HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-29 Work SessionMINUTES OF A
WORK SESSION OF THE EULESS
CITY COUNCIL
July 29, 2023
A work session of the Euless City Council was called to order at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday,
July 29, 2023, at the Texas Star Golf Course and Conference Centre, 1400 Texas Star
Parkway, Euless, Texas, for the purpose of discussing the proposed annual budget and
related items for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
Those attending included:
Mayor Linda Martin
Mayor Pro Tern Eddie Price, Place 3
Council Member Tim Stinneford, Place 1
Council Member Jeremy Tompkins, Place 2
Council Member Perry Bynum, Place 4
Council Member Harry Zimmer, Place 5
Council Member Tika Paudel, Place 6
City Manager Loretta Getchell
Deputy City Manager Chris Barker
Assistant City Manager Wes Rhodes
City Secretary Kim Sutter
Finance Director Janina Jewell
City Manager Getchell provided an overview of the budget and advised that the proposed
budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than last year's budget by $2,493,799
or 10.16%, and of that amount, $261,050 is tax revenue to be raised from new property
added to the tax roll this year.
City Manager Getchell advised that the property tax rate is proposed to decrease by one
quarter cent to $0.4575 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The proposed rate is lower
than the voter -approval rate, which is $0.463168 cents. She reviewed the tax rate history
for the City, including the maintenance and operations and debt components of the tax
rate.
City Manager Getchell presented highlights of the proposed budget, including the addition
of new personnel (School Resource Officer, Public Service Officer, Public Works
Inspector, Animal Control Officer, and an Assistant Conference Center Manager currently
employed through contract labor), amendments to the pay plan to maintain a skilled
workforce and remain competitive, and increases to the water and wastewater rates with
a proposed increase to the rate stabilization rebate.
Council Member Bynum expressed his concern that the addition of only one School
Resource Officer (SRO) was not adequate. City Manager Getchell advised that the
school district makes the request to the City and has not requested additional SRO's.
Budget Worksession Minutes Page 2 of 3 July 29, 2023
City Manager Getchell advised that an increase in water and wastewater rates will be
necessary to fund the Trinity River Authority (TRA) rate increase for water and wastewater
treatment. The proposed increase of $1.00 to the base rate for water and also wastewater
is a direct pass -through of the increase from TRA. The TRA is citing an increase in
operational costs. A proposed rebate of 50 cents per thousand gallons of water used to
a maximum of 15,000 gallons per month is included for single-family residential
customers. No change is recommended to the drainage rate this year.
City Manager Getchell advised of a change to the property tax roll related to the Oak Park
Apartment complex as it was recently purchased by Cameron County Housing Authority.
She has requested the City Attorney to review the legality of the exemption.
City Manager Getchell reviewed the City's tax rate history, average home value and
proposed tax rate impact (including senior freeze), and presented a comparison of the
City's tax rate, including exemptions with neighboring cities.
In response to a question from Council Member Tompkins, Finance Director Janina
Jewell advised that 2,997 property tax accounts receive the senior freeze, and she would
need to research to determine the average age of homeownership in the City as well as
the number of "65 or older" accounts.
City Manager Getchell reviewed the proposed general fund expenditures and advised
that staff is currently evaluating an increase in fees for permits and other City services.
The proposed fees were provided to the City Council. Additionally, she advised that it is
necessary to evaluate facility needs within the next five to 10 years.
City Manager Getchell reviewed the car rental tax fund and advised that she is proposing
to increase the reserve level from $2 million to $4 million due to increased reliance on the
funding for general government operations.
Deputy City Manager Barker reviewed the recommended Capital and Supplement
projects for fiscal year 2024.
City Manager Getchell reviewed the meeting schedule for August 2023.
Deputy City Manager Barker reviewed that status of the West Pipeline Road project, the
Fuller Well, and the Parks at Texas Star (PATS) North office. Additionally, he advised of
upcoming zoning cases.
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council convened into closed session at 1:34 p.m. for deliberation regarding the
following:
The purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property as authorized by Section
551.072 of the Texas Government Code related to:
Budget Worksession Minutes Page 3 of 3 July 29, 2023
• Cresthaven Addition
• Midway Park Addition
Concerning economic development as authorized by Section 551.087 of the Texas
Government Code related to:
• Discussion or deliberate regarding commercial or financial information that the City
has received from business prospects that the City seeks to have locate, stay, or
expand in the City and with which the City is conducting economic development
negotiations; deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business
prospect.
• Watercolor
Mayor Martin recessed closed session at 1:41 p.m.
Mayor Martin adjourned the worksession at 1:42 p.m.
Adjourned at 1:49 p.m.
PREPARED BY:
J
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er, TRMCIVICC, CC
City Secretary/Chief Governance Officer