HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/03/2014 - Special Minutes City CouncilMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
SEPTEMBER 3, 2014
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF BRAZOS
Present:
Nancy Berry, Mayor
Council:
Blanche Brick
Steve Aldrich
Karl Mooney
John Nichols
Julie Schultz
James Benham
City Staff:
Kelly Templin, City Manager
Chuck Gilman, Deputy City Manager
Tanya McNutt, Deputy City Secretary
Ian Whittenton, Records Management Coordinator
1. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present
With a quorum present, the Special Meeting of the College Station City Council was called to
order by Mayor Berry at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 in the Council Chambers
of the City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77842.
Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.
2. Public Hearin =. 1 re entation possible action and discussion on the. Cit of Cglle�e
Station 2014 proposed tax rate of $0.4525 per $100 assessed valuation resulting in an
increase in tax revenues.
Jeff Kersten, Assistant City Manager, provided a review of the proposed tax rate for the FY14-15
budget. The current effective tax rate is $.0425958 per $100 assessed valuation and the proposed
tax rate is $0.452500 per $100 assessed valuation. This is an increase of $0.026542 per $100
assessed valuation and is estimated to provide an additional $1.6 million in revenues. The
certified property valuation totaled $6.56 billion, which is a total increase of $330,622,559 or
approximately a 5.3% increase in value over last year. If adopted, the proposed tax rate per $100
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of assessed valuation would be 45.2500 cents and would provide 19.3053 cents for debt service
and 25.9447 cents for the general fund.
The Proposed Tax Rate Funds:
• Keeping up with growth
• Public Safety/Police
o Additional personnel and equipment for the Police Department.
— Traffic Patrol, Animal Control, and support positions
— Patrol cars, motorcycles, tasers
• Public Safety/Fire
o Additional personnel for EMS/Safety Officer program and for initial
staffing for new ladder truck
• Transportation/Mobility
o Additional street maintenance and repair funds, and initial funding for new
intelligent transportation system.
• Improved park facilities and equipment
• Competitive Pay and Benefits
o 3.5% average performance pay
o Continue Police Step Plan, Fire and Electric Plans
o Increase pay scale for sworn police and fire
Mr. Kersten summarized that the proposed budget and tax rate would allow the city to keep pace
with growth and be well positioned to meet increased service demands over the next several
years. Staff recommends approval.
At approximately 6:07 p.m., Mayor Berry opened the Public Hearing.
Richard Dusold, 4602 Oakmont, addressed the council with his concerns about what he feels is a
lack of transparency and a lack of clarity in the presentations from staff on the effect of the
proposed tax rate in real dollars. He challenged the council to not approve the proposed budget.
J. Michael Bozardt, 2409 Friar, spoke to the council on his concerns regarding the distribution of
the tax base among residents, students, and landlords. He also listed multiple taxes already
levied on the citizens by the city and other government agencies.
There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed at 6:13 p.m.
Mayor Berry announced that council will take a vote on the tax rate on September 22, 2014 in
Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
3. Adjournment.
MOTION: There being no further business, Mayor Berry adjourned the Special Meeting of the
City Council at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2014.
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ATTEST:
ry M s hhurr ity Secretary
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4.
Nancy Berry, Mayor
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