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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-05 (Special Called Mtg) MINUTES OF A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE EULESS CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 5, 1995 CALL TO ORDER A Special Called Meeting of the Euless City Council was called to order by Mayor Mary Lib Saleh at 6:33 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 1995, in the Council Chambers. Those present included Mayor Mary Lib Saleh, Mayor Pro Tern Bobby Baker and Council Members Charles Miller, Todd Smith, Carl Tyson and Glenn Walker. Staff Members Present City Manager, Torn Hart; City Secretary Susan Crim; Assistant City Manager Joe Hennig; Finance Director Diana Ortiz; Jenny Kratz, Municipal Relations Coordinator; and Scott Campbell, Administrative Assistant. Visitors �•• Katie (Matzke) Edwards; Ray Saleh; Dawn Travis, Mid-Cities News. HOLD PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED 1995 PROPERTY TAX RATE Mayor Saleh opened a public hearing to hear input on the proposed 1995 Property Tax Rate. City Manager Tom Hart explained that because the budget worksession was held later than it normally is, the time schedule for meeting deadlines required this special meeting on the proposed tax rate. Mr. Hart stated that a balanced budget for FY1995-96 had been approved by the Council at the August 22, 1995 regular meeting, and the tax rate will be decreasing by one penny from .616 to .606. Mr. Hart indicated this will provide funds for some one-time projects this year, and next year these funds will be freed up because the city will be issuing bonds for some much-needed road projects. Mr. Hart summed up that the City is ending the fiscal year on a very positive note. Finance Director Diana Ortiz clarified that the public hearing was required by State law because the City exceeded the Notice of Hearing limit which is 3% over the effective tax rate. The increase proposed by the City is 7.90% over the effective tax rate. Mayor Saleh asked if there were any proponents who wished to address the Council. Mr. Ray Saleh, 1400 Driftwood Drive, thanked the City Council for the balanced budget and a tax decrease. Mr. Saleh said that he has lived in the City for 30 years and to the best of his recollection this is the first time the trend for increased tax rates has been reversed. COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 5, 1995 PAGE 2 `�-- There were no further proponents who wished to speak. Mayor Saleh asked if there were any opponents who wished to address the Council, and hearing none the public hearing was closed. Council Member Miller asked when the last time the tax rate was lowered. Assistant City Manager said that the tax rate was lowered by a fraction of a cent last year. Mayor Saleh said the City has come a long way in the last five years. The economy is improving because of our economic development efforts. Mayor Saleh said this year is probably the best year yet as far as extra projects completed in the City, due in part to increased sales tax revenue and staff meeting budget requirements. Mayor Pro Tem Baker commented that there were several one-time projects completed and money has been distributed to each department for these projects, including several police pursuit vehicles and a fire truck. Mayor Saleh asked if the City would be purchasing an extra pursuit vehicle to replace the one that was involved in an accident last week. Mr. Hart responded that an emergency purchase is being completed at the present time to replace that vehicle. Mr. Hart said Council will be asked to approve this emergency acquisition on their next regular agenda. ADJOURN �,. The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. APPROVED: cy0.4 CAIEL Mary Lib S leh, Mayor ATTEST: L.iii an Crim, ( MC, City Secretary \w pwi n\m i n u to s\9-5-95.m i n