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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda CC 08.06.2013 SpecialNotice of Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas AUGUST 6, 2013 The Georgetown City Council will meet on AUGUST 6, 2013 at 4:00 P.M. at the Council Chambers, at 101 E. 7th St., Georgetown, TX The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City Secretary's Office, least four (4) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 113 East 8th Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. 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 - A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL B Public Hearing on the proposed 2013 Property Tax Rate -- Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer 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 Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, a place readily accessible to the general public at all times, on the _____ day of _________________, 2013, at __________, and remained so posted for at least 72 continuous hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting. __________________________________ Jessica Brettle, City Secretary City of Georgetown, Texas August 6, 2013 SUBJECT: Call to Order - A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ITEM SUMMARY: FINANCIAL IMPACT: SUBMITTED BY: Cover Memo Item # A City of Georgetown, Texas August 6, 2013 SUBJECT: Public Hearing on the proposed 2013 Property Tax Rate -- Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer ITEM SUMMARY: The Texas Tax Code requires the City Council to hold two public hearings on the proposed tax rate prior to adoption if the proposed rate exceeds the current effective tax rate. The 2013 proposed tax rate of $0.4395 exceeds the effective rate of $0.414493 by 6.03%. The increase is entirely dedicated to pay the required debt service payments for voter approved debt issued for the Public Safety and Operations Training Center and Parks projects. The Council is not required to adopt this rate; however, this is the maximum rate the Council may consider. An overview of the tax calculation and related General Fund revenue and expenditure information will also be provided at the hearing and was reviewed with Council at the July 22 and July 23 Council workshops. The proposed 2013/14 Annual Budget workbook are available for public review at the Public Library, located at 808 Martin Luther King or at City Hall located at 113 E. 8th Street. The information is also available on the City’s website. Special Considerations This public hearing and the hearing scheduled for Tuesday, August 13 fulfill the requirements of the Texas Local Government Code, Section 102.006 providing for public comment on the proposed 2013/14 Annual Budget and for adoption of the City’s 2013 tax rate. Both are scheduled for first reading at the August 27, 2013 regular Council meeting FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed 2013/14 Budget is $220.7 million as reviewed with the Council at the July 22 & 23, 2013 meeting. SUBMITTED BY: ATTACHMENTS: 2013/14 Proposed Annual Budget and Tax Rate Summary Cover Memo Item # B CITY OF GEORGETOWN 2013/14 Proposed Annual Budget & Tax Rate Summary Property Tax Rates What is the proposed tax rate? · Proposed tax rate - $0.4395 · Rate is 2.95 cents higher than last years’ rate of $0.41 · Increase is needed to pay debt on Public Safety Facility bonds approved by voters in May 2011 Why is Council considering raising the tax rate? · All of the increase is to pay debt on Public Safet y Facility bonds approved by voters in May 2011. How will it impact me? · Based on the average home value this year and last year, it will cost the average homeowner approximately $3.91 more per month at the proposed $0.4395 rate. Other revenues such as sales taxes are also increasing, why doesn’t the city just use that money for the added debt payments? · Yes, sales tax revenue and other revenues are going up. However, those increased revenues are paying for other needs. In fact the total amount of new tax rate needed to pay the debt is actually almost 5 cents, or $0.04990. The City Manager’s recommended budget uses 2 cents of property tax revenue that would otherwise fund general government operations such as Public Safety and the Library to offset the increase to tax payers. 2013/14 Proposed Budget What is included in the Proposed 2013/14 Annual Budget? The 2013/14 Proposed Annual Budget of $220.7 million represents significant efforts toward meeting the Council’s vision for Georgetown as the City of Excellence, including: Three new positions in Fire Services to provide support for Emergency Management and Fire and Life Safety Inspections. Planning and expansion of the City’s Emergency Warning Systems to include not only traditional outdoor sirens, but also make use of mobile technology to broadcast alerts to the public. Completion of the new Public Safety Operations and Training Complex, to be operational in October 2014. New investment to improve the historic downtown by extending and improving sidewalks and lighting and opening of the Arts & Culture center. Downtown parking will be addressed including a new paved lot at the corner of 8th & MLK, across from the Georgetown Library, and $400,000 to study options for and design of a downtown parking garage. Significant spending in Parks to rebuild the Creative Playscape, make improvements in San Gabriel Park, complete the River Trails Expansion and $925,000 to maintain and enhance existing neighborhood pools and parks. Williams Drive and River Ridge pools, and Chautauqua, McMaster and VFW parks will get significant improvements during 2013/14. Sidewalks both downtown and city-wide will be improved and expanded with $2 million in city and grant funding. A long term plan for ADA needs and safe walking pathways will be completed. Continued efforts to maintain competitive, low electric rates for the City’s customers. Complete the CTSUD merger to manage water operations and supply developments in north and west Georgetown and the surrounding area. Add a home water and energy audit program to enhance the conservation programs available to citizens. Council wants input from the community at the two public hearings on the tax rate scheduled for August 6th & August 13th and a public hearing on the overall budget on August 27th. Maintaining and enhancing Georgetown’s quality of life are very important. For more information, please go to www.georgetown.org. Attachment number 1 \nPage 1 of 1 Item # B Notice of Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas AUGUST 6, 2013 The Georgetown City Council will meet on AUGUST 6, 2013 at 6:00 P.M. at the Friends Room, Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626 The City of Georgetown is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA, reasonable assistance, adaptations, or accommodations will be provided upon request. Please contact the City Secretary's Office, least four (4) days prior to the scheduled meeting date, at (512) 930-3652 or City Hall at 113 East 8th Street for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. 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 Downtown Master Plan Community Workshop The Georgetown City Council has been invited to attend a Downtown Master Plan Community Workshop in order to communicate with residents and community stakeholders and take part in shaping the future of downtown. No official action will be taken. 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 Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, a place readily accessible to the general public at all times, on the _____ day of _________________, 2013, at __________, and remained so posted for at least 72 continuous hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting. __________________________________ Jessica Brettle, City Secretary City of Georgetown, Texas August 6, 2013 SUBJECT: Downtown Master Plan Community Workshop The Georgetown City Council has been invited to attend a Downtown Master Plan Community Workshop in order to communicate with residents and community stakeholders and take part in shaping the future of downtown. No official action will be taken. ITEM SUMMARY: FINANCIAL IMPACT: SUBMITTED BY: Cover Memo Item # A