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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda CC 09.06.2012 SpecialNotice of Meeting of the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas SEPTEMBER 6, 2012 The Georgetown City Council will meet on SEPTEMBER 6, 2012 at 4:00 P.M. at the Council Chambers at 101 E. 7th Street, Georgetown, Texas 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 - A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL B Public Hearing on the proposed 2012 Property Tax rate -- Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer C Discussion and possible action with regard to entering the negotiation and final evaluation phase of consolidation of utility operations with Chisholm Trail Special Utility District (CTSUD) -- Glenn Dishong, Utilities Director and Jim Briggs, General Manager of Utilities Executive Session In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes, Annotated, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the regular session. D Sec. 551.071: Consultation with Attorney - Advice from attorney about pending or contemplated litigation and other matters on which the attorney has a duty to advise the City Council, including agenda items - Consultation with attorney regarding contract negotiation with Chisholm Trail Special Utility District 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 _________________, 2012, 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 September 6, 2012 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 September 6, 2012 SUBJECT: Public Hearing on the proposed 2012 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 2012 proposed tax rate of $0.4100 exceeds the effective rate of $0.39752 by 3.14%. The 2012/13 Proposed Annual Budget is based on $0.39750, which is slightly less than the effective rate. The proposed rate of $0.4100 will generate approximately $420,000 of additional General Fund revenue. Appropriations have not been increased in the 2012/13 Proposed Annual Budget. Possible for the additional funds include cash funding the purchase of public safety equipment and vehicles, more comprehensive implementation of market salary adjustments recommended out of the recent compensation study, and/or additional funding for downtown and parks improvements. The options will be presented to Council as part of the hearing, but actual budgetary appropriation would be in December or January. 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 previously reviewed by City Council at the July 23 and July 24 Council workshops. The proposed 2012/13 Annual Budget workbook is available for public review at the Public Library, located at 402 West 8th Street 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 Thursday, September 6 fulfill the requirements of the Texas Local Government Code, Section 102.006 providing for public comment on the proposed 2012/13 Annual Budget and for adoption of the City’s 2012 tax rate. Both are scheduled for first reading at the September 11, 2012 regular Council meeting. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed 2012/13 Budget is $189.8 million as reviewed with at the Council at the July 23 & 24, 2012 meeting. This budget also includes certificates of obligation bond issue for internal service fund equipment and transportation improvements, as well as General Obligation debt issuance for the Public Safety Facility that was approved by the voters May 2011 and parkland acquisition that was approved by the voters in 2008. SUBMITTED BY: ATTACHMENTS: One page tax rate and budget summary Cover Memo Item # B CITY OF GEORGETOWN 2012/13 Proposed Annual Budget & Tax Rate – Summary Points Property Tax Rates What is the proposed tax rate? · Proposed tax rate - $0.3975 · Rate is 1 cent higher than last years’ rate of $0.3875 · Increase is needed to pay debt on Public Safety Facility bonds approved by voters in May 2011 Why is Council considering raising the rate even more to $0.41? · That is the maximum amount Council can consider. Council may adopt a lesser amount. · The Council voted to consider a slightly higher rate because the City has the opportunity to borrow less money and better implement needed programs. Council wants input from the community at the two public hearings scheduled on August 28th & September 6th. Maintaining and enhancing Georgetown’s quality of life are very important. How will it impact me? · Based on the average home value this year and last year, it will cost the average homeowner approx. $1.86 more per month at the $0.3975 rate and $3.79 more per month at the $0.41 rate Other revenues such as sales taxes are also increasing, why doesn’t the city just use that money for those needed programs? · Yes, sales tax revenue and other revenues are going up. However, those increased revenues are what are paying for other needs including: o Salaries and benefits for 12 new firefighters required to open the new Fire Station No. 5 on D.B. Woods Road. o Employee salary adjustments recently identified in a market compensation study. The proposal is to fund 60% of the needed adjustments to salaries. o Rehabilitation and improvements projects in the City’s parks and downtown areas that were put on hold during the recent recession. 2012/13 Proposed Budget What is included in the Proposed 2012/13 Budget? The 2012/13 Proposed Annual Budget of $189.7 million represents significant efforts toward meeting the Council’s vision for Georgetown as the City of Excellence, including: Full staffing and operations for the new Fire Station No. 5 on the west side of Georgetown. Completion of the design for the new Public Safety Operations and Training Complex, to be operational in October 2014. Implement the City’s recently completed compensation plan, with 60% funding in 2012/13 and the remaining 40% in 2013/14. New investment to improve the historic downtown by extending and improving sidewalks and lighting, constructing an Arts & Culture center and updating the Downtown Master Plan. Significant new spending in Parks to purchase land for a future West Side Park, reconstruct the Creative Playscape in San Gabriel Park, complete the River Trails Expansion currently underway and make $623,000 of improvements to maintain and enhance existing neighborhood parks. Update and begin implementing the City Facility Plan including design for a new Downtown Civic Center facility and repurposing the Albertson’s building. Pursue new electric wholesale power options and conclude the LCRA contract. Pursue the CTSUD merger to manage water operations and supply in north and west developments in Georgetown and the surrounding area. This budget proposal continues the discipline of efficiency developed during the recent economic downturn. Department budgets were closely reviewed and 17 positions frozen during the recession were eliminated from the staffing plan. Attachment number 1 \nPage 1 of 1 Item # B City of Georgetown, Texas September 6, 2012 SUBJECT: Discussion and possible action with regard to entering the negotiation and final evaluation phase of consolidation of utility operations with Chisholm Trail Special Utility District (CTSUD) -- Glenn Dishong, Utilities Director and Jim Briggs, General Manager of Utilities ITEM SUMMARY: FINANCIAL IMPACT: SUBMITTED BY: Glenn Dishong, Utilities Director Cover Memo Item # C City of Georgetown, Texas September 6, 2012 SUBJECT: Sec. 551.071: Consultation with Attorney - Advice from attorney about pending or contemplated litigation and other matters on which the attorney has a duty to advise the City Council, including agenda items - Consultation with attorney regarding contract negotiation with Chisholm Trail Special Utility District ITEM SUMMARY: FINANCIAL IMPACT: SUBMITTED BY: Cover Memo Item # D