HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2022-09-08 Minutes MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS
HELD IN THE CITY HALL 4301 CITY POINT DRIVE
SEPTEMBER 8, 2022
SPECIAL MEETING
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order September 8, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Oscar Trevino Mayor
Rita Wright Oujesky Place 2
Suzy Compton Place 3
Mason Orr Place 4
Kelvin Deupree Deputy Mayor Pro Tern, Place 7
Absent: Tito Rodriguez Mayor Pro Tem, Place 1
Scott Turnage Associate Mayor Pro Tern, Place 6
Vacant: Place 5
Staff Members: Mark Hindman City Manager
Alicia Richardson City Secretary/Chief Governance Officer
Maleshia B. McGinnis City Attorney
A.1 INVOCATION
Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Deupree gave the invocation.
A.2 PLEDGE
Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Deupree led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and
Texas flags.
A.3 CITIZENS PRESENTATION
There were no requests to speak from the public.
A.4 PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no requests to speak from the public.
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B. PUBLIC HEARINGS
B.1 CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TAX YEAR 2022 (FISCAL YEAR
2022/2023) PROPOSED TAX RATE.
Mayor Trevino opened the public hearing and called on Director of Budget and Research
Trudy Lewis to present the item.
Ms. Lewis stated tonight's item is to conduct a public hearing on the Tax Year 2022 Tax
Rate. The tax rate will support the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 proposed budget. In
accordance with State law, the public hearing was advertised in the Fort Worth Star
Telegram and on the city's website. Public comments could be submitted through the
city's website, social media channels, via taxinfo@nrhtx.com, on Tarrant County's tax
• notification site, and in person tonight during the public hearing. The proposed tax rate
for Tax Year 2022 is $0.547972 per $100 of valuation. The proposed tax rate is a
decrease of $0.024212 or a 4.23% from the Tax Year 2021 adopted tax rate. The Tax
Year 2022 No-New-Revenue tax rate is $0.519595 and the Tax Year 2022 voter approval
tax rate is $0.547972 cents. The city's proposed tax rate this fiscal year is above the
No-New-Revenue tax rate, but does not exceed the Voter-Approval tax rate. The city
offers a number of exemptions to eligible residents that reduce the tax burden. The City
Council recently increased the homestead exemption from 15% to 20%. The average
homeowner will save $320.12 for Tax Year 2022 as a result of the city's 20% homestead
exemption (based on average taxable value of $233,379). The city also offers a tax
exemption of $36,000 and tax ceiling for property taxes paid by eligible seniors or
disabled residents. The property tax rate adopted by the city includes a portion to support
debt and another portion to support annual operations of the city. The proposed
operations and maintenance rate accounts for 63% of the total rate and is expected to
generate $25,536,879 in property tax revenue for the general fund. The debt service
portion is 37% of the total 0.547972 tax rate and will generate $13,507,630 in tax revenue
for debt service. The city's property tax rate accounts for approximately 23% of the total
tax rate. The vast majority of the total property tax rate goes to the school district and
Tarrant county. The City Council will take action on the tax rate at their September 12,
2022 meeting.
Mayor Trevino asked the City Secretary to call on those who completed a public meeting
appearance form to speak during the public hearing.
Mr. Jared Ross, 6024 Morningside Drive, North Richland Hills, TX spoke in favor of the
item.
There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Trevino closed the public hearing.
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Mayor Trevino announced there is no further action required from City Council tonight.
On Monday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. the City Council will vote on the adoption of the
tax rate.
B.2 CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2022/2023
PROPOSED BUDGET.
Mayor Trevino called on City Manager Mark Hindman to make introductory comments.
City Manager Mark Hindman commented that the proposed budget was developed and
based on input from citizens from the citizen survey, phone calls and social media
platforms. The budget includes essential services (public• safety, transportation, parks
and health) provided to the public. Based on citizen input, the city is investing additional
resources in the transportation system (increase in street preventative maintenance and
accelerate street bond projects) and code enforcement. The city will enhance
technology/cybersecurity and citizen communication. The city is affected by the inflation
increase for fuel, equipment parts and construction materials. The city is contending with
a tight labor market, which has made it difficult to recruit and retain employees. The City
Council approved an increase in the homestead exemption from 15% to 20%. With the
rising appraisals in home values, the lower tax rate combined with the additional 5% in
homestead exemption, approximately 70% of homeowners will pay the same or less in
property taxes than the previous year.
Mayor Trevino opened the public hearing and called on Director of Budget and Research
Trudy Lewis to present the item.
Mayor Trevino recessed the meeting at 7:19 p.m.
Mayor Trevino reconvened the meeting at 7:29 p.m., with the same members present.
Ms. Lewis presented the item. The city's total Fiscal Year 2022-2023 proposed operating
budget totals $143,396,855, excluding Internal Service Funds and Tax Increment
Financing Funds. The 2022-2023 budget includes a number of programs and initiatives
and she outlined the significant changes. An increase of $5 million in street maintenance;
market based compensation for employee recruitment and retention; inflationary impact
of goods and services; technology purchases; events and resident programs return to
pre-pandemic activities for the year; new positions in police, public works, planning,
code enforcement, information technology, fire and communications; increase focus on
seeking grants for eligible programs and projects; facility maintenance; and stormwater
projects.
Mayor Trevino asked the City Secretary to call on those who completed a public meeting
appearance form to speak during the public hearing. There being no forms submitted,
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Mayor Trevino asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak for or against
the item to come forward. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Trevino closed
the public hearing.
Mayor Trevino announced no further action is required by the City Council tonight. On
Monday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m., City Council will vote on the adoption of the
2022-2023 proposed budget.
C. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
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