Minutes August 12, 1999 CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 12, 1999
The Council convened into a Special Called Meeting on Thursday, August 12, 1999 at 11:30
a.m. in the Council Work Session Room at City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Miller; Mayor Pro Tem Beasley; Council Members Burroughs, Cochran,
and Kristoferson
ABSENT: Council Members Durrance and Young
1. The Council received a report, held a discussion and gave staff direction regarding the
1999-2000 operating budget and the 2000-2004 Capital Improvement Program.
Jon Fortune, Director of Management and Budget, presented the 1999-2000 budget for Council
review. Major issues included:
General Fund Reserve Level – the proposal was to increase the reserve to 13% of total
expenditures. The Fund Balance would be used for one-time resources only and not for
recurring expenditures.
Sales Tax – a 5% growth was estimated over the current year estimate. Council discussed
whether or not to allow the sales tax amnesty weekend for next year. The budget might need to
be adjusted by approximately $75,000 to allow for the next three day weekend.
Property Tax – the proposed budget incorporated no change in the ad valorem tax rate of
$.50815 per $100 valuation. This would require a notice for tax revenue increase and a public
hearing on a tax revenue increase.
Park Fees – the Parks and Recreation Department’s revised revenue philosophy was presented to
the Council on June 22, 1999. The proposed budget included additional revenue generated by
increases to existing fees, as well as new user fees.
Animal Control Fees – the proposed budget included an increase in selected fees related to the
impoundment and disposition of animals.
Municipal Court Technology Surcharge – Senate Bill 601 allowed municipal courts to require
defendants, convicted of a misdemeanor offense, to pay a technology fee of $4. This revenue
would be deposited in a municipal court technology fund and would be used to finance
technological enhancements for the municipal court.
Public Safety Revenue – the proposed budget included an increase in fees related to funeral
escorts, security provided by off-duty officers at city activities and automobile impoundment.
Engineering Fees – the proposed budget included several increases to engineering fees and the
establishment of a traffic safety variance fee. The new Traffic Safety Variance fee was designed
to recover a portion of the costs associated with applications processed through the Traffic Safety
Commission.
Pay Plan – the proposed budget allowed for a market-based adjustment. Civil Service employees
would receive a 5% increase with normally scheduled step increases. Non-Civil Service
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August 12, 1999
Page 2
employees would receive a 2% across the board increase with a 0-4% increase for pay for
performance. TMRS would increase to 7% and Fire Pension would increase to 10%.
Public Safety – through federal grants, the Police Department would be able to hire three new
police officers, an automated notification system, 9 patrol bicycles, portable/mobile radios and
bullet proof vests. In the area of traffic enforcement, the proposed budget included an increase
funding for office overtime for the purpose of selective traffic enforcement. A Law
Enforcement Television Network Satellite Training System would provide a computer-based
training system that allowed officers to obtain required training hours on an individual bases on-
site. The proposed budget included funding for the replacement of 2 vehicles used by the
parking enforcement officers and three marked police units with mobile data computers. The
1999-2000 budget included funding for 15 additional firefighters, a dedicated truck company,
administrative office relocation and EMS Life paks.
Streets/Traffic - $100,000 would be allocated for a “pot-hole” sweep, public transit study
recommendations would be implemented in such areas as extending service hours, revising bus
routes, naming, and marketing. Equipment purchases proposed included a paint striper, a water
truck, motor grader, dump-bed truck and an air compressor.
Planning and Development – Funding was proposed to rewrite zoning code and subdivision
regulations, the publishing of the comprehensive plan once adopted, a stenographer for Planning
and Zoning and Zoning Board of Adjustment minutes, a development review planner and a code
enforcement officer.
Human Services Contributions – the proposed budget included contributions at the committee
recommended levels.
Parks and Recreation – a new park detail crew was recommended that would add 6 new
maintenance positions and allow for more frequent trimming, edging and litter removal and
included the purchase of 4 trucks and other miscellaneous equipment. Enhanced City
beautification was proposed with additional color plantings, plantings in high-visible impact
areas, median maintenance for Fort Worth Drive and Research Blvd. and a lease for the Keep
Denton Beautiful office. Various enhancements were budgeted for at the recreation centers and
expanded youth services.
Year 2000 Contingency - $500,000 would be reserved in the Risk Retention Fund for any
potential Y2K problems.
Capital Improvement Bond Election – the proposed budget included funding for the bond
election expenses.
Other Services – the proposed budget included funding for services at the Airport, Legal
Department, Municipal Court, Facilities Management, Accounting, Council contingency, and
Vehicles.
Council Member Durrance joined the meeting.
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August 12, 1999
Page 3
Recreation Fund – the proposed budget included funding to expand existing summer camps,
Kid’s Day Off and family special events.
Electric Summary – the proposed budget included no basic rate changes. The Energy Cost
Adjustment rate was also proposed to remain unchanged at $.02 per kilowatt hour. One full time
employee would be added. A new Operations and Dispatch Division would be created to
maintain better information regarding responding to customer trouble calls. A Return on
Investment/franchise fee of 3.5% was recommended.
Water Summary – the proposed budget included no base rate changes for retail customers. The
wholesale raw and treated water rates decreased slightly. A net increase of one full time
employee was recommended. Return on Investment/Franchise fee was projected at 3.5% and a
4% franchise fee payment to the General Fund.
Wastewater Summary – no base rate changes were proposed for wastewater retail customers in
1999-2000. No rate change was proposed for wholesale treated wastewater to Upper Trinity
Regional Water District. There was a proposed decrease of .5 full time employees. A new bio-
solids division would be created to identify and track the cost to manage bio-solids disposal.
Return on Investment/franchise fee would be 3.35% and a 4% franchise fee payment to the
General Fund.
Solid Waste – the proposed Solid Waste budget included no base rate changes, a net increase of
2.5 full time employees and a 4% franchise fee payment to the General Fund.
Hotel Occupancy Tax Funding - $866,000 was available for appropriation with $231,066 of
reserves being used. The City Council sub-committee had recommended funding expenditures.
Other Issues – Internal service funds, ambulance service to surrounding cities and health
insurance issues were detailed under this item.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
_________________________
JACK MILLER, MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
___________________________
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS