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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda CC 08.18.2011Notice of Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas AUGUST 18, 2011 The Georgetown City Council will meet on AUGUST 18, 2011 at 6:00 P.M. at Council Chambers at 101 E. 7th Street If you need accommodations for a disability, please notify the city in advance. Regular Session (This Regular Session may, at any time, be recessed to convene an Executive Session for any purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code 551.) A - Call to Order SPECIAL SESSION TO BEGIN NO EARLIER THAN 6:00 PM B Public Hearing on the proposed 2011 Property Tax rate included in the 2011/12 Annual Budget -- Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer C - Adjourn Adjournment Certificate of Posting I, Jessica Brettle, City Secretary for the City of Georgetown, Texas, do hereby certify that this Notice of Meeting was posted at City Ha 1, 113 E. 8th Street, a place readil accessible to the general public at all times, on the 1S day of-- , 2011, at , and remained so posted for at least Jiontinuous hours receding the eduled time of said meeting. ca Brettle, City Secretary 48 )WN 1 Ll%L IL Citizen Comment Form For Posted Agenda Items To address the City Council on a posted agenda item, complete this form and submit it to the City Secretary, on the dais, prior to the discussion of the item at the meeting. Meeting Date: 1 l I Agenda Item (A, B, C, etc...): T:2 Name: 14 4 .1V 4 Residence Address: If speaking for an organization, Name of Organization: Speaker's Official Capacity: Disclaimer: By submitting this request to address City Council, I agree that I will keep my comments to the subject listed. 1 will refrain from the use of any obscene, vulgar, or profane language. I understand that if I do not follow this procedure, my speaking time may be terminated and I may be requested to sit down or be removed from the building. I understand that the City Council meeting is broadcast live and my comments will become part of the official record. City Council Procedure for Citizen Comment on an Agenda Item: 1. Fill out form completely and turn in to the City Secretary prior to discussion of the item 2. Wait for the Mayor to call your name to approach the podium 3. State your name and address clearly into the podium microphone 4. You will have three minutes to address Council; six minutes if another citizen has signed over their time 48 )WN 1 Ll %L ll� Citizen Comment Form For Posted Agenda Items To address the City Council on a posted agenda item, complete this form and submit it to the City Secretary, on the dais, prior to the discussion of the item at the meeting. Meeting Date: `' l Agenda Item (A, B, C, etc...): Name: I? V r o Residence Address: If speaking for an organization, Name of Organization: Speaker's Official Capacity: Disclaimer: By submitting this request to address City Council, I agree that I will keep my comments to the subject listed. I will refrain from the use of any obscene, vulgar, or profane language. I understand that if I do not follow this procedure, my speaking time may be terminated and 1 may be requested to sit down or be removed from the building. I understand that the City Council meeting is broadcast live and my comments will become part of the official record. City Council Procedure for Citizen Comment on an Agenda Item: 1. Fill out form completely and turn in to the City Secretary prior to discussion of the item 2. Wait for the Mayor to call your name to approach the podium 3. State your name and address clearly into the podium microphone 4. You will have three minutes to address Council; six minutes if another citizen has signed over their time Mayor, Council Members, staff, citizens of Georgetown, The Georgetown City Council is faced with a proposed 8.8% property tax rate increase. I urge creativity in figuring out how to provide the basic services for our fine community — but still controlling the potential tax rate increase. In today's newspaper, a former Council member suggested a creative way to control the proposed significant tax rate increase. I have no personal knowledge if his idea would work — however, it represents the type of creativity needed in the thought processes by the City Council. As part of your deliberations, you may hear arguments in favor of the 8.8% tax rate increase, including; • Mandated due to prior voter -approved bonds — Not necessarily. The fact is that the voters expect the City to issue the bonds in a time frame that takes into consideration the state of the economy and the growth of the City. Certain bonds have been issued; however, it is now incumbent on the City to be extremely creative in finding financial solutions to service the bonds given the stagnant economy. • Sun City people shouldn't care because our property taxes are frozen — Not true. Many Sun City residents' property taxes are not frozen. Even among those who have frozen property taxes, many desire to keep the property tax rate low to encourage future economic development in our City. • Georgetown City property tax rates are the lowest among nearby cities — Not totally relevant. Since the value of homes in Georgetown is substantially higher than selected other nearby municipalities, the total dollar amount of taxes paid — per home — is far from the lowest. At your meeting on August 23, you will be asked to approve an 8.8% increase in the city -portion of the property tax rate. I ask the Council members to be creative before that vote. Figure out a way to cut that increase in half or even eliminate the rate increase. Now is the time for a creative approach to help control the City tax rate. Thank you.