ccswks 08-04-1988
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 4/ 1988
The Schertz City Council convened in Special Workshop Session,
Thursday, August 4, 1988, at 7:88 p.m. in the Conference Room of
the Municipal Complex,149S Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The
following members were present: Mayor Earl W. Sawyer, presiding;
Earl Hartzog; Ray Stanhope; Adolph Aguilar and Ken Greenwald.
Absent: Hal Baldwin. Staff present were Interim City Manager
Steve Simonson and City Secretary June G. Krause.
11 BUDGET WORKSHOP:
Mr. Simonson advised that when doing research in the area of
Municipal Court fines and checking with sister cities and past
income levels, that there is reason to believe this item could be
raised substantially to $489,000. He said he and Inter im Chief
Starr have researched and found that based on an average of
tickets plus the average number of fines times the number of
officers, this figure is one half of what could be possible.
This would be a very realistic figure for a city of this size.
Mr. Simonson said he had gone into the reasons why it was so low
in the past and he now believes he would be on firm ground. We
are not talking quotas for the officers; however if you take the
number of officers and they were to average only five tickets per
shift per man times the average fine, it would come up to over
$899,900. However we all know that there are tickets that are
thrown out for various reasons and some that you cannot collect.
There is not quota intended or implied. With proper supervision
and management, this is not an unrealistic figure. One other
item involved is proper training.
Mr. Simonson said another item of revenue change would be in pet
impoundment. When asked if he was talking about raising fees,
Mr. Simonson said no that he was talking about talking with the
Judge to see why so many impoundment tickets are thrown out.
Mr. Stanhope asked about the lease payment to CCMA, think~ng that
the City signed the agreement with them to take back the property
and release us from this payment. Mr. Simonson explained that
that agreement was never reached and signed.
Mr. Hartzog questioned the increase in pool passes and gate
admission and Mr. Simonson said there would be no increase in
rates just better management.
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Mr. Hartzog then asked about the figure for Emergency Management,
and if the money came from the State. Mr. Melton said yes, that
we get about $10,100 a year on this.
Mr. Hartzog asked about the Tax I&S forward amount. Mr. Simonson
said he would like for Mr. Thorpe to come to a meet ing and 0
explain that to Council.
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After more discussion on various items of the budget, Mr. Aguilar
said that with the whole budget they were still looking at only
about 2% increase, which was not bad.
Mr. Simonson said that all department heads have been advised to
cut back on this year's budget where possible - to conserve as
much as possible without cutting out services.
Mr. Greenwald mentioned that franchise fees are a little lower
and Mr. Simonson said he was trying to be conservative. Mr.
Greenwald then asked about the sales tax figure. Mr. Simonson
advised that the figure in the new budget is up about $10,99S
from last year.
Mr. Aguilar mentioned that on the 9-1-1 system, he remembered it
being said that if it does not cost as much as anticipated, they
would reduce the fees on individual telephone bills.
When questioned about revenue sharing, Mr. Simonson advised that
there would be no more and is being used up this year according
to law.
Mr. Simonson advised that we are running into a little more
expense than was planned in enlarging the dispatch area to allow
for 9-1-1 system. The electric panel was not big enough and had
to be enlarged.
Mr. Aguilar ..aed if we have spent less that the '87-88 budget,
is that a plus. Mr. Simonson at the moment it just means we will
be less in the hole.
Mayor Sawyer then went over the '88-89 budget by department,
asking Council if they had any suggested changes.
Council had some questions about some departmental line items but
made no major changes in the figures.
Mayor Sawyer called for a short recess at 8:16 p.m.
The Special Meeting was reconvened at 8:22 p.m.
Mr. Simonson mentioned when Council was discussing the Street
Department budget that this includes the addition of a mechanic
as requested. Mr. Stanhope asked if it also included money for
grass seed and fertilizer and was told that it includes for some.
Mr. Stanhope asked the same question when discussing the parks'
budget. Mr. Graham explained that with little rain early in the
year, it would have been throwing away money to fertilize. Mr.
Graham also explained that the BVYA line item was work they
requested to be done before BVYA takes over the fields.
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When Council reached the Capitol Improvements page in the budget,
Mr. Simonson said he believed we could get a little money for a
generator from the 9-1-1 people. The trench safety equipment is
a requirement mandated by law. This equipment will take care of
three separate crews at one time, according to Mr. Bierschwale.
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Mr. Hartzog asked if the portable paver could come out of bond
money and Mr. Simonson said it was possible; however we have been
really stretching our bond money. It will depend on Phase II of
our seal coating.
Mr. Hartzog said our self-insurance fund is growing and we have
had three wrecked cars. What are we using the self-insurance
money for. He said he would like to see at least three new
police cars in the budget.
Mr. Hartzog asked where the money for Jack Hays Boulevard
widening was located. Mr. Simonson said that money was in the
CDs. Mr. Hartzog said he would like to see that CD list
somewhere in the budget or audit.
Mr. Stanhope asked how much right of way the City was going to
have to purchase for the Jack Hays project. Mr. Simonson replied
that most are 58' x 50' corners and most of them will be donated.
There are possibly two pieces of property the City will have to
purchase.
Mr. Simonson directed Council back to the first page of the U
budget, saying the figure used for current taxes is based on a i
tax rate of .2576 and the current tax rate is .2470. Using this
tax figure and with the little additional revenue, he felt the
Council could put in a little increase in salaries for employees.
There being no further discussion at this stage, Mayor Sawyer
declared the meeting to be adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
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