08-22-2018 Minutes SpecialMINUTES
COMMUNITY SPECIAL BUDGET
AUGUST i
A Special Community Budget Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of
Schertz, Texas, on August 22, 2018, at 6:30 p.m., at the Community Center North, 3501
Morning Drive Schertz, Texas. The following members present to -wit:
Mayor Pro -Tem Scagliola Councilmember Mark Davis
Councilmember Ralph Gutierrez Councilmember Bert Crawford
Staff Present: Acting City Manager Brian James
Finance Director James Walters IT Senior Computer Support Engineer Eric
Haugen
City Secretary Brenda Dennis Assistant Police Chief Marc Bane
Assistant Fire Chief Kyle McAffee City Engineer Kathy Woodlee
PW Manager Doug Letbetter Client Services Tech Bryan Jackson
Library Director Melissa Uhlhorn Public Affairs Director Linda Klepper
HR and Purchasing Director Jessica Kurz EMS Director Jason Mabbitt
Director of Planning & Community Development Lesa Wood
Call to Order — Community Budget Presentation meeting
As there was a quorum of councilmembers present, Mayor Pro -Tem Scagliola called the meeting
to order at 6:31 p.m.
WELCOME / OVERVIEW:
• Presentation and discussion of the FY 2018 -19 Proposed Budget. (Staff)
• General discussion and questions.
Welcome
Mayor Pro -Tem Scagliola welcomed everyone this evening and recognized Acting City Manager
Brian James who introduced himself and had everyone in attendance also introduce themselves.
Mr. James provided a brief outline of how the evening's 2018 -19 proposed budget presentation
would unfold with an opportunity for questions and comments from the citizens.
Mr. James asked if anyone had any questions before the PowerPoint presentation began. There
was a question from Mr. Heyward who wanted Mr. James to go over the ugly part and what
would be the consequences if we don't go to the roll back rate of $0.5146.
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Mr. James reviewed and explained the breakdown of the City Tax, Sales tax and the permit fees,
to include water and sewer. He stated that the water and sewer rates are also going up as there is
a cost to provide services. He indicated that the big issue was the property tax. Mr. James
provided information regarding the General Fund revenues and expenses explaining each one.
Mr. James provided information regarding how the property tax is broken down. He went over
the tax rate to include what the effective, rollback, current and proposed maximum amounts
were.
Acting City Manager Brian James, Councilmembers and staff present continued to exchange
comments, suggestions, and questions. Some of the main items of interest are as follows:
• The City is still growing and there is a current need to complete the new fire station ( 93)
and the Police Department needs to start replacing some of their aging patrol vehicles.
• Recently the city has seen a decrease in certain revenues (i.e., municipal court fines)
while being faced with the continued rise of the overall cost for various services.
• Homestead exemptions (i.e., veterans, senior citizens) have steadily increased, thereby
decreasing that particular source of city revenue.
• Higher home values.
• Dependent on what council votes on, the taxes could increase slightly for this budget
year.
• Addressed how to fund positions if additional revenue is offset.
• Staff will have to continue to creatively think of more efficient ways to utilize our staff
and other resources. Options are to cross -train more employees, hiring of persons with
specific critical skill sets, continued repair and preventative maintenance practices for
vehicles, equipment, buildings, parks, roads /streets, etc.
To address Ms. Layton's question where our money was going Mr. James provided several slides
reflecting cost and fund allocations where the funds are expended.
Mr. James showed what items would be funded at the current rate and the rollback rate which
were some of the expanded programs requested from staff. He also indicated there were several
others that are not funded. He showed information on the no cost/cost neutral new programs that
are proposed for next year. Mr. James continued with answering other questions in general.
Mr. Bolter, who was in the audience, stated that he appreciates the city trying to get ahead of
items such as building maintenance, road repairs, parks maintenance etc. because this tells what
kind of City we are. We would also want the City to show us what progress we are making due
to the higher taxes we will be paying and, what the city is spending. Again, he is not opposed to
spending more money.
There were suggestions from the audience regarding recording these meetings and placing them
on the city website for those who may be interested and were not able to attend. Mr. James also
provided the audience with information regarding the upcoming employee budget meetings
which will on Friday, August 24, 2018. One will be held in the morning and one in the afternoon.
He also invited them and indicated that they could record those and place them on the website.
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For anyone interested in viewing the proposed budget, a copy is available in the City Secretary's
Office as well as viewing it online at www.schertz.com.
Adiournment
Mayor Pro -Tern Scagliola officially adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m.
Mayor Pro -T Scagliola
ATTEST:
Brenda Dennis, City Secretary
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