[00:00:03]
>>EVERYONE. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANNA WILL MEET ON TUESDAY,
[1. Call to Order, Roll Call, and Establishment of Quorum.]
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M. AND THE ANNA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX COUNCIL CHAMBER IS LOCATED AT 120 WEST SEVENTH STREET TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. WELCOME TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK ON AN OPEN SESSION AGENDA ITEM, PLEASE FILL OUT THE OPINION SPEAKER REGISTRATION FORM.
TURNING TO THE CITY SECRETARY BEFORE THIS MEETING STARTS.
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1 CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND QUORUM.
I AM CALLING THIS MEETING TO ORDER AT THIS TIME. WE DO HAVE A QUORUM.
EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER IS PRESENT THIS EVENING.
THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO ASK COUNCIL MEMBER HERNDON IF SHE WOULD LEAD US IN THE INVOCATION AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TOGETHER TONIGHT SEEKING YOUR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE.
BLESS OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY STAFF, AND ALL WHO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY.
MAY THE WORK WE DO REFLECT FAIRNESS, INTEGRITY, AND A GENUINE COMMITMENT TO THE WELL-BEING OF OUR NEIGHBORS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO DEPEND ON SERVICE DOGS AND THE DEVOTED PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR THEM.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'LL TAKE US TO ITEM NUMBER 3, NEIGHBOR COMMENTS.
[3. Neighbor Comments.]
AT THIS TIME, ANY PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING AN ITEM ON THIS MEETING AGENDA THAT IS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING.ALSO, AT THIS TIME, ANY PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THIS MEETING AGENDA.
EACH PERSON WILL BE ALLOWED UP TO 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK.
NO DISCUSSION OR ACTION MAY BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THIS AGENDA, OTHER THAN TO MAKE STATEMENTS OF SPECIFIC INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO A CITIZEN'S INQUIRY OR TO RECITE EXISTING POLICY IN RESPONSE TO THE INQUIRY.
AND I HAVE ONE NEIGHBOR COMMENT CARD.
DIVYA SINGHAL? SORRY IF THAT'S NOT CORRECT.
>> NAMASTE, HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS DIVYA SINGHAL, AND I'M ASSOCIATED WITH THE HINDU SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH.
I'M A TENTH GRADER AND PROUD RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF ANNA.
FROM THE DEPTHS OF OUR HEARTS, WE THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING US TO CELEBRATE RAKSHA BANDHAN, THE FESTIVAL OF UNIVERSAL ONENESS, WITH YOU TODAY.
THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A TRADITION.
IT'S A CELEBRATION OF THE BONDS THAT UNITE US AS ONE HUMAN FAMILY.
THE HINDU SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH, AS SOCIO-CULTURAL, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION ACTIVE SINCE 1989, CARRIES FORWARD THE TIMELESS MOTTO OF [FOREIGN].
WITH 236 CHAPTERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, WE STRIVE TO NURTURE VALUES OF UNITY, SERVICE, AND MUTUAL RESPECT.
HERE IN OUR ANNA CHAPTER, WE MEET EVERY WEEKEND, BRINGING TOGETHER CHILDREN, YOUTH, ADULTS, AND SENIORS TO BUILD STRONG CHARACTER, LEADERSHIP QUALITIES IN A SPIRIT OF SELFLESS SERVICE.
FROM VALUES-BASED LEARNING TO HANDS-ON COMMUNITY WORK, WE AIM TO SERVE NOT JUST OUR OWN, BUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WE ARE BLESSED TO BE A PART OF.
[FOREIGN] MEANS A BOND OF PROTECTION.
ITS ROOTS STRETCH BACK 2,500 TO 03,000 YEARS TO THE VEDIC ERA AND STORIES IN THE MAHABHARATA.
IT IS NOT LIMITED TO BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
IT IS A PROMISE OF CARE, RESPECT, AND PROTECTION BETWEEN FRIENDS, MENTORS, PROTECTORS, AND ALL THOSE WE HOLD DEAR.
IN ANCIENT TIMES, DURING MOMENTS OF DANGER, A SIMPLE THREAD, [FOREIGN], WAS TIED AS A REMINDER OF ONE SACRED DUTY TO STAND BY ONE ANOTHER.
THAT TIMELY SPIRIT LIVES ON TODAY.
AT HSS, WE HONOR RAKSHA BANDHAN AS A FESTIVAL OF UNIVERSAL ONENESS, EXTENDING [FOREIGN] BEYOND OUR OWN FAMILIES TO CONNECT WITH FIRST RESPONDERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND NEIGHBORHOODS FROM EVERY BACKGROUND.
WE BELIEVE THAT WHEN WE PROTECT ONE ANOTHER, WE STRENGTHEN THE FABRIC OF HUMANITY ITSELF.
TODAY, WITH YOUR PERMISSION, WE WOULD LIKE TO TIE [FOREIGN], WHICH IS A SYMBOLIC PROTECTION BAND ON YOUR WRIST AND INVOKE BLESSINGS FOR YOUR SAFETY, STRENGTH, AND WELL-BEING AS YOU PROTECT AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
TOGETHER, LET US CELEBRATE THE TIES THAT BIND US AS PROTECTORS, AS NEIGHBORS, AND AS ONE GLOBAL FAMILY.
IS IT OKAY IF WE TIE ONE OF THESE BANDS ON YOU GUYS' HANDS? WOULD YOU PREFER US COMING UP THERE OR YOU GUYS COMING DOWN HERE? THANKS.
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>> AWESOME. THANK YOU, GUYS. IT'S VERY NICE.
THAT'S GOING TO TAKE US TO AGENDA ITEM 4, REPORTS.
[4. Reports.]
RECEIVE REPORTS FROM STAFF FOR THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST.ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST INCLUDE EXPRESSION OF THANKS, CONGRATULATIONS, OR CONDOLENCES.
INFORMATION REGARDING HOLIDAY SCHEDULES, AND HONORARY ISOLATORY RECOGNITION OF A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, PUBLIC EMPLOYEE, OR OTHER CITIZEN, BUT NOT INCLUDING A CHANGE OF STATUS IN A PERSON'S PUBLIC OFFICE OR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.
A REMINDER ABOUT AN UPCOMING EVENT ORGANIZED OR SPONSORED BY THE GOVERNING BODY, INFORMATION REGARDING A SOCIAL, CEREMONIAL OR COMMUNITY EVENT ORGANIZED OR SPONSORED BY AN ENTITY OTHER THAN THE GOVERNING BODY THAT WAS ATTENDED OR IS SCHEDULED TO BE ATTENDED BY A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNING BODY OR AN OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE OF THE MUNICIPALITY, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS INVOLVING AN IMMINENT THREAT TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE IN THE MUNICIPALITY THAT HAS ARISEN AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA.
WE HAVE ONE ITEM ON THIS, AND THAT'S A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZED IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AS NATIONAL SERVICE DOG MONTH.
I HAVE THAT PROCLAMATION HERE, AND I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ IT THIS TIME.
CITY OF ANNA, TEXAS, 2025 PROCLAMATION DECLARING SEPTEMBER TO BE NATIONAL SERVICE DOG MONTH.
WHEREAS WE BELIEVE IN THE JOYFUL, TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE HUMAN CANINE BOND AND THE INCLUSIVITY TOGETHERNESS, ROMER THAT CARY, THANK YOU.
OF ALL CITIZENS, AND THE UNITED STATES, 70 MILLION ADULTS HAVE A DISABILITY, AND ONLY 16,000 SERVICE DOGS FROM ACCREDITED TRAINING PROGRAMS EXIST NATIONWIDE, AND THE NEED IS GROWING.
WHEREAS CANINE COMPANIONS CREATED THE SERVICE DOG FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES 50 YEARS AGO, IN 1975, CREATING A NEW KIND OF SUPPORT FOR DISABILITY.
WHEREAS CANINE COMPANIONS IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT ENHANCES THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING EXPERTLY TRAINED SERVICE DOGS AND ONGOING SUPPORT TO ENSURE QUALITY PARTNERSHIP FREE OF CHARGE.
WHEREAS CANINE COMPANIONS AND THEIR SERVICE DOGS EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO LEAD LIFE WITH GREATER INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING BEST-IN-CLASS TRAINING, ONGOING FOLLOW-UP SERVICES, AND A DEEPLY COMMITTED COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT.
WHEREAS NATIONAL SERVICE DOG MONTH AIMS TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF SERVICE DOGS AND THE LAWS PROTECTING THEIR HANDLERS.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF ANNA, TEXAS, CONTINUES TO WORK TOWARD BECOMING AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY IN WHICH ALL CITIZENS AND THEIR TRAINED SERVICE DOGS ARE EMBRACED.
NOW, THEREFORE, IN RECOGNITION OF SERVICE DOGS AND THE ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY, I, MAYOR PETE CAIN, DO YOU HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER TO BE NATIONAL SERVICE DOG MONTH.
IN ANNA, TEXAS, AND URGE ALL CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE THIS MONTH BY DEDICATING OURSELVES TO THE TASK OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
WITNESS THEREOF, SEPTEMBER 9 DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2025, PETE CAIN, MAYOR.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYONE TO PRESENT TO TONIGHT.
[APPLAUSE] WE DO HAVE SOMEONE THAT IS GOING TO GO TO BUT THEY'RE NOT HERE THIS EVENING.
THAT'LL TAKE US ONTO WORK SESSION.
DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING? GO AHEAD.
>> THANKS, MAYOR. I APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT, BY THE WAY.
NEXT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 6:00 P.M, RIGHT HERE IN THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX,
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THE PARKS MASTER PLAN OPEN HOUSE WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC.IS BASED ON THE SURVEYS THAT WERE FILLED OUT OVER THE SUMMERTIME.
SO SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER A SHORT 20 MINUTES OF FILLING THAT OUT.
ANYWAY, THE PARK BOARD, AS WELL AS THIS COUNCIL AND OUR STAFF, ARE EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO SHOW WHAT CAME WITH THAT SURVEY, SO I ASKED PEOPLE TO ATTEND.
AND THEN ONE OTHER ITEM, CALLING ALL ARTISTS.
WE'VE SENT A LOT OF EMAIL, BUT THE WINDOW IS CLOSING.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR ARTWORK CONSIDERED FOR DISPLAY IN OUR NEW COMMUNITY LIBRARY, PLEASE RESPOND TO THE CITY OF ANNA THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO SO. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE? NO? TAKES US NUMBER 5, WORK SESSION.
[5. Work Session.]
I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ON THE WORK SESSION.CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 6, CONSENT ITEMS.
[6. Consent Items.]
THESE ITEMS CONSIST OF NON-CONTROVERSIAL OR HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS REQUIRED BY LAW.ITEMS MAY BE CONSIDERED INDIVIDUALLY BY ANY COUNCIL MEMBER, MAKING SUCH REQUESTS PRIOR TO A MOTION AND A VOTE ON THE CONSENT ITEMS. COUNCIL, IS THERE ANYTHING ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO REPOLL AT THIS TIME?
>> IF NOT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM 6A THROUGH G.
>> COUNCILMAN BAKER. WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND AT THIS TIME, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.
[7. Items For Individual Consideration and Public Hearings.]
ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION AND PUBLIC HEARINGS.AT THE TIME AND PLACE OF ANY PUBLIC HEARING HELD DURING THE MEETING, ALL PERSONS WHO DESIRE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD IN OPPOSITION OR IN FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE, APPLICATION, OR PROPOSED ITEM.
7A. CONSIDER, DISCUSS, AND ACT ON APPROVING AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET, BUDGET MANAGER, TERRI DOBY.
>> GOOD EVENING. MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
HERE WE ARE TO THE CULMINATION OF A LOT OF WORK, A LOT OF DISCUSSION, A LOT OF THOUGHT.
AND HOPEFULLY, EVERYONE IS GOING TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHAT WE DO TONIGHT.
IT TAKES THREE SEPARATE ACTIONS TO GET TO THE END OF OUR BUDGET PROCESS.
IF YOU BEAR WITH ME, THE FIRST ITEM WILL BE TO ADOPT THE ACTUAL BUDGET.
VOTE TO THE ADOPT THE BUDGET MUST BE A RECORD VOTE.
THE ADOPTED BUDGET WILL CONTAIN A COVER PAGE STATING THE RECORD VOTE OF EACH MEMBER.
IT WILL ALSO SAY ON THAT FRONT PAGE IN 18-POINT FONT, YES, THE LEGISLATION IS THIS SPECIFIC.
THE BUDGET WILL RAISE MORE REVENUE FROM PROPERTY TAXES THAN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET BY AN AMOUNT OF $3.1 MILLION, WHICH IS A 16.9% INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR'S BUDGET.
THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE TO BE RAISED FROM NEW PROPERTY ADDED TO THE TAX ROLL IS $2.4 MILLION.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE ARE A GROWING COMMUNITY.
KEY FOCUS AREAS OF OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR WERE INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL PROJECTS, EVIDENCED BY OUR GROWING COMMUNITY, INVESTMENT IN OUR PEOPLE, AND FINANCIAL PLANNING AND OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE.
WE SPLIT OUR BUDGET INTO FUNDS.
THE FUND THAT MOST FOLKS ARE MOST FAMILIAR WITH IS OUR GENERAL FUND.
THAT'S WHERE ALL OF OUR BASIC CORE CITY SERVICES RESIDE.
IT IS FUNDED FOR MAJORITY BY PROPERTY TAXES AND SALES TAXES.
IT IS BALANCED, 29.7 MILLION IN REVENUE AND 29.7 MILLION IN EXPENSES.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE ARE A SERVICE ORGANIZATION, SO MOST OF OUR EXPENSES ARE OUR PEOPLE.
ALSO INCLUDED IN OUR BUDGET IS OUR UTILITY FUND, WHICH IS BALANCED AS WELL AT 30.9 MILLION.
MOST OF THAT IS GOING TO COME FROM WATER SALES, WASTEWATER CHARGES, AND SOLID WASTE CHARGES, AND THE ASSOCIATED FEES WITH THOSE ITEMS. THEN THE EXPENSES ARE ALSO $30.9 MILLION.
THOSE ARE GOING TO, FOR THE MOST PART, TO OUR THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS, OUR WATER PURCHASES, OUR SEWAGE TREATMENT PURCHASES, AND OUR SOLID WASTE PROVIDER.
WE ALSO HAVE INCLUDED OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET.
WHAT YOU'RE ADOPTING THIS YEAR IS THE FIRST YEAR OF WHAT IS A FIVE-YEAR PLAN.
[00:15:04]
OUR MOST NOTABLE PROJECTS ARE THE NEW POLICE STATION.IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN A YEAR, BUT WE'RE STARTING SOMEWHERE, BRYANT PARK, FINLEY PARK, AND THE CONTINUATION OF THE EXPANSION OF THE HURRICANE CREEK WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.
WE ARE ADDING IN OUR GROWING COMMUNITY, FIVE POLICE OFFICERS, POLICE DETECTIVE, POLICE LIEUTENANT, AND TWO CUSTODIANS FOR OUR NEW LIBRARY.
AND WITH THAT, I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY REAL QUICK.
THE ONLY INCREASE THAT WE'VE DONE IS WHAT WAS NECESSARY AND MANDATORY.
I JUST ASKED THIS COMMUNITY THAT WHENEVER YOU SEE A STAFF MEMBER, THAT YOU THANK THEM FOR WEATHERING THE STORM, WHILE WE BUILD UP OUR ECONOMY HERE, BECAUSE EVERYONE LIKES TO HAVE THINGS THAT MAKE THEIR JOB EASIER AND BETTER AND HELP WORKMATES, THAT THING.
THAT'S MY REQUEST TO THE COMMUNITY.
I HOPE THAT YOU WILL DO IT, AND I PERSONALLY THANK THE STAFF FOR RUNNING LEAN THIS YEAR WHILE WE GET ON TOP OF ALL OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
JOY GRISHAM, A LOT OF WEIGHT ON YOUR SHOULDERS AND YOUR TEAM, SO MAKE IT HAPPEN. THANK YOU.
>> HEY, TERRI. A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THIS TAX INCREASE IS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE POLICE STATION?
>> THE INCREASE, ALMOST ALL OF IT OF THE INCREASE IN THE PROPERTY TAX IS BEING DEVOTED TO THE POLICE STATION.
WHEN IT COMES TO THESE CAPITAL PROJECTS, HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW THE BUDGETING PROCESS WAS DONE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEARS.
HOW DID WE GET TO THE POSITION WHERE WE ARE TODAY, WHERE WE HAD TO RAISE TAXES? OR I GUESS ADJUST OUR BUDGET AND COVER FOR THAT.
>> I WOULD TELL YOU THAT IT'S JUST A MATTER OF THE A SLOWING ECONOMY, SLOWING IN THE HOUSING MARKET.
IF OUR PROPERTY VALUES HAD CONTINUED TO INCREASE AT THE RATE THAT THEY HAD THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE WOULD PROBABLY NOT NEED A TAX INCREASE.
SOME OF THAT IS JUST UNPREDICTABLE.
I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT IN THE FUTURE, WE'LL BE BACK IN A GREAT POSITION.
I SEE GREAT THINGS FOR THE CITY OF ANNA.
BUT WE'VE JUST GOT TO RIDE THE WAVES AS THE ECONOMY GOES UP AND DOWN.
I KNOW WE'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION, BUT JUST WANT TO ASK IT PUBLICLY.
MOVING FORWARD, CAN WE MAKE SURE WE MAKE CONTINGENCY PLANS TO WHERE IF THERE IS A SOFTENING IN THE ECONOMY THAT WE ARE ABLE TO WEATHER THAT STORM?
>> WE WILL CERTAINLY DO OUR BEST.
>> NO OTHER QUESTIONS, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND ON THE TABLE, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.
ORDINANCE PASSES UNANIMOUSLY, TAKES US TO ITEM B.
CONSIDER/DISCUSS/ACTION REGARDING A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE PROPERTY TAX, REVENUE INCREASE REFLECTED BY IN THE CITY OF ANNA FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET, MISS DOBY.
>> YES. I AM TERRI DOBY, THE BUDGET MANAGER, AND I HAVE BEEN TASKED WITH EXPLAINING THIS COUNCIL ACTION TO YOU.
I GUESS THE BEST WAY TO SAY IT IS THAT EVERYONE TAKES A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE VERY SERIOUSLY.
AS A RESULT, THE TAX RATE ADOPTION PROCESS IS STRUCTURED THIS WAY.
SECTION 102 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE STATES THAT THE ADOPTION OF A BUDGET THAT WILL REQUIRE RAISING MORE REVENUE FROM PROPERTY TAXES THAN IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR REQUIRES A SEPARATE VOTE OF THE GOVERNING BODY TO RATIFY THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE THAT IS REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET.
I KNOW WE'VE DISCUSSED SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR THAT A BUDGET THAT WE ADOPT MUST BE SUPPORTED BY THE PROPERTY TAX RATE.
WE HAVE TO ADOPT A BALANCED BUDGET, NO DEFICIT SPENDING.
THIS BUDGET IS FUNDED BY A TAX RATE OF 0.525073,
[00:20:05]
IT'S GENERATING $3.1 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE.IT'S A REMINDER, MOST OF THAT REVENUE IS COMING FROM NEW PROPERTY ADDED TO THE ROLL.
WITH THAT, I WILL ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT THIS ITEM.
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THIS TAX INCREASE IS FOR THE POLICE?
>> FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR THE POLICE?
>> ON THE POLICE STATION, SORRY.
IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT A LITTLE UNDER $0.03.
2.5 CENTS PER $100 EVALUATION?
>> I THINK WE ALSO HAD THIS CONVERSATION.
WHAT IS THE COST MONTHLY, WEEKLY DAILY THAT IT BREAKS DOWN INTO?
>> PER TAXPAYER, IF YOUR AVERAGE, IT BREAKS DOWN TO I THINK WE SAID IT WAS $98 FOR THE YEAR, WHICH COMES OUT TO BE ABOUT $8 A MONTH.
>> COUNSELMAN HERNAN SAID $0.28.
>> THERE YOU GO. THEN HAVE WE INCREASED ANY RATES FOR OUR WATER?
>> NOT THIS YEAR. THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO BE LOOKING AT IN THE FUTURE.
BUT WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE, I'VE TRIED TO HOLD THE LINE ON SOME OF THE OTHER REVENUES.
>> PERFECT. I KNOW THAT IT'S BEEN A HOT TOPIC WITH PEOPLE'S WATER BILLS, SEWAGE BILLS.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE THOUGHTFUL AND LISTENING TO THEM.
>> TO CLARIFY, THE RATE HAS STAYED THE SAME, BUT TRADITIONALLY, PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE A GOOD PICTURE OF WHAT IRRIGATION IS GOING TO COST.
THIS TIME OF YEAR, THEY DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE USING SO MORE WATER.
BUT I KNOW THAT AS A CITY, HOW MUCH MORE WATER WE'RE USING, SO IT'S GOING SOMEWHERE.
>> JUST A REAL QUICK QUESTION.
AS A POINT OF REFERENCE, HAVE WE NOT LOWERED THAT TAX RATE THE LAST SEVEN YEARS?
>> IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE IN THIS NEXT AGENDA ITEM, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT HOW THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN YOUR APPRAISED VALUE AND YOUR PROPERTY TAX RATE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THOSE THINGS WORKED TOGETHER.
YES. THE RATE ITSELF HAS ALWAYS BEEN LOWERED, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT MOST PROPERTY OWNERS ARE SEEING A LOWER TAX BILL.
>> NO MORE QUESTIONS. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> DO YOU GET THAT, KARY? WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.
MOTION PASSES 6-1, TAKES US TO ITEM 7C.
CONSIDER, DISCUSS, AND ACT ON APPROVING AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 TAX RATE. MISS DOBY.
THE BUDGET MANAGER AND THE BUDGET PROCESS CULMINATES IN THIS THIRD ITEM, WHICH IS THE ADOPTION OF THE TAX RATE THAT MUST BE IN SUPPORT OF THAT BUDGET.
WE'RE REQUIRED TO CALCULATE THREE DIFFERENT PROPERTY TAX RATES BY THE STATE.
THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, WHICH IN THEORY MEANS THAT IT WOULD COLLECT THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE THIS YEAR, AS IT DID LAST YEAR, ON THE SAME PROPERTIES THAT WERE TAXED.
IN OTHER WORDS, NEW PROPERTIES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE CALCULATION OF THIS RATE.
0.495928, THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE IS THE MAXIMUM RATE THAT WE ARE ALLOWED TO ADOPT WITHOUT GOING TO THE VOTERS, AND THAT WOULD BE 0.532173.
WHILE YES, OUR PROPOSED RATE IS HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR'S PROPOSED RATE, IT IS LOWER THAN THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN TRUE THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO BE PHYSICALLY RESPONSIBLE AND STILL TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
AM I GOING THE RIGHT WAY? THERE WE GO.
ONE OF THE THINGS I SAID WAS, IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN YOUR APPRAISED VALUE AND YOUR PROPERTY TAX RATE IS WHAT REALLY TELLS YOU ENDS UP ON YOUR TAX BILL.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT IRONIC THAT LAST YEAR, BECAUSE THE AVERAGE HOME VALUE WENT UP ALMOST $30,000 THAT EVEN THOUGH THE RATE WAS DOWN,
[00:25:07]
IT WENT DOWN 0.0035 FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.THAT WAS ALSO THE MAXIMUM RATE WE COULD HAVE ADOPTED BY LAW, AND THE AVERAGE BILL WENT UP $140.
THIS YEAR, OUR AVERAGE HOME VALUE ONLY WENT UP UNDER $7,000 FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON.
YES, THE TAX RATE WENT UP TO COVER PAYING FOR THE NEW POLICE STATION.
THE AVERAGE ANNUAL TAX BILL ONLY WENT UP $98, EVEN THOUGH THE RATE WENT UP, AND LAST YEAR IT WENT DOWN.
EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL SITUATION.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO EACH AND EVERY PERSON ON THEIR TAX BILL.
ALSO ON THEIR TAX BILL IS GOING TO APPEAR THE COUNTY AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT.
WHEN THEY THROW ALL THOSE THINGS TOGETHER, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AS FAR AS WHAT YOU FEEL IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD.
BUT THIS IS THE BEST WE CAN DO AND STILL TAKE CARE OF OUR NEEDS.
WITH THAT, THE PROPOSED RATE EXCEEDS THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE.
THE VOTE MUST BE A RECORD VOTE.
I NEED 60% OF THE GOVERNING BODY TO VOTE IN FAVOR.
THIS IS ALL ACCORDING TO THE TAX CODE.
WHEN YOU DO THAT MOTION, IT MUST BE MADE IN THE FOLLOWING FORM.
I THINK YOU HAVE THIS SLIDE IN FRONT OF YOU ON PAPER.
ALSO, IF ANY OF YOU HAVE GONE IN AND READ THE PACKET AND THE ORDINANCE.
IT IS VERY CONFUSING, BUT IT IS REQUIRED TO BE THIS WAY.
THE LANGUAGE IN THE ORDINANCE WILL SAY, IT ONLY ADDRESSES THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION SIDE OF THE TAX RATE.
IT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE DEBT SIDE.
THIS TAX RATE WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS THAN LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE.
THE RATE WILL BE EFFECTIVELY RAISED BY 5.8%, AND WE'LL RAISE TAXES ON MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ON $100,000 HOME.
IN THIS CASE, I DON'T GET TO USE THE AVERAGE VALUE.
I HAVE TO USE $100,000 HOME IN BOTH YEARS, WHICH MEANS THAT TAX BILL WOULD ACTUALLY GO DOWN BY $4.
I KNOW IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE, BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.
WITH THAT, I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> COUNSEL, ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS.
>> YES. CAN YOU GO BACK TWO SLIDES, IF YOU DON'T MIND ONE MORE?
>> OH, I'M GOING THE WRONG WAY.
>> ONE MORE. IS WITH THE CHARTS.
BASICALLY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS IN 2024 FISCAL YEAR 24, 25, THAT THE COUNCIL OR THE CITY HAD TO RAISE TAXES BY $140, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YES. IF YOU DID IT IN DOLLARS ON AN AVERAGE HOME.
>> NOW WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS IN 25, 26, FISCAL YEAR, WE'RE ONLY RAISING IT $98?
>> EVEN THOUGH IT'S A RAISE, I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE STILL MITIGATING AS MUCH OF THAT RAISE AS POSSIBLE.
IT'S NOT AS MUCH AS PREVIOUS YEARS AND WHAT PREVIOUS COUNCILS HAVE APPROVED.
BUT LET ME ASK YOU THIS AS WELL.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THIS DOESN'T APPROVE TODAY?
>> WE WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, BALANCE THE BUDGET TO WHATEVER TAX RATE YOU WOULD APPROVE, AND COME BACK FOR A SPECIAL MEETING AND GET IT DONE BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30TH.
>> WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? GIVE ME SOME TANGIBLES.
>> I WOULD HAVE SOME FOLKS IN THE TAX OFFICE NOT VERY HAPPY WITH ME BECAUSE THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THE TAX BILLS OUT BY OCTOBER 1ST.
AS FAR AS IF I CUT DOWN THIS SUPPOSED THE RATE INCREASE, IT WOULD PROBABLY MEAN THAT THE FIRST THING THAT I WOULD CUT WOULD BE ALL THOSE ADDITIONS.
THE PUBLIC SAFETY POSITIONS, AND EVEN PROBABLY IT WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY TO CUT THE TWO CUSTODIANS, BUT I THINK WE WOULD HAVE TO ELIMINATE THE SEVEN PUBLIC SAFETY POSITIONS.
>> ESSENTIALLY, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THE DIFFERENCE OF THE DELTA BETWEEN US APPROVING THIS AND US NOT APPROVING THIS AS ESSENTIALLY GIVING POLICE SERVICES FOR THE CITY.
THAT'S ESSENTIALLY THE DELTA THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
>> BECAUSE OUR POPULATION CONTINUES TO GROW, UNFORTUNATELY, OUR APPRAISED VALUE DID NOT KEEP UP THIS YEAR.
[00:30:01]
>> I'M SURE PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THE DIFFERENT CRIME IN DIFFERENT CITIES THAT'S GOING ON.
IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S PALATABLE.
I DON'T LIKE THE TAX RAISE AT ALL.
I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MITIGATED BY PREVIOUS COUNSELS, AND NOW WE'RE HAVING TO DEAL WITH IT TODAY.
I WANT TO BE CONSCIOUS THAT IN THE FUTURE, WE DON'T LEAVE THIS TYPE OF SITUATION FOR ANY OTHER FUTURE COUNSEL.
THAT BEING SAID, WE GOT TO MAKE THE BEST OF THE SITUATION WE HAVE TODAY.
I HOPE I ASKED ENOUGH CLARIFYING QUESTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE MONEY'S GOING, WHAT IT'S GOING FOR, AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS IF IT DOESN'T GET APPROVED? IT'S ESSENTIALLY REDUCING YOUR POLICE FORCE. THANK YOU.
>> I'D LIKE TO JUST TAG ON TO THAT.
IF YOU LOOK AT I THINK IT'S A SLIDE OR TWO UP FROM THAT.
THE RATE THAT WE COULD HAVE RAISED THIS TO WITHOUT GOING BACK TO THE VOTER WAS EVEN HIGHER.
WE TOOK A VERY STRONG LOOK AT EXACTLY WHAT DO WE REALLY NEED, NOT WANTS, BUT NEEDS.
>> WE HAD AN AUDIT NOT THAT MANY MONTHS AGO WHERE A THIRD-PARTY TOLD US THAT OUR POLICE WAS DESPERATELY UNDERSTAFFED.
THEY DID AN ADMIN, WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A ROOM CLOSET TO STICK AN ADMIN.
WE LOOKED AT THESE NUMBERS VERY CLOSELY.
I THINK EVERY ONE OF US UP HERE CAN SAY WE'VE SPENT HOURS LOOKING AT THESE AND GOING OVER POSSIBILITIES.
AGAIN, LIKE COUNCILMAN SINGH POINTED OUT, IT IS A TAX RATE.
BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY THAT CAN HONESTLY SAY THEY'RE IN SUPPORT OF CUTTING ANYTHING FOR THE POLICE.
>> I THINK SOME OF THESE ARE ALSO KEEP IN MIND THE PAIN OF A GROWING CITY.
I'M NOT GOING TO COME BACK TO YOU AND ASK FOR ANOTHER POLICE STATION FOR A LONG TIME.
IT PROBABLY WON'T BE ME STANDING HERE.
IT WILL BE 20 OR 30 YEARS, I WOULD ASSUME.
IT'S JUST NOT THAT OFTEN THAT WE'RE IN A POSITION TO HAVE TO ASK FOR A BIG BRAND NEW FACILITY.
WE WERE VERY, VERY LUCKY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO THIS LIBRARY BEHIND US IN A PERIOD OF VERY HIGH GROWTH.
WE JUST GOT TO A POINT WHERE GROWTH SLOWED DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
IF IT PICKS BACK UP, WE'LL BE ABLE TO AFFORD THESE FACILITIES A LITTLE MORE EASILY, BUT I ALSO DON'T SEE HOW WE DO WITHOUT THEM.
YOU GOT TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH BECAUSE PEOPLE KEEP MOVING HERE.
>> TERRI, JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT SOMETHING THAT COUNCILMAN SINGH HAD SAID THAT THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL HAD RAISED TAXES ON THE CITIZENS.
IF I'M LOOKING AT THIS, WHERE ITS IMPACT ON AVERAGE HOMEOWNERS, THE CHART, THE TAX RATE WE LOWERED FROM FISCAL '24.
NOW '25, '26, WE'RE HAVING TO RAISE IT, AND THAT'S SIMPLY BECAUSE PROPERTY VALUES OF HOMES.
IT WASN'T ANYTHING THAT THE COUNCIL PREVIOUSLY DID.
>> I WOULD SAY THAT WHEN I ARRIVED HERE IN 2019, YOU HAD JUST FUNDED THIS NEW CITY HALL, THIS BUILDING THAT WE'RE STANDING IN.
I WILL SAY THAT THAT WAS A TIME WHEN THE TAX RATE WAS PRETTY HIGH.
THEN WE ENTERED A PERIOD OF GROWTH AND WE WEREN'T BUILDING A BRAND NEW FACILITY ANYMORE.
WE'D ALREADY BORROWED THAT MONEY.
AS WE GREW, LIKE I SAID, WE WERE ABLE TO DO THE LIBRARY IN A PERIOD OF VERY HIGH GROWTH WITHOUT HAVING A LOT OF PAIN ON THE TAX RATE.
A $30 MILLION FACILITY AT A TIME WHERE THE ECONOMY HAS, I DON'T WANT TO SAY DOWNTURN BECAUSE THAT'S NOT REALLY ACCURATE, BUT IT HAS SLOWED.
OUR BUILDING HAS SLOWED JUST A LITTLE BIT.
I KNOW IT WILL PICK BACK UP, AND WE WILL HAVE ALREADY FUNDED A NEW POLICE STATION AND WE'LL GET TO ENJOY THAT WINDFALL AT THAT TIME.
>> I JUST WANT TO PAYING A LITTLE COLOR ON THIS BASED ON WHAT ALL OCCURRED LAST YEAR.
DISNEY PLUS DOUBLES, 140, 160.
IF YOU WATCH THE NFL, I THINK YOU HAVE TO FINANCE PART OF YOUR MORTGAGE TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THAT AND THAT'S JUST ENTERTAINMENT.
MANY OF US HAVE RING, SOME KIND OF SECURITY SYSTEM.
I THINK RING IS LIKE 60, 70 BUCKS A YEAR.
IF YOU'VE GOT A ADT OR ANY ONE OF THOSE KIND OF SERVICES, I KNOW THAT COSTS MORE THAN THAT.
THESE ARE FIVE ON THE STREET, INVESTIGATORS, PEACE OFFICERS WORKING NOT TO MONITOR, BUT TO STOP CRIME FROM OCCURRING.
IN COMPARISON TO ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT INCREASED LAST YEAR, I THINK IT'S $0.28 A DAY WE'RE GETTING QUITE A BARGAIN.
I HAVE QUALITY OFFICERS ON THE STREET WATCHING OVER OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
[00:35:01]
>> I JUST WANT TO BRING TO EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION.
IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET THAT YOU GAVE US AND THAT IS ONLINE ON THE WEBSITE, ON PAGE 28, YOU WILL FIND THE CHART THAT SHOWS YOU THE TAX RATE FROM 2016 UNTIL 2025, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW.
IF YOU LOOK AT THOSE RATES, WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO RAISE IT TO IS THE SAME RATE WE PAID IN 2006.
JUST GO LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THAT, AND YOU'LL SEE, YES, IT'S AN INCREASE, BUT $0.28 A DAY.
>> THE TAKEAWAY HERE IS THAT WHAT PEOPLE SEE IN THIS CHART, WHERE YOU'RE PAYING THE MOST IN TAXES AND INCREASES YOUR PROPERTY VALUE.
>> I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT AND ASK IF ANYONE ON COUNCIL HAS ANY CONCERNS ABOUT APPROVING THIS BUDGET.
MAYBE THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS AND MAYBE ASIDE THE TAX RATE AND SEE IF WE CAN MAYBE COME TO A CLEANER ANSWER.
IS THERE ANY CONCERNS WITH ANYONE ON COUNCIL?
>> I'VE LOOKED AT IT SINCE WE STARTED WORKING ON THE BUDGET.
IT'S A NECESSARY EVIL UNLESS YOU WANT TO GO, CUT PUBLIC SAFETY.
IT BOILS DOWN TO EVERYTHING COMES BACK TO THE FACT THAT THIS RATE INCREASE IS 100% BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO ADD INCREASED OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.
THIS TOWN IS MORE THAN DOUBLED IN POPULATION SINCE I GOT HERE.
WE'RE GOING UP 5.8% TAX RATE INCREASE.
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN ALDON.
COUNCILWOMAN HERNDON, ANY CONCERNS ON YOUR END? MAYOR PK.
>> I DON'T MIND JUMPING IN THERE.
I THINK THIS COUNCIL RECOGNIZES THE TRENDS THAT ARE OCCURRING.
THIS IS NOT ANYTHING ANYONE OF US CELEBRATE.
I'M GRATEFUL THERE'S A MINOR AMOUNT OF MONEY.
I KNOW FOR SOME OF THIS IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT PAINFUL.
I ALREADY PUT JOEY ON THE SPOT WHILE AGO, BUT I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND BOARD AND THIS COUNCIL WILL WORK VERY HARD OVER THE NEXT YEAR TO BRING THE ECONOMY NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK WITH A BETTER STORY.
I ALSO WANT TO COMMUNICATE AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE HFC AND PFC CORPORATIONS, WE DO HAVE MONEY IN OUR COFFERS THAT WOULD ALLOW US AT A FUTURE BUDGET MEETING.
IF THINGS WERE NOT WHERE WE NEEDED TO BE, WE COULD TAP INTO THAT MONIES AND PROVIDE FUTURE RELIEF, NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR STAFF, BUT IT WOULDN'T BE MY FIRST CHOICE BECAUSE THAT MONEY NEEDS TO BE USED FOR OTHER AREAS, BUT IF TAX RELIEF IS WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE, WE HAVE THAT TRIGGER.
I WANT OUR CURRENT CITY MANAGER AND OUR FUTURE CITY MANAGER, WHICH MAYBE LATER THIS YEAR, TO BE VERY FOCUSED ON THIS.
THE OTHER NIGHT, I ALREADY MENTIONED THAT OUR STAFF IS BEING VERY THRIFTY.
DURING THE STORMS, WE WERE RUNNING AROUND THE CITY TAKING CARE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WITH LESS THAN STELLAR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT APPARATUS.
I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT OUR FIRE AND POLICE, BUT OUR CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE AS WELL AS PUBLIC WORKS.
THERE ARE CERTAIN TYPES OF VEHICLES AND CERTAIN OUTFITTING THAT WE NEED TO DO TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS CITY.
AGAIN, I'M LEANING ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS THE BUYING AND SELLING OF GOODS AND QUALITY DEVELOPMENT DEALS AND NOT THE TAXPAYER PROPERTY TAXPAYERS, SO. THAT'S MY THOUGHTS.
>> PERFECT. COUNCILMAN BRIAN. ANY CONCERNS.
>> NO. HONESTLY, NOBODY WANTS TO HAVE TO SAY, HEY, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE YOUR TAXES THIS YEAR, BUT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY THAT'S USUALLY THE BITTER PILL TO SWALLOW IF YOU ARE A GROWING COMMUNITY.
YOU NEED PUBLIC SAFETY AND YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO HAVE THAT PRESENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT POINT OF IF WE'RE TRYING TO ATTRACT THAT NEXT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY OR NEXT BIG ENTERTAINMENT DEVELOPMENT OR SOMETHING THAT COME ALONG THAT'S GOING TO ALLEVIATE THAT TAX BURDEN, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SHOW THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS READY FOR IT.
[00:40:03]
I THINK FIRST RESPONDERS IS PROBABLY THE FIRST STEP IN THAT.>> WELL STATED. COUNCILMAN TOTON, ANY CONCERNS ON YOUR END?
>> PERFECT. I THINK THIS WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYONE ON COUNCIL IF THEY HAD ANY CONCERNS OR ANY HESITATIONS.
I THINK THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY OF US TO ADDRESS THAT.
I THANK MY COUNCIL FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO AROUND AND ASK, BUT IT COMES DOWN TO IT.
>> ANY MORE QUESTIONS? HAVE NOT ON ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF $0.525073, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 5.88% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE TABLE, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE, CAST YOUR VOTES.
MOTION PASSES 61. THANK YOU, MISS DOBY.
>> TREMENDOUS JOB. A LOT OF WORK. THANK YOU.
THAT WILL TAKE US ITEM7, CONSIDER, DISCUSS AND ACT ON A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CITY OF ANNA.
TEXAS APPROVING A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ANNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REGARDING A TAX EXEMPT LOAN AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,442,381.09, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, MR. JOY GRISHAM.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. NOTHING LIKE COMING UP AFTER A TAX RATE CONVERSATION.
HOPEFULLY, A MORE POSITIVE NOTE.
ACTUALLY, THIS IS AN ITEM THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE CDC BOARD AT THE LAST MEETING.
A FEW YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A LOAN WITH LAMAR BANK AND THIS WAS A REFINANCE OF THAT LOAN.
AS YOU KNOW, THE EDC AND CDC HAVE BEEN VERY AGGRESSIVE IN PURSUING PROPERTIES IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA SO THAT WE CAN REDEVELOP AND ADD NEW VALUE TO THE AREA.
BUT ONE OF THE ISSUES THERE WAS THE LAMAR LOAN WAS LIMITED TO REDEVELOPMENT BASED ON WE GO BACK THERE.
ESSENTIALLY IT WAS FOR SINCE WE COULDN'T DO COLLATERAL, IT WAS USED AS COLLATERAL FOR THE LOAN BECAUSE OF THAT, WE'RE HAVING TO REFINANCE.
THESE NEXT THREE ITEMS ARE REALLY A TAXABLE AND NON-TAXABLE LOAN, AND THEN ALSO A $500,000 PAYMENT THAT WE'LL MAKE TO REDUCE THE PAYMENT.
WITH THAT I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> COUNCIL, QUESTIONS, COMMENTS.
I KNOW WE'VE GOT A GAP TO FILL ON OUR TAXES.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE RAISING THEM, BUT HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR.
I KNOW YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF STUFF IN THE PIPELINE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR HAVING THIS CONVERSATION AND HOPEFULLY GOING THE OTHER WAY.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK AS.
>> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM 7D.
>> HAVE A MOTION IN THE SECOND ON THE TABLE, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE, CAST YOUR VOTES.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY, TAKES IT A 70.
CONSIDER, DISCUSS AND ACT ON A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANNA.
TEXAS APPROVING A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ANNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REGARDING A TAXABLE LOAN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $916,754.34, MR. GRISHAM.
>> MAYOR, AREN'T YOU GLAD YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THE READING.
>> THIS IS FOR THE TAXABLE PORTION OF THAT.
I FELT TO MENTION MATT SULLIVAN MADE THE TRIP OVER, SO IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS, HE'S WITH GOVERNMENT CAPITAL WHO WE WORK WITH HAD A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH.
SO IT'S NOT REQUIREMENT, BUT JUST JUST LET YOU KNOW HE DROVE OVER, SO CASE ANYBODY ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU GULF CAP VERY HARD WORK.
APPRECIATE YOU GUYS AS GOOD PARTNERS. THAT'S ALL.
>> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM 7E.
>> HAVE A MOTION IN THE SECOND ON THE TABLE.
IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE, CAST YOUR VOTES.
ITEM F. CONSIDER, DISCUSS AND ACT ON A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2024 '25 CDC FISCAL YEAR BUDGET FOR REALLOCATION OF FUNDS AND APPROVING AUTHORIZATION AND DEDICATION TO STAFF TO MAKE A PAYMENT OF THE $916,754.34 TAXABLE LOAN, REFERENCED ABOVE ANY AMOUNT OF $500,000 TO REDUCE THE PRINCIPAL OF SAID LOAN.
>> THANK YOU AGAIN. MAYOR, THIS AGAIN, JUST AS A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THAT $500,000 PAYMENT.
[00:45:02]
>> HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE TABLE.
IF YOU WOULD PLEASE, CAST YOUR VOTES.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY, TAKES ITEM 7G, APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACTING CITY MANAGER TO REDESIGNATE AND CHANGE THE NAME OF CITY DEPARTMENTS PROVIDING COMMUNITY SERVICES AND NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES, ACTING CITY MANAGER, MR. MARK MARSHA.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GROWTH AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE IN ALIGNMENT WITH YOUR COUNCIL PRIORITIES, OBJECTIVES, AND GOALS, WE'VE MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS ON STAFF RECENTLY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE AS EFFICIENT AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
WHEN I CAME HERE IN 2020, OUR DEPARTMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES DIDN'T EXIST.
>> WE HAD A PARK MAINTENANCE, BUT WE HAD NO PARK DEVELOPMENT, NO RECREATION AND CERTAINLY NO LIBRARY SERVICES.
BUT AT THE TIME, AS WE WERE CREATING THOSE CODE COMPLIANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, HEALTH INSPECTIONS, RENTAL REGISTRATIONS, ALL THOSE THINGS WERE PART OF OUR DEPARTMENT, AND THAT'S TYPICALLY A PART OF WHAT MOST FOLKS WOULD CONSIDER NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES.
WHEN CODE COMPLIANCE BECAME ITS OWN DIVISION, THEY TOOK A DIFFERENT NAME AND WE CONTINUED TO GO BY NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES IN OUR DEPARTMENT.
NOW THAT WE'VE ESTABLISHED MORE FULLY, WE HAVE THE LIBRARY ONLINE, AND CODE COMPLIANCE HAS CONTINUED TO GROW.
THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT I INTEND TO HAPPEN.
ONE IS THAT THE CODE WILL BECOME ITS OWN DEPARTMENT WITH ITS OWN DIRECTOR, AND I'LL BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT NEXT WEEK.
BUT I THINK IT'S MORE APPROPRIATE THAT WE NAME THAT DEPARTMENT, NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES, AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY CALLED AND RENAME THE CURRENT NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES OF PARKS, RECREATION AND LIBRARIES, AND SPECIAL EVENTS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES CHANGING THAT FOCUS FROM MORE OF A STREET LEVEL TO MORE OF A REGIONAL TYPE FOCUS.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR THIS EVENING AND CERTAINLY ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
>> COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> I HAVE A COMMENT. THE WAY YOU EXPLAIN THAT MAKES COMPLETE AND TOTAL SENSE. I APPLAUD YOU FOR THAT.
>> WITH THAT IF NO ONE HAS ANY OTHER COMMENTS, I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM 7G.
>> MAY HAVE MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE TABLE, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE, CAST YOUR VOTES.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM H, CONSIDER, DISCUSSED AND ACT ON APPOINTMENTS TO THE 2026 BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS INTERVIEW COMMITTEE CITY SECRETARY CARRIE LAND.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. TONIGHT, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL NEED TO APPOINT THREE MEMBERS TO SERVE AS OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS INTERVIEW COMMITTEE.
THIS COMMITTEE WILL DO SCREENING OF APPLICATIONS, CONDUCT THE INTERVIEWS, AND PROVIDE FUTURE APPOINTMENTS.
>> RECOMMENDATIONS, THANK YOU, TO THE COUNCIL FOR VACANCIES AND FILLING THOSE BOARDS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL. ANY NOMINATIONS?
>> I'D LIKE TO NOMINATE MANNY TO TAKE MY PLACE ON THAT BOARD OR THAT COMMITTEE.
>> HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND? ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS?
>> ARE WE DOING ALL THREE OR WE JUST REPLACING STAND?
>> I THINK WE'RE DOING ALL THREE.
>> JUST CHECKING. IT'S DIFFERENT EVERY YEAR.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. ANY MORE DISCUSSION? IF NOT, LET'S CAST VOTES? MANNY IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
DO I HAVE A NOMINATION FOR THE SECOND SPOT?
>> ANYBODY ELSE INTERESTED? I WILL CERTAINLY DO IT, BUT I DON'T WANT TO STOP SOMEONE ELSE FROM DOING.
>> I GO AHEAD AND NOMINATE KELLY HERNDON. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> SORRY. I APOLOGIZE. I JUMPED THE GUN, SORRY.
>> I HAVE A FEW RESPONSIBILITIES.
[00:50:01]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND ON THIS? ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, GO AHEAD AND CAST YOUR VOTES, PLEASE.
NOW WE'RE LOOKING FOR OUR THIRD INTERVIEW PERSON.
>> I'LL NOMINATE COUNCILMEMBER BAKER, JUST WASN'T COMING OUT.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. OUR COMMITTEE, MS. LAND WILL BE MANNY SINGH, KELLY HERNDON, AND ELDON BAKER.
THANK YOU ALL. AGENDA ITEM I CONSIDER, DISCUSS AND ACT ON OUR OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER MEETING DATES, MS. LAND.
>> AFTER PUTTING TOGETHER THE SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTHS OF OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, WE HAVE FOUND THAT THE OCTOBER 28TH REGULAR MEETING CONFLICTS WITH THE EARLY VOTING AND THE TML ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
THEN NOVEMBER 11TH IS A REGULAR MEETING, AND THAT IS ALSO VETERANS DAY IN WHICH CITY HALLS ARE CLOSED.
NOVEMBER 25TH IS A REGULAR MEETING, AND IT FALLS DURING THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING.
DECEMBER 23RD IS REGULAR MEETING, AND IT FALLS DURING THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS.
IF COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO RESCHEDULE THOSE MEETINGS TO DIFFERENT DATES.
>> DON'T WE NORMALLY IN NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, ONLY HAVE THE SECOND TUESDAY MEETING AND ONLY HOLD THE SESSLE IF WE NEED TO?
I HAD ASKED LEGAL COUNCIL ABOUT THIS LAST TIME WE DID THIS A YEAR AGO.
OUR CHARTER 308 SAYS, MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
SECTION A, THE CITY COUNCIL MUST SCHEDULE AT LEAST TWO REGULAR MEETINGS EACH MONTH AND IT GOES ON FURTHER.
BUT SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE TWO MEETINGS AND I HAD SOMEONE EXPLAIN IT TO ME.
IT'S PART OF THE NEIGHBORS COMMENTS.
IF THERE'S ANYTHING GOING ON IN THE CITY THAT WE NEED TO HEAR FROM NEIGHBORS ABOUT, THEY NEED THEIR ABILITY TO SPEAK.
ATTORNEY, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ABOUT THAT? AM I INTERPRETING THIS CORRECTLY?
>> IN PRACTICE, THERE'S BEEN ONE MEETING IN NOVEMBER, ONE IN DECEMBER, GOING BACK, BUT THOSE MEETINGS DO GET SCHEDULED AND THEN CANCELED, PARTLY BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S CONCERNS ABOUT HAVING A QUORUM OVER THE HOLIDAYS.
>> THE ONLY THING DIFFERENT THIS YEAR WOULD BE THE FACT THAT OCTOBER IS BUMPED UP AGAINST A TML CONVENTION OR CONFERENCE, WHATEVER.
WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK ABOUT SCHEDULING AT THE 21ST, AND THEN IF THERE'S NOTHING TO DISCUSS, WE CANCEL?
>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY BECAUSE THAT'S JUST A WEEK AHEAD.
>> WHY CAN'T WE DO IT ON THE MONDAY? WHY DID YOU ALL WE GOT TO BILL ON TUESDAY? WHY CAN'T WE DO IT ON 27TH?
>> NEIGHBORHOOD? WE'VE HELD DOUBLE MEETINGS BEFORE.
THEN GO UP INTO THE MEETING ROOM UPSTAIRS LIKE WE'VE DONE BEFORE.
>> THERE'S A POSSIBILITY WE CANCEL ANYWAY.
>> EITHER ONE IS FINE WITH ME.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION FOR OCTOBER 27TH.
WE'RE GOING TO DO ONE MONTH AT A TIME?
>> MANNY'S THE LIAISON FOR THAT.
THAT'S WHY WE SAID TUESDAY 21ST.
>> WE CAN ALSO LOOK TO SEE IF THERE'S EVEN ANYTHING A REASON FOR THEM TO MEET.
>> I'M FINE WITH THAT. WHEN I TOUCH BASE WITH THE BOARD, I'LL REVIEW THAT AS AN OPTION.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE CHANGE OUR OCTOBER 28TH MEETING TO OCTOBER 27TH.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO CHANGE OUR OCTOBER MEETING TO THE 27TH.
IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.
[00:55:08]
JUST NOW LOOKING AT THE SCHEDULE, I REALIZED THAT ON THAT MONDAY THE 27TH, THE VOTING WILL STILL BE GOING ON HERE IN CITY HALL FROM 7:00-7:00.
>> I DID NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT.
>> KELLY, WHAT ABOUT THE 21ST?
>> HANG ON. LET'S DO SOMETHING WITH THIS REAL QUICK.
YOU KNOW WHAT? IT'S NOW ON 27TH, SO LET'S LOOK AT CHANGING IT FROM THE 27TH TO SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
>> WE COULD JUST MAKE IT ON 28TH AND POSSIBILITY OF CANCELING IT ANYWAY.
WE DON'T GO TO TML UNTIL THE 29TH.
>> THEN WE WOULDN'T NEED TO CHANGE IT.
>> HOW DOES OUR COUNCIL MEETING CONFLICT WITH THE EARLY VOTING?
>> THEY VOTE TILL 7:00 PM AND THE JUDGES WILL BE HERE BECAUSE THEY USE THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OR THE LOBBY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
>> HEAR ME OUT. HOW ABOUT YOU KEEP IT THE 28TH OR 27TH? JUST CHANGE IT THAT WE START ON AT 7:00 PM?
>> THEY WON'T BE OUT HERE UNTIL ABOUT 8:00.
THE JUDGES AND CLERKS WILL BE HERE.
>> DO WE MOVE THE LOCATION TO THE ISD BUILDING OR THE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, IF THEY'LL APPROVE THAT?
>> THE LOCATION FOR YOUR MEETING? WE CAN CERTAINLY CHECK WITH THEM.
>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT. IF YOU CAN CONNECT US MAYBE WITH THE ISD, MAYBE USE ONE OF THEIR BUILDINGS, BECAUSE THAT WAY, WE'VE PROMISED SOMEONE THAT WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THEM THIS VENUE.
WE DON'T WANT TO GET IN THEIR WAY, ESPECIALLY FOR EARLY VOTING.
>> THE 27TH AT ONE OF THE AISD BUILDINGS?
>> IT WOULD BE REALLY COOL IF IT WAS A JOINT MEETING.
WE GOT TO HAVE A JOINT MEETING AT SOME POINT. IT WOULD BE COOL.
>> THAT TAKES US TO NOVEMBER THE 11TH AND 25TH.
>> YOU HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE AND NO VOTE.
>> IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. I'M SORRY.
I PROBABLY JUST DIDN'T READ IT OUT LOUD. SORRY.
THE FIRST NOVEMBER MEETING IS ON THE 11TH, AND THAT IS VETERANS DAY.
THAT IS A DAY THAT I NO LONGER GO TO WORK, AND I PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO BE UP HERE EITHER.
WE CAN BUMP THAT. OF COURSE, MONDAY IS A MARINE CORP BIRTHDAY, BUT I COULD FIGHT THROUGH IT.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE 17TH, MAYOR? THE FOLLOWING MONDAY?
>> THEN PLAN FOR A JOINT MEETING.
>> THE 18TH WOULD WORK AND THEN IF WE JUST HELD THE ONE MEETING, IT WOULD BE IN BETWEEN THE TWO REGULAR MEETINGS ON THE 18TH.
BUT THEN HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TILL WE CAN CANCEL IT?
>> THREE BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
>> REMEMBER, WE HAD A DISCUSSION EARLIER ABOUT HAVING A JOINT MEETING WITH PARKS.
WOULDN'T THAT HAVE OPEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE IT NOVEMBER 17TH AND HAVE A JOINT MEETING WITH PARKS?
>> I'M OPEN TO THAT, BUT I THINK THERE WAS A EDC JOINT SESSION AND SOMEWHERE IN THE WORKPLACE TO THOUGH I THINK WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE TOO.
IF WE CAN GET MAYBE BOTH OF THEM ORGANIZED AT SOME POINT, THAT WOULD BE IDEAL.
>> BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT THIS MEETING.
>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE 17TH JOINT MEETING WITH THE PARKS BOARD. IS THAT WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING?
>> FOR YEARS, WE'VE ALWAYS ASKED THE PARKS TO CHANGE THEIR MEETING TO US, SO MAYBE ONE TIME WE CAN GO TO THEM.
>> I'M PERFECTLY FINE WITH THAT. I MAY MOVE ON.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE MAKE FIRST MEETING OF NOVEMBER FROM THE 11TH TO THE 17TH.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE, CAST YOUR VOTES.
I THOUGHT WE WERE MAKING GRAY SLOW DOWN AND SHE'S RIGHT BACK ON.
THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY AND THAT TAKES US TO NOVEMBER 25TH, WHICH IS THANKSGIVING WEEK.
>> THIS ONE, WE COULD JUST LEAVE IT AS IS, AND JUST CLAIM THAT WE CANCEL IT THREE DAYS PRIOR.
>> I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THE EASIEST THING TO DO.
KELLY, WE'RE JUST GOING TO LEAVE THAT DATE AS IS.
[01:00:03]
THEN DECEMBER 23RD?>> LET'S DO THE SAME WITH THAT ONE.
>> ANYBODY HAVE PROBLEM WITH THAT?
>> I MOVE THAT WE LEAVE THAT MEETING AS IS.
>> WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION FOR IT.
>> NO, WE DON'T HAVE TO MOVE THAT'S IT'S ALREADY SCHEDULED. THAT'S IT?
>> WE NEED A STAPLES THAT WAS EASY.
>> MARK, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FOR CLOSED SESSION AT THE END?
[8. Closed Session (Exceptions).]
>> NO, SIR. NOT ADDITIONAL TO WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY DISCUSSED, IF YOU WANTED TO TAKE ACTION ON ONE OF THE ITEMS, ENCOURAGED.
>> THE SUN'S STILL SHINING WE CAN [OVERLAPPING]
>> SEEING NO OBJECTION, WE'RE ADJOURNED.
>> COMING OUT OF CLOSED SESSION, THERE'S THE MATTER OF THE ACTING CITY MANAGERS CONTRACT TO AMEND IT TO MAKE IT CONSISTENT.
>> YOU JUST SAID THAT RIGHT TO MY FACE.
>> I WILL MOVE TO MAKE THE [OVERLAPPING]
>> HANG ON. I'M GOING TO BRING US BACK.
>> IT'S ALL GOOD. YOU GUYS CAN [INAUDIBLE]
>> I'M GOING TO BRING THIS MEETING BACK TO ORDER AT 7:04 PM TO ACT ON ITEM 9 ON OUR AGENDA.
[9. Consider/Discuss/Action on any items listed on any agenda - work session, regular meeting, or closed session - that is duly posted by the City of Anna for any City Council meeting occurring on the same date as the meeting noticed in this agenda.]
>> I MOVE TO MAKE THE EDITS TO THE ACTING CITY MANAGER'S CONTRACT TO REFLECT THE CHANGES MADE TO THE TWO SECTIONS IN CITY.
>> ANYBODY WANT TO SECOND THAT?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.
THANK YOU CLERK FOR CATCHING THAT.
APPRECIATE IT. SEEING NO OBJECTION, WE ARE ADJOURNED AGAIN.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.