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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1997-06-30 Minutes MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD IN THE CITY HALL, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 - JUNE 30,1997 - 6:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Brown called the work session to order June 30, 1997 at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Tommy Brown Byron Sibbet Lyle E. Welch Mack Garvin Frank Metts, Jr. JoAnn Johnson Don Phifer Cheryl Cowen Lyman Staff: C.A. Sanford Randy Shiflet Larry Cunningham Patricia Hutson Rex McEntire Larry Koonce Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilwoman Councilman Councilwoman City Manager Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Attorney Finance Director 2. DISCUSSION OF STATUS OF 1996-97 BUDGET The Finance Director briefed the Council on historical trends, the status of the 1996/97 budget and projections for the 1997/98 budget. He advised the 1996/97 adopted budget of revenues was 20.9 million dollars and the revenues have been reduced down to 20.7 million dollars. He reviewed the revenues received for the current fiscal year. He stated that 20.8 million dollars was budgeted in expenditures and Staff anticipated finishing the year at 20.7 million dollars in total expenditures. He stated that we will finish with a balanced budget for 1997 based on revenue and expenditure estimates that Staff has figured for the year-end. Mr. Koonce reviewed the trends of the general fund balance, the general fund history and the history of revenues and expenditures. He advised the general fund balance has grown from 2.8 million dollars in 1982 to 4.4 million dollars in 1996/97. He explained that included in the 4.4 million dollars were reserves of $500,000, making the available general fund balance 3.9 million dollars. He advised Staff anticipated property taxes, sales tax and franchise fees to increase the next fiscal year. He stated that TAD's preliminary roll of assessed values issued in May showed a 7% increase over City Council Work Session Minutes June 30, 1997 Page 2 1996 assessed values. He discussed the assessed property values and explained how Staff arrived at basing the property tax budget on 1.8 billion dollars for 1997/98. The property tax rate used for the proposed 1997/98 budget was 57¢ per $100 valuation. He reviewed in detail the projected property tax, sales tax and other revenue sources with the Council. Several Council members were concerned with being too aggressive in projecting the sales tax revenues. The Council discussed the sales tax history and projections. The City Manager advised the Council that the City has 275,478 square feet of buildings and facilities valued at 21.3 million dollars. The average age is 13 years. He stated that the Library, which was purchased in 1986, has had heavy use and the carpet is in need of repair. Also, the City will be facing replacing and repairing roofs, and replacing and repairing air conditioners. He stated that the City's fleet of vehicles was also getting older. Mr. Sanford stated the Council needed to set aside in reserves, funds to provide for the replacement and upkeep of the City's buildings and major equipment. He advised he will be recommending a tax increase for the reserve fund. He informed the Council that he would have figures for them to look at before the budget work session in August. Mayor Brown called a break at 6:55 p.m. The Mayor called the meeting back to order at 7:06 p.m. with the same members present. 2. DISCUSSION OF PRIORITIES AND TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR 1997/98 The Council discussed their travel for 1997/98. The Council discussed the Chamber, the dues the City pays to the Chamber, and the additional fees the Chamber charges the City to participate in its events. The consensus of the Council was that a limit should be set on what the City gives to the Chamber. Councilwoman Lyman stated a directive needed to be sent to the Chamber advising them that they will go through one person at the City for all their requests. The City Manager asked Council to advise of any priorities they might have so their priorities could be incorporated into the budget. The Mayor advised he would like to include the Teen Advisory Council in the budget in conjunction with the After School Program. He also wanted the street program to remain aggressive and money put into reserves. City Council Work Session Minutes June 30, 1997 Page 3 Councilman Welch advised he wanted more money designated for streets this year. Councilman Garvin advised he would support any tax increase needed for the reserve account. Councilman Metts advised he would like to see the decision packages submitted by the departments. Councilwoman Johnson advised she was in favor of the reserve fund proposed by the City Manager, but wanted to insure that any increase would only be going into the reserve fund. She also wanted to see the history activity included in the budget. Councilman Phifer wanted to see the street program continued aggressively. He concurred that reserves were necessary for prudent management, but he wanted Staff to look closely at the budget before Council raised taxes. Mayor Pro Tem Sibbet advised he also would like to look at the decision packages. He stated he was concerned with the decline in activity at the Mall, and he had not seen the type of aggressive moves he would like to see from them. He stated he wanted to keep it nuts and bolts as far as any additional spending to the streets, water system and equipment that maintains the programs. Councilwoman Lyman concurred with Councilman Phifer. She stated she felt the reserve fund for the upkeep of the City's assets was important, but would like to see the money come out of the budget if possible. She stated she supported the Teen Leadership program, but maybe scale it down so that it does not cost as much to fund initially. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Brown adjourned the work session. ATTEST: ~~ Tommy BrO\~;.Mfyor r:;JatvN~¿;IV~ Patricia Hutson - City Secretary