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