Minutes August 07, 1998CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL M1NUTES
AUGUST 7, 1998
The Council convened into a Work Session at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room at
City Hall.
PRESENT:
Mayor Miller; Mayor Pro Tem Beasley; Council Members Burroughs, Cochran, and
Kristoferson.
AB SENT: Council Members Durrance and Young
Kathy DuBose, Assistant City Manager for Finance, stated that public safety was an important
part of this budget. A property tax rate reduction was included in the budget that was self-
supporting. On-going expenses were balanced with recurring revenues.
Major issues of the proposed budget
1. General Fund Reserve Level - It was proposed to maintain the reserve level at 12.5% of total
expenditures. The fund balance would be used for one-time resources only and not for on-going
operations.
2. Sales Tax - Staff was proposing a projected 4% growth over the current year estimate.
3. Property Tax - The proposed property tax rate was $.05815 per $100 valuation which was a
1% reduction in the rate. The notice of tax revenue increase and the public hearing on tax
increase would not be required.
4. Pay Plan Adjustments - The following pay plan adjustments were proposed:
Civil Service - 11.5% increase with normal scheduled step increases
Non-civil service - 10% increase
Seasonal - 21.51% increase
These increases would bring Denton closer to market salaries in surrounding cities.
5. Public Safety
A. Police - With federal grants, Denton would be able to hire 9 new police officers
and purchase 8 mobile data computers. Other programs included a DISD School Resource
Officer, Dare/GREAT program enhancements, traffic enforcement enhancements, Emergency
Operations Center equipment and a Victim Information and Notice Everyday Grant.
B. Fire Department - Proposals for the budget in the area of the Fire Department
included: remodeling Central Fire Station, renovations to Fire Stations 3, 4, 5 and 6, new
equipment in the form of overhead door sensors, self-contained breathing apparatus, the
replacement of a 1975 snorkel, the ordering of a ladder truck to be delivered in 18 months with
staffing in FY 1999-2000, an early warning siren system, EMS training and Certification Program,
and the lease of mobile data computers to incorporate police and fire.
6. Information Services - a new Internal Service Fund was proposed to incorporate information
services and administrative service. The long-range technology strategy would be incorporated.
7. Planning and Development - Proposed new positions included a development review planner
and a comprehensive planner, funding was suggested to develop a growth management strategy
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August 7, 1998
Page 2
and to accelerate the completion of the comprehensive plan, increased fees were proposed for
plats, subdivisions, annexations and zoning.
8. Building Inspections - a new enterprise fund would include Building Inspections, Consumer
Health with an additional inspector and technology fee increases to cover expenses.
9. Human Services Contributions - It was proposed to budget above the Human Services
Advisory Committee's recommendation with an additional $41,910 requested and an additional
$6,000 for Denton County Child Advocacy Center.
10. Vehicles - Vehicle/equipment replacement criteria was established in 1994 and included high
mileage/hours, high maintenance cost and economic life. The proposed budget included funding
to replace 42 units and add 24 new units.
11. Facilities - This budget included proposals for a new air conditioning system at the Center for
the Visual Arts, an Emergency Operations Center, overhead door sensors at the fire stations, new
gym floors at Denia and North Lakes, and termite elimination at various facilities.
12. Drainage - The proposed budget would consolidate watershed management, align control of
operations and capital improvements, and would incorporate it into wastewater to be funded by
water and wastewater operations. Growth impact on current and projected revenue indicated
substantial earnings in the past few years and conservative budget estimates. This required no
rate increase by shifting three capital improvement projects to bond funding and cash net income
adjustment. Drainage also included an annual program evaluation with general fund assistance
and foregoing the rate on investment and franchise fee for implementation year. General
obligation CIP impact included more streets, more parks/library, and other capital projects.
13. Parks and Recreation - $3.79 million was needed in park capital improvement projects, a
bucket truck was necessary for changing ball field lights, the co-sponsorship of athletic programs
was proposed, a market analysis for park service fees was needed and the replacement of several
vehicles.
14. Expanded Recreational Facilities - North Lakes Park needed additional staff, utilities,
supplies and equipment, a new gym floor and sliding glass doors for therapeutic clients; Denia
needed additional staff, utilities, supplies and equipment, a new gym floor and a maintenance
position for new ball fields, McMath needed an athletic coordinator to supervise after-school
programs and equipment; the Senior Center needed new carpet and sliding glass doors and MLK
needed a 15-passenger van.
15. Human Resources - The proposed budget included off-site Civil Service testing and an
Employee Assistance Program.
16. Streets/Traffic - $4.6 million in transportation capital improvement projects was needed,
pavement marking was included in the proposed budget as was a public transit study. Equipment
needed included a subgrade and pavement recycler and a 1-ton dump-bed truck.
17. Library - Extended hours were proposed at the South Branch Library, more books and
materials were needed. Overtime pay for employees was also proposed in this budget.
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August 7, 1998
Page 3
18. Electric - There was no change in the base rates proposed for the next budget year.
$51,800,000 would be appropriated for reserve contingency. A 24-hour dispatch operations
system was proposed and enhanced customer service through computerized record keeping.
19. Water - A reorganization of the Utility Department was suggested with some functions of
water utility administration, finance administration, public communications, and customer service
included. No increase in the base rate was proposed. An increase in individual water taps and
meter connection fees was included. A $2.5 million bond sale was projected for two elevated
storage tanks and an accelerated schedule for the water plant expansion project.
20. Wastewater - This budget contained no increase in the base rate for wastewater services.
There would be a change in the winter averaging methodology, an increase in wastewater tap
fees, and an accelerated schedule for expanding the existing wastewater plant. The proposed
Hickory Creek project would reduce maintenance and prevent sewer line failure at five creek
crossings. The Wastewater budget also included the drainage budget.
21. Solid Waste - Solid Waste proposals included a materials recovery facility, new residential
and commercial pick-up routes, dumpster screening, a pilot project for construction site recycling,
and daily cover at the landfill. Rate changes included a decrease for 6 cubic yard compactors, an
increase for 30 cubic yard open-top containers, the landfill rates for Denton customers would
remain unchanged, a decrease in landfill rates to external customers, a charge added for
commercial bulky item pick-ups, and weight surcharges added to open-top containers.
22. Hotel Occupancy Tax Funding - The 1998-99 proposed allocation had $814,000 available
for appropriation, $72,700 in the reserves for the Shelby-Bayless House move, and considerations
by the City Council sub-committee.
Based on the presentations at this meeting, Council decided to cancel the budget session
scheduled for the following Friday.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
JACK MILLER, MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS