOR THE GENERAL FUND, REVENUES ORIGINALLY AS PRESENTED 47.0 MILLION AND EXPENSES OF 47.8 MILLION.
WE ARE NOT PRESENT IN REVENUES OF 47.6 MILLION AND EXPENSES OF 48.1 MILLION.
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND, REVENUES OF 3.2 9 MILLION AND EXPENSES OF 3. ÃSORRY, 32.9 MILLION AND EXPENSES OF 32.9 MILLION AND NOW CAPITAL PROJECTS REVENUES OF 33.1 MILLION AND EXPENSES OF 33.1 MILLION. WE ALSO HAVE CHANGES TO THE DEBT SERVICE FUND REVENUES 11.7 MILLION AND EXPENSES OF 11.9 MILLION IS PROPOSED REVENUES OF 11.9 MILLION AND EXPENSES OF 11.9 MILLION HEAR THE REFUGE FUND WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED AT 6.5 9 MILLION IN REVENUES AND SIX TOP FIVE 3 MILLION AND EXPENSES. IT'S NOT SIX TOP 5 MILLION REVENUES AND EXPENSES ARE SIX TOP FIVE 4 MILLION. ALL OTHER GOVERNMENTAL FUND REVENUES FROM 2.7 3 MILLION AS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED WITH THE EXPENSES OF 3.0 MILLION.
NOW REVENUES 2.7 A MILLION AND EXPENSES 3.0 MILLION. POSITIONS ORIGINALLY ASKED PROPOSED 466.75. NOW 465.7. THAT FTE INCLUDES A 4.8 FTE REDUCTION IN THE COURT SECURITY FUND, WHICH IS WHY IT LOOKS STRANGE.
NEGATIVE 4.8 FOR THE COURT SECURITY FUND, 0.5 FOR THE CID AND HAVE TIME CLERK AND 1.0 FOR THE POLICE OFFICER IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE TWO. THROUGHOUT THE BUDGET PROCESS WE HAVE OFFERED MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO THE PUBLIC TO RECEIVE THEIR INPUT GETTING WITH THE CITY MANAGERS PROPOSAL AUGUST FOR PRINT A PHYSICAL COPY THE CITY MANAGER FISCAL YEAR 2021 PROPOSED BUDGET IS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT THE CITY MANAGERS OFFICE ON 4000 MAIN STREET AS WELL AS ROWLETT PUBLIC LIBRARY 3900 MAIN STREET.
A DIGITAL COPY IS AVAILABLE ON THE CITIES WEBSITE AND ROWLETT.COM.
TRULY ENTRANCE CURRENTLY COMMUNICATING OUR BUDGET TO THE COMMUNITY IS ONE OF OUR HIGHEST PRIORITIES. STAFF HAS PUT TOGETHER A WONDERFUL SHORT VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THIS BUDGET AND THE IMPACT THEY CAN EXPECT TO SEE.
LET'S WATCH IT TOGETHER. >> LET'S START WITH THE GOOD NEWS.
THE CITY MANAGERS 2021 PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES TWO BIG INITIATIVES THIS YEAR.
LOWERING OF THE TAX RATE BY ONE CENT AND LOWERING THE WATER RATE BY FIVE PERCENT.
HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS OF COVID-19 AND THE SUBSEQUENT ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN HAVE IMPACTED MULTIPLE REVENUE STREAMS OFTHE CITY. WE ARE EXPECTING REDUCED REVENUE IN FISCAL YEAR 2021 . FORTUNATELY, THE CITY OF ROWLETT IS LEVEL THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC OTHER THAN MANY CITIES WHO ALLOW MORE UPON TOURISM AND RETAIL FOR THIS YEAR'S PROPOSED BUDGET TAKES A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO MAINTAIN THE ORGANIZATIONS FINANCIAL STABILITY, PROVIDE VITAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO RECOGNIZE THE ECONOMIC STRESS COVID-19 HAS PLACED ON OUR CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES. ABOUT 73 PERCENT OF OUR GENERAL OPERATING REVENUE COMES FROM TAXES THAT INCLUDE PROPERTY AND SALES.HE OTHER MONEY COMES FROM REVENUE SUCH AS FRANCHISE FEES, LICENSES, PERMITS AND FINDS.
FROM EVERY TAX DOLLAR PAID, JUST OVER 1/4 GOES TO THE CITY OF ROWLETT IN ABOUT HALF THE ENTIRE BILL GOES TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021, THE TOTAL PROPOSED BUDGET IS 143.$4 MILLION THROUGH THE CITY MANAGERS PROPOSED BUDGET INITIALLY RECOMMENDED LOWERING THE TAX RATE BY ABOUT ONE CENT, HOWEVER, AFTER CONCLUDING THE BUDGET WORK SESSION, THE CITY COUNCIL DETERMINED TO LOWER IT EVEN FURTHER TO A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $0.7450 PER $100 ASSESSED VALUATION. ANOTHER EXCITING PROPOSAL IS A REDUCTION IN YOUR WATER BILL FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW. A FIVE PERCENT WATER RATE REDUCTION, WHICH WILL SAVE YOU AROUND $3.18 PER MONTH. THESE REDUCTIONS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP US RESIDENTS WITH THE FINANCIALIMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC , HOWEVER, ADOPTING TAX RATE COMES AT A COST. THE PROPOSED BUDGET POSITIONS AND DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY RACES.
[00:20:19]
IN ADDITION IT DOES INCLUDE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS TO SOME PROGRAMS WHILE PRESERVING THE SERVICES UPON WHICH OUR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES MOST DEPEND.THE PROPOSED BUDGET TAKES INTO ACCOUNT AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND ALLOCATES REVENUES TO THE HIGHEST STRATEGIC PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE CITY STRATEGIC PLAN.
TO ENSURE A SAFE COMMUNITY, WE INCREASED THE CITIES PORTION OF A GRANT TO HIRE MORE FIREFIGHTERS TOTALING $345,018 AND A FINAL ALLOCATION FOR BUILDING A NEW FIRE STATION FOR 3.$1 MILLION. ALSO ADDED ONE ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICER TO ENHANCE THE POLICE INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR DISTRICT AND NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY, WILL BE ABLE TO FINISH PHASE 2 FOR LAKE COUNTRY ESTATES AND 2.$5 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THE 2018 BONDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH WILL BOOST SPENDING IN NEIGHBORHOODS WITH CITY.
THE PARK SYSTEM IS A BI WINNER IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET. TO ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE, WE ARE ADDING $100,000 FOR IMPROVEMENTS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST IN TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE, THE WHITENING FROM DOW ROCK TO MILLER AN ADDITIONAL RIGHT TURN LANE THROUGHOUT ROWLETT AND IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR WATER AND SEWER FACILITIES. THE SECOND AND FINAL PUBLIC HEARINGS ON BOTH THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND THE TAX RATE WILL BE HELD DURING THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14.
CITY COUNCIL WILL THEN VOTE TO FORMALLY ADOPT THE PROPOSED BUDGET DURING THE REGULAR CITY COUNCILMEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 . IF ADOPTED THE NEW TAX RATE WOULD BECOME EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2020. FOR FULL DETAILS ABOUT THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 PROPOSED BUDGET AND TO SUBMIT A SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS,
LEASE VISIT THE CITIES WEBSITE@ROWLETT.COM. >> THAT IS THE END OF MY PRESENTATION.ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET HEARING AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC TAX SECOND HEARING ON THE PUBLIC TAX RATE. I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND COUNCIL THEY MUST TAKE ACTION FOLLOWING THE BUDGET HEARING IN ORDER TO POSTPONE THE ADOPTION OF THE
BUDGET UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, ROBERT. AND THANK YOU WENDY.
WHAT A GREAT JOB THIS YEAR ON THE BUDGET AND BRIAN AND THE ENTIRE FINANCE STAFF.
GOOD PRESENTATION TONIGHT. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. DREW DID ANOTHER WONDERFUL JOB IN THE BUDGETVIDEO. SO WE GREATLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THAT.
AT THIS TIME GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 2A, CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 . IF ANYONE HAS ANY COMMENTS FOR THIS PUBLIC HEARING, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. LAURA, DID WE GET ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS VIA EMAIL? THE ANSWER TO THAT IS NO. AT THIS TIME I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.ND I WOULD ASK COUNSEL, WE NEED FORMAL ACTION TO POSTPONE THE VOTE TO ADOPT THE BUDGET UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT, TUESDAY TO SEPTEMBER 15, 2020. NEED A MOTION.
I'M NOT SEEING ANYTHING. JUST SPEAK LOUD. >> I MAKE A MOTION WE POSTPONE THE ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT SEPTEMBER 15TH.
>> MOTION, DO I HAVE A SECOND > I SECOND. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION, COUNSEL ? I CALLED THE VOTE. RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT PASSES 7/0. THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON AVALON TAX RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF ANYONE WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. AT THIS TIME I WILL CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING AND LOWER, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THIS ONE EITHER, RIGHT? WE DO NOT HAVE ANY FORMAL ACTION ON THIS ITEM. AND I DO WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC TO ANNOUNCE THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE WHEN WE WILL VOTE ON THE TAX RATE AND WE WILL DO THAT TOMORROW NIGHT SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 AND 7:30 P.M.. IT WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY AND DO THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND THE CONFORMAL SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS, IT WILL BE HELD VIA TELECONFERENCING THE PUBLIC CAN VIEW THIS ON THE CITIES WEBSITE OR VIA RT AND 16 . AND THEY CAN PROVIDE COMMENT IN THE MEETING FOR TOMORROW NIGHT? OR BY 3:30 P.M. OKAY. THAT IS NOT WHAT THE SAID.
SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE COMMENT ON THE TAX RATE, PLEASE EMAIL BY 3:30 P.M. TOMORROW.
IS THAT CORRECT, LAURA? OKAY. AND WITH THAT, COUNSEL,
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.