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Minutes August 5, 2004CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES August 5, 2004 After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas convened in a Special Called Work Session on Thursday, August 5, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room at City Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Brock, Mayor Pro Tem McNeill, Council Members Kamp, Montgomery, Mulroy, Redmon, and Thomson. ABSENT: None 1. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding the 2004-2005 Budget and the 2004-2009 Capital Improvement Program. Mike Conduff, City Manager, presented an overview regarding the development of the budget. Kathy DuBose, Assistant City Manager of Fiscal and Municipal Services, presented the details of the budget proposal. · The General Fund reserve level would be increased to 13.50%. · The sales tax would be projected at a 7.5% growth. · The 2004-05 tax rate was proposed at $.57765, which was a $.0295 increase. · Compensation - a 3% cost of living adjustment for non-civil service employees and a 3% cost of living adjustment and normally scheduled step increases for Civil Service employees. · Public Safety issues included the building of a public safety training facility, the collection for emergency medical services, the opening of Fire Station #7 with associated increase in personnel and replacement vehicles for the Fire Deparanent, the funding for school crossing guards, funding for anticipated public safety retirements, and replacement vehicles for the Police Department. · TIP Strategies Process was included at a cost of $144,000 for an image and branding survey, and brand image and marketing with one half to be paid out of the general fund and half to be paid out of the utility fund. · Library services included 10 new positions and operation/maintenance costs for the reopening of the Emily Fowler Library. · Human Services contributions were recommended for a 3.3% increase. · Streets would continue to be a budgetary consideration with a consideration for a street maintenance fee dedicated solely to street maintenance. · Parks and Recreation capital projects included Lake Forest Park with 2 field service worker positions delayed and the landscape architect position delayed in this budget year. The Civic Center fee structure was proposed to be changed. A trash compactor track was proposed to be added. Currently the parks were maintained at a service level below established standards for park maintenance, recreation center hours would continue to operate at a reduced 5 hours per week with capital project management and development delayed. · The airport would continue with the new terminal building project, the taxiway realignment/terminal apron and the environmental assessment and engineering of a 1500 foot runway extension. City of Denton City Council Minutes August 5, 2004 Page 2 Council Member Mulroy left the meeting. · Other services included the capital improvement election, LINK, impact fee program and the neighborhood empowerment program. · Hotel Occupancy Tax funding for 2004-05 was projected at 1% over current revenues. Council Member Mulroy returned to the meeting. · The Aquatic Center was projected to have a net deficit of $372,141 for next year. Major issues for 2004-05 included implement'mg expanded and new programs; emphasis on marketing and sponsorships; no increase in admission fees; staff salaries and benefits increase; utility ECA rate increase; energy conservation; maintenance cost increase and hiring delays. · Solid Waste issues centered on residential rate decrease of $.45 per month for bag service; residential curbside recycling rate increase of $.92 per month; projected bond sale of $1.55 million and a decrease of 6 FTE's. · Electric issues included no base rate increase; electric ECA budgeted at $.051/KWH for st the 1 quarter and $.044/KWH for the remaining of the year; an increase of.5 FTE. · Water issues centered on no retail rate increases; projected bond sale of $2.6 million; and an increase of 8.5 FTE's. · Wastewater issues included a rate increase of 9%; no bond sale projected for 2004-05; and an increase of 1 FTE. · Utility transfers were described includ'mg remm on investment, administrative transfers and franchise fees. · The Capital Improvement Program included the implementation of a citizens advisory committee, a February 5, 2005 election for $28 million worth of bonds. · The remaining budget calendar was discussed. An additional meeting was scheduled for August 16th starting at 7:30 a.m. Council discussed prior drainage debt and the method in which the prior debt was placed in the budget. With no further discussion, the meefmg was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. EULINE BROCK MAYOR CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS JENNIFER WALTERS CITY SECRETARY CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS