Minutes August 07, 2003CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 7, 2003
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council convened in a Special Called
Work Session on Thursday, August 7, 2003 at 8:30 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room at
City Hall.
PRESENT:
Mayor Brock; Mayor Pro Tern Burroughs; Council Members Kamp, McNeill,
Montgomery, and Thomson.
ABSENT: Council Member Redmon
1. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding the
2003-2004 Budget and the 2003-2008 Capital Improvement Program.
Kathy DuBose, Assistant City Manager for Finance, presented the details of the budget proposal.
Those included a no property tax rate increase; the current year's sales tax was estimated at 1%
under last year's actual; the FY 03-04 base sales tax was projected at 3% over the current
estimate; there would be no merit pay for employees (only Civil Service step plan increases) and
the reserve level would be maintained at 13%. DuBose presented appraisal roll comparisons for
the past 10 years.
Council Member Redmon arrived at the meeting.
Council discussion included anticipated sales tax with new stores opening; revenue to be
received from gas wells located in the city; and the employment situation in regards to the no pay
increases for two years.
DuBose indicated that staff was looking at ambulance service revenues with Argyle and Krum
and a change in inspection fees.
Council discussed the public works inspection fee, how it was determined and what the cost
would cover.
DuBose stated that the proposed budget included funding to purchase land and design a Fire
Department Training Facility. In addition, the Police Department had available bond money to
renovate the existing firearms facility. The CIP also included expansion of the jail facility and
the increase often crossing guards due to the change in the policy of bussing by the DISD. The
DISD paid for the crossing guards and were administered by the Police Department. She
continued with a review of the funding recommendations for human services agencies. She
detailed the Enhanced Local Assistance Program that would be 25% of the DCTA sales and use
tax collection generated from the city to be used for eligible transportation projects.
Council discussed the obligation by the DCTA for the assistance program.
DuBose reviewed the new FTA regulations regarding funding for the LiNK system, the
legislative efforts for rectifying the impact of the new regulations and proposed initiatives to
cover the overall cost of the service. The Airport continued to grow and DuBose reviewed the
grant projects associated with the Airport including taxiway realignment, taxiway lighting
system, a new terminal building and a terminal apron/auxiliary taxiway. There were several
service reductions that would be necessary with this budget. Those included a reduction in the
mowing cycle of the parkland property, a reduction in the recreation center hours and a deferring
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 7, 2003
Page 2
of the resurfacing of two tennis courts for one year. Personnel costs associated with the North
Branch Library would be delayed by using current personnel housed at the Fowler facility that
was closed for renovations and South Branch Library staff would supplement the rotation of
personnel assigned to Sunday service. The South Branch Library would no longer be open on
Sunday afternoons with only the North Branch Library open on Sunday afternoons.
Discussion by Council dealt with the mowing of park property; a publicity campaign as to the
reasons for the reductions; and a suggestion for local groups to "adopt a park" to assist with the
maintenance of the park property.
DuBose stated that the Council contingency accounts would be eliminated this year, there would
be no vehicle replacement and the outreach grant for the Books-to-Share Outreach Coordinator
would be recorded in the Youth Services Division of the Library Services Department.
Council discussion dealt with the elimination of the council contingency accounts and the
possibility of cutting the amount in half rather than total elimination of the accounts. City
Manager Conduff stated that staff would look at ways to provide funds for the contingency
accounts.
DuBose presented an overview of the Lalor Fund Committee's recommendation for funding of
the hotel occupancy tax funds. She detailed a breakdown of the proposed funding.
Council discussed the proposed funding allocations and the change in allocation policy.
DuBose detailed the proposed funding for the Aquatic Center and the Civic Center Pool. She
reviewed the major issues associated with the utility portion of the budget. There would be no
base rate increase in the electric rate and the ECA would be budgeted at $.035/KWH; water
would have no base rate increase, wastewater would have a retail rate increase of 4% and solid
waste would have a residential rate increase of $.70 for base service and commercial collection
service rate increases.
Following the completion of the Work Session, the Council convened in a Closed Meeting in the
City Hall Conference Room at City Hall.
1. The following was considered in Closed Meeting:
Deliberations Regarding Certain Public Power Utilities: Competitive Matters -
Under TEX. GOV'T. CODE Section 551.086.**
(1)
Received a presentation and information from Staff pertaining to the
Denton Municipal Electric ("DME") Proposed Annual Budget for the
Fiscal Year 2003-2004, consisting of competitive electric and commercial
information respecting the details of the present and future operational and
financial plans and strategies of DME; and discuss, deliberate, consider,
and provided Staff with direction regarding such matters.
City of Demon City Council Minutes
August 7, 2003
Page 2
Following the completion of the Closed Meeting, the Council participated in a luncheon with
WFAA Executives.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
EUL1NEBROCK
MAYOR
CITY OFDENTON, TEXAS
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS