HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda CC 07.10.2018 WorkshopNotice of M eeting of the
Governing B ody of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
J uly 10 , 20 18
The Ge orgetown City Council will meet on July 1 0, 2 018 at 3:30 PM at Council Chambers - 101 East
7th Street
The City o f Georgetown is committed to co mpliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If
you re quire assistance in participating at a public meeting due to a disability, as defined under the ADA,
reasonable assistance, adaptations, or ac c ommo datio ns will be provided upo n request. P lease contact
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3652 o r City Hall at 113 East 8th Street fo r additional information; TTY use rs ro ute through Relay
Texas at 7 11.
Policy De ve lopme nt/Re vie w Workshop -
A Prese ntation, update, and discussion co ncerning a Neighborhood Traffic Management P olicy -
- Octavio Garza, P.E.
B Prese ntation and discussion on propo sed changes to the Fiscal and Budgetary P olicies as part of
the FY20 19 budget development pro c e ss -- Leigh Wallace, Finance Director
C Prese ntation and discussion regarding the Five Year Capital Improveme nt Plan (CIP) and the
Estimated Tax Rate Impact -- Paul Diaz, Budget Manager
Exe cutive Se ssion
In compliance with the Open Meetings Ac t, Chapter 551, Government Co de , Verno n's Texas Codes,
Annotate d, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the
regular se ssio n.
D Se c . 55 1.0 71 : Consul tati on wi th Atto rney
Advic e from attorney about pending o r contemplated litigation and othe r matters on which the
attorney has a duty to advise the City Co uncil, including agenda items
Se c . 55 1.0 72 : Del i berati ons about Real Pro perty
- Discussion regarding possible sale of 1 acre o f land located on CR 20 1, Liberty Hill, TX --
Travis Baird, Real Estate Services Co ordinator
- Rock Street/8th Street
Se c . 55 1:0 74 : Personnel Matte r s
City Manager, City Attorney, City Se c retary and Municipal Judge: Consideration of the
appointment, employment, evaluatio n, reassignment, duties, discipline, o r dismissal
Se c . 55 1.0 87 : Del i berati on Regardi ng Eco nomi c Devel opment Ne go ti ati ons
- Pro ject Toms
Adjournme nt
Ce rtificate of Posting
I, Shelley No wling, City S ecretary for the C ity of Geo rgeto wn, Texas , do hereby c ertify that
Page 1 of 148
this Notic e o f Meeting was posted at City Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, a p lac e read ily acc es s ib le to
the general pub lic at all times , o n the _____ day of _________________, 2018, at
__________, and remained so p o s ted for at leas t 72 c o ntinuo us ho urs p receding the
s cheduled time of s aid meeting.
__________________________________
Shelley No wling, City S ecretary
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City of Georgetown, Texas
City Council Workshop
July 10, 2018
SUBJECT:
P resentation, update, and discussion concerning a Ne ighbo rhood Traffic Management P olicy -- Octavio Garza, P.E.
ITEM SUMMARY:
Residents throughout the City of George to wn are o ften concerned about high traffic speeds and/or volumes in residential
areas. Speeding vehicles and unexpecte d traffic vo lume s, whether perceived or real, may co ntribute to a sense of
uneasiness or create safe ty co ncerns within a community. City Co uncil directed the P ublic Works Division to take a
holistic loo k at the City’s roadway network and provide guidance on a process which the City can use to address traffic
speed and volume co ncerns in neighborhoods.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
SUBMITTED BY:
Octavio Garza, PE, Public Works Director
ATTACHMENT S:
Description
Neighb o rhhood Traffic Management Polic y P res entation
Neighb o rhoo d Traffic Management Po licy
Neighb o rhoo d Traffic Management Po licy-C o mments and Rs p o nses
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NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC
MANAGEMENT
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
JULY 10, 2018
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy
•January 23, 2018 -City Council provided
direction: “staff is to prepare a policy for the
Council to consider by July 10, 2018”.
•June 12, 2018 –Draft Policy presented. City
Council provided direction to solicit public
comment and staff host an open house public
meeting.
–Comments solicited via social media and
SurveyMonkeyTM. Comment period June 15, 2018 –
June 29, 2018
–Public Meeting held June 25, 2018 at the Georgetown
Library
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Comments & Public Meeting
•40 total comments received.
•40 participants signed in at the Public Meeting.
Comments/Concerns
–Travel Shed definition –500 ft minimum / engineering review.
–Ability to propose preferred alternatives.
–Definition of affected property owner: Who is included?
–Site specific concerns.
–Traffic thresholds not stated in the policy.
–“Simple requests” going through the entire process.
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Next Steps
•City Council Feedback or Adopt the Policy.
•Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy on City
Council Agenda for consideration.
•Funding for Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy
proposed in FY 2019 budget.
Thank you!
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City of Georgetown
Public Works Division
Neighborhood Traffic Management
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 10, 2018
City of Georgetown, Texas
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program i
As approved July, 10, 2018
Neighborhood Traffic Management
Public Works Division
Effective Date: July 10, 2018
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 ‐ Purpose ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 2 ‐ Intent .......................................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 3 ‐ City Authority ........................................................................................................................... 2
Chapter 4 ‐ Application Process for Traffic Management Study ......................................................... 3
A. Applicability ....................................................................................................................................... 3
B. Eligibility ............................................................................................................................................. 4
C. Non‐Eligible Submissions ................................................................................................................. 5
D. Approval of Application ................................................................................................................... 5
E. Cost Responsibility ............................................................................................................................ 6
F. Funding of Recommended Improvements .................................................................................... 6
Chapter 5 ‐ Traffic Speed ............................................................................................................................. 7
A. Staff Review for Traffic Speed Studies ............................................................................................ 7
B. Consideration for Reduced Speed Limits ....................................................................................... 7
C. Potential Shifts of Traffic ................................................................................................................... 8
D. Notification/Evidence of Support .................................................................................................... 8
E. Location and Design of Devices for Speeding Mitigation ............................................................ 9
Chapter 6 ‐ Traffic Volume ....................................................................................................................... 10
A. Staff Review for Traffic Volume .................................................................................................... 10
B. Notification/Evidence of Support .................................................................................................. 11
C. Location and Design of Devices for Traffic Volume Mitigation ............................................... 12
D. Road Closure Policy ........................................................................................................................ 13
Chapter 7 ‐ Planning, Design, & Construction ...................................................................................... 13
A. Concept Plan Development ............................................................................................................ 13
B. Community Meeting ....................................................................................................................... 14
C. Decision on Final Disposition of the Concept Plan ..................................................................... 15
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program ii
As approved July, 10, 2018
D. Final Design ...................................................................................................................................... 15
E. Implementation of Traffic Management Measure ...................................................................... 16
F. Reporting and Measurement of Traffic Management Measure ................................................ 16
G. Maintenance of Traffic Management Measures .......................................................................... 17
H. Removal of Traffic Management Measures by Maintenance or Construction Activities ...... 18
Appendix A: Neighborhood Traffic Control Options ........................................................................ 19
Appendix B: Application Form ............................................................................................................... 23
Appendix C: Sample Maintenance Agreement .................................................................................... 29
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 1
As approved July 10, 2018
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program
Chapter 1 Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on the process that the City of Georgetown
will use to address traffic speed and volume concerns in residential areas. The purpose of this
document is not to override, supersede, ignore, or otherwise conflict with current and future
Local, State and Federal regulations concerning traffic safety or best engineering practices.
Information included in Appendix A addresses traffic calming techniques that can be
implemented to address vehicle speed and volume concerns. These guidelines and procedures
provide an objective framework to better address mitigation of adverse levels of speeding and
traffic volume in City of Georgetown neighborhoods. Mitigation of speeding and volume are
typically addressed through traffic calming in numerous communities. Traffic calming will also
need to address bicycle and pedestrian mobility. While road closure may be an option, in rare
cases it could be implemented due to the cause‐and‐effect on the overall commuting public and
the transportation network.
Chapter 2 Intent
It is the intent of this document to provide guidance and outline an application process for
traffic management in residential neighborhoods. Traffic management includes addressing
citizen concerns regarding high traffic speeds, increasing traffic volumes and pedestrian and
bicycle movement. This document provides for the consideration of modifying existing
roadways to mitigate impacts from existing motor vehicle traffic, including golf cart traffic, as
applicable, within a defined area through the design and implementation of geometric street
features and/or traffic control and traffic calming techniques.
This document specifically considers two types of impacts:
Adverse levels of speeding along a defined roadway segment; and
Adverse levels of traffic volume or neighborhood pass through traffic within a defined
area.
In order to address identified adverse impacts, the Public Works Division, through an
engineering study, may implement the potential neighborhood traffic management methods
including, but not limited to:
Enforcement and education measures
Speed reduction
Changing texture of roadway
Narrowing of lanes
Curb extensions (bulb outs)
Road diets
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 2
As approved July 10, 2018
One‐way conversion
Closure
Appendix A contains further information on traffic calming and control techniques.
The application process is created to allow application requests for traffic management to
proceed in the following manner:
Step 1: Meet with Public Works Division staff and submit application for Neighborhood
Traffic Management Study.
Step 2: Staff review and determine type of application and potential mitigation measures
and set Public Meeting.
Step 3: Public Meeting and identification of preferred alternative for potential mitigation
measure(s).
Step 4: Survey of property owners on potential mitigation measure.
Step 5: Staff recommendation for mitigation measures and approval process with the
Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board and City Council.
Step 6: If capital programming is required, Capital Improvement Program plan of
funding for design of mitigation measure(s).
Step 7: Design of concept plan to implement mitigation measure(s).
Step 8: Public meeting for design feedback.
Step 9: Final design, construction, testing and reporting.
Chapter 3 ‐ City Authority
This document applies only to roadways that are owned and maintained by the City of
Georgetown. In all cases, the City has and retains the authority and responsibility to determine
what changes to the roadway and/or traffic control, if any, are appropriate in accordance with
City of Georgetown Code of Ordinances Title 10, Chapter 10.04, Chapter 10.08, Chapter 10.10,
Chapter 10.12 and Chapter 10.16.
Accepted engineering practices and standards shall take precedence in all decisions. Nothing
in this document shall compel or constrain the Public Works Division, acting on behalf of the
City, to take or not take an action that conflict with Local, State, or Federal regulations for traffic
safety as indicated in the Texas Manual for Uniform Traffic Safety Devices. The Public Works
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 3
As approved July 10, 2018
Division has primary responsibility for the City’s neighborhood traffic management and will
act in the capacity of technical advisor to the City Manager’s Office and the City Council. Any
traffic measure implemented that has an impact on a neighboring jurisdiction must also be
approved by said jurisdiction (i.e. Williamson County or City of Round Rock).
Chapter 4 ‐ Application Process for Traffic Management Study
A. Applicability
The initial request for the Traffic Management Study must be initiated by a property owner,
business, school, or other entity whose property is within the requested study area. If the
request includes the potential closure or structural improvements to a public street, the request
must be submitted by a property owner whose property is contiguous to the street subject to
the request.
Prior to the submittal of the request for a Traffic Management Study, the requester shall
schedule a meeting with the Public Works Division to discuss the anticipated request. The
Public Works Division will advise the requester of the potential viability of the request, any
foreseeable challenges or opportunities, and any alternative strategies or programs that may
better address the requester’s concerns. If the request is considered potentially viable, the
requestor may initiate the process by submitting the Application Form included in Appendix
B.
The Applicant for the Traffic Management Study must be willing to:
1. Be considered the applicant of record and act as the primary contact for the request;
2. Take responsibility for community notification and the compilation of evidence of
support for their requested area should it be determined eligible;
3. Serve as liaison to any community organizations within whose boundaries the requested
area exists;
4. Support the City’s process to design and implement traffic management measures, and
funded geometric street features, including the design of any landscaping or
hardscaping.
The application process does not accept recommendations from applicants regarding types or
locations of mitigation measures. Requests containing such information will not be accepted
and will be returned to the requester without action.
All requests for a Traffic Management Study will follow the application’s timeline located in
Appendix B.
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 4
As approved July 10, 2018
B. Eligibility
The Public Works Division will review any available traffic studies. A determination of the
streetʹs eligibility for consideration of speed and volume mitigation will be based on the
following criteria:
1. The Applicant for the Study must meet the eligibility requirements in Chapter 4,
Section A Applicability.
2. The street must be a public street, as this term is defined in the Unified Development
Code, under the jurisdiction of the City of Georgetown.
3. The street must be designated a Residential or Minor Collector per the City’s Overall
Transportation Plan (defined as a Neighborhood Collector in the Unified
Development Code).
4. City streets higher than a Minor Collector (Major Collector, Minor Arterial and
Major Arterial) will not be eligible for consideration other than through enforcement
or capacity improvements.
5. The street must not be designated as an alley as this term is defined in the Unified
Development Code.
6. Only two (2) lane roadways, one (1) lane in each direction, will be considered.
Unmarked streets are assumed to satisfy this criterion. For purposes of this process,
a continuous two‐way left turn lane is considered a third (3rd) lane.
7. The street must have a posted or prima facie speed limit of 35 mph or less.
8. Potential Neighborhood Traffic Management measures shall not violate the City’s
current Fire Code, including standards for proper lane width and the removal of fire
access points.
9. The street must be paved.
Other factors such as, but not limited to, ongoing maintenance, grades, sight distances,
pending construction projects, system needs, public services delivery, emergency services
delivery, or conflicts with adopted neighborhood plans may affect consideration for eligibility.
The installation of geometric street features shall be approved by the Public Works Division,
Georgetown Fire and Police Divisions, and Georgetown Emergency Response and Emergency
Medical Services prior to consideration by the City Council. The Planning Department and
other City divisions, as well as other governmental entities will be consulted on a case by case
basis. Any future transit companies, whether fixed route or a Transportation Network
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 5
As approved July 10, 2018
Company (e.g., Uber, Lyft, Autonomous Vehicles) will also be considered and consulted, as
applicable. Any proposed pass‐through traffic management involving the full or partial
closure of a street must be approved by all of the aforementioned as well as City Council.
Approval from other governmental entities will be required if any proposed traffic
management measure within the City of Georgetown impacts non‐City residents.
C. Non‐Eligible Submissions
Applicant will be notified in writing if a submission is not eligible for the study based on the
following reasons:
1. Traffic recounts are being requested as part of the submission without specific
reasons why the original count should be considered invalid.
2. Traffic studies presented in support of the request are based on potential future
traffic volumes, trends or routes beyond the scope of the application and not
representative of the existing traffic conditions.
3. The request is a duplicate request or overlaps with any other active request.
4. The request is submitted within two (2) years from the review of a former request
for the same street segment.
5. Previously installed devices or changes in posted speed limits have been in place for
a period of less than two (2) years.
6. The street does not meet the requirements of eligibility for speeding and volume
mitigation consideration in Chapter 4, Section B Eligibility, of this Policy.
D. Approval of Application
An application found eligible for consideration will be presented with identified potential
mitigations measures at a public meeting for the review, feedback, and selection of a preferred
alternative. In addition, all affected property owners will be surveyed to measure community
support for the proposed preferred alternative as outlined in Chapter 5, Section D and Chapter
6, Section B of this Policy.
If the application receives support from the affected property owners, feedback received at the
public meeting and staff recommendation for continuation of the study will be presented at a
regularly scheduled Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board meeting for a
recommendation to City Council. That recommendation with either approval, approval with
conditions, or denial, will be presented to City Council on a future City Council Meeting for
action (approval or denial).
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 6
As approved July 10, 2018
Once an application has received approval from City Council staff will begin review and data
collection of the neighborhood traffic management issue and potential measures in accordance
with the process outlined below.
If the City Council disapproves the concept plan, the same or similar project will not be eligible
for reconsideration for a period of two (2) years. If the there is a significant change in traffic
volume or traffic patterns, the Public Works Division’s through reasonable professional
judgement may prompt an earlier review.
E. Cost Responsibility
The neighborhood traffic management policy establishes a Neighborhood Traffic Management
Program in the Public Works Division’s Budget, which will provide an identified source of
budgeted General Fund Revenue to implement the program. Cost responsibility for the
neighborhood traffic management program fall in two (2) specific categories: 1) application and
traffic study; and 2) funding of capital improvements.
1. Application and Traffic Study
Special studies and data collection will be paid from the Neighborhood Traffic
Management Fund. If there are no funds in the current year budget the study will be
delayed until the fund is replenished in the following fiscal year budget. City Council
may choose to fund from another source, and/or the applicant may choose to fund the
study.
2. Funding of Capital Improvements
If improvements are recommended they will be placed in budget requests for the
following fiscal year to fund the Neighborhood Traffic Management Fund. A discussion
of the funding of improvements and eligibility is outlined in Chapter 4, Section F.
F. Funding of Recommended Improvements
Implementation of neighborhood traffic management methods identified in the study need to
fall into one (1) of the four (4) categories listed below:
1. Operational Improvements
Operational improvements may include enhanced enforcement and educational
programs.
2. Public Funding
For improvements identified to receive public funding, the Public Works Division will
be responsible for design and implementation of the improvements utilizing the Public
Works Neighborhood Traffic Management Program budget established to implement
this Policy within the City of Georgetown’s budget cycle. If budget does not include
funding for the improvements, City Council may choose to fund from another source,
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 7
As approved July 10, 2018
and/or the applicant may choose to fund following the additional measures discussed
below.
3. Joint Public/Private Funding.
An applicant completing the neighborhood traffic management program request may
provide funding, in whole or in part, when full public funding through the
Neighborhood Traffic Management Fund in not available. All funding must be
collected and encumbered before the installation of the project. Fiscal surety shall not be
accepted in lieu of payment in advance.
4. Private Funding.
Private Funding will be required for projects that did not receive Public Funding
through the Neighborhood Traffic Management Fund. An applicant for neighborhood
traffic management may expedite improvements by voluntary payment of all costs.
Private Funding must be submitted for full cost of the improvements prior to installation
of the project. Fiscal surety shall not be accepted in lieu of payment in advance.
Chapter 5 ‐ Traffic Speed
A. Staff Review for Traffic Speed Studies
The Public Works Division will conduct preliminary studies and determine a streetʹs eligibility
for speed mitigation. Consideration will be made in a timely manner, based on the following
criteria:
1. Applicability criteria outlined in Chapter 4, Section A Applicability and Chapter 4,
Section B Eligibility of this Policy.
2. The measured 85th percentile speed must exceed the prima facie or posted speed limit
by three (3) miles per hour or more in a 24‐hour study period; or there must be five (5)
or more reported speed‐related crashes within the street segment during the last twelve
(12) months of recorded data. Eligibility under the 85th percentile speed criterion
considers direction of travel independently.
Requests for repeating speed and volume studies (recounts) will be considered but funded by
the applicant, unless circumstances indicate otherwise. All studies submitted by the applicant
shall be signed and sealed by a licensed engineer in the State of Texas. If the street is determined
not to be eligible for consideration, the applicant will be notified in writing of the reason for
ineligibility.
B. Consideration for Reduced Speed Limits
1. Street segments where the measured 85th percentile speed is less than 28 MPH and the
posted or prima facie speed limit is 30 MPH will be eligible for consideration for a
reduction of the speed limit to 25 MPH.
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 8
As approved July 10, 2018
2. The extents of any street segments being considered for a reduction of the speed limit to
25 MPH must be contiguous and have their terminus at a designated arterial, collector,
or tee intersection with another local street or physical terminus. The extents of any
requested street segments that do not satisfy these requirements will be revised so as to
satisfy these requirements. The applicant will be notified in writing of any changes in
extents.
3. The consideration of a speed limit reduction will require Ordinance approval by City
Council in accordance with Chapter 10.12 of the City of Georgetown Code of
Ordinances.
C. Potential Shifts of Traffic
1. The roadway network in the vicinity of the petition area for a requested street segment
will be studied to identify alternative routes and probable traffic shifts. This
identification is limited to the streets immediately adjacent to and relatively parallel to
the requested street. Traffic studies will be conducted along adjacent alternate routes,
prior to construction of any devices, to provide baseline data to document any future
occurrence of traffic shifts. Potential traffic shifts to designated major collectors or
arterials shall not be considered.
2. If the adjacent alternate route is requested to be considered for speeding mitigation
within two (2) years of the completion of the installation of speed mitigation devices, it
shall be considered as all other requested segments are considered. The results of the
first and second study will be compared. If the segment is eligible for speeding
mitigation consideration and any increases in either traffic speeds or volumes are
shown, additional consideration for those increases will be given in the ranking for
funding process. Any decreases in volume or speed will not penalize the segment’s
consideration for funding.
D. Notification/Evidence of Support
1. If the street subject to the request is determined to be eligible for speed reduction
measures, the Public Works Division will develop potential mitigation measures, define
the type(s) and approximate location(s) of the speed reduction or geometric street
features on a map, and schedule a public meeting. The mitigation measures and notice
of the public meeting will be provided to the affected property owners to select a
preferred alternative and gather evidence of support through a ranking process.
2. At a minimum, the notice of the public meeting and subsequent survey will be sent by
U.S. mail to all the owners of record of real property, as determined by the most recent
tax roll information, within 500 feet of the segment of roadway under consideration. A
larger area of notification may be determined by the Public Works Division. Generally,
a property may be considered a part of the petition notification area if it’s only or primary
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 9
As approved July 10, 2018
access/egress route requires traversing existing or proposed devices. If there is an
alternate route to the property that does not require traversing the existing or proposed
devices, the property might not be considered in the petition area. Notification of “cul‐
de‐sac communities” will be evaluated on a case‐by‐case basis.
3. The notification letter shall be mailed two (2) weeks prior to the public meeting and will
include instructions on how to participate in the ranking process, as well as the place,
date and time of the public meeting concerning the potential mitigation measures.
4. At the Public Meeting, attendees will rank or select a preferred alternative for the
potential mitigation measure(s).
5. All potentially affected property owners will be mailed a survey to “Support”, “Do Not
Support”, or “Agree with Majority” on the preferred alternative for mitigation
measure(s). Only one completed survey per property will be accepted. Any property
represented by multiple signatures with identical indications will be considered
singularly. Any property represented by multiple signatures with differing indications
will be considered non‐responsive but accounted for in the petitioning process.
Property owners must respond in writing to the mitigation measures survey within
three (3) weeks following the notice being mailed.
6. Surveys that do not receive responses from at least fifty percent (50%) of the affected
property owners within the notification area will be considered incomplete and thus
end the process.
7. In the event that 50% or more of the affected property owners respond, the mitigation
measures must receive support from two‐thirds (2/3) of the respondents or the process
will end.
8. Any affected property owner who wishes to alter their indication of support on the
petition form after its submittal must do so by individual letter of request to the Public
Works Division. No such requests will affect funding that has already been awarded.
E. Location and Design of Devices for Speeding Mitigation
1. The Public Works Division will determine the final location of all traffic management
measures according to the guidelines in this Policy, and in accordance with current
engineering principles. All measures requiring construction activities will be designed
to provide for the safety of all roadway users and delivered in the process outlined in
Chapter 7, Planning Design and Construction of this Policy.
2. Speed reduction measures will require approval of an Ordinance setting the speed limit
consistent with the City Code of Ordinances. Physical improvements must be consistent
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 10
As approved July 10, 2018
with the Fire Code, Unified Development Code, Construction Specifications and
Drainage Criteria Manual, and other applicable City Codes and Ordinances.
3. General
a. For traffic management measures that could impact drainage and/or are located near
drainage inlets, the device should be placed just downstream of the inlet. If this is
not feasible, special treatment may be considered for drainage.
b. To improve nighttime visibility, coordinating traffic management measures location
with existing or planned street lighting should be considered.
c. Preferences of requesters or property owners adjacent to proposed geometric street
feature locations will not be considered unless unique or special circumstances
warrant relocation. The Public Works Division will consider these circumstances on
a case‐by‐case basis.
d. Traffic control measures consisting of signs and markings to advise roadway users of
the presence of any improvements will be installed in accordance with the Texas
Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TxMUTCD).
e. For requested streets on approved bicycle routes, bicycle lanes may be included in
the mitigation plan which may require existing on‐street parking to be revised or
prohibited.
Chapter 6 ‐ Traffic Volume
A. Staff Review for Traffic Volume
1. The Public Works Division will evaluate and prioritize all requests for traffic volume
pursuant to the following criteria:
a. Whether the request identifies a problem that could be remedied under these
guidelines and procedures;
b. Whether the request identifies an operational problem that could readily be
addressed through the installation of a type of traffic control measure that may be
installed without approval under these guidelines and procedures;
c. Whether special conditions concerning the neighborhood area, including but not
limited to the location and nature of businesses, schools, parks, churches or other
non‐residential traffic generators within or in close proximity to the neighborhood
area, may support approval of the project;
d. Whether the request conflicts with an existing approved neighborhood plan;
e. Whether there is community support for the project as evidencing that the project
will enhance and promote the public health, safety and welfare; and,
f. Whether existing evidence, studies, data or reports regarding the severity of the
existing problem, if any, merit the project.
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 11
As approved July 10, 2018
2. Requested areas for Traffic Volume may be divided or otherwise revised at the sole
determination of the Public Works Division.
3. For those requests that are accepted for further consideration, the Public Works Division
will, in coordination with the Applicant, develop a preliminary project schedule to
further the project’s consideration. The Applicant shall make all reasonable efforts to
abide by the published schedule and complete any assigned tasks or processes. Failure
to do so will result in the request being closed. Any Applicant who desires to renew a
request for a project that has been closed will be required to submit a new written
request in accordance with this Policy.
B. Notification/Evidence of Support
1. If the public street is determined to be eligible for volume reduction measures, the Public
Works Division will develop potential mitigation measures, define the type(s) and
approximate location(s) of the volume reduction or geometric street features on a map,
and schedule a public meeting. The mitigation measure and notice of the public meeting
will be provided to the affected property owners to gather evidence of support through
a ranking process.
2. Physical improvements must be consistent with the Fire Code, Unified Development
Code, Construction Specifications and Drainage Criteria Manual and other applicable
City Codes and Ordinances.
3. At a minimum, the notice of the public meeting and subsequent survey will be sent by
U.S. mail to all the owners of record of real property, as determined by the most recent
tax roll information, within 500 feet of the segment of roadway under consideration. A
larger area of notification may be determined by the Public Works Division. Generally,
a property may be considered a part of the petition notification area if it’s only or primary
access/egress route requires traversing existing or proposed devices. If there is an
alternate route to the property that does not require traversing the existing or proposed
devices, the property might not be considered in the petition area. Notification of “cul‐
de‐sac communities” will be evaluated on a case‐by‐case basis.
4. The notification letter shall be mailed two (2) weeks prior to the public meeting and will
include instructions on how to participate in the ranking process, as well as the place,
date and time of the public meeting concerning the potential mitigation measures.
5. At the Public Meeting, attendees will rank or select a preferred alternative for the
potential mitigation measure(s).
6. All potentially affected property owners will be mailed a survey to “Support”, “Do Not
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Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 12
As approved July 10, 2018
Support”, or “Agree with Majority” on the preferred alternative for mitigation
measure(s). Only one completed survey per property will be accepted. Any property
represented by multiple signatures with identical indications will be considered
singularly. Any property represented by multiple signatures with differing indications
will be considered non‐responsive but accounted for in the petitioning process.
Property owners must respond in writing to the mitigation measures survey within
three (3) weeks following the notice being mailed.
7. Surveys that do not receive responses from at least fifty percent (50%) of the affected
property owners within the notification area will be considered incomplete and thus
end the process.
8. In the event that 50% or more of the affected property owners respond, the mitigation
measures must receive support from two‐thirds (2/3) of the respondents or the process
will end.
9. Any affected property owner who wishes to alter their indication of support on the
petition form after its submittal must do so by individual letter of request to the Public
Works Division. No such requests will affect funding that has already been awarded.
C. Location and Design of Devices for Traffic Volume Mitigation
1. The Public Works Division will determine the final location of all traffic management
measures according to the guidelines in this Policy, and in accordance with current
engineering principles. All traffic management measures requiring construction
activities will be designed to provide for the safety of all roadway users and delivered
in the process outlined in Chapter 7 Planning, Design & Construction of this Policy.
2. General
a. For traffic management measures that could impact drainage and/or are located near
drainage inlets, the measure should be placed just downstream of the inlet. If this is
not feasible, special treatment may be considered for drainage.
b. To improve nighttime visibility, coordinating traffic management measures
location with existing or planned street lighting should be considered.
c. Preferences of requesters or property owners adjacent to proposed geometric street
feature locations will not be considered unless unique or special circumstances
warrant relocation. The Public Works Division will consider these circumstances
on a case‐by‐case basis.
d. Traffic control devices consisting of signs and markings to advise roadway users of
the presence of any devices will be installed in accordance with the Texas Manual
of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TxMUTCD).
Page 23 of 148
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 13
As approved July 10, 2018
e. For requested streets on approved bicycle routes, bicycle lanes may be included in
the mitigation measure which may require existing on‐street parking to be revised
or prohibited.
D. Road Closure Policy
1. Road Closure is the permeant closure of the public street. It will not consist of the
temporary use or emergency access use of a public right‐of‐way.
2. If a street is considered for road closure, it will require identification of alternative
routes and public notice before implementation.
3. The identified Road Closure will take into account the potential for either:
a. Abandonment of the Right of Way (ROW); and/or
b. Installation of cul‐de‐sac or other mitigation measures for traffic movement
including:
i. Design of streets consistent with the Unified Development Code, and
ii. Safety and aesthetic design measures consistent with the neighborhood.
Chapter 7 Planning, Design, & Construction
Once a potential neighborhood traffic management study has been approved by City Council,
Staff will program the funding of the design, construction and testing of recommended capital
improvements.
A. Concept Plan Development
1. A concept plan will be developed for the traffic management measure, taking into
account all traffic studies, community input and comments, and other data and factors
developed in accordance with the requirements of this Policy.
2. The concept plan will be reviewed and approved by the Public Works Division and the
Neighborhood Traffic Committee before being submitted for community input and
comment. The Neighborhood Traffic Committee will comprise of representatives from
the following Divisions: Fire, Police, Planning, and City Attorney Office, as well as other
City departments, as appropriate. The concept plan shall also be reviewed in the context
of transit operations. If the public street where the mitigation measure occurs extends
beyond the City of Georgetown city limits, the abutting local jurisdiction (City or
County) connecting to the roadway segment must concur with the recommended
concept plan.
3. Where appropriate, the Public Works Division will include basic landscaping in all
concept plan designs. Applicants desiring enhanced levels of landscaping and
hardscaping, or who wish to include public art, street furniture, irrigation, lighting, etc.,
must provide funding for the design, implementation and maintenance of those
Page 24 of 148
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 14
As approved July 10, 2018
features. That funding will be agreed to in the form of a Maintenance Agreement, which
is included in Appendix C.
4. No concept plan or traffic management measure shall be approved if it is found that:
a. Property owners contiguous to any physical improvement or modifications to
existing facilities are opposed to the project;
b. Pedestrian or bicycle traffic access to a neighborhood area would be denied or
materially impeded;
c. General mobility of traffic in the neighborhood area, the surrounding community,
or both would be unreasonably adversely affected to a material extent;
d. That the proposed solution is not the least restrictive that could reasonably be
expected to substantially mitigate or resolve the documented problem;
e. The project would prevent any owner of property from having direct vehicular
access to at least one abutting street in the city or county; or
f. The project would likely significantly delay ingress to or egress from neighborhoods
by emergency service vehicles.
5. Written notice of the review results will be given to the Applicant.
B. Community Meeting
1. Upon acceptance of the concept plan is completed through the Neighborhood Traffic
Committee, a community meeting will be held to gather community input and
comments on the concept plan.
2. At a minimum, notice of the community meeting will be sent by U.S. mail to all the
owners of record of real property, as determined by the most recent tax roll information,
within 500 feet of the segment of roadway under consideration, unless a larger area is
determined by the Public Works Division. The Public Works Division will include all
the property owners contacted in the petition process, as well as any additional property
owners who have requested inclusion in the design review process. Initial notice of the
community meeting will be distributed two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled meeting.
3. At the community meeting, the Public Works Division will provide a description of the
concept plan and a comment card for use by members of the community to address
public convenience and traffic issues, and to express either support or opposition to the
concept plan.
4. At the community meeting, comments regarding the concept plan may be made by any
interested party.
Page 25 of 148
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 15
As approved July 10, 2018
C. Decision on Final Disposition of the Concept Plan
1. The Public Works Division shall review and consider comments received during the
community meeting and evaluate the concept plan. The Public Works Division may:
a. Approve the concept plan for further consideration;
b. Disapprove of the concept plan and its underlying request; or
c. Require modification of the plan in response to comments or other information
received. Modified plans must be reviewed and approved by the Neighborhood
Traffic Committee. Revised plans do not require a subsequent community meeting.
2. The Applicant will be notified in writing of the decision of the Public Works Division.
3. If funding is required, the Public Works Division will give the approved concept plan
priority ranking in the following budget year when recommending funding for the
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. If funding is not received in the normal
budgeting process, alternative funding may be applied following guidelines of Chapter
4, Section D.
D. Final Design
Following determination of funding, the Applicant will be invited to a design initiation
meeting with City staff.
1. For all projects, the Applicant is strongly encouraged to form a Design Advisory
Committee of not more than five (5) persons.
2. The Design Advisory Committee’s responsibilities include:
a. Providing the City with information regarding community interests in the design of
the aesthetic aspects of the devices such as landscaping, hardscaping, or public art
opportunities;
b. Providing the City with information regarding the community’s willingness and
ability to accept responsibility for long‐term maintenance of landscaping in the form
of a Maintenance Agreement (Appendix D);
c. Providing feedback to the City regarding design concepts and details. While good‐
faith efforts will be made to incorporate suggestions from the design advisory
committee, the City retains its authority to design and implement improvements that
are considered to be in the best interest of the City; and
d. If deemed appropriate, submitting proposals for partnering through efforts such as
pursuit of appropriate grants and other similar programs.
3. It is the assumption of the City that those participating on the Design Advisory
Committee are representing the community, and are authorized and empowered to
Page 26 of 148
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 16
As approved July 10, 2018
make recommendations on behalf of the community.
4. The Public Works Division will develop a preliminary project schedule to further the
project. The Applicant and Design Advisory Committee must make all reasonable
efforts to abide by the published schedule and complete any assigned tasks or processes.
5. Should the Applicant or Design Advisory Committee not engage in the design process
or disengage during the design process, the City will proceed with design and
implementation of the traffic management measures in accordance with the preliminary
project schedule.
6. The design and construction or removal of the traffic management measures and
associated features are the responsibility of the Public Works Division.
E. Implementation of Traffic Management Measure
1. Concept plans that do not include diversionary traffic management measures may be
built as soon as funding and resources allow and do not require a testing period with
temporary traffic management measures.
2. Concept plans that include diversionary traffic management measures may be tested
with temporary traffic management measures that replicate the intended function of the
planned diversionary traffic management measure.
3. No temporary traffic management measure will be installed unless funding is available
to complete the project, if approved, during the current or next succeeding budget year.
The Public Works Division may remove any temporary traffic management measure if
a funded project later becomes unfunded.
4. The Public Works Division may approve any permanent or temporary traffic
management measure for any ranked project without regard to its priority ranking in
order to reflect special or changed circumstances, or to avoid delay in implementing
worthy projects that have not been approved for funding.
5. No temporary traffic management measures may be placed without the approval of the
Public Works Division.
6. Temporary traffic management measures will be in place for a testing period of not less
than 90 days, provided that the Public Works Division will immediately remove a
temporary traffic management measure that is determined to be a threat to public
health, safety or welfare.
F. Reporting and Measurement of Traffic Management Measure
1. The traffic management measures will be constructed within the study area in
Page 27 of 148
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 17
As approved July 10, 2018
accordance with the approved concept plan, and tested for a period of approximately
90 days.
2. The Public Works Division and the Neighborhood Traffic Management Committee will
monitor and review traffic impacts and any comments received regarding the traffic
management measures following installation.
3. At least 120 days, but no more than one year, following the placement of the traffic
management measures, the Public Works Division will review all of the available
information regarding the traffic management measures, and either:
a. Approve the concept plan and direct the implementation and maintenance of
permanent traffic management measures or replacement of the temporary measures
with permanent measures, during which time the temporary measures may remain
in place;
b. Recommend to the Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board at a regularly
scheduled meeting for a recommendation to City Council to remove or modify the
traffic management measure. That recommendation, either approval, approval with
conditions or denial, will be presented at a future City Council Meeting for action
(approval or denial); or
c. If a recommendation is approved that removes or causes to be removed some or all
of the traffic management devices and/or deny all or part of the concept plan, absent
demonstrable evidence of a significant change in traffic volume or traffic patterns in
the intervening period, the concept plan or disapproved portions thereof may not be
resubmitted as any part of a new request for the same or a similar project for a period
of two (2) years.
4. Written notice of the City’s action will be given to the Applicant.
G. Maintenance of Traffic Management Measures
1. The City will prepare and maintain current design standards and installation and
removal procedures for geometric street features in accordance with these guidelines
and procedures.
2. The maintenance of the traffic management measures and all related features are
ultimately the responsibility of the City.
a. The community will maintain any landscaping, public art, or other associated
features in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Maintenance Agreement;
an example agreement appears in Appendix D.
b. Should a community or applicant not provide maintenance in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Maintenance Agreement, the City may at their sole
discretion remove, modify, or revise the traffic management measures and any
Page 28 of 148
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 18
As approved July 10, 2018
associated features in order to allow ease of maintenance by City forces.
H. Removal of Traffic Management Measures by Maintenance or Construction Activities
1. Any traffic management measure that is fully removed during the course of publicly
funded construction or maintenance activities will be reinstalled upon completion of
that activity at the City’s expense by the forces conducting those activities.
2. Traffic management measures that are partially removed or damaged during the course
of publicly funded construction or maintenance activities will be repaired or
reconstructed to original conditions upon completion of those activities at the City’s
expense by the forces conducting those activities.
3. Any traffic management measure that is fully or partially removed or damaged during
the course of privately funded maintenance or construction will be reinstalled upon
completion of those activities at the expense of the private constructor.
4. The replacement of traffic management measures completely removed through the
above actions is not automatic, but contingent upon a finding by the Public Works
Division.
Page 29 of 148
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 19
As approved July 10, 2018
Appendix A: Neighborhood Traffic Control Options
Page 30 of 148
OPTION BENEFIT: DRAWBACK: CONSTRAINTS:
Speed Trailer
Short term speed reduction
Easy to set-up
Does not require physical changes
May be effective where traffic is predominantly local
Minimal long-term effectiveness
May encourage high speeds by motorists testing device
Only one through lane in each direction
Requires adequate room for equipment
Publication of
speeds (Community)
Does not require physical changes
May be effective where traffic is predominantly local
Requires continuous commitment
May cause divisiveness None
Fliers/Articles (Community)Useful for locations where drivers are local
Does not require physical changes
Requires continuous commitment
May cause divisiveness
Information provided by Community using data collected
by Public Works Division
Informational Informal
Videos (Community)May raise awareness of speeding issues within community Requires community involvement
Care must be taken so it does not cause safety hazard or become confrontational
Information provided by Community that may use data
collected by Public Works Division
Pavement Edgelines
May reduce speeds
No impact on emergency service
Creates buffer next to travel lane
May impact parking due to narrow road width. May impact parking. Pavement width may not be
adequate.
Roundabouts, Traffic Circles
May reduce speeds
Initially installation is temporary, allowing for modification to achieve
desired results
May be combined with chockers for improved effectiveness
Slows response time of emergency services
May reduce on-street parking
Certain measures are incompatible with school bus and other large vehicle operations
Vehicles may damage temporary or permanent installations
Requires engineering design and construction
Chokers, Island Narrowing,
Pinch Point
Chokers easily negotiable by large vehicles
May reduce speeds
May be combined with islands and circles for improved effectiveness
May require bicyclists to briefly merge with vehicular traffic
May require the elimination of some on-street parking Impacts parking
Diverter, Lateral Shift
Diagonal Diverters do not require a closure per se, only a redirection of
existing streets
Able to maintain full pedestrian and bicycle access
Reduce traffic volumes
May cause local residents to take longer routes
Could divert traffic to roads that previously had minimal traffic
May cause circuitous routes for local residents and emergency services
Must be an appropriate alternate route
Islands
May reduce speeds
No impact on emergency service
Creates buffer next to travel lane
May impact parking due to narrow road width. May impact parking. Pavement width may not be
adequate.
One-Way/Do Not
Enter
May reduce cut through traffic
One-way system may provide for more on-street parking
May need enforcement to be effective
Speeds may increase due to lack of oncoming traffic Must be an appropriate alternate route
Rumble Strips Alerts motorists to change in geometric conditions or other unexpected
situation Noise caused by rumble strips typically unacceptable in residential areas None
Speed Humps
Raised Crosswalks
Typically reduce speed
No effect on access or parking
Required signage and pavement markings may impact aesthetics
Emergency response vehicles may be delayed
Large vehicles and loaded vehicles may cause noise when traveling at higher speed
Speed limit will not be lowered to meet criteria. Not
always accepted by all.
Raised Intersections May improve safety for both pedestrians and vehicles
Expensive, varying on materials used
Impact on drainage should be considered
Less effective in reducing speeds than speed humps or raised crosswalks
Requires engineering design and construction
Full Closures Pedestrian and bicycle access may still be provided
Very effective in reducing traffic volume
Requires extensive community involvement
Will cause circuitous routes for local residents and emergency services
May be expensive due to geometric modifications
Must be an appropriate alternate route. Requires
community support
Speed Activated
Signs More appropriate for arterial roadways Flashing lights may bother adjacent residents None
Enforcement Effective only during period of enforcements
Short-term improvement
Little long-term effectiveness
Limited police resources None
GPS Notification https://www.gps.gov/support/user/mapfix/devices-and-maps/
Notify map providers of routes sending drivers through local back roads.
Must contact each map provider individually
Map providers are private companies and may take weeks or months to verify the issue.
Map proviers are not required to modify streets and
routes based on request.
Neighborhood Traffic Control Options
Neighborhood Traffic Control Guidelines - June 27, 2018
Page 31 of 148
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 23
As approved July 10, 2018
Appendix B: Application Form
Page 32 of 148
i
CITY OF GEORGETOWN
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
MITIGATION R EQUEST APPLICATION FORM
Submittal of this form constitutes a formal request and must contain the completed information in the
application and any additional background material you wish to include. This request will be processed
according to the guidelines and procedures for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program in effect as of
the date of this request.
REQUESTED STREET LOCATION:
Requested Street:
From:
To:
By my signature below, I agree to be the Requester of Record for this request. I have read the guidelines and
procedures governing the Local Area Traffic Management Program and agree to carry out to the best of my abilities
the duties and responsibilities associated with being the Requester of Record. I also understand that any documents
submitted to the City of Georgetown may be subject to public disclosure in accordance with the Texas Public
Information Act.
REQUESTOR INFORMATION:
Name:
Address:
City, St, Zip:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
Signature of Applicant: _________________________________________ Date:______________________
Example
Requested Street Requested Street: George St.
George Street
From: Austin Ave.
To: 5th Ave.
Limits of Study Area
Aus
t
i
n
Av
e
5t
h
A
v
e
.
Page 33 of 148
ii
CITY OF GEORGETOWN
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
MITIGATION R EQUEST APPLICATION FORM
‐‐PAGE 2 –
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
A request can be made by a resident, business, school, neighborhood association or other entity whose property is located
within the study area. The requester of record will receive all correspondence and is the primary contact for the request. This
person will also serve as the liaison to any community organizations within whose boundaries the requested study area exist.
Prior to submitting a request, the requester must meet with the Public Works Division/Traffic Engineer to discuss the speed
or traffic volume issues being considered for mitigation.
1. Date of Pre‐application conference with the Public Works Division:_______________________________
2. Type of Application:
Traffic Speed Study: Traffic Volume Study:
3. A general description of the traffic problem or condition to be remedied:
4. Special conditions concerning the proposed study area that are germane to this request:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 34 of 148
iii
CITY OF GEORGETOWN
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
MITIGATION R EQUEST APPLICATION FORM
‐‐PAGE 3 –
5. Any evidence of support from the neighborhood and community:
Please attach any additional information to support the application.
APPLICATIN REQUEST TIMELINE:
Process Step Duration*
Deadline for request submission. September 1
Staff review and determination of type of application/completeness. 1 to 2 Months
Staff determination of potential mitigation measures. 2 to 3 Months
Public Meeting on staff determination. 1 to 2 Months
Staff Recommendation to Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board
(GTAB) and City Council
2 to 3 Months
Design of mitigation measures not requiring capital improvements. 1 to 2 Months
Approval of funding for design of mitigation measures requiring capital
improvements. Next FY
Timeline subject to change based on contracting requirements, type and extent of data collection,
technical review, number of projects, and/or other factors that will be discussed with the applicant upon
submittal.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
City of Georgetown Certification: Date of Receipt: ______________________
Type of Application: ________________________ Completeness Review: YES NO
Staff Recipient: __________________________________ Initial Here: ____________________
A copy of the completed Staff Certification will be sent to applicant upon completion.
Page 35 of 148
Neighborhood Traffic Management Program 29
As approved July 10, 2018
Appendix C: Sample Maintenance Agreement
Page 36 of 148
SAMPLE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
Funding & Volunteer Landscaping, Maintenance, and Related Services
NEIGHBORHOOD COST PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN AND
________ NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION/CORPORTATION/LLC
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF WILLIAMSON
This Agreement is made and entered into by and between the City of Georgetown, Texas (the “City”)
and the _________Neighborhood Association/Corporation/LLC (the
“Association”), hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties.”
WHEREAS, the Association desires to participate in developing and/or funding certain City
improvements in City right‐of‐way or, as applicable, park space; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to participate in the development and funding of the improvements as a
City project (the “Project”);
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1. The Project. The location and scope of the Project is described in attached Exhibit “A”. The
City may self‐perform the design and construction of the Project or contract for such services. The
Project may consist of multiple sub‐projects, all of which will be developed, designed, constructed,
and maintained pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
2. Project Development.
a. The City will manage the Project. The Project will be designed in accordance with applicable
City standards, specifically including the requirements of the Texas Accessibility Standards.
b. In its complete discretion, the City will construct the Project with its own forces or will
solicit bids for the construction of the Project. If the City contracts for the construction of
the Project, the City will notify the Association of the lowest responsible bid and, subject to
available funding, enter into a firm unit‐price contract with the successful bidder.
c. The reasonable costs to the City of its employees and equipment dedicated to the Project may
be credited as an “in‐kind” funding contribution.
d. The Association may cost participate in the Project with funding and/or in‐kind volunteer
services. ʺVolunteerʺ means a person rendering services for or on behalf of a charitable
organization who does not receive compensation in excess of reimbursement for expenses
incurred. The term includes a person serving as a director, officer, trustee, or direct service
volunteer. A Volunteer is liable to a person for death, damage, or injury to the person or his
Page 37 of 148
property proximately caused by any act or omission arising from the operation or use of any
motor‐driven equipment, to the extent insurance coverage is required by Chapter 601,
Transportation Code, and to the extent of any existing insurance coverage applicable to the act
or omission. Any Volunteer providing labor or other services for or in connection with the
Project will not receive any compensation in excess of reimbursement for expenses incurred.
Any measurement of the value of “in‐kind” volunteer services to be provided under this
Agreement will not result in any direct or indirect payment to the Association or its Volunteers
or exceed the amount of expenses incurred.
3. Project Management.
a. The President of the Association will act on behalf of the Association with respect to the Project
and coordinate with the City.
b. The Director of the City’s Public Works Division will act on behalf of the City with respect
to the Project, coordinate with the Association, and have complete authority to interpret and
define the City’s policies and decisions with respect to the Project. The Director will designate
a City Project Manager and may designate other representatives to transmit instructions and
act on behalf of the City with respect to the Project.
4. Management Duties of the City.
a. The City agrees to provide:
i. Written protocols for the performance of landscaping, maintenance, and other associated
services by the Volunteers;
ii. Written copies of all contracts affecting the Project;
iii. A statement of all disbursements made relating to the Project;
iv. A copy of any executed change orders; and
v. Advance notice of the anticipated date of commencement of construction and the area to be
impacted by the Project; and the date on which the Volunteer services obligations will
commence.
b. The City is not responsible for the preservation or replacement of private improvements and
landscaping in the City’s right‐of‐way or other property which may be impacted by the
construction of the Project. Those improvements remain the responsibility of the property
owner or Association.
5. Management Duties of the Association. The Association hereby agrees to:
a. Provide notice to all owners of the properties abutting the Project of the Project’s anticipated
schedule and the area to be impacted by the Project;
b. Inform the City’s Project Manager immediately of any problems observed during construction
or maintenance;
c. Attend meetings at the request of the City’s Project Manager;
d. Provide the level of funding and/or Volunteer services agreed to in this Agreement; and
e. Ensure that each and every Volunteer, who will provide labor or other services for the Project,
Page 38 of 148
executes a waiver and release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “B” and made a part
hereof prior to performing any volunteer work or services for the Project under this
Agreement.
6. Liability
GET CITY POLICY LANGUAGE
7. Financial Obligations.
a. The cost of the Project is currently estimated at .00, including a
construction contingency amount of $ .00.
b. The Association’s share, which is based on providing funding and/or volunteer services with
an agreed‐to value, is percent ( %) of the cost of the
Project. The City’s share is percent ( %) of the cost of the
Project.
c. To the extent applicable, within 30 days of the execution of this Agreement, the Association will
pay the City the amount of $ .00
d. As provided below, the Parties will participate in funding any change orders necessary for the
completion of the Project on the basis of their respective funding percentages.
e. The City will notify the Association in the event additional volunteer services or funding is
needed to address Project conditions and the Association will endeavor to provide additional
Volunteers to meet the City’s needs and schedules or its share of such funding within 30 days
of approval by the Association. The City will pay the remaining balance of any such cost.
f. Subject to the availability of funding and volunteer participation, the City may, with a written
recommendation from the Association, adjust the Project scope to address budget constraints,
legal requirements, or construction conditions.
g. In addition, if construction conditions, the availability of funding or other constraints restrict
the City’s ability to complete the Project, the City, in its complete discretion, may determine
whether to pursue the Project or a portion of the Project.
h. The City will place any Association’s funds in a Project escrow fund. Any unused portion of
the funds will be returned to the Association within 30 days of Project completion. If applicable,
the City will provide the Association with an accounting of the Project expenses, including
Association funding, within 90 days of Project completion.
8. City Inspection and Testing. The City will inspect, test, and accept the Project. The Director will
require the contractor to immediately take any appropriate remedial action to correct any
deficiencies identified by the City or Association.
9. Additional Projects. Subject to the availability of funding or other project resources, the Parties may
agree to additional projects or subprojects through an amendment to this Agreement.
Page 39 of 148
10. Miscellaneous.
a. Force Majeure. In the event that the performance by the Association or the City of any of its
obligations or undertakings hereunder shall be interrupted or delayed by any occurrence not
occasioned by its own conduct, whether such occurrence be an act of God, or the common
enemy, or the result of war, riot, civil commotion, sovereign conduct, or the act of conduct of
any person or persons not a party or privy hereto, then it shall be excused from such
performance for such period of time as it reasonably necessary after such occurrence to
remedy the effects hereto.
b. Notice. Any notice given hereunder by either party to the other shall be in writing and may be
effected by personal delivery in writing or by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested when mailed to the proper party, at the following addresses:
CITY: City of Georgetown Public Works Division
address
Georgetown, Texas
ASSOCIATION: , Project Manager
ASSOCIATION: ________________
__________________________________________
Georgetown, Texas 77777
c. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the complete and entire Agreement between the
parties respecting the matters addressed herein, and supersedes all prior negotiations,
agreements, representations, and understanding, if any, between the parties respecting the
joint construction of the Projects. This Agreement may not be modified, discharged, or changed
in any respect whatsoever except by a further agreement in writing duly executed by
authorized representatives of the parties hereto. All representations and indemnifications
made in accordance with this Agreement, as well as all continuing obligations indicated in the
Agreement, will survive completion and acceptance of the Project and termination or
completion of this Agreement.
d. Effective Date. This Agreement takes effect upon full execution.
e. Other Instruments. The Parties agree that they will execute other and further instruments
and documents as may become necessary or convenient to effectuate and carry out the purposes
of this Agreement.
f. Invalid Provision. Any clause, sentence, provision, paragraph, or article of this agreement held
by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or ineffective shall not impair,
invalidate, or nullify the remainder of this Agreement, but the effect thereof shall be confined to
the clause, sentence, provision, paragraph, or article so held to be invalid, illegal, or ineffective.
CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS
Page 40 of 148
By: _____
Name: ____
Title: _____
Date: _____
Approved as to Form:
City Attorney
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, INC.
By: ______
Name: _____
Title: _____
Date: _____
Page 41 of 148
EXHIBIT A
Insert project work plan here.
Page 42 of 148
EXHIBIT B
NEIGHBORHOOD PARTICIPATION PROGRAM LIABILITY WAIVER AND RELEASE
PROJECT: Project (the “Project”).
The undersigned Volunteer hereby makes the following representations and acknowledgements in
connection with this Waiver and Release:
My legal name is set forth below. I reside at the address set forth below. I am over the age of 18
years and I can read the English language. If I am under the age of 18 years, this Waiver and Release
must be executed by my parent or guardian.
I am currently volunteering to provide labor or other services on or for the Project.
I understand that the Project may involve landscaping, maintenance, and other related activities
and that I have the duty to prevent accidents and comply with the Project’s safety precautions and
programs.
I hereby release the City of Georgetown, Texas, from any and all liability for personal injury or
death or property damage, arising out of or connected in any way to the landscaping, maintenance, or
other related activities to be undertaken by me or on my behalf for the Project. I also waive any and all
claims that may be asserted against the City by me or on my behalf related to any personal injury, death
or property damage, arising out of or connected in any way to the landscaping, maintenance or other
related activities to be undertaken by me or on my behalf for the Project.
I have read and understand this Waiver and Release and I have executed this Waiver and
Release of my free will and with personal knowledge of the facts set forth herein. I understand and
agree that the City of Georgetown, Texas, is relying on this Waiver and Release with respect to the
Project in awarding the Project for the benefit of the City of Georgetown.
If this waiver and release is executed on behalf of a minor by a parent or guardian, it will serve
and operate as a waiver and release of any liability for or claims of the minor child named below and
his/her parents or guardians.
Volunteer:
Printed Name:
Signature:
Relationship: Self or Parent/Guardian (Circle One) Address:
Date: _____
Page 43 of 148
Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy
Please offer any feedback on the draft policy you would like to share.
Comment Date Citizen Comment City Response
1 Jun 26 2018 05:25 PM This Proposal does not address Road Closures and the issue in Sun City at West Majestic Oaks
effectively(page4 and 13). Sun City is an exception to the rule as it has Sections with over 300 homes feeding
into one access road, Pedernalis, Cool Springs, Sun City Blvd and Dell Webb. We live at the bottom of
Pedernalis, on Cathedral Mountain Pass. Access to a 4 lane highway, Williams Drive, is at minimum 10
minutes using West Majestic Oaks and a minimum of 15 minutes using 245. That should be against City
ordinance. Therefore whether or not West Majestic Oaks access is closed Pedernalis should have a Southern
access to a 4 lane highway. We suggest the City engineers consider the best way to make Lakewood Dr. a 4
lane road and make an access road for Sun City residents. Allowing Pulte to Build the Community without
adequate access to 4 lane highways was the Cities mistake and needs to be rectified. If this Proposal is to
include Community Road Closures then it needs to reconsider how it will define effected residents, and
soliciting of votes. For a small population 50% responses and 2/3 in favor is feasible but not for a Closure
population such as those effected in Sun City.
Comment noted. The Neighborhood Traffic
Management Policy excludes major
collectors and arterials from consideration.
Policy was drafted to address existing
neighborhood traffic issues. Comment
also related to Overall Transportation Plan
and UDC standards. Comment will be
forwarded to the appropriate city
departments
2 Jun 26 2018 09:10 AM The Shed area needs to be better defined. The Shed area needs to be a case by case situation.
How are the effected residents votes collected? If it is done by the effected residents it is ripe for potential
issues. Ardent supporters of closing the road may intentionally not include opposing voices.
At a minimum, the travel shed is defined as
a 500 foot polygon around the street
segment proposed for study. Additional
properties may be considered if the
segment of roadway under study functions
as primary access to the arterial/major
collector roadway system. The survey is
accomplished in Step 4. At a minimum,
50% of the of those surveyed must
respond. Of the 50%, 2/3 must be in favor
of proposed alternative(s).
3 Jun 25 2018 06:17 PM We live in the 1900 block of Northwest Blvd here in Georgetown. The traffic is getting more and more and
when they build the overpass they are talking about and the Rivery connection it is going to be much worse.
We have children living in this block and many children walking every day to and from school on this street.
Also the small children will be out and about also. However the city has never gotten back to me regarding a
sidewalk. We desperately need sidewalks in our area. There are sidewalks in some of the apartment areas
and further down where there is nothing but grass. however we have none. This should be on top of the city's
list to get this done. Another thing when they redid the road here they did not put the little markers back on the
curve by 1906 and 1904. They were put here because of the accidents on this curve. My son's car was hit and
pushed up on the lawn of three houses and landed up by the third house bedroom window. These need to be
put back again We Need Sidewalks. Please consider when this will be and make this street much safer. Thank
you. Carole Monaghan
The Neighborhood Traffic Management
Policy addresses Minor Collector and Local
roadways only.
4 Jun 25 2018 04:31 PM Great, maybe if I feel out the application something can be done about our street. Acknowledged
5 Jun 25 2018 02:41 PM Under the draft policy, what is the estimate of the number of roads that would satisfy the proposed criteria for
closure if the proposed policy it is adopted?
Each application will be evaluated on a
case-by-case basis, as no two situations
may be equal. Road Closure is one
alternative method to address traffic or
volume concerns in minor collector or local
roadways.
6 Jun 25 2018 09:27 AM I support the policy as it's written. The inclusion of draft forms and applications are very helpful. The
assignment of tasks and responsibility for funding are acceptable.
Acknowledged
Page 44 of 148
7 Jun 24 2018 12:11 PM Looks good - does need to clearly give preference to “in City” impacts over “out of City” concerns Policy was drafted to address
neighborhood traffic concerns from a
citywide perspective. Adjacent
communities will be asked to provide input
and review of proposed mitigation
measures.
8 Jun 24 2018 09:18 AM I cannot imagine living on Apache Mountain or Lost Peak in Sun City and having 1600 cars a day pass by my
house. That is so unfair! We all moved here to be in a safe place with people our age. You know these roads
are not wide enough or were they designed to hold that amount of traffic. these are not connecting streets, but
neighborhood streets. That road into Majestic Oaks should definitely be closed to make it safe for home
owners to back out of their driveways and for the walkers to not have so many cars passing them! This road
should be closed for the safety of both Sun city and Woodland Park neighborhoods. I cannot believe this had
to be studied. What was the City of Georgetown thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!
Policy was drafted to address
neighborhood traffic concerns from a
citywide perspective. Comment addresses
a specific concern.
9 Jun 23 2018 08:10 PM Policy is reasonable Acknowledged
10 Jun 23 2018 03:20 PM The policy does not adequately address emergency preparedness, especially in the section on road closure.
Having an alternative route is not adequate as a required unless that route can handle evacuations in an
emergency such as wildfire. The city should clearly state the quantitative requirements for evacuation.
Public Safety, e.g., Fire/Police, is
addressed in the review process of traffic
studies, designs, construction and testing
of any traffic calming measures.
11 Jun 23 2018 07:04 AM thanks for asking - rapid growth brings serious issues like traffic, & my area is suffering! Acknowledged
12 Jun 22 2018 04:28 PM Maybe I missed it but, didn't see info relating to mitigating "cut-through" traffic from a heavily traveled road (ie:
971) through a neighborhood (Parkview Estates) to get to another heavily traveled road (Austin Ave) due to
housing and other developments miles away from the neighborhood resulting in increased traffic volumes.
This makes our residential streets less safe due to the traffic volume increase and the speeding. A simple
Stop Sign would mitigate this issue - didn't see how we could make that happen. This is a simple, quick, low
cost solution. We shouldn't wait till we have a injured or killed pedestrian (ie: a kid) before taking action.
Policy was drafted to address
neighborhood traffic concerns from a
citywide perspective. Comment addresses
a specific concern.
13 Jun 22 2018 12:06 PM Plan and build roads that move residents efficiently - not windy roads that make people drive out of the way
(going west to then have to turn left to go east because no roads were built to handle traffic in a "shortest
route" manner). Not enough major roads - not enough connecting streets in neighborhoods.
Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy
drafted to address existing neighborhood
traffic issues. Comment related to Overall
Transportation Plan and UDC standards.
Comment will be forwarded to the
appropriate city departments.
14 Jun 21 2018 11:03 PM It looks pretty good as long as this process is used consistently from year to year and favoritism is not a factor
of approval.
Acknowledged
15 Jun 21 2018 05:46 PM Georgetown is too populated... lost the small town feeling. Stop building, let us keep our open fields and
wildlife.
Acknowledged
16 Jun 21 2018 05:17 PM Need to consider speed humps additional stop signs at intersections and look at traffic light at busy
intersections vs worrying about a traffic count
Acknowledged
17 Jun 21 2018 12:22 PM GOGEO needs to have a stop at the Square because it does not require a parking space and can deliver
people to events
Acknowledged
18 Jun 21 2018 12:03 PM What is the problem that is causing the need for this policy? It seems to me that what is in the policy is just
common sense when it comes to traffic management. Then why have a policy?
Neighborhood traffic speed and volume
concerns.
19 Jun 21 2018 11:16 AM 2nd street needs a stop sign on 2nd and church. people are speeding in excess of 50mph and their are
pedestrians and children in this area
Acknowledged
20 Jun 21 2018 10:58 AM More bike lanes not more car lanes. No "suicide lanes." The City is initiating a Bicycle Master Plan
Study to address bicycle mobility.
21 Jun 21 2018 10:42 AM I am very concerned about the corner of Austin Avenue and Seventh Street. I think the speed limit should be
lowered on Austin, red blinking lights during evening and weekends, or a four way stop sign. It is supposed to
be a pedestrian friendly area; I have seen more than a few potentially dangerous situations.
Comment noted. The Neighborhood Traffic
Management Policy excludes major
collectors and arterials from consideration.
Page 45 of 148
22 Jun 21 2018 09:54 AM I would like to see new traffic patterns at the corner of Austin and Williams intersection (where the McDonald's
is located) as well as the red light at Austin and FM 971. I feel like these two intersections are lacking
especially with the growth of our city.
Comment noted. The Neighborhood Traffic
Management Policy excludes major
collectors and arterials from consideration.
23 Jun 21 2018 09:48 AM Didn't see any mention of adding bike lanes to roads as an option. We need much more for the west side to
get downtown or to the parks.
The City is initiating a Bicycle Master Plan
Study to address bicycle mobility.
24 Jun 20 2018 09:54 PM I think it is excellent. Acknowledged
25 Jun 20 2018 04:34 PM Stop putting up traffic lights. There are too many and those need to be timed. Especially at HEB on Williams.
Stop allowing apartments and elder residence on Williams/RM2338. Your saturating the area with more
incompetent drivers. Stop catering and pandering to Sun City. They now have an exit 10 miles from down
town! Creating more potential accidents and asking for even more traffic lights at CR245/RM2338 and Cr
245/Reagan. Build barriers to stop drivers entering/leaving HEB at Williams crossing 3 lanes to enter Shell Rd
or HEB the wrong way. Living in what use to be county on RM2338 has become a combat zone and is a very
stressful drive to town. Seventeen traffic lights from RM 3405 to the Court House if one uses Williams. 20-30
minute drive instead of ten minutes. Any plan you come up with is 25 years late. Development has ruined
what use to be a town and created a city!
Comment noted. The Neighborhood Traffic
Management Policy excludes major
collectors and arterials from consideration.
26 Jun 20 2018 07:55 AM GPS has directed very large trucks through residential street creating difficult maneuvering for the trucks and
a safety issue for residents. Can the city do anything to change GPS routing to safer streets?
The City has attempted to achieve change
with GPS navigation providers with little
success. Individuals may still contact
GPS.gov to enter an issue.
https://www.gps.gov/support/user/mapfix/d
evices-and-maps/
27 Jun 19 2018 07:52 PM I want to see something done about access to Sun City via Majestic Oaks. Those who live on Apache
Mountain Lane are experiencing ridiculous levels of traffic. Talking about it in general terms does not change
anything.
Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy
drafted from a citywide perspective to
address existing neighborhood traffic
issues.
Page 46 of 148
28 Jun 19 2018 02:26 PM After having read the new Georgetown Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy in its entirety, I feel
overwhelmed by a sense of futility and exasperation. The document itself is a very well crafted approach to
what could be potential changes made in street configuration, speed management and all the rest, and I have
had a very comfortable and even warm relationship with its author, Octavio Garza. He has participated in our
meetings, made visits to our impacted road and has, we believe, been a principal reason why we have had the
series of improvements and solutions that we have experienced thus far in this Apache Mountain Lane/West
Majestic Oaks debacle. This is in no way a negative observation regarding him personally. In fact, he really is
a prince of a man, noble and professional, sincere and very capable.
The document, on the other hand, is a virtual field of land mines, with extremely demanding rules and many
pitfalls for the homeowner. The onus seems to be put on that one person, the brave and foolhardy
“Applicant”, who must fill out applications, participate in surveys, attend multiple meetings, be prepared to foot
the expense and set himself up as the target for all the professionals and the commissioners to take on…and
of course, blow away. I cannot perceive that any one of my neighbors would subject himself or herself to that
kind of scrutiny, that kind of liability and that much work…only to then go before a city council loaded with
members who have already stated their opposition to the hoped-for changes.
Eight years ago N 51 was a peaceful residential community like almost any other in Sun City. Five years ago
the cut-through was opened, then closed when justice seemed to be served, only to reopen after word got out
that it was a time to lay low and wait for a low traffic count. Time and time again it became a contest between
the large number of residents who wanted it open versus the unfairly impacted local residents who were of
course a much lower number of retired old folks who found themselves outnumbered, out maneuvered and
out played.
Now this new document comes into play, most likely to be approved at the July 10th city council meeting.
Look at all the hoops that have to be jumped and all the traps set. Do this wrong, and you go to the penalty
box for two years. Fail to prove your point, and you are to sit down and shut up. Ante up a good amount of
funds because the city cannot afford to take its time being harassed by your nuisance claim.
The applicant is not responsible for
administering surveys, public meeting
notices, or technical studies. It is
envisioned to be a collaborative, public
process. The steps in the application
process are intended to ensure equal
access and treatment of all applications.
28 continued
I worked with major real estate development companies for years. We knew what is traditionally demanded
while working with city commissions. We knew going in that as developers we did not want to provide the
added access/egress that new developments would demand. If possible, everyone wanted to avoid the road
improvements. Some city councils elsewhere over time succumbed to their bidding just to get the project in
their town. I won’t go into how that object was obtained.
And now our small community’s road crisis seems destined to be tied into knots over a new and very complex
set of rules and regulations. No applicant I know would submit to all this time and effort and potential expense
only to go up against a hostile city council that most likely would deny the petition based on any number of
reasons that are justified in this document.
It has taken me five years, considerable angst and three council meetings to realize that this is a lost cause.
Personally, I am too old, too tired and too discouraged to believe that any good will come out of all this
complex new procedure when it comes to the issue of Apache Mountain Lane. I personally surrender. Now
we, and perhaps others as well, have to face a number of options based on this decision, but one of them is
not to continue to fight city hall. I simply don’t have the resources and the energy, nor the expected life span
required, to continue to submit to these aforementioned slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune.
The applicant is not responsible for
administering surveys, public meeting
notices, or technical studies. It is
envisioned to be a collaborative, public
process. The steps in the application
process are intended to ensure equal
access and treatment of all applications.
Page 47 of 148
29 Jun 18 2018 01:11 PM 1. There should be some relationship between the width of streets and the allowed speed of the traffic.
Church Street seems to be one of the narrowest major streets in Georgetown, but has the same speed limit as
much wider streets.
2. There is too much commercial traffic on residential streets - gravel trucks, cement mixers, and dozens of
yard service pickups with long trailers.
3. One factor that makes any level of traffic worse is the loud noise from mufflers that don't work properly,
either due to neglect or intentionally. Also some vehicles drive though our neighborhood with sound blasting
so loudly from their open windows that the windows on our house shake.
Acknowledged
30 Jun 18 2018 09:54 AM We need sidewalks (for kids and walking pedestrians) and better support for cyclists (bike lanes and possibly
signage to watch for cyclist).
The City has an adopted Sidewalk Master
Plan with partial implementation through
the 2015 CIP. The City is in the process
of initiating a Bicycle Master Plan study.
31 Jun 18 2018 09:39 AM A traffic volume problem arises when a local street is overrun with vehicles from outside the neighborhood.
Decisions to remedy the problem should be made by the people affected - those with residences are
contiguous to the street in
question. I liked the statement "if there is an alternate route to the property that does not require ..... the
property might not be considered in the petition area." The wishes of the masses should not destroy the quality
of life of the neighborhood residents.
Acknowledged
32 Jun 18 2018 06:56 AM I recommend that a minimum traffic volume {like over 2500 tpd (trips per day)} on a neighborhood minor
collector be included in the draft (or a class of service for the existing road be "C", "D", "E" or "F.") Providing a
traffic flow tpd numerical guide or road class of service will help prioritize the study requests by focusing on
overloaded minor traffic collectors. The tpd numerical guide could be adjusted based on the volume of
applications received in the past 12 months - allows lowering the tpd if it is set too high initially.
Literature review indicated numerical
values are not included in policy
documents, but rather subject to detailed
engineering study that occur as part of the
process.
33 Jun 16 2018 02:35 PM The rules for application are very restrictive, such as, "The application does not accept recommendations from
applicants regarding types or locations of mitigation measures. Requests containing such information will not
be accepted and will be returned to the requester without action." Only 2 lane roadways will be considered.
The street must have a posted speed limit of 35mph or less. That means streets like Del Webb and Sun City
Blvd. would not be eligible. Two of the most dangerous streets. The proposal does not tell the reader what
certain devices are, such as "what is a geometric street feature"?
The Policy is intended for local streets only
to address neighborhood traffic issues on
residential streets.
Appendix A of the draft Policy provides a
general description of traffic control
options.
34 Jun 16 2018 12:25 PM The first line of the second paragraph on page 6 states:
"If the City Council disapproves the concept plan the same of similar project will not be eligible"
Is possible that this should read:
"If the City Council disapproves the concept plan, the same or similar project will not be eligible"?
Correction to grammar completed.
35 Jun 15 2018 09:21 PM Whispering Wind Drive between Del Webb Blvd and Sun City Blvd has high volume and many speeders. It is
the only residential street in Sun City where we have to back directly out of driveways and onto a major
through traffic street in Sun City. I would like to see the speed limit lowered and enforced at 25 mph.
Whispering Wind is classified as a Major
Collector in the City's Overall
Transportation Plan and not subject to the
Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy.
36 Jun 15 2018 08:48 PM Requiring 50% feedback from survey letters is too high! The Sun City CA only requires a 10% return for an
election to be valid. Georgetown cannot even get 50% turn out of registered voters for a city election. Please
reconsider the requirement for return surveys the city will send out after an application is approved by city
staff. 50% is unrealistic and ultimately make any and all applications fail. I'm sure that's not the intent of the
Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy. Requiring 2/3 of the returned letters seems fair, but expecting to
get 50% of mailed-out letter back from residents is unrealistic, in my opinion.
Most, if not all, physical traffic control
measures affect primary users of the
roadway 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
not just peak travel times. This City is
attempting to ensure everyone potentially
affected is aware of the discussion and has
an opportunity to comment during the
process.
Page 48 of 148
37 Jun 15 2018 08:01 PM Please exclude Sun City from your policy. We do not have a traffic problem in Sun City. We may have a few
complainers who should not be driving due to age and incompetence but traffic moves safely and efficiently.
Leave us alone! We could use better street surfaces when you improve them next time.
The policy is citywide.
38 Jun 15 2018 07:11 PM 1. We wouldn't need this if the city would quit connecting neighborhoods
2. None of those options are good. Bump outs are a waste of time and money. Narrow lanes will only cause
accidents. Patrols, well for those of us outside the limits, we are just out of luck.
The policy address concerns within the city
limits.
39 Jun 15 2018 05:55 PM It sounds very comprehensive and reasonable to me. Acknowledged
40 via e-mail The first draft of the Neighborhood Traffic Management policy states that a traffic mgt. study can be requested
by "property owner, business, school, or other entity whose property is within the requested study area".
It would seem that the city could potentially be flooded with such requests if there is not a minimum number
of impacted applicants required in order to consider a study.
I applaud the city leaders in their efforts and approach to this contentious issue.
Acknowledged.
A budget request has been submitted
which will be used to fund the program.
Page 49 of 148
City of Georgetown, Texas
City Council Workshop
July 10, 2018
SUBJECT:
P resentation and discussio n on proposed changes to the Fiscal and Budgetary Policie s as part o f the FY2019 budget
development process -- Leigh Wallace, Finance Dire c to r
ITEM SUMMARY:
The purpose o f this item is to discuss and receive feedback on the propo sed changes to the Fiscal and Budgetary P olicy
for the upcoming budget.
The purpose of the Fiscal and Budgetary P olicy is to provide the framework for financial o peratio ns of the City and to
ensure prudent stewardship, financial planning and ac c ountability. The bond rating agencies and external auditors are the
primary external parties that review the policies and co mpliance.
Each year the Policy is administrative ly amended to reco gnize date and amount c hanges within the text; and to address any
new financial or regulato ry requirement that may need to be added. Other amendments may be recommended to c larify
wording or to furthe r define a particular policy are a.
P otential changes for consideration and discussion are no ted in the overview presentation. Notable changes inc lude
updates to multiple reserve balances, including the Electric Fund and the cost of service rate study. The General
Government and Finance Advisory Board disc usse d and reco mmended these changes to Co uncil at their June 2 7, 2 01 8
meeting. The full ve rsion o f the policies with trac ke d changes is provided, as well as a c lean copy.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
SUBMITTED BY:
Leigh Wallace, Finance Director
ATTACHMENT S:
Description
F &B Overview P res entation
P ro p o s ed Fis c al P o licies Trac ked Changes
P ro p o s ed Fis c al P o licies Clean Co p y
Page 50 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Fiscal and Budgetary Policies
Update
Council 7‐10‐18
Page 51 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Purpose
•Fiscal and budgetary policies guide:
–Budget development and monitoring process
–Debt philosophy and process
–Accounting and audit procedures
•Reviewed annually by GGAF and Council as
part of budget development process
Page 52 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Administrative Changes
•Clarify existing wording and formatting
•Remove old language that no longer applies
•Update compliance for FY 2019
Page 53 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Substantive Changes
•Changing the meaning of the policy
–Calculation change
–Definition change
–Change in decision maker
•Adding new policies
Recommended by GGAF on June 27,2018
Page 54 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Revenue Management
•(Section IV)
–Enterprise Activity Rates (B.7.)
•Update Electric Reserve reference – covered in detail in
a later section
•Add Solid Waste services to description of how utility
rates are established
–Based on the wholesale cost of service, factoring in
conservation incentives, plus a return to the General Fund for
administrative costs of contract and wear and tear on City
streets
Page 55 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Revenue Management
•(Section IV)
–Other Funding Alternatives (B.10.)
•Update Grants Description
–Updated with new grants administration and reporting policy
implemented in response to FY 2017 year‐end audit
compliance weakness
Page 56 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Changes to Reserves
•Reserves in Multiple Funds
•Why have them?
–Economic downturns & catastrophic events
•Directly correlates to bond rating
•Continuity of debt payments, payroll, existing programs, and
projects
–Liquidity to move quickly on projects
–Build up cash for major capital replacements
•How much should they be?
•When should we use them and replenish them?
Page 57 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
The Golden Triangle
Reserves $
Time
Max
Min
Actual
Page 58 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Staffing and Compensation
•(Section VI)
–Self‐Insurance Program (C.2)
•Reserves
–Define IBNR reserve of between 5 and 10% of annual costs
–Define Rate Stabilization Reserve of between 10 and 20% of
annual costs
–Define relationship between premium forecasts and use of
reserves
Page 59 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Capital Maintenance and Replacement
•(Section XI)
–Internal Service Funds (C.1, 2, 3)
•Asset replacement reserves for Fleet, Facilities and IT
Funds
•Define reserve calculation as the average of the next five
years on the capital replacement schedule
•Fleet and IT in compliance
•Build Facility reserve up over several years
Page 60 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Financial Conditions, Reserves, and
Stability Ratios
•(Section XV)
–Multiple Funds (Multiple Sub‐Sections)
•Remove language designating Electric Fund as
containing the remaining balance of the Citywide 75 day
contingency reserve
•Provide detail on distinct reserves for the Electric Fund
and Water Fund related to the rate studies
•Increase the number of funds to carry a 90 day
contingency reserve
Page 61 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Financial Conditions, Reserves, and
Stability Ratios
•Impact of Changes to Reserves
–Citywide 75 days stays compliant
–Funds in compliance for 90 days: General, Tourism,
Fleet, Facilities, IT, Water, Electric, Stormwater,
Airport
–Funds needing to build to compliance to 90 days
over next several years: EMS, Joint Services
Page 62 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Next Steps
•Receive GGAF Feedback
•Council Workshop July
•Adopt policies with budget in September
Page 63 of 148
1
FY2019 Annual Budget
Fiscal and Budgetary Policy
Adopted: September 112, 20187
Contents
I. PURPOSE............................................................................................................................................ 2
II. FUND STRUCTURE AND BASIS OF BUDGETING ....................................................................................... 2
III. OPERATING BUDGET ........................................................................................................................... 3
IV. REVENUE MANAGEMENT .................................................................................................................... 6
V. EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT .......................................................................................................... 109
VI. STAFFING AND COMPENSATION ..................................................................................................... 1413
VII. FUND BALANCE POLICIES ............................................................................................................... 1514
VIII. LONG‐TERM LIABILITY RESERVES .................................................................................................... 1615
IX. BUDGET CONTINGENCY PLAN ........................................................................................................ 1615
X. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET ........................................................................... 1716
XI. CAPITAL MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT ................................................................................... 1817
XII. ACCOUNTING, AUDITING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING ...................................................................... 2119
XIII. ASSET MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................................... 2120
XIV. DEBT MANAGEMENT .................................................................................................................... 2322
XV. OTHER FUNDING ALTERNATIVES .................................................................................................... 2725
XVI. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS, RESERVES, AND STABILITY RATIOS .............................................................. 2726
XVII. INTERNAL CONTROLS .................................................................................................................... 3229
Page 64 of 148
2
FY2019 Annual Budget
I. PURPOSE
The City of Georgetown is committed to financial management through integrity, prudent stewardship, planning,
accountability, transparency full disclosure and communication. The broad purpose of the Fiscal and Budgetary
Policies is to enable the City and its related component units, including the Georgetown Transportation
Enhancement Corporation (GTEC) and the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation (GEDCO), to achieve
and maintain a long‐term stable and positive financial condition, and provide guidelines for the day‐to‐day
planning and operations of the City’s financial affairs.
Policy scope generally spans areas of accounting, operational and capital budgeting, revenue and expenditure
management, financial reporting, internal controls, investment and asset management, debt management and
forecasting. This is done in order to:
A. Demonstrate to the residents citizens of Georgetown, the investment community, and the bond rating
agencies that the City is committed to a strong fiscal operation;
B. Provide precedents for future policy‐makers and financial managers on common financial goals and
strategies;
C. Fairly present and fully disclose the financial position of the City in conformity to generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP); and
D. Demonstrate compliance with finance‐related legal and contractual issues in accordance with the Texas Local
Government Code and other legal mandates.
These policies will be reviewed and updated annually as part of the budget preparation process.
II. FUND STRUCTURE AND BASIS OF BUDGETING
The budgeted funds for the City of Georgetown include:
Governmental Funds: General Fund which accounts for all financial resources except those required to
be accounted for in another fund, and include basic governmental services, such
as Street Maintenance, Planning and Development, Police, Fire, Parks, as well as
Solid Waste Management.
Special Revenue Funds (SRF) account for specific revenues that are legally
restricted for specified purposes. The City currently budgets 26 SRF Funds
andExamples includes Tourism, Parkland Dedication, Library Donations, Animal
Services Donations, and Street Maintenance Sales Tax.
Debt Service Fund is used to account for the payment of general long‐term debt
principal and interest.
Capital Project Funds are used to account for the acquisition or construction of
major capital facilities other than those financed by enterprise activities.
Page 65 of 148
3
FY2019 Annual Budget
Proprietary Funds: Internal Service Funds account for goods or services provided by one internal
department to another. The City uses this system to recognize cost for fleet
replacement and maintenance, facility maintenance, computer replacement
and maintenance and employee health insurance costs.
Enterprise Funds include the City’s “business like” activities including all the
utility funds and the airport.
Basis of Accounting and Basis of Budgeting
The City accounts and budgets for all Governmental Funds using the modified accrual basis of accounting.
This basis means that revenue is recognized in the accounting period in which it becomes available and
measurable, while expenditures are recognized in the accounting period in which they are incurred. Because
the appropriated budget is used as the basis for control and comparison of budgeted and actual amounts,
the basis for preparing the budget is the same as the basis of accounting. Exceptions to the modified accrual
basis of accounting include:
Encumbrances, which are treated as expenditures in the year they are encumbered, not when expended
Grants, which are considered revenue when awarded, not received
Principal and interest on long‐term debt, which are recognized when paid.
General government funds include the General Fund, special revenue funds, debt service fund and general
capital project funds.
Proprietary Funds, which include the enterprise and internal service funds are accounted and budgeted using
the full‐accrual basis of accounting. Under this method, revenues are recognized when they are earned and
measurable, while expenses are recognized when they are incurred regardless of timing or related cash
flows. The basis for preparing the budget is the same as the basis of accounting except for principal payments
on long‐term debt and capital outlay which are treated as budgeted expenses. Exceptions include:
Depreciation which is not budgeted
Non‐budgeted accruals such as compensated absences.
III. OPERATING BUDGET
Budgeting is an essential element of the financial planning, control and evaluation process of municipal
government. The operating budget is the City’s annual financial operating plan. The annual budget includes all
of the operating departments of the General Fund, proprietary funds, debt service funds, special revenue funds,
and capital improvement funds of the City.
A. Form of Government – The Charter (Section 1.03) established a “Council‐Manager Government” wherein the
City vests power in the City Council to “enact legislation, adopt budgets, determine policies, and appoint the
City Manager who shall execute the laws and administer the government of the City.”
B. Comprehensive Plan – The Charter (Section 1.08) requires that the City Council “establish comprehensive
planning as a continuous and ongoing governmental function in order to promote and strengthen the existing
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role, processes and powers of the City of Georgetown.” The current comprehensive plan is the 2030 Plan
adopted in 2006.
C. Preparation – The Charter (Section 6.02) requires “a proposed budget prepared by the City Manager and
submitted to the City Council at least thirty days prior to the end of the fiscal year. The budget shall be
adopted not later than the twenty‐seventh day of the last month of the fiscal year. No budget will be adopted
or appropriations made unless the total estimated revenues, income and funds available shall be equal to or
in excess of such budget or appropriations, except otherwise provided.”
1. Proposed Budget – A proposed budget shall be prepared by the City Manager with participation of
all of the City’s Directors within the provision of the Charter and the 2030 Plan.
a. The budget shall include four basic segments for review and evaluation:
Revenue
Personnel Costs
Operations and Maintenance Costs
Capital and other non‐project Costs
b. The budget review process will include City Council participation in the development of each
segment and allow for resident participation in the process, and will allow for sufficient time to
address policy and fiscal issues by the City Council.
c. A copy of the proposed and approved budgets will be filed with the City Secretary when it is
submitted to the City Council and will be available on the City’s website.
2. Adoption – Upon finalization of the budget appropriations, the City Council will hold a public hearing,
and subsequently adopt by Ordinance the final budget as amended. The budget will be effective for
the fiscal year beginning October 1st.
The Annual Budget document will be submitted annually to the Government Finance Officers
Association (GFOA) for evaluation and consideration for the Distinguished Budget Presentation
Award.
D. Balanced Budget – The goal of the City is to adopt and maintain a balanced operating budget using
sustainable funding sources that are expected to continue to be available in subsequent fiscal years.
Excess balances in operating funds from previous fiscal years shall remain in the fund in which they were
appropriated until either such excess balances are proposed and adopted pursuant to Section III. C.
Preparation of this policy; until they are used to reduce outstanding debt obligations of the City; or both.
The Charter (Section 6.04) requires that an operating deficit created in any fiscal year shall be paid off
and discharged during the following year. In practice, deficit has been interpreted to mean City funds as
a whole. The City Council may choose from time to time to allow individual funds to have a negative
balance as long as Operating Reserve requirements for the City as a whole are maintained.
E. Planning – The budget process will be coordinated so that major policy issues are identified prior to the
budget approval date. This will allow City Council adequate time for consideration of appropriate
decisions and analysis of financial impacts.
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F. Reporting – Summary financial reports will be presented to the City Council quarterly. These reports will
be in a format appropriate to enable the City Council to understand the overall budget and financial
status.
G. Control and Accountability – Each Director, appointed by the City Manager, will be responsible for the
administration of his/her departmental budget. This includes accomplishing the Goals and Objectives
adopted as part of the budget and monitoring each department budget for compliance with spending
limitations. Directors may transfer funds up to $20,000 within the operations and maintenance or
capital line items within a departmental budget category without additional approval. All transfers from
or to the Personnel line items require approval of the Finance Director and City Manager. All other
transfers of appropriation or budget amendments require either City Council or City Manager approval
as outlined in Section III.H Budget Amendments and Section V.C.4 Use of Excess Salary Savings.
H. Budget Amendments – The Charter (Section 6.04) and the Local Government Code 102.009 and 102.010
provides a method to amend for the budget amendments and for emergency appropriations and
municipal purposes. The City Council may authorize, with a majority plus one vote, an emergency
expenditure as amendment to the original budget. This may be done in cases of grave public necessity,
or to meet an unusual and unforeseen condition that was not known at the time the budget was
adopted. In practice, this has been interpreted to include revenue‐related expenses within the
enterprise funds and timing differences on capital improvement projects. The following criteria will be
used in evaluation of budget amendments:
Is the request necessary?
Why was the item not budgeted in the normal budget process?
Why can't a transfer be done within the Division to remedy the condition?
The Finance Director must certify availability of revenues or funding sources prior to adoption.
If needed, tThe City will amend the budget at year end, if needed, for increased revenue and for
based expenditures that exceeded budgeted amounts due to increased revenue and recognize any
grant funded expenditures for grants received after the budget was adopted or last amended. The
City may will also amend the budget if necessary for any capital project timing adjustments from
prior year, as well as, any other known adjustments needed and approved at that time.
I. Contingency Appropriations – The budget may include contingency appropriations within designated
operating department budgets. These funds are used to offset expenditures for unexpected
maintenance or other unanticipated expenses that might occur during the year. Currently, the City
maintains contingency appropriations for items such as insurance deductibles, unexpected legal
expenses and equipment repairs.
J. Use of Unanticipated and Unappropriated General Fund Balances – Within 90 days after fiscal year end,
staff will report the projected General Fund balance to Council. In the event that unexpected,
unbudgeted amounts are determined to be available in the General Fund after year end, these funds
may be used for any of the following purposes, as approved by the City Council:
1. to fund capital projects;
2. to fund equipment purchases in lieu of issuing debt;
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3. to reduce outstanding City debt, including bonded indebtedness and unfunded pension liabilities;
4. to fund contingent liabilities such as the benefit payout reserve, cemetery trust fund, and similar
obligations of the City;
5. to take other steps to reduce property tax rates or mitigate any future increases;
6. to hold those funds in reserve for future commitments or contingencies that may be pending,
and/or;
7. to fund an Economic Uncertainty Stability Reserve of annual General Fund operating expenditures
according to Section XVI, A, 2, b, Economic Stability Uncertainty Reserve.
IV. REVENUE MANAGEMENT
A. Characteristics – The City will strive for the following optimum characteristics in its revenue system:
1. Simplicity – The City, where possible and without sacrificing accuracy, will strive to keep the revenue
system simple in order to reduce compliance costs for the taxpayer or service recipient.
2. Certainty – A knowledge and understanding of revenue sources increases the reliability of the
revenue system. The City will understand its revenue sources and enact consistent collection policies
to provide assurances that the revenue base will materialize according to budget.
3. Equity – The City shall make every effort to maintain equity in its revenue system; i.e., the City should
seek to minimize or eliminate all forms of subsidization between entities, funds, services, utilities,
and customer classes, and ensure an on‐going return on investment for the City.
a. The City will make every effort to recognize the benefit that City tax payers contribute to City
programs and services.
b. The annual Parks and Recreation residential membership rates are established at 75% of non‐
residential rates plus or minus 10% at the discretion of the Parks and Recreation Director in
keeping with the targeted market cost recovery.
4. Revenue Adequacy – The City should require there be a balance in the revenue system; i.e., the
revenue base will have the characteristics of fairness and neutrality as it applies to cost of service,
willingness to pay, and ability to pay.
Overall Operational Cost Recovery for Parks and Recreation for the Recreation and Tennis Centers is
targeted to be between 50 – 60%, with some variance in individual programs.
5. Realistic and Conservative Estimates – Revenues will be estimated realistically, and conservatively,
taking into account the volatile nature of various revenue streams.
6. Administration – The benefits of a revenue source should exceed the cost of levying and collecting
that revenue.
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7. Diversification and Stability – A diversified revenue system with a stable source of income shall be
maintained. This will help avoid instabilities in two particular revenue sources due to factors such as
fluctuations in the economy and variations in the weather.
B. Other Considerations – The following considerations and issues will guide the City in its revenue policies
concerning specific sources of funds:
1. Cost/Benefit of Incentives for Economic Development – The City will use due caution in the analysis
of any incentives that are used to encourage development. A cost/benefit (fiscal impact) analysis
will be performed as part of the evaluation.
2. Non‐Recurring Revenues – One‐time or non‐recurring revenues should not be used to finance
current ongoing operations.
3. Sustainable Revenues – “Sustainable" means revenue that is consistently available year after year,
and includes revenues realized subsequent to adopted projections.
4. Property Tax Revenues – All real and business personal property located within the City will be valued
at 100% of the fair market value for any given year based on the current appraisal supplied by the
Williamson Central Appraisal District.
5.4. Conservative budgeted revenue estimates result in a projected ninety‐eight percent (98%) budgeted
collection rate for current ad valorem taxes. Two percent (2%) of the current ad valorem taxes will
be projected as the budget for delinquent ad valorem tax collection. For budgeting purposes, tThe
City will forecast the proposed the property tax rate using the effective maintenance & operations
(M&O) rate plus the interest & sinking (I&S) rate needed to fund tax supported debt service.
Increases to the M&O rate will be deliberated and determined by the City Council. Annually, the City
will forecast property tax revenue as part of the budget process. Certified Assessed Value Reports
from the Williamson Central Appraisal District are used to forecast property tax. The City will comply
with State law regarding publication notices and Truth in Taxation requirements.
5. Interest Income – Interest earned from investments will be distributed to the funds in accordance
with the equity balance of the fund from which the monies were provided to be invested.
6. User‐Based Fees and Service Charges – For services associated with a user fee or charge, the direct
or indirect costs of that service will be offset by a fee where possible. The City will review fees and
charges no less than once every fivetwo years on a rotating schedule to ensure that fees provide
adequate coverage for the cost of services. The City Council will determine how much of the cost of
a service should be recovered by fees and charges.
7. Enterprise Fund Activity Rates – The City will review and adopt utility rates as needed to generate
revenues required to fully cover operating expenses, meet the legal requirements of all applicable
bond covenants, and provide for an adequate level of working capital. Utility rates will be reviewed
annually as part of the budget process. A rate study will be conducted every 3 years to review rate
methodology and ensure revenues will meet future needs. All utility rates will be based on
standardized “cost of service” methodologies and conservation goals.
Water Rates will recognize at least 75% of the “fixed” cost of service, including debt
payments and ROI costs, within the monthly “base charge” determined by meter size.
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“Volumetric charge” will recognize the balance of fixed costs not included in the base rate,
plus all variable costs associated with procuring and treating water.
.
Wastewater Rates are fixed “flat and equal” for all residential customers based on the cost
of providing services. Commercial customer rates are varied fixed and volumetric depending
on size and specifications of each commercial customer.
Electric Rates include 100% of fixed costs within the base rate, and demand rates, with all
variable costs included in the kWh rate. The Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) Factor and
Transmission Cost Adjustment (TCA) Factor are determined by comparing forecasted costs
against actual costs in a budget year, and seek to recover/credit variances within 6 to 12
months. For reference, see Code of Ordinances 13.04.075 and 13.04.080.
Stormwater Drainage Fees are based on a mathematical calculation using impervious cover
and applied in compliance with State Law.
Solid Waste and Environmental Services Rates are based on the wholesale cost of service and
retail incentives for conservation, plus a return to the General Fund for wear and tear of
heavy trucks on streets and for contract administration.
A restricted Power Contract Credit Reserve has been established to provide financial assurances to
the City’s wholesale power contract providers as fiscal surety against any potential risk on the City’s
behalf and will be maintained as “restricted” fund balance on the City’s financial statements.
A Rate Stabilization Reserve (RSR) Account has been established in the Electric Fund to offset and
mitigate potential impacts to customer rates due to increased fuel costs or other external factors
that may negatively impact Electric Rates. The Rate Stabilization Reserve (RSR) may provide funding
for:
Deferring or minimizing the rate impact of future cost increases
Costs associated with providing additional power supply
Filling contractual obligations
Balancing of annual power costs
RSR funds will be monitored monthly to ensure the electric rate is being managed per the Policy.
Increases to RSR are made through the Power Cost Adjustment rate as determined by the fund, at
the recommendation of the General Manager for Utilities.
8. Internal Cost Recovery Fees – Additionally, enterprise activity rates will include transfers to and
receive credits from other funds as follows:
a. General and Administrative Charges – Administrative costs should be charged to all funds for
services of general overhead, such as administration, finance, customer billing, legal and other
costs as appropriate. These charges will be determined through an indirect cost allocation
following accepted practices and procedures and reviewed annually by the City’s external
auditors.
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b. Payment for Return on Investment – The intent of this transfer is to provide a benefit to the
citizens for the ownership of the various utility operations they own. For all utilities except for
Electric:
In‐Lieu‐of‐Franchise‐Fee. This transfer, currently 3% of operating revenues generated inside
the City, is consistent with the franchise rates charged to investor owned utilities franchised
to operate within the City.
Return on Investment. The return on investment (ROI) transfer for In‐City utility customers
is currently calculated at 7% of operating revenues for all non‐electric utilities. ROI for water
and sewer customers outside the City is 10% of operating revenues. There is no ROI
calculated on solid waste revenues.
The Franchise and Return on Investment for the Electric Utility are both is derived from the base
monthly charge gross revenue rate and kWh sold. The base rate revenue is multiplied by 7% for
all customers. For customers inside the City, the franchise fee is $0.002947/kWh sold, and the
Return on Investment is 7% of gross revenue of the base monthly charge, and $0.007253/kWh
sold. a $0.0102 charge per kWh, equivalent to the 3% and 7% paid by other utility customers,
will be included in the cost per kWh. For customers outside the City, there is no franchise fee to
the City of Georgetown; however, those customers may be subject to franchise fees in the
jurisdiction in which they reside. Outside the City customers are charged a Return on Investment
equal to 7% of gross revenue of the base monthly charge, and $0.0102/kWh sold. a $0.007253
charge per kWh, equivalent to the 7% ROI paid by utilities, will be included in the cost.
9. Intergovernmental Revenues – All potential grants will be examined for matching requirements and
must be approved by the City Council prior to making application of the grant. It must be clearly
understood that operational requirements (on‐going costs) set up as a result of a grant program
could be discontinued once the term and conditions of the program have been completed.
9. Revenue Monitoring – Received revenues will be regularly compared to budgeted revenues and
variances will be investigated, and any abnormalities will be included in the quarterly report to the
City Council.
10. OTHER FUNDING ALTERNATIVES
When at all possible, the City will research alternative funding opportunities prior to issuing debt or
increasing user‐related fees.
a. Grants – All grant applications must be approved by the City Council prior to being submitted to a granting
agency. Prior to submittal to Council, departments will verify that the benefits of the grant exceed the cost
of grant administration and will also provide the required grant forms to Finance for review in accordance
with the Grant Acquisition, Management, and Compliance Policy. Finance will review and sign the forms
which provides detailed information including, but not limited to, the term of the grant, any matching
requirements, the resulting operational requirements once the grant is discontinued, and a budget request
detailing the line items to be effected, all of which should be included in the Council agenda item packet
requesting approval to apply. The City Council must also authorize acceptance of any grant awards
received.All potential grants will be examined for any matching requirements and the source of those
requirements identified. A grant funding worksheet, reviewed by Finance, that clearly identifies funding
sources, outcomes and other relevant information will be presented and approved by the City Council prior
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to any grant application being submitted. It must be clearly understood that any resulting operation
requirements of the grant could be discontinued once the term and conditions of the project have been
terminated. The City Council must authorize acceptance of any grant funding.
b. Use of Reserve Funds – The City may authorize the use of reserve funds to potentially delay or eliminate a
proposed bond issue. This may occur due to higher than anticipated fund balances in prior years, thus
eliminating or reducing the need for debt proceeds, or postpone a bond issue until market conditions are
more beneficial or timing of the related capital improvements does not correspond with the planned bond
issue. Reserve funds used in this manner are replenished upon issuance of the proposed debt.
c. Developer Contributions – The City will require developers who negatively impact the City's utility capital
plans offset those impacts. These policies are further defined within the City's utility line extension policy
and other development regulations.
d. Leases – The City may authorize the use of lease financing for certain operating equipment when it is
determined that the cost benefit of such an arrangement is advantageous to the City.
e. Impact Fees – The City will impose impact fees as allowable under state law for both water and wastewater
services. These fees will be calculated in accordance with statute and reviewed at least every three years.
All fees collected will fund projects identified within the Fee study and as required by state laws.
V. EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT
A. Appropriations – The point of budget control is at the department level budget for all funds. The Charter
(Section 6.03) provides that any transfer of appropriation between funds must be approved by the City
Council and that the City Manager, without City Council approval, is authorized to transfer appropriations
among departments, within the same operational division and fund. The City Manager may also authorize
transfer of salary adjustment monies between funds that are budgeted in a citywide account.
B. Expenditure Monitoring – Expenditures and encumbrances will be regularly compared to budget, variances
will be investigated, and any abnormalities will be included in the quarterly report to the City Council.
Projected year‐end expenditures will be reported in the annual budget.
C. Personnel Costs – Costs related to salaries and benefits are budgeted at 100% total costs, assuming open
positions are filled throughout the fiscal year. New positions that are added during the budget process may
have staggered hire dates with appropriate costs reflected in the budget.
1. Vacancy Factor – Major Funds with Personnel Budgets greater than $4 million will include a vacancy
factor of at least 1% of total fund salaries and related benefits (retirement, FICA, Medicare) to offset
salary savings within the budget. The vacancy factor will be budgeted as a negative expense within
the fund. This factor will be reduced throughout the year as vacant positions are recognized within
the department budget.
Compliance Status – General Fund, Electric Fund, Water Fund and Joint Services Fund FY20198 in
compliance.
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2. Benefit Payout Reserve – The City will establish a benefit payout reserve equal to 15% of the accrued
benefit liability for employees in the General and Joint Services Funds who are currently eligible to
retire. Only terminating employee benefit expenses may be paid from this reserve. This reserve shall
be funded as an offset to the vacancy factor.
Compliance Status – Benefit payout reserve FY20198 in compliance.
3. Position Control – The annual budget includes a set number of positions within departments when
approved and adopted by City Council. Additional positions cannot be added without approval of
the City Council. The City Manager may approve the transfer of authorized positions between
departments if funds are available within the department.
4. Use of Excess Salary Savings – Departmental savings generated due to open positions or other salary
line item savings cannot be spent by the department unless previously approved by the City Manager
and validated by Finance as “excess funds.”
D. Special Purpose Funding – In order to support community assistance programs, the City designates specific
funding for special purposes, including Social Services, Children’s Programs, and Public Art. The City reserves
the ability to cap this special purpose funding when necessitated by budget contingency or compliance
issues, such as revenue shortfalls, or other reasons as determined by City Council.
1. Strategic Partnerships for Community Services – The City of Georgetown values partnerships with
organizations that are committed to addressing our communities’ greatest public challenges and has
identified key priorities in the following areas:
Public Safety
Transportation
Housing
Parks & Recreation
Veteran Services
Safety Net
The City has targeted funding for these programs to be $5.00 per capita, which may be adjusted to
offset the effects of general inflation based upon Consumer Price Index. If previous funding levels
are higher than the targeted amount, and to avoid significant reductions in levels of funding, the City
Council shall seek to attain this target chiefly through population growth. These funds will be
allocated and paid according to the City Council’s guidelines for such programs.
Compliance Status – FY20198 in compliance.
Public Art Funding – The City will annually allocate funding for Public Art on a year to year basis
depending on the availability of funds in an amount to be determined at the discretion of the City
Manager. Funding priority will be given to projects that include a matching donation, including
contributions from local organizations and sponsors. Any unspent funds will accumulate and be
reallocated in the following budget year. Disbursement of these funds will be determined by the
City Council at the recommendation of the City’s Arts & Culture Advisory Board.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Every effort will be made to include public art funding in future City facilities whose primary purpose
is for public use. These projects will include a reasonable allowance for public art that fits the scope
and purpose of the building so long that it does not negatively impact the project cost beyond the
original budget. In the event there is cost savings in the construction of City Facilities, the City Council
may consider utilizing that savings on the purchase of public art for the facility.
E. Purchasing – The City will maintain and regularly review a written Purchasing Policiesy. All City purchases of
goods or services will be made in accordance with the City’s Charter, current Purchasing Policy and with
State law.
The following table shows a summary of requirements for purchases of goods and services and does not
substitute the formal Purchasing Policies.
Dollar Limits: Procurements: Requirements:
Under
$3,000 and less
Under the small purchase
limit
No competitive bids and City credit
cards may be used.
$3,0010
up to
$49,99950,000
Within informal bid limit A minimum of three informal
competitive bids required unless
exempted; Historically Underutilized
Business (HUB) requirements apply in
accordance with state law.
$50,0010
and above
In excess of the informal bid
limit
Formal solicitations, which includes
public notices, required unless
exempted. Advisory board review and
recommendation may be
required. Council approval required.
Common exemptions to the formal solicitation process include the procurement of professional services, the
purchase of goods or services from a sole source provider, and purchases for public health emergencies.
In addition to the above, all purchases must be approved according to preapproved signature authority limits
within each department as directed and approved by the City Manager.
F. Contracts, and Change Orders and Amendments – Contracts and related change orders and amendments
must follow the City PurchasingCity’s Purchasing Policies and State Law. In accordance with State Law,
change orders are limited to 25% of the total contract amount. Change orders greater than $50,000
require the same advisory board review and Council approvals as the original contracts.
G. Prompt Payment – In accordance with State Law, aAll invoices approved for payment by the proper City
authorities shall be paid within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of goods or services or invoice date,
whichever is later in accordance with State law. The City will take advantage of all purchase discounts, when
possible.
H. Risk Management – The City will pursue every opportunity to provide for the Public’s and City employees’
safety and to manage its risks. The goal shall be to minimize the risk of loss of resources through liability
claims with an emphasis on safety programs.
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I. Retirement Benefits – Proposals to revise benefits administered and provided by the Texas Municipal
Retirement System shall include a written description, and, detailed and summary numerical assessments of
the changes that would result from the proposed benefit revision.
1. The numerical assessments shall include the following:
a. The estimated change to the TMRS contribution rate that would result from the
proposed change in benefits, expressed as a percentage of employee pay and as an
annual dollar amount to the General Fund and to each City fund.
b. The estimated change to the City’s unfunded pension liability, expressed as a dollar
amount.
c. The estimated change to the City’s actuarial funding ratio.
2. The description and numerical assessments must be provided to the City Council at least 72
hours prior to consideration and approval, and must be read aloud to the Council prior to Council
consideration.
3. The estimated changes to the City’s contribution rate and the unfunded pension liability
presented pursuant to the section must be based on information provided by the TMRS actuary
or by a professional actuary authorized by the TMRS to provide such information.
4. Proposals to revise TMRS benefits must be voted on individually as part of the City Council’s
legislative agenda.
5. The City will amortize any unfunded actuarial liability (UAAL) over a period not to exceed the
amortization period used by the TMRS actuary. The City may amortize its UAAL more quickly by
making contributions to TMRS in excess of the rate specified by TMRS.
6. The City may elect to pay a higher contribution rate than required by the TMRS, to reduce the
City’s unfunded pension liability. Such payment will be approved and authorized by the City
Council as part of the City's annual budget process.
J. Retirement Cost‐of‐Living Adjustment
1. Within 60 days of when the TMRS annual funding update becomes available each year, staff will
review and may prepare a summary of costs and options for potential cost‐of‐living adjustment
(COLA) for City of Georgetown retirees.
2. Consistent with state statutes governing the Texas Municipal Retirement System, the City may
provide an automatic COLA for members of the TMRS who are retired from the City of Georgetown
and receiving a monthly retirement benefit from the TMRS.
3. The City Council may adjust the COLA provided to city retirees based upon the funding level of the
City’s pension plan, as calculated by the TMRS, as follows:
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FY2019 Annual Budget
When the funding level of the City’s
pension plan is
The COLA
should be
Less than 70.0%
Zero
70.0% to 79.9%
0.3% of CPI
80.0% to 89.9%
0.5% of CPI
90.0% and greater
0.7% of CPI
4. Adjustments made pursuant to subsection J.3b. should reflect the reciprocal effect of the
prospective change in the COLA on the funding level of the City’s pension plan.
K. Deferred Compensation Benefits – In addition to the retirement benefit administered by the TMRS, the City
will sponsor a Deferred Compensation 457 plan, which is a supplementary individual retirement savings plan.
The City will encourage employee participation in this plan.
VI. STAFFING AND COMPENSATION
City Council and Management recognize the importance of attracting, hiring, developing, and retaining the best
people, and compensating them for the value they create. Our outstanding and innovative City employees work
diligently to bring the Vision of Council to life and deliver exceptional services to our customers while
exemplifying our Core Values. The following programs are subject to available funding in the annual operating
budget.
A. Adequate Staffing – Staffing levels will be adequate for the fiscal functions of the City to operate effectively.
Workload allocation alternatives will be explored before adding additional staff.
B. Competitive Compensation – In order to maintain a competitive pay scale, the City has implemented a
Competitive Employee Compensation Maintenance Program to address competitive market factors and other
issues impacting compensation. The program consists of:
1. Annual Pay Plan Review – To ensure the City’s pay system is accurate and competitive within the
market, the City will review its pay plans annually for any potential market adjustments necessary
to maintain the City’s competitive pay plans.
2. Pay for Performance – Each year the City will fund performance based pay adjustments for regular
non‐public safety personnel. This merit‐based program aids in retaining quality employees by
rewarding their performance. Pay for Performance adjustments are based on the employee’s most
recently completed performance evaluation.
3. Public Safety Steps – Each year the City will fund anniversary step increases for public safety sworn
personnel consistent with public safety pay scale design.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
C. Self‐Insurance Program – The City is committed to providing quality healthcare insurance that offers the most
flexibility in health benefits and options to its employees. In order to provide the most cost effective solution,
the City has determined that establishing a self‐funded health insurance plan offers the greatest opportunity
to mitigate future cost increases while offering quality health care services to its employees. The City has
established a mechanism to manage the accounts and payments associated with this program. Per GASB
Statement No. 66, such funding should be accounted for as an Internal Service Fund (ISF).
1. Employee Health Insurance ISF – This fund contains premium contributions from employees and
budgeted health insurance contributions included in the City’s annual budget process. To maintain
stable revenue to this fund, and to clearly set expenditure expectations for departments, any
budgeted appropriations for employee health insurance that are unused at the end of each fiscal
year will be transferred back to the self‐insurance fund.
2. Self‐Insurance Reserves – Annually through the budget process, staff and the City’s Health Benefit
Consultant firm will evaluate and recommend to Council the appropriate funding levels for both a
rate stabilization reserve as well as an incurred but not reported (IBNR) two reserves.
a. Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) Reserve: In the event the City stopped self‐insuring for
health benefits and was required to pay incurred costs, the City will reserve between 5 and
10 percent of the annual costs of claims, benefit administration and stop loss coverage.
Compliance Status – IBNR reserve FY2019 in compliance.
a.b. Rate Stabilization Reserve: To alleviate shocks to the City and employees due to sharp
increases in health insurance costs, the City will reserve between 10 and 20 percent of
annual claims, benefit administration and stop loss coverage. Staff and the benefits
consultant will consider a 3 year forecast on premiums when determining to utilize the funds
or rebuild the reserve.
Compliance Status – Both reserves FY2018 Rate stabilization reserve inFY2019 in compliance.
2.3. Employee Premiums – Annual premiums will be recommended to City Council through a
collaborative process between the City’s Employee Benefit Committee and external Health Benefits
consulting firm using historical data, reserves history and other analytic analysis.
VII. FUND BALANCE POLICIES
The City’s Fund Balance is the accumulated difference between assets and liabilities within governmental funds,
and it allows the City to meet its contractual obligations, fund disaster or emergency costs, provide cash flow for
timing purposes and fund non‐recurring expenses appropriated by City Council. This policy establishes limitations
on the purposes for which Fund Balances can be used in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards
Board (GASB) Statement Number 54.
The City’s Fund Balance will report up to five components:
A. Non‐spendable Fund Balance – includes inherently non‐spendable assets that will never convert to cash, as
well as assets that will not convert to cash soon enough to affect the current financial period. Assets included
in this category are prepaid items, inventory and non‐financial assets held for resale.
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B. Restricted Fund Balance – represents the portion of fund balance that is subject to legal restrictions, such as
grants or hotel/motel tax and bond proceeds.
C. Committed Fund Balance – describes the portion of fund balance that is constrained by limitations that the
City Council has imposed upon itself, and remains binding unless the City Council removes the limitation.
D. Assigned Fund Balance – is that portion of fund balance that reflects the City’s intended use of the resource
and is established in a less formal method by the City for that designated purpose.
E. Unassigned Fund Balance – represents funds that cannot be properly classified in one of the other four
categories.
VIII. LONG‐TERM LIABILITY RESERVES
The City of Georgetown recognizes certain long‐term unfunded commitments and contingencies that will require
substantial funding at some point in the future. The City is committed to addressing these commitments in a
fiscally prudent method by acknowledging their future financial impacts and developing strategies and
designated reserve funds to mitigate those future impacts.
A. The Finance Director will maintain a list of unfunded liabilities. The list will be included in the quarterly financial
report to Council and considered during the annual budget process.
IX. BUDGET CONTINGENCY PLAN
This policy is designed to establish general guidelines for managing revenue shortfalls resulting from local and
national economic downturns that adversely affect the City's revenue streams.
A. Immediate Action – Once a budgetary shortfall is projected, the City Manager will take the necessary actions
to offset any revenue shortfall with a reduction in current expenses. The City Manager may:
Freeze all new hire and vacant positions except those deemed to be a necessity.
Review all planned capital expenditures.
Delay all "non‐essential" spending or equipment replacement purchases.
The City Manager shall report in a timely manner to the City Council the projected shortfall and the
actions taken to resolve it.
B. Further Action – If the actions identified in subsection A are insufficient to offset the projected revenue deficit
for the current fiscal year, the City Council may approve the following actions, in the order listed:
1. Apply unspent, unobligated surplus funds from prior fiscal years to fund one‐time costs in the current
fiscal year budget.
2. Authorize the use of the General Fund Economic Stability Uncertainty Reserve pursuant to Section
XVI.A.2.b. Economic Stability Uncertainty Reserve.
3. Notwithstanding Section XVI.A.2.a. Base Level Reserve of this policy, authorize a reduction in the
unobligated fund balance in the General Fund, pursuant to Section XVI.A.2.a. Base Level Reserve of
this policy, from 90 to 75 days.
4. Direct other reductions in services, including workforce reductions.
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C. Replenish Fund Balance – As soon as practical, without placing undue strain on City services, the City Council
shall increase the unobligated fund balance in the General Fund, up to the 90‐day amount required in Section
XVI.A.2.a. Base Level Reserve of this policy and shall restore the General Fund Economic Stability Uncertainty
Reserve as required in Section XVI.A.2.b of this policy.
X. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET
The City’s goal is to maintain City facilities and infrastructure in order to provide excellent services to the
customers within the community, meet growth related needs, and comply with all state and federal regulations.
A. Preparation – The City annually updates and adopts a five‐year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) schedule
as part of the operating budget adoption process. The plan is reviewed and adjusted annually as needed, and
year one is adopted as the current year capital budget. The capital budget will include all capital projects,
capital resources, and estimated operational impacts.
Needed capital improvements are identified through system models, repair and maintenance
records and growth demands.
Economic development projects that have capital infrastructure needs must be reviewed and
approved for funding by the City no later than March 1 to be included in the annual CIP process. Any
economic development project approved for funding after March 1 will be included in the following
year CIP process unless otherwise authorized by City Council.
A team approach will be used to prioritize CIP projects, whereby City staff from all operational areas
provide input and ideas relating to each project and its effect on operations.
Citizen involvement and participation will be solicited in formulating the capital budget through
through master planning processes, board meetings,neighborhood meetings public hearings and
other forums.
Capital infrastructure necessary to meet the requirements of the City’s Annexation Plan will be
identified separately within the CIP plan, so that funding alternatives can be developed if needed.
Prior to Council approvaladoption, the following Advisory Boards will review the Capital Projects
budget and contracts for expenditures:
Georgetown Utility
Systems Advisory
Board
(GUS)
Georgetown
Transportation
Advisory Board
(GTAB)
General Government
and Finance
Advisory Board
(GGAF)
Parks
Advisory
Board
Georgetown
Transportation
Enhancement
Corporation
(GTEC)
Electric
Water
Wastewater
Streets
Stormwater
Drainage
Facilities, Fleet, IT and Parks and
Recreation
Transportation
projects
related to
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Airport Other General
Government Capital
Projects
economic
development
B. Control – All capital project expenditures must be appropriated in the capital budget. Availability of
resources must be identified and then reviewed by the Finance Division before any CIP contract is presented
to the City Council for approval.
Prior to presentation to Council, the following Advisory Boards will review:
Georgetown Utility Systems
Advisory Board
(GUS)
Georgetown Transportation
Advisory Board
(GTAB)
General Government and
Finance
Advisory Board (GGAF)
All utility contracts and
other utility expenses
greater than $50,000
All Transportation,
Stormwater Drainage and
Airport expenditures and
contracts greater than
$50,000
All General Government
non‐routine contracts and
expenditures greater than
$50,000
C. Financing Programs – Where applicable, assessments, impact fees, pro rata charges, or other fees should be
used to fund capital projects which have a primary benefit to specific identifiable property owners. Debt
financing is referenced in Section XIV. Debt Management of this document.
Recognizing that long‐term debt is usually a more expensive financing method, alternative‐financing sources
will be explored before debt is issued. When debt is issued, it will be used to acquire major assets with
expected lives equal or exceeding the average life of the debt issue.
Short‐term financing including Capital Leasing and other tax‐supported obligations can be used to fund
vehicles, computers and other operating equipment provided the impact to the tax rate is minimal.
Caution should be used in replacing assets with short‐term, tax‐supported obligations due to the repetitive
nature of the replacements. The total amount of I & S (interest and sinking) portion of the tax rate dedicated
to fund short‐term debt for equipment replacement will not exceed $0.04.
XI. CAPITAL MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT
The City recognizes that deferred maintenance increases future capital costs. Therefore, a portion of all
individual funds with infrastructure should be budgeted each year to maintain the quality within each system.
A. Infrastructure Maintenance — On‐going maintenance and major repair costs are included as capital expense
within the departmental operating budgets. These costs are generally considered system repairs and are
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not capitalized for accounting purposes. They include such items as park and recreation facility repairs, street
street repairseal coat, water line repairs and other general system maintenance.
B. Modified Approach — Pavement Condition Index (PCI) — Governmental Accounting Standards Board
Statement # 34 provides for an alternative approach to depreciation for measuring the value of infrastructure
assets and the related costs incurred to maintain their service life at a locally established minimum standard.
The City has elected to implement this modified approach in maintaining its non‐enterprise fund
infrastructure assets. In order to adopt this alternative method, the City has implemented an asset
management system that determines if the minimum standards are being maintained. This measurement
system will be updated at least every 3 years. The City has elected to use this alternative method for
reporting its street infrastructure assets.
The City uses a the CarteGraph PavementView Pavement Management Information System to track the
condition levels of each of the street sections. The condition of the pavement is based on the following
factors:
Type of Distress
Amount of Distress
Severity of Distress
Deduct Values (function of first three)
The Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is a measurement scale is based upon a condition index ranging from
zero for a failed pavement to 100 for pavement with perfect condition. The condition index is used to
classify pavement in the following conditions:
The City’s administrative policy is to achieve an average PCI level of 85. An 85 PCI is considered maintaining
the streets in a “good” condition. Staff will prepare a street maintenance budget that meets this target for
Council’s consideration during the budget process. The PCI level as of 2014 was 87.30.
C. Internal Service Funds Capital Maintenance & Replacement – The City currently utilizes internal service funds
to maintain and replace existing assets. Assessments are made to other the using funds for the use of existing
equipment currently in use and to be purchased during the year new equipment. In this way, suitable funds
are available for the purchase of operational assets without the issuance of debt.
1. Fleet Maintenance and Replacement – The City has a major investment in its fleet of cars, trucks,
tractors, and other equipment. The City will anticipate replacing existing equipment, as necessary
and will establish charges that are assigned to the using departments to account for the cost of that
replacement. Vehicle maintenance is also allocated in this manner. The targeted asset replacement
reserve amount is the average (1/5th) of the next five years on the replacement schedule for cash
funded vehicles.
Compliance Status – Fleet replacement reserve FY2019 in compliance.
PCI Rating
100 – 85 Good
85 – 45 Fair
45 – 0 Poor
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1.2. Technology – It is the policy of the City to plan and fund the maintenance and replacement of its
computer network and other technology systems. A reserve will be established within the ISF for
replacement of major systems and will be funded over time through excess revenues within the
Fund. The targeted amount is the average (1/5th) of the next five years on the replacement schedule.
While cash funding is preferred, major IT systems and projects may require debt that is amortized
over a shorter useful life appropriate for the software or hardware.
Compliance Status – IT replacement reserve FY20198 in compliance.
2.3. Facilities Maintenance – The City has established an on‐going maintenance program, which includes
major repairs, equipment, as well as contracts for maintaining City facilities. The City has anticipated
a useful life of such equipment and established a means of charging those costs to the various
departments in order to recognize the City’s continuing costs of maintaining its facilities.
Determination for facility repairs is based on useful life of the various elements of each facility. A
proportional cost for each element is expensed within the budget for capital replacement. The
targeted replacement reserve amount is the average (1/5th) of the next five years on the replacement
schedule. An additional unscheduled repair reserve equal to 10% value of annual internal service
funding is also budgeted.
Compliance Status – Facilities replacement repair reserve FY20198 in partial in compliance. It is
estimated to take 3 years to build the replacement reserve.
D. Departmental Capital Maintenance & Replacement – The City also utilizes department capital maintenance
and replacement schedules for specialized assets and equipment necessary to provide services.
1. Parks and Recreation – As part of the City’s on‐going maintenance program, the City also recognizes
the need to regularly maintain and replace playgrounds, equipment and facilities that are part of the
City’s Parks and Recreation system. Separate replacement and maintenance schedules will be
maintained for these items including, but not limited to, playground equipment, buildings, sport
courts, trees and grounds, and restroom facilities. The City’s goal is to provide level on‐going funding
to ensure safe, well‐maintained facilities for its citizens. The current funding level is an annual
$200,000 transfer from the General Fund.
Compliance Status – Parks maintenance replacement FY2019 in compliance.
2. Public Safety Equipment – As part of the City’s on‐going maintenance program, the City also
recognizes the need to regularly maintain and replace specialized equipment in Police and Fire.
Separate replacement and maintenance schedules will be maintained for these items including but
not limited to for Fire: SCBA’s and other firefighting equipment and protective gear; and for Police:
bullet proof vests, armaments and other tactical equipment. The City’s goal is to provide level on‐
going funding to ensure proper protection for employees and residentscitizens. The current funding
level is an annual appropriation in the General Fund of $70,000 for Fire and $88,000 for Police.
Compliance Status – Public safety equipment replacement FY2019 in compliance.
E. Surplus Property
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1. From time to time it is necessary to dispose of certain vehicles or equipment that have been procured
with City funds and used in City services. Individual surplus property items with expected sales value
in excess of $50,000 must be approved by the City Council prior to disposition.
2. City staff will maintain reports and records of all surplus property dispositions in accordance with
good internal controls.
XII. ACCOUNTING, AUDITING, AND FINANCIAL REPORTING
A. Accounting – The City is solely responsible for the recording and reporting of its financial affairs, both
internally and externally. The Finance Director is responsible for establishing the structure for the City’s
Chart of Accounts and for assuring that procedures are in place to properly record financial transactions and
report the City’s financial position.
B. General Government and Finance Advisory Board (GGAF) – The City may establish a subcommittee consisting
of at least 2 City Council members and not more than 3 citizens that may meet monthly to provide additional
oversight to the City’s Finance operations. This subcommittee will also review general government items
that are not reviewed by another City advisory board before being presented to City Council. The City’s
Finance Director will be the liaison for this subcommittee.
C. Audit of Accounts – In accordance with the Charter, an independent audit of the City accounts will be
performed every year. The auditor is retained by and is accountable directly to the City Council. The auditing
firm will serve for up to 5 years, at which time, the City will re‐bid these services and changeing firms if
deemed necessary by GGAF and City Council.
D. External Reporting – Upon completion and acceptance of the annual audit by the City’s auditors, the City
shall prepare a written Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) which shall be presented to the City
Council within 180 calendar days of the City’s fiscal year end. The CAFR shall be prepared in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and shall be presented annually to the Government
Finance Officer Association (GFOA) for evaluation and consideration for the Certificate of Achievement in
Financial Reporting.
E. Internal Reporting – The Finance Department will prepare internal financial reports, sufficient to plan,
monitor and control the City’s financial affairs.
XIII. ASSET MANAGEMENT
A. Cash Management and Investments – The City Council has formally approved a separate Investment Policy
for the City of Georgetown that meets the requirements of the Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA), Section
2256 and 2257 of the Texas Local Government Code. This policy is reviewed annually by the City Council and
applies to all financial assets held by the City and applies to all entities (component units) included in the
City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and/or managed by the City. Refer to the separate
policy for details regarding:
1. Statement of Cash Management Philosophy – The City shall maintain a comprehensive cash
management program to include the effective collection of all accounts receivable, the prompt
deposit of receipts to the City’s depository, the payment of obligations, and the prudent investment
of idle funds in accordance with this policy.
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2. Objectives – The City’s investment program will be conducted as to accomplish the following listed
in priority order:
Safety of the principal invested
Liquidity and availability of cash to pay obligations when due
Ensure public trust through responsible actions as custodians of public funds
Maximize earnings (yield) to the greatest extent possible consistent with the City’s investment
policy.
3. Safekeeping and Custody – Investments may only be purchased through brokers/dealers who meet
the criteria detailed in the investment policy, which also addresses internal controls related to
investments.
4. Standard of Care and Reporting – Investment will be made with judgment and care, always
considering the safety of principal to be invested and the probable income to be derived. The
Finance Director is responsible for the overall management of the City’s investment program and
ensures all investments are made in compliance with the investment policy. An investment report,
providing both summary and detailed information, will be presented to the City Council quarterly.
5. Investment Strategies
5.6. Authorized Investments and Approved Broker/Dealer List – The City can currently invest in the
following:
Certificates of Deposit
U.S. Treasury and Agency securities
Investment Pools that meet the requirements of the PFIA
No‐load Money Market Mutual Funds
Fully collateralized Repurchase Agreements
Obligations of Municipal Issuers in Texas rated not less than A or its equivalent
Other investments as approved by City Council and not prohibited by law.
B. Fixed Assets – These assets will be reasonably safeguarded and properly accounted for, and prudently
insured.
1. Capitalization Criteria – For purposes of budgeting and accounting classification, the following
criteria must be met in order to be capitalized:
The asset owned by the City
The expected useful life of the asset must be longer than one year, or extend the life of an
identifiable existing asset by more than one year
The original cost of the asset must be at least $5,000
The asset must be tangible
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FY2019 Annual Budget
On‐going repairs and general maintenance are not capitalized. Public Education and Government
(PEG) Funds will capitalize assets in aggregate over $1,000 on an annual basis.
2. New Purchases – All costs associated with bringing the asset into working order will be capitalized
as part of the asset cost. This will include startup costs, engineering or consultant type fees as part
of the asset cost once the decision or commitment to purchase the asset is made. The cost of land
acquired should include all related costs associated with its purchase.
3. Improvements and Replacement – Improvements will be capitalized when they extend the original
life of an asset or when they make the asset more valuable than it was originally. The replacement
of assets components will normally be expensed unless they are a significant nature and meet all the
capitalization criteria.
4. Contributed Capital – Infrastructure assets received from developers or as a result of annexation will
be recorded as equity contributions when they are received.
5. Distributions Systems – All costs associated with public domain assets, such as streets and utility
distribution lines will be capitalized in accordance with the capitalization policy. Costs should include
engineering, construction and other related costs including right of way acquisition.
6. Reporting and Inventory – The Finance Division will maintain the permanent records of the City’s
fixed assets, including description, cost, department of responsibility, date of acquisition,
depreciation and expected useful life. Periodically, random sampling at the department level will be
performed to inventory fixed assets assigned to that department. Responsibility for safeguarding
the City’s fixed assets lies with the department supervisor or manager whose department has been
assigned the asset.
XIV. DEBT MANAGEMENT
The City of Georgetown recognizes the primary purpose of capital facilities is to provide services to the
community. Using debt financing to meet the capital needs of the community must be evaluated according to
efficiency and equity. Efficiency must be evaluated to determine the highest rate of return for a given investment
of resources. Equity is resolved by determining who should pay for the cost of capital improvements. In meeting
demand for additional services, the City will strive to balance the needs between debt financing and “pay as you
go” methods. The City realizes that failure to meet the demands of growth may inhibit its continued economic
viability, but also realizes that too much debt may have detrimental effects on the City’s long‐range financial
condition.
The City will issue debt only for the purpose of acquiring or constructing capital assets for the general benefit of
its citizens and to allow it to fulfill its various purposes as a city. The City will seek input on major projects funded
with debt via bond elections, master planning exercises, board meetings, budget workshops, and other methods
as needed.
A Debt Condition Update report will be provided annually.
A. Usage of Debt – Long‐term debt financing will be considered for non‐continuous capital improvements of
which future citizens will be benefited. Alternatives for financing will be explored prior to debt issuance and
include, but not limited to:
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Grants
Use of Reserve Funds
Use of Current Revenues
Contributions from developers and others
Leases
Impact Fees
When the City utilizes long‐term financing, it will ensure that the debt is soundly financed by
conservatively projecting revenue sources that will be used to pay the debt. It will not finance the
improvement over a period greater than the useful life of the improvement and it will determine that
the cost benefit of the improvement, including interest costs, is positive to the community.
The City may utilize the benefits of short‐term debt financing to purchase operating equipment provided
the debt doesn’t extend past the useful life of the asset and the potential impact to the tax rate is within
policy guidelines. The I & S (interest and sinking) portion of the tax rate cannot exceed $0.04 for short‐
term debt (3‐10 years).
B. Types of Debt
1. General Obligation Bonds (GO’s) – General obligation bonds must be authorized by a vote of the
citizens of Georgetown. They are used only to fund capital assets of the general government and
are not to be used to fund operating needs of the City. The City’s ad valorem taxing authority backs
general obligation bonds. Conditions for issuance of general obligation debt include:
When the project will have a significant impact on the tax rate;
When the project may be controversial even though it is routine in nature; or
When the project falls outside the normal bounds of projects the City has typically done.
For debt programs that include multiple projects that will be issued over multiple years at the
discretion of the City Council, the City may approve a Contract with the Voters to manage future
property tax rate impacts. The Contract with the Voters will be included in educational information
for all applicable GO Bond elections, and will include a maximum annual tax rate increase and a
cumulative total per bond authorization maximum tax rate increase. The City will include these
impacts in its annual Debt Condition report.
The City Council will carefully manage the unissued GO Bond authorization through annual review of
related projects to ensure full disclosure on future timing of projects included in the bond package.
Timing of authorized projects and related bond issuance will be included in the Annual Budget and
published on the City’s website. Any changes to this schedule require specific Council authorization.
2. Revenue Bonds – Revenue bonds will be issued to provide for the capital needs of any activities
where the capital requirements are necessary for the continuation or expansion of a service. The
improved activity shall produce a revenue stream to fund the debt service requirements of the
necessary improvement to provide service expansion. The average life of the obligation should not
exceed the useful life of the asset(s) to be funded by the bond issue, and will generally be limited to
no more than twenty (20) years. An exception can be made for plant expansions or related system
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FY2019 Annual Budget
expansions whose useful life is in excess of 30 years. A cost benefit analysis will be done to fully
disclose the impacts of extending debt beyond 20 years.
3. Certificates of Obligation, Contract Obligations (CO’s) – Certificates of obligation or contract
obligations may be used to fund capital requirements that are not otherwise funded by general
obligation or revenue bonds. Debt service for CO’s may be either from general revenues (tax‐
supported) or supported by a specific revenue stream(s) or a combination of both. Typically, the City
may issue CO’s when the following conditions are met:
When the proposed debt will have minimal impact on future effective property tax rates;
When the projects to be funded are within the normal bounds of City capital requirements, such
as for roads, parks, various infrastructure and City facilities and equipment; and
When the average life of the obligation does not exceed the useful life of the asset(s) to be
funded by the issue.
Certificates of obligation will be the least preferred method of financing and will be used with
prudent care and judgment by the City Council during the budget development process. Every effort
will be made to ensure public participation in decisions relating to debt financing.
4. Self‐supporting Certificates of General Obligation Debt – Refers to certificates of obligation issued
for a specific purpose and repaid through dedicated revenues other than ad valorem taxes. The
annual debt requirements are not included in the property tax calculation. Both the Airport and
Stormwater Drainage funds will issue this type of debt. In addition, the Electric and Water Services
Funds can utilize this method of funding non‐system capital assets. The City also issues debt on
behalf of the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation (GTEC) and the Georgetown
Economic Development Corporation (GEDCO) whom then pledge 4A and 4B sales tax revenue for
the repayment of that debt.
5. Internal borrowing between City Funds – The City Council can authorize use of existing long‐term
reserves as “loans” between funds. The borrowing fund will repay the loan at a rate consistent with
current market conditions. The loan will be repaid within ten (10) years. The loan will be considered
an investment of working capital reserves by the lending fund.
6. Other Short‐term Borrowing – The City may authorize the issuance of Public Property Finance
Contractual Obligations (PPFCO) which is short‐term obligations for the acquisition of personal public
property, such as equipment. PPFCOs are payable from either ad valorem taxes or another dedicated
revenue stream. Each issuance will be assessed to ensure cost effectiveness and the repayment
schedule will not exceed the useful life of the asset. Multiple equipment acquisitions can be grouped
in a single PPFCO issue in order to develop economies of scale.
C. Method of Sale – The City will use a competitive bidding process in the sale of bonds unless conditions in the
bond market or the nature of the issue warrant a negotiated bid. In such situations, the City will publicly
present the reasons for the negotiated sale. The City will rely on the recommendation of the financial advisor
in the selection of the underwriter or direct purchaser. The financial advisor must meet all licensing
requirements and comply with all Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) regulations. The City’s
financial advisor will not act as the underwriter on any City bond issue.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
D. Disclosure – Full disclosure of operating costs along with capital costs will be made to the bond rating
agencies and other users of financial information. The City staff, with assistance of the financial advisor and
bond counsel, will prepare the necessary materials for presentation to the rating agencies and will aid in the
production of the Preliminary Official Statements. The City will take responsibility for the accuracy of all
financial information released.
E. Federal Requirements – The City will maintain written procedures to follow post issuance compliance rules,
arbitrage rebate and other Federal requirements.
Post issuance tax compliance rules will include records retention, arbitrage rebate, use of
proceeds, and
Continuing disclosure requirements under SEC Rule 15c2‐12, MSRB standards, or as may be
required by bond covenants or related agreements.
F. Debt Structuring – The City will issue bonds with an average life of twenty (20) years or less, not to exceed
the useful life of the asset acquired. The structure should approximate level debt service unless operational
matters dictate otherwise. Market factors, such as the effects of tax‐exempt designations, the cost of early
redemption options and the like, will be given consideration during the structuring of long term debt
instruments. Exceptions to the 20 year average life include debt issues for major system expansions, such as
water, sewer or electric plants, in which case the City may issue debt greater than 20 years since the average
life of the asset exceeds 30 years. A cost benefit analysis indicating the impacts of extending debt beyond
20 years will be completed.
G. Utility Debt Coverage Ratio – Refers to the number of times all utility supported the current combined debt
service requirements or payments would be covered by the current operating revenues net of on‐going
operating expenses of the City’s combined utilities (Electric, Water, and Wastewater).
The City will maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.5 times for these utilities as a whole. The
bond ordinances allow the City to forego a debt reserve fund for its utility debt if the coverage is maintained
at 1.35 times or better. A coverage ratio of 1.5 times will also be required for all funds issuing self‐supporting
debt.
Compliance Status – Debt coverage ratio FY20198 in compliance.
H. Bond Reimbursement Resolutions – The City may utilize bond reimbursements as a tool to manage its debt
issues, due to arbitrage requirements and project timing. In so doing, the City uses its capital reserve "cash"
to delay bond issues until such time when issuance is favorable and beneficial to the City.
The City Council may authorize a bond reimbursement resolution for General Capital projects that have a
direct impact on the City's ad valorem tax rate when the bonds will be issued within the term of the existing
City Council. In the event of unexpected circumstances that delay the timing of projects, or market
conditions that prohibit financially sound debt issuance, the approved project can be postponed and
considered by a future council until circumstantial issues can be resolved.
The City Council may also authorize revenue bond reimbursements for approved utility and other self‐
supporting capital projects within legislative limits. Currently revenue bonds must be issued within 18
months after an eligible bond funded project is begun.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
The total outstanding bond reimbursements may not exceed the total amount of the City’s reserve funds.
XV.I. OTHER FUNDING ALTERNATIVES
When at all possible, the City will research alternative funding opportunities prior to issuing debt or
increasing user‐related fees.
A. Grants – All potential grants will be examined for any matching requirements and the source of those
requirements identified. A grant funding worksheet, reviewed by Finance, that clearly identifies funding
sources, outcomes and other relevant information will be presented and approved by the City Council prior
to any grant application being submitted. It must be clearly understood that any resulting operation
requirements of the grant could be discontinued once the term and conditions of the project have been
terminated. The City Council must authorize acceptance of any grant funding.
B.A. Use of Reserve Funds – The City may authorize the use of reserve funds to potentially delay or eliminate a
proposed bond issue. This may occur due to higher than anticipated fund balances in prior years, thus
eliminating or reducing the need for debt proceeds, or postpone a bond issue until market conditions are
more beneficial or timing of the related capital improvements does not correspond with the planned bond
issue. Reserve funds used in this manner are replenished upon issuance of the proposed debt.
C.A. Developer Contributions – The City will require developers who negatively impact the City's utility capital
plans offset those impacts. These policies are further defined within the City's utility line extension policy
and other development regulations.
D.A. Leases – The City may authorize the use of lease financing for certain operating equipment when it
is determined that the cost benefit of such an arrangement is advantageous to the City.
E.A. Impact Fees – The City will impose impact fees as allowable under state law for both water and wastewater
services. These fees will be calculated in accordance with statute and reviewed at least every three years.
All fees collected will fund projects identified within the Fee study and as required by state laws.
XVI.XV. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS, RESERVES, AND STABILITY RATIOS
The City of Georgetown will maintain budgeted minimum reserves in the ending working capital/fund balances
to provide a secure, healthy financial base for the City in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency,
allow stability of City operations should revenues fall short of budgeted projections and provide available
resources to implement budgeted expenditures without regard to actual timing of cash flows into the City.
A. Operational Coverage – The City’s goal is to maintain operations coverage of 1.0 (one), such that operating
revenues will at least equal or exceed current operating expenditures. Deferrals, short‐term loans, or one‐
time sources will be avoided as budget balancing techniques. Reserves will be used only for emergencies or
non‐recurring expenditures, except when balances can be reduced because their levels exceed guideline
minimums as stated below.
1. Operating Reserves – The City will maintain reserves at a minimum of seventy‐five (75) days (20.83%)
of net budgeted operating expenditures. Net budgeted operating expenditure is defined as total
budgeted expenditures less interfund transfers and charges, capital improvements, general debt
service (tax supported), direct cost for purchased power and payments from third party grant
monies. The amount of these funds are allocated within the following operating funds and using the
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following guidelines to maintain the fund balance, working capital and retained earnings (reserves)
of the various operating funds at levels sufficient to protect the City’s creditworthiness, as well as,
its financial position from unforeseeable emergencies. For asset replacement reserves, see Section
XI. Capital Maintenance and Replacement.
Compliance Status – Total reserves FY20198 in compliance.
2. General Fund – The fund balance reserve in the General Fund should equal ninety (90) days or 25%
of annual budgeted General Fund operating expenditures.General Fund reserves will be restricted
on the balance sheet. Reserves are allocated as follows:
a. Base Level Reserve – will equal ninety (90) days, or 25%, of current year budgeted operating
expenditures which will be designated for emergency use only. If the Base Level Reserve is used
during the fiscal year, the balance must return to the ninety (90) day requirement within the
following fiscal year’s adopted budget.
Compliance Status – General Fund 90 day Reserve FY20198 in compliance.
b. Economic Stability Uncertainty Reserve – will equal up to 6% of current year budgeted operating
expenditures. The reserve will be designated to temporarily offset a decline in any General Fund
revenue source during the current fiscal year or in planning the future budget year. The reserve
may be used when growth in any General Fund revenue source from one fiscal year to the next
is below zero. The reserve will be available to support only existing programs approved in a prior
fiscal year. Used funds shall be restored up to the 6% reserve as soon as practical.
Compliance Status – General Fund Stability Reserve FY20198 at 2%.
3. Tourism Fund – A minimum sixty ninety days (9060) days or 16.6725% of operating expenditures will
be reserved within the fund balance. These funds are designated to be used to offset any potential
revenue shortfall that occurs during the fiscal year and should be replenished in the following fiscal
year’s budget.
Compliance Status – Tourism Fund Reserve FY20198 in compliance.
4. Joint Services Fund – A minimum ninety (90) days of operating expenses will be reserved for
unexpected delays in revenue or emergency expenses.
Compliance Status – Joint Services Fund Reserve FY2019 partial compliance. It is estimated to take
approximately 3 years to build the reserve to 90 days.
5. Fleet Fund – A minimum ninety (90) days of operating expenses will be reserved for unexpected
delays in revenue or emergency expenses.
Compliance Status – Fleet Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance.
6. Facilities Fund ‐ A minimum ninety (90) days of operating expenses will be reserved for unexpected
delays in revenue or emergency expenses.
Compliance Status – Facilities Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance
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7. Information Technology Fund ‐ A minimum ninety (90) days of operating expenses will be reserved
for unexpected delays in revenue or emergency expenses.
Compliance Status – IT Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance
8. Emergency Medical Services Fund ‐ A minimum ninety (90) days of operating expenses will be
reserved for unexpected delays in revenue or emergency expenses.
Compliance Status – EMS Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance – covered by an increase in the General
Fund 90 day contingency.
9. Water Services Fund – Working capital reserves should be 25% or ninety (90) days of operating
expenses, net debt service and long‐term water contract costs. The Water Fund will maintain the
following reserves and restrict them on the balance sheet. These reserves are designated to be used
to offset potential revenue shortfalls or fund unexpected or emergency expenses that occur during
the fiscal year. These reserves should be replenished in the following budget cycle.
A. Operations Contingency Reserve – A minimum ninety (90) days or 25% of operating
expenses, including wholesale water contracts and net of transfers, designated for
unexpected or emergency use during the fiscal year.
Compliance Status – Operating Water Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance.
B. Non‐Operating Contingency Reserve – to maintain continuity of debt payments, capital
projects and to begin recovering from a natural disaster during the lag time of revenue
recovery. This reserve will be evaluated annually as part of the budget process,
considering the 5 year CIP and future debt requirements.
Compliance Status – Non‐operating Water Fund Reserve FY20198 in compliance.
4.10. Stormwater Drainage Fund – A minimum ninety (90) days or 25% of operating expenses, will be
reserved in fund balance. These funds are designated to be used to offset any potential revenue
shortfall that occurs during the fiscal year and should be replenished in the following fiscal year’s
budget.$250,000 for unforeseen emergencies or other potential revenue shortfalls.
Compliance Status – Stormwater Fund Reserve FY20198 in compliance.
11. Electric Fund – The Electric Fund will maintain the following reserves and restrict them on the
balance sheet: The remaining balance to meet the citywide requirement of seventy‐five (75) days of
reserve funds will be maintained within this fund. It can be used for unforeseen emergencies and
expenditures. The Rate Stabilization Account and the Power Contract Credit Reserve are not
included in this Contingency Reserve.
A. Operations Contingency Reserve – A minimum ninety (90) days or 25% of operating
expenses, net of transfers and purchased power, designated for unexpected or emergency
use during the fiscal year and to be replenished in the following year’s budget.
Compliance Status – Operating Contingency reserve FY2019 in compliance.
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B. Non‐Operating Contingency Reserve – to maintain continuity and begin recovery process
from a natural disaster during the lag time of revenue recovery:
a. 1% of historical rate base (total assets plus accumulated depreciation)
b. 1/5th of the average cash funded portion of the 5 year CIP
c. At least 50% of annual debt service payment
Compliance Status – Non‐operating reserve FY2019 in partial compliance. It is estimated to
take 1 year to complete this reserve after enacting the new cost of service rate structure.
A.C. Rate Stabilization Reserve – Up to 10% of purchased power costs will be reserved to protect
against energy market exposure and to maintain wholesale power contracts and stability
until expenses are recovered through revenues generated in the Power Cost Adjustment
Factor.
Compliance Status – Electric FundRate stabilization rReserve FY20198 not in compliance. It is
estimated to take 3 years to build this reserve after enacting the new cost of service rate structure.
D. Uses of Unanticipated and Unappropriated Electric Fund Balances – In the event that fund
balance in the Electric Fund exceeds recommended minimum cash as enumerated in the
above reserves, the funds may be used for the following purposes as approved by the City
Council:
a. Reduce the Power Cost Adjustment
b. Reduce outstanding utility debt
c. Fund capital projects
d. Fund other one‐time projects or equipment
5.12. Airport Fund – A contingency reserve of ninety (90) 75 days of operating expenses will be
maintained in the fund for unforeseen or emergency expenditures. The 75 day reserve will represent
all operating expenses minus fuel costs and any transfers. Used funds should be replenished in the
following year’s budget.
Compliance Status – Airport Fund Reserve FY20198 in compliance.
For all other non‐enterprise funds, the fund balance is an indication of the balance of each particular fund at
a specific time. The ultimate goal of each such fund is to have expended the fund balance at the conclusion
of the activity for which the fund was established.
Reserve requirements will be calculated as part of the annual budget process and any additional required
funds to be added to the reserve balances will be appropriated within the budget.
Funds in excess of the minimum reserves within each fund may be expended for City purposes at the will of
the City Council once it has been determined that use of the excess will not endanger reserve requirements
in future years. This action requires an amendment to the City’s Annual Budget and is outlined in Section III.
J. Use of Unanticipated and Unappropriated General Fund Balances.
B. Liabilities and Receivables – Procedures will be followed to maximize discounts and reduce penalties offered
by creditors. Current liabilities will be paid within 30 days of receiving the invoice. Accounts Receivable
procedures will target collection for a maximum of 9030 days of service. The Finance Director is authorized
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to write‐off non‐collectible, non‐utility accounts that are delinquent for more than 180 days, and utility
accounts delinquent more than 180 days, provided proper delinquency procedures have been followed, and
include this information in the Comprehensive Aannual Financial Rreport to the City Council.
C. Capital Project Funds – Every effort will be made for all monies within the Capital Project Funds to be
expended in a timely manner preferably within thirty‐six (36) months of receipt. Due to the long timeline of
some projects, unused cash or bond proceeds will be reserved on the fund schedule and appropriated when
needed. The fund balance will be invested and income generated will offset increases in construction costs
or other costs associated with the project. Capital project funds are intended to be expended totally, with
any unexpected excess to be approved for use according to the bond covenant and opinion of bond counsel
transferred to the Debt Service fund to service project‐related debt service.
D. General Debt Service Funds – Revenues within this fund are stable, based on property tax revenues. Balances
are maintained to meet contingencies and to make certain that the next year’s debt service payments may
be met in a timely manner. Fund balance should not fall below 45 days annual debt service requirements, in
accordance with IRS guidelines.
Compliance Status – Debt Fund Reserve FY20198 in compliance.
E. Investment of Reserve Funds – The reserve funds will be invested in accordance with the City’s investment
policy. Existing non‐cash investment would be exempt through retirement of the investment.
F. Ratios/Trend Analysis – Ratios and significant balances will be incorporated into both the quarterly financial
mid‐year and annual reports to the City Council for the Electric, Water and General Debt Service Funds. This
information will provide users with meaningful data to identify major trends of the City's financial condition
through analytical procedures. The following ratios/balances will be used as key financial indicators:
Fund Balance/Equity: Assets ‐ liabilities
FB/E AL (Acceptable level) minimum reserve requirement
Working Capital: Current assets less current liabilities
CA ‐ CL AL minimum reserve requirement
Current Ratio: Current assets divided by current liabilities
CA/CL AL > 1.00
Quick Ratio: "Liquid" current assets divided by current liabilities
Liquid CA/CL AL > 1.00
Debt/Assessed AV Taxes : Debt divided by assessed Ad Valorem value
D/AV AL < 5
Debt Ratio: Current liabilities plus long‐term liabilities divided by total
assets
CL +LTL/TA AL < 0.51
Enterprise Operating Coverage: Operating revenue divided by operating expense
OR/OE AL > 1.25
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Times Coverage Ratio: Operating revenue less operating expense divided by
annual debt service
(OR‐OE)/DSV AL > 1.5
The City will develop minimum/maximum levels for the above ratios/balances through analyzing of City
historical trends and future projections. These ratios will also be compared to other similar or regional
municipalities for further analysis.
XVII.XVI.INTERNAL CONTROLS
A. Written Procedures – Wherever possible, written procedures will be established and maintained by the
Finance Director for all functions involving cash handling and/or accounting throughout the City. These
procedures will embrace the general concepts of fiscal responsibility set forth in this policy statement.
B. Internal Audit Program – An internal audit program will be maintained by the Finance Director to ensure
compliance with City policies and procedures and to prevent the potential for fraud.
1. Departmental Audits – departmental processes will be reviewed to ensure dual control of City assets
and identify the opportunity for fraud potential, as well as, to ensure that departmental internal
procedures are documented and updated as needed.
2. Employees or Transaction Review – Programs to be audited include Petty Cash, City Credit Card
accounts, time entry, and travel. All discrepancies will be identified, and the employee’s Director
will be notified. The City Manager will also be notified depending on the seriousness of the
infraction.
3. The Finance Director and City Manager will present an annual audit plan to the General Government
and Finance board. Results of all internal audits will be provided to the GGAF and City Council at
year‐end.
C. Directors Responsibility – Each Director is responsible for ensuring that good internal controls are followed
throughout their department, that all Finance Division directives are implemented and that all independent
auditor internal control recommendations are addressed. Departments will develop and periodically update
written internal control procedures.
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Fiscal and Budgetary Policy
Adopted: September 11, 2018
Contents
I. PURPOSE............................................................................................................................................ 2
II. FUND STRUCTURE AND BASIS OF BUDGETING ....................................................................................... 2
III. OPERATING BUDGET ........................................................................................................................... 3
IV. REVENUE MANAGEMENT .................................................................................................................... 6
V. EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT .............................................................................................................. 9
VI. STAFFING AND COMPENSATION ......................................................................................................... 14
VII. FUND BALANCE POLICIES ................................................................................................................... 15
VIII. LONG‐TERM LIABILITY RESERVES ........................................................................................................ 16
IX. BUDGET CONTINGENCY PLAN ............................................................................................................ 16
X. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET ............................................................................... 17
XI. CAPITAL MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT ....................................................................................... 18
XII. ACCOUNTING, AUDITING, AND FINANCIAL REPORTING ......................................................................... 20
XIII. ASSET MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 20
XIV. DEBT MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................................................ 22
XV. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS, RESERVES, AND STABILITY RATIOS .................................................................. 25
XVI. INTERNAL CONTROLS ........................................................................................................................ 29
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I. PURPOSE
The City of Georgetown is committed to financial management through integrity, prudent stewardship, planning,
accountability, transparency and communication. The broad purpose of the Fiscal and Budgetary Policies is to
enable the City and its related component units, including the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement
Corporation (GTEC) and the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation (GEDCO), to achieve and maintain
a long‐term stable and positive financial condition, and provide guidelines for the day‐to‐day planning and
operations of the City’s financial affairs.
Policy scope generally spans areas of accounting, operational and capital budgeting, revenue and expenditure
management, financial reporting, internal controls, investment and asset management, debt management and
forecasting. This is done in order to:
A. Demonstrate to the residents of Georgetown, the investment community, and the bond rating agencies that
the City is committed to a strong fiscal operation;
B. Provide precedents for future policy‐makers and financial managers on common financial goals and
strategies;
C. Fairly present and fully disclose the financial position of the City in conformity to generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP); and
D. Demonstrate compliance with finance‐related legal and contractual issues in accordance with the Texas Local
Government Code and other legal mandates.
These policies will be reviewed and updated annually as part of the budget preparation process.
II. FUND STRUCTURE AND BASIS OF BUDGETING
The budgeted funds for the City of Georgetown include:
Governmental Funds: General Fund which accounts for all financial resources except those required to
be accounted for in another fund, and include basic governmental services, such
as Street Maintenance, Planning and Development, Police, Fire, Parks, as well as
Solid Waste Management.
Special Revenue Funds (SRF) account for specific revenues that are legally
restricted for specified purposes. Examples include Tourism, Parkland
Dedication, Library Donations, Animal Services Donations, and Street
Maintenance Sales Tax.
Debt Service Fund is used to account for the payment of general long‐term debt
principal and interest.
Capital Project Funds are used to account for the acquisition or construction of
major capital facilities other than those financed by enterprise activities.
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Proprietary Funds: Internal Service Funds account for goods or services provided by one internal
department to another. The City uses this system to recognize cost for fleet
replacement and maintenance, facility maintenance, computer replacement
and maintenance and employee health insurance costs.
Enterprise Funds include the City’s business like activities including all the utility
funds and the airport.
Basis of Accounting and Basis of Budgeting
The City accounts and budgets for all Governmental Funds using the modified accrual basis of accounting.
This basis means that revenue is recognized in the accounting period in which it becomes available and
measurable, while expenditures are recognized in the accounting period in which the liabilities are incurred.
Because the appropriated budget is used as the basis for control and comparison of budgeted and actual
amounts, the basis for preparing the budget is the same as the basis of accounting. Exceptions to the
modified accrual basis of accounting include:
Encumbrances, which are treated as expenditures in the year they are encumbered, not when expended
Grants, which are considered revenue when awarded, not received
Principal and interest on long‐term debt, which are recognized when paid.
Proprietary Funds are accounted and budgeted using the full‐accrual basis of accounting. Under this method,
revenues are recognized when they are earned and measurable, while expenses are recognized when they
are incurred regardless of timing or related cash flows. The basis for preparing the budget is the same as the
basis of accounting except for principal payments on long‐term debt and capital outlay which are treated as
budgeted expenses. Exceptions include:
Depreciation which is not budgeted
Non‐budgeted accruals such as compensated absences.
III. OPERATING BUDGET
Budgeting is an essential element of the financial planning, control and evaluation process of municipal
government. The operating budget is the City’s annual financial operating plan. The annual budget includes all
of the operating departments of the General Fund, proprietary funds, debt service funds, special revenue funds,
and capital improvement funds of the City.
A. Form of Government – The Charter (Section 1.03) established a Council‐Manager Government wherein the
City vests power in the City Council to “enact legislation, adopt budgets, determine policies, and appoint the
City Manager who shall execute the laws and administer the government of the City.”
B. Comprehensive Plan – The Charter (Section 1.08) requires that the City Council “establish comprehensive
planning as a continuous and ongoing governmental function in order to promote and strengthen the existing
role, processes and powers of the City of Georgetown.” The current comprehensive plan is the 2030 Plan
adopted in 2006.
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C. Preparation – The Charter (Section 6.02) requires “a proposed budget prepared by the City Manager and
submitted to the City Council at least thirty days prior to the end of the fiscal year. The budget shall be
adopted not later than the twenty‐seventh day of the last month of the fiscal year. No budget will be adopted
or appropriations made unless the total estimated revenues, income and funds available shall be equal to or
in excess of such budget or appropriations, except otherwise provided.”
1. Proposed Budget – A proposed budget shall be prepared by the City Manager with participation of
all of the City’s Directors within the provision of the Charter and the 2030 Plan.
a. The budget shall include four basic segments for review and evaluation:
Revenue
Personnel Costs
Operations and Maintenance Costs
Capital and other non‐project Costs
b. The budget review process will include City Council participation in the development of each
segment and allow for resident participation in the process, and will allow for sufficient time to
address policy and fiscal issues by the City Council.
c. A copy of the proposed and approved budgets will be filed with the City Secretary when it is
submitted to the City Council and will be available on the City’s website.
2. Adoption – Upon finalization of the budget appropriations, the City Council will hold a public hearing,
and subsequently adopt by Ordinance the final budget as amended. The budget will be effective for
the fiscal year beginning October 1st.
The Annual Budget document will be submitted annually to the Government Finance Officers
Association (GFOA) for evaluation and consideration for the Distinguished Budget Presentation
Award.
D. Balanced Budget – The goal of the City is to adopt and maintain a balanced operating budget using
sustainable funding sources that are expected to continue to be available in subsequent fiscal years.
Excess balances in operating funds from previous fiscal years shall remain in the fund in which they were
appropriated until either such excess balances are proposed and adopted pursuant to Section III. C.
Preparation of this policy; until they are used to reduce outstanding debt obligations of the City; or both.
The Charter (Section 6.04) requires that an operating deficit created in any fiscal year shall be paid off
and discharged during the following year. In practice, deficit has been interpreted to mean City funds as
a whole. The City Council may choose from time to time to allow individual funds to have a negative
balance as long as Operating Reserve requirements for the City as a whole are maintained.
E. Planning – The budget process will be coordinated so that major policy issues are identified prior to the
budget approval date. This will allow City Council adequate time for consideration of appropriate
decisions and analysis of financial impacts.
F. Reporting – Summary financial reports will be presented to the City Council quarterly. These reports
will be in a format appropriate to enable the City Council to understand the overall budget and financial
status.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
G. Control and Accountability – Each Director, appointed by the City Manager, will be responsible for the
administration of his/her departmental budget. This includes accomplishing the Goals and Objectives
adopted as part of the budget and monitoring each department budget for compliance with spending
limitations. Directors may transfer funds up to $20,000 within the operations and maintenance or
capital line items within a departmental budget category without additional approval. All transfers from
or to the Personnel line items require approval of the Finance Director and City Manager. All other
transfers of appropriation or budget amendments require either City Council or City Manager approval
as outlined in Section III.G Budget Amendments and Section V.C.4 Use of Excess Salary Savings.
H. Budget Amendments – The Charter (Section 6.04) and the Local Government Code 102.009 and 102.010
provide a method to amend the budget for emergency appropriations and municipal purposes. The
City Council may authorize, with a majority plus one vote, an amendment to the original budget. This
may be done in cases of grave public necessity, or to meet an unusual and unforeseen condition that
was not known at the time the budget was adopted. The following criteria will be used in evaluation of
budget amendments:
Is the request necessary?
Why was the item not budgeted in the normal budget process?
Why can't a transfer be done within the Division to remedy the condition?
The Finance Director must certify availability of revenues or funding sources prior to adoption.
If needed, the City will amend the budget at year end for increased revenue and for expenditures
that exceeded budgeted amounts. The City may also amend the budget for any capital project timing
adjustments from prior year, as well as any other known adjustments needed and approved at that
time.
I. Contingency Appropriations – The budget may include contingency appropriations within designated
operating department budgets. These funds are used to offset expenditures for unexpected
maintenance or other unanticipated expenses that might occur during the year. Currently, the City
maintains contingency appropriations for items such as insurance deductibles, unexpected legal
expenses and equipment repairs.
J. Use of Unanticipated and Unappropriated General Fund Balances – Within 90 days after fiscal year end,
staff will report the projected General Fund balance to Council. In the event that unexpected,
unbudgeted amounts are determined to be available in the General Fund after year end, these funds
may be used for any of the following purposes, as approved by the City Council:
1. to fund capital projects;
2. to fund equipment purchases in lieu of issuing debt;
3. to reduce outstanding City debt, including bonded indebtedness and unfunded pension liabilities;
4. to fund contingent liabilities such as the benefit payout reserve, cemetery trust fund, and similar
obligations of the City;
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FY2019 Annual Budget
5. to take other steps to reduce property tax rates or mitigate any future increases;
6. to hold those funds in reserve for future commitments or contingencies that may be pending,
and/or;
7. to fund an Economic Stability Reserve of annual General Fund operating expenditures according to
Section XV, A, 2, b, Economic Stability Reserve.
IV. REVENUE MANAGEMENT
A. Characteristics – The City will strive for the following optimum characteristics in its revenue system:
1. Simplicity – The City, where possible and without sacrificing accuracy, will strive to keep the revenue
system simple in order to reduce compliance costs for the taxpayer or service recipient.
2. Certainty – A knowledge and understanding of revenue sources increases the reliability of the
revenue system. The City will understand its revenue sources and enact consistent collection policies
to provide assurances that the revenue base will materialize according to budget.
3. Equity – The City shall make every effort to maintain equity in its revenue system; i.e., the City should
seek to minimize or eliminate all forms of subsidization between entities, funds, services, utilities,
and customer classes, and ensure an on‐going return on investment for the City.
a. The City will make every effort to recognize the benefit that City tax payers contribute to City
programs and services.
b. The annual Recreation residential membership rates are established at 75% of non‐residential
rates plus or minus 10% at the discretion of the Parks and Recreation Director in keeping with
the targeted market cost recovery.
4. Revenue Adequacy – The City should require there be a balance in the revenue system; i.e., the
revenue base will have the characteristics of fairness and neutrality as it applies to cost of service,
willingness to pay, and ability to pay.
Overall Operational Cost Recovery for Recreation is targeted to be between 50 – 60%, with some
variance in individual programs.
5. Realistic and Conservative Estimates – Revenues will be estimated realistically, and conservatively,
taking into account the volatile nature of various revenue streams.
6. Administration – The benefits of a revenue source should exceed the cost of levying and collecting
that revenue.
7. Diversification and Stability – A diversified revenue system with a stable source of income shall be
maintained. This will help avoid instabilities in two particular revenue sources due to factors such as
fluctuations in the economy and variations in the weather.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
B. Other Considerations – The following considerations and issues will guide the City in its revenue policies
concerning specific sources of funds:
1. Cost/Benefit of Incentives for Economic Development – The City will use due caution in the analysis
of any incentives that are used to encourage development. A cost/benefit (fiscal impact) analysis
will be performed as part of the evaluation.
2. Non‐Recurring Revenues – One‐time or non‐recurring revenues should not be used to finance
current ongoing operations.
3. Sustainable Revenues – Sustainable means revenue that is consistently available year after year, and
includes revenues realized subsequent to adopted projections.
4. Property Tax Revenues – Annually, the City will forecast property tax revenue as part of the budget
process. Certified Assessed Value Reports from the Williamson Central Appraisal District are used to
forecast property tax. The City will comply with State law regarding publication notices and Truth in
Taxation requirements.
5. Interest Income – Interest earned from investments will be distributed to the funds in accordance
with the equity balance of the fund from which the monies were provided to be invested.
6. User‐Based Fees and Service Charges – For services associated with a user fee or charge, the direct
or indirect costs of that service will be offset by a fee where possible. The City will review fees and
charges no less than once every five years on a rotating schedule to ensure that fees provide
adequate coverage for the cost of services. The City Council will determine how much of the cost of
a service should be recovered by fees and charges.
7. Enterprise Activity Rates – The City will review and adopt utility rates as needed to generate revenues
required to fully cover operating expenses, meet the legal requirements of all applicable bond
covenants, and provide for an adequate level of working capital. Utility rates will be reviewed
annually as part of the budget process. A rate study will be conducted every 3 years to review rate
methodology and ensure revenues will meet future needs. All utility rates will be based on
standardized cost of service methodologies and conservation goals.
Water Rates will recognize at least 75% of the fixed cost of service, including debt payments
and ROI costs, within the monthly base charge determined by meter size. Volumetric charge
will recognize the balance of fixed costs not included in the base rate, plus all variable costs
associated with procuring and treating water.
.
Wastewater Rates are fixed for all residential customers based on the cost of providing
services. Commercial customer rates are fixed and volumetric depending on size and
specifications of each commercial customer.
Electric Rates include 100% of fixed costs within the base rate, and demand rates, with all
variable costs included in the kWh rate. The Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) Factor and
Transmission Cost Adjustment (TCA) Factor are determined by comparing forecasted costs
against actual costs in a budget year, and seek to recover/credit variances within 6 to 12
months. For reference, see Code of Ordinances 13.04.075 and 13.04.080.
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Stormwater Drainage Fees are based on a mathematical calculation using impervious cover
and applied in compliance with State Law.
Solid Waste and Environmental Services Rates are based on the wholesale cost of service and
retail incentives for conservation, plus a return to the General Fund for wear and tear of
heavy trucks on streets and for contract administration.
8. Internal Cost Recovery Fees – Additionally, enterprise activity rates will include transfers to and
receive credits from other funds as follows:
a. General and Administrative Charges – Administrative costs should be charged to all funds for
services of general overhead, such as administration, finance, customer billing, legal and other
costs as appropriate. These charges will be determined through an indirect cost allocation
following accepted practices and procedures and reviewed annually by the City’s external
auditors.
b. Payment for Return on Investment – The intent of this transfer is to provide a benefit to the
citizens for the ownership of the various utility operations they own. For all utilities except for
Electric:
In‐Lieu‐of‐Franchise‐Fee. This transfer, currently 3% of operating revenues generated inside
the City, is consistent with the franchise rates charged to investor owned utilities franchised
to operate within the City.
Return on Investment. The return on investment (ROI) transfer for In‐City utility customers
is currently calculated at 7% of operating revenues for all non‐electric utilities. ROI for water
and sewer customers outside the City is 10% of operating revenues.
The Franchise and Return on Investment for the Electric Utility are both derived from the base
monthly charge gross revenue and kWh sold. For customers inside the City, the franchise fee is
$0.002947/kWh sold, and the Return on Investment is 7% of gross revenue of the base monthly
charge, and $0.007253/kWh sold. For customers outside the City, there is no franchise fee to
the City of Georgetown; however, those customers may be subject to franchise fees in the
jurisdiction in which they reside. Outside the City customers are charged a Return on Investment
equal to 7% of gross revenue of the base monthly charge, and $0.0102/kWh sold.
9. Revenue Monitoring – Received revenues will be regularly compared to budgeted revenues and
variances will be investigated, and any abnormalities will be included in the quarterly report to the
City Council.
10. Other Funding Alternatives
When at all possible, the City will research alternative funding opportunities prior to issuing debt or
increasing user‐related fees.
a. Grants – All grant applications must be approved by the City Council prior to being submitted to
a granting agency. Prior to submittal to Council, departments will verify that the benefits of the
grant exceed the cost of grant administration and will also provide the required grant forms to
Finance for review in accordance with the Grant Acquisition, Management, and Compliance
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Policy. Finance will review and sign the forms which provides detailed information including, but
not limited to, the term of the grant, any matching requirements, the resulting operational
requirements once the grant is discontinued, and a budget request detailing the line items to be
effected, all of which should be included in the Council agenda item packet requesting approval
to apply. The City Council must also authorize acceptance of any grant awards received.
b. Use of Reserve Funds – The City may authorize the use of reserve funds to potentially delay or
eliminate a proposed bond issue. This may occur due to higher than anticipated fund balances
in prior years, thus eliminating or reducing the need for debt proceeds, or postpone a bond issue
until market conditions are more beneficial or timing of the related capital improvements does
not correspond with the planned bond issue. Reserve funds used in this manner are replenished
upon issuance of the proposed debt.
c. Developer Contributions – The City will require developers who negatively impact the City's utility
capital plans offset those impacts. These policies are further defined within the City's utility line
extension policy and other development regulations.
d. Leases – The City may authorize the use of lease financing for certain operating equipment when
it is determined that the cost benefit of such an arrangement is advantageous to the City.
e. Impact Fees – The City will impose impact fees as allowable under state law for both water and
wastewater services. These fees will be calculated in accordance with statute and reviewed at
least every three years. All fees collected will fund projects identified within the Fee study and
as required by state laws.
V. EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT
A. Appropriations – The point of budget control is at the department level budget for all funds. The Charter
(Section 6.03) provides that any transfer of appropriation between funds must be approved by the City
Council and that the City Manager, without City Council approval, is authorized to transfer appropriations
among departments, within the same operational division and fund. The City Manager may also authorize
transfer of salary adjustment monies between funds that are budgeted in a citywide account.
B. Expenditure Monitoring – Expenditures and encumbrances will be regularly compared to budget, variances
will be investigated, and any abnormalities will be included in the quarterly report to the City Council.
Projected year‐end expenditures will be reported in the annual budget.
C. Personnel Costs – Costs related to salaries and benefits are budgeted at 100% total costs, assuming open
positions are filled throughout the fiscal year. New positions that are added during the budget process may
have staggered hire dates with appropriate costs reflected in the budget.
1. Vacancy Factor – Major Funds with Personnel Budgets will include a vacancy factor of at least 1% of
total fund salaries and related benefits (retirement, FICA, Medicare) to offset salary savings within
the budget. The vacancy factor will be budgeted as a negative expense within the fund. This factor
will be reduced throughout the year as vacant positions are recognized within the department
budget.
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Compliance Status – General Fund, Electric Fund, Water Fund and Joint Services Fund FY2019 in
compliance.
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2. Benefit Payout Reserve – The City will establish a benefit payout reserve equal to 15% of the accrued
benefit liability for employees in the General and Joint Services Funds who are currently eligible to
retire. Only terminating employee benefit expenses may be paid from this reserve. This reserve shall
be funded as an offset to the vacancy factor.
Compliance Status – Benefit payout reserve FY2019 in compliance.
3. Position Control – The annual budget includes a set number of positions within departments when
approved and adopted by City Council. Additional positions cannot be added without approval of
the City Council. The City Manager may approve the transfer of authorized positions between
departments if funds are available within the department.
4. Use of Excess Salary Savings – Departmental savings generated due to open positions or other salary
line item savings cannot be spent by the department unless previously approved by the City Manager
and validated by Finance as excess funds.
D. Special Purpose Funding – In order to support community assistance programs, the City designates specific
funding for special purposes, including Social Services, Children’s Programs, and Public Art. The City reserves
the ability to cap this special purpose funding when necessitated by budget contingency or compliance
issues, such as revenue shortfalls, or other reasons as determined by City Council.
1. Strategic Partnerships for Community Services – The City of Georgetown values partnerships with
organizations that are committed to addressing our communities’ greatest public challenges and has
identified key priorities in the following areas:
Public Safety
Transportation
Housing
Parks & Recreation
Veteran Services
Safety Net
The City has targeted funding for these programs to be $5.00 per capita, which may be adjusted to
offset the effects of general inflation based upon Consumer Price Index. If previous funding levels
are higher than the targeted amount, and to avoid significant reductions in levels of funding, the City
Council shall seek to attain this target chiefly through population growth. These funds will be
allocated and paid according to the City Council’s guidelines for such programs.
Compliance Status – FY2019 in compliance.
2. Public Art Funding – The City will annually allocate funding for Public Art on a year to year basis
depending on the availability of funds in an amount to be determined at the discretion of the City
Manager. Funding priority will be given to projects that include a matching donation, including
contributions from local organizations and sponsors. Any unspent funds will accumulate and be
reallocated in the following budget year. Disbursement of these funds will be determined by the
City Council at the recommendation of the City’s Arts & Culture Advisory Board.
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Every effort will be made to include public art funding in future City facilities whose primary purpose
is for public use. These projects will include a reasonable allowance for public art that fits the scope
and purpose of the building so long that it does not negatively impact the project cost beyond the
original budget. In the event there is cost savings in the construction of City Facilities, the City Council
may consider utilizing that savings on the purchase of public art for the facility.
E. Purchasing – The City will maintain and regularly review written Purchasing Policies. All City purchases of
goods or services will be made in accordance with the City’s Charter, current Purchasing Policy and with
State law.
The following table shows a summary of requirements for purchases of goods and services and does not
substitute the formal Purchasing Policies.
Dollar Limits: Procurements: Requirements:
$3,000 and less Under the small purchase
limit
No competitive bids and City credit
cards may be used.
$3,001
up to
$50,000
Within informal bid limit A minimum of three informal
competitive bids required unless
exempted; Historically Underutilized
Business (HUB) requirements apply in
accordance with state law.
$50,001
and above
In excess of the informal bid
limit
Formal solicitations, which includes
public notices, required unless
exempted. Advisory board review and
recommendation may be
required. Council approval required.
Common exemptions to the formal solicitation process include the procurement of professional services, the
purchase of goods or services from a sole source provider, and purchases for public health emergencies.
In addition to the above, all purchases must be approved according to signature authority limits.
F. Contracts, Change Orders and Amendments – Contracts and related change orders and amendments must
follow the City’s Purchasing Policies and State Law.
G. Prompt Payment – In accordance with State Law, all invoices approved for payment by the proper City
authorities shall be paid within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of goods or services or invoice date, whichever
is later in accordance with State law. The City will take advantage of all purchase discounts, when possible.
H. Risk Management – The City will pursue every opportunity to provide for the Public’s and City employees’
safety and to manage its risks. The goal shall be to minimize the risk of loss of resources through liability
claims with an emphasis on safety programs.
I. Retirement Benefits – Proposals to revise benefits administered and provided by the Texas Municipal
Retirement System shall include a written description, and, detailed and summary numerical assessments of
the changes that would result from the proposed benefit revision.
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1. The numerical assessments shall include the following:
a. The estimated change to the TMRS contribution rate that would result from the
proposed change in benefits, expressed as a percentage of employee pay and as an
annual dollar amount to the General Fund and to each City fund.
b. The estimated change to the City’s unfunded pension liability, expressed as a dollar
amount.
c. The estimated change to the City’s actuarial funding ratio.
2. The description and numerical assessments must be provided to the City Council at least 72
hours prior to consideration and approval, and must be read aloud to the Council prior to Council
consideration.
3. The estimated changes to the City’s contribution rate and the unfunded pension liability
presented pursuant to the section must be based on information provided by the TMRS actuary
or by a professional actuary authorized by the TMRS to provide such information.
4. Proposals to revise TMRS benefits must be voted on individually as part of the City Council’s
legislative agenda.
5. The City will amortize any unfunded actuarial liability (UAAL) over a period not to exceed the
amortization period used by the TMRS actuary. The City may amortize its UAAL more quickly by
making contributions to TMRS in excess of the rate specified by TMRS.
6. The City may elect to pay a higher contribution rate than required by the TMRS, to reduce the
City’s unfunded pension liability. Such payment will be approved and authorized by the City
Council as part of the City's annual budget process.
J. Retirement Cost‐of‐Living Adjustment
1. Within 60 days of when the TMRS annual funding update becomes available each year, staff will
review and may prepare a summary of costs and options for potential cost‐of‐living adjustment
(COLA) for City of Georgetown retirees.
2. Consistent with state statutes governing the Texas Municipal Retirement System, the City may
provide an automatic COLA for members of the TMRS who are retired from the City of Georgetown
and receiving a monthly retirement benefit from the TMRS.
3. The City Council may adjust the COLA provided to city retirees based upon the funding level of the
City’s pension plan, as calculated by the TMRS, as follows:
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When the funding level of the City’s
pension plan is
The COLA
should be
Less than 70.0%
Zero
70.0% to 79.9%
0.3% of CPI
80.0% to 89.9%
0.5% of CPI
90.0% and greater
0.7% of CPI
4. Adjustments made pursuant to Subsection J.3. should reflect the reciprocal effect of the prospective
change in the COLA on the funding level of the City’s pension plan.
K. Deferred Compensation Benefits – In addition to the retirement benefit administered by the TMRS, the City
will sponsor a Deferred Compensation 457 plan, which is a supplementary individual retirement savings plan.
The City will encourage employee participation in this plan.
VI. STAFFING AND COMPENSATION
City Council and Management recognize the importance of attracting, hiring, developing, and retaining the best
people, and compensating them for the value they create. Our outstanding and innovative City employees work
diligently to bring the Vision of Council to life and deliver exceptional services to our customers while
exemplifying our Core Values. The following programs are subject to available funding in the annual operating
budget.
A. Adequate Staffing – Staffing levels will be adequate for the fiscal functions of the City to operate effectively.
Workload allocation alternatives will be explored before adding additional staff.
B. Competitive Compensation – In order to maintain a competitive pay scale, the City has implemented a
Competitive Employee Compensation Maintenance Program to address competitive market factors and other
issues impacting compensation. The program consists of:
1. Annual Pay Plan Review – To ensure the City’s pay system is accurate and competitive within the
market, the City will review its pay plans annually for any potential market adjustments necessary
to maintain the City’s competitive pay plans.
2. Pay for Performance – Each year the City will fund performance based pay adjustments for regular
non‐public safety personnel. This merit‐based program aids in retaining quality employees by
rewarding their performance. Pay for Performance adjustments are based on the employee’s most
recently completed performance evaluation.
3. Public Safety Steps – Each year the City will fund anniversary step increases for public safety sworn
personnel consistent with public safety pay scale design.
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C. Self‐Insurance Program – The City is committed to providing quality healthcare insurance that offers the most
flexibility in health benefits and options to its employees. In order to provide the most cost effective solution,
the City has determined that establishing a self‐funded health insurance plan offers the greatest opportunity
to mitigate future cost increases while offering quality health care services to its employees. The City has
established a mechanism to manage the accounts and payments associated with this program. Per GASB
Statement No. 66, such funding should be accounted for as an Internal Service Fund (ISF).
1. Employee Health Insurance ISF – This fund contains premium contributions from employees and
budgeted health insurance contributions included in the City’s annual budget process. To maintain
stable revenue to this fund, and to clearly set expenditure expectations for departments, any
budgeted appropriations for employee health insurance that are unused at the end of each fiscal
year will be transferred back to the self‐insurance fund.
2. Self‐Insurance Reserves – Annually through the budget process, staff and the City’s Health Benefit
Consultant firm will evaluate and recommend to Council the appropriate funding levels for two
reserves.
a. Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Reserve: In the event the City stopped self‐insuring for
health benefits and was required to pay incurred costs, the City will reserve between 5 and
10 percent of the annual costs of claims, benefit administration and stop loss coverage.
Compliance Status – IBNR reserve FY2019 in compliance.
b. Rate Stabilization Reserve: To alleviate shocks to the City and employees due to sharp
increases in health insurance costs, the City will reserve between 10 and 20 percent of
annual claims, benefit administration and stop loss coverage. Staff and the benefits
consultant will consider a 3 year forecast on premiums when determining to utilize the funds
or rebuild the reserve.
Compliance Status – Rate stabilization reserve FY2019 in compliance.
3. Employee Premiums – Annual premiums will be recommended to City Council through a
collaborative process between the City’s Employee Benefit Committee and external Health Benefits
consulting firm using historical data, reserves history and other analytic analysis.
VII. FUND BALANCE POLICIES
The City’s Fund Balance is the accumulated difference between assets and liabilities within governmental funds,
and it allows the City to meet its contractual obligations, fund disaster or emergency costs, provide cash flow for
timing purposes and fund non‐recurring expenses appropriated by City Council. This policy establishes limitations
on the purposes for which Fund Balances can be used in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards
Board (GASB) Statement Number 54.
The City’s Fund Balance will report up to five components:
A. Non‐spendable Fund Balance – includes inherently non‐spendable assets that will never convert to cash, as
well as assets that will not convert to cash soon enough to affect the current financial period. Assets included
in this category are prepaid items, inventory and non‐financial assets held for resale.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
B. Restricted Fund Balance – represents the portion of fund balance that is subject to legal restrictions, such as
grants or hotel/motel tax and bond proceeds.
C. Committed Fund Balance – describes the portion of fund balance that is constrained by limitations that the
City Council has imposed upon itself, and remains binding unless the City Council removes the limitation.
D. Assigned Fund Balance – is that portion of fund balance that reflects the City’s intended use of the resource
and is established in a less formal method by the City for that designated purpose.
E. Unassigned Fund Balance – represents funds that cannot be properly classified in one of the other four
categories.
VIII. LONG‐TERM LIABILITY RESERVES
The City of Georgetown recognizes certain long‐term unfunded commitments and contingencies that will require
substantial funding at some point in the future. The City is committed to addressing these commitments in a
fiscally prudent method by acknowledging their future financial impacts and developing strategies and
designated reserve funds to mitigate those future impacts.
A. The Finance Director will maintain a list of unfunded liabilities. The list will be included in the quarterly financial
report to Council and considered during the annual budget process.
IX. BUDGET CONTINGENCY PLAN
This policy is designed to establish general guidelines for managing revenue shortfalls resulting from local and
national economic downturns that adversely affect the City's revenue streams.
A. Immediate Action – Once a budgetary shortfall is projected, the City Manager will take the necessary actions
to offset any revenue shortfall with a reduction in current expenses. The City Manager may:
Freeze all new hire and vacant positions except those deemed to be a necessity.
Review all planned capital expenditures.
Delay all "non‐essential" spending or equipment replacement purchases.
The City Manager shall report in a timely manner to the City Council the projected shortfall and the
actions taken to resolve it.
B. Further Action – If the actions identified in subsection A are insufficient to offset the projected revenue deficit
for the current fiscal year, the City Council may approve the following actions, in the order listed:
1. Apply unspent, unobligated surplus funds from prior fiscal years to fund one‐time costs in the current
fiscal year budget.
2. Authorize the use of the General Fund Economic Stability Reserve pursuant to Section XV.A.2.b.
Economic Stability Reserve.
3. Authorize a reduction in the unobligated fund balance in the General Fund, pursuant to Section
XV.A.2.a. Base Level Reserve of this policy, from 90 to 75 days.
4. Direct other reductions in services, including workforce reductions.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
C. Replenish Fund Balance – As soon as practical, without placing undue strain on City services, the City Council
shall increase the unobligated fund balance in the General Fund, up to the 90‐day amount required in Section
XV.A.2.a. Base Level Reserve of this policy and shall restore the General Fund Economic Stability Reserve as
required in Section XV.A.2.b of this policy.
X. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET
The City’s goal is to maintain City facilities and infrastructure in order to provide excellent services to the
customers within the community, meet growth related needs, and comply with all state and federal regulations.
A. Preparation – The City annually updates and adopts a five‐year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) schedule
as part of the operating budget adoption process. The plan is reviewed and adjusted annually as needed, and
year one is adopted as the current year capital budget. The capital budget will include all capital projects,
capital resources, and estimated operational impacts.
Needed capital improvements are identified through system models, repair and maintenance
records and growth demands.
A team approach will be used to prioritize CIP projects, whereby City staff from all operational areas
provide input and ideas relating to each project and its effect on operations.
Citizen involvement and participation will be solicited in formulating the capital budget through
master planning processes, board meetings, public hearings and other forums.
Capital infrastructure necessary to meet the requirements of the City’s Annexation Plan will be
identified separately within the CIP plan, so that funding alternatives can be developed if needed.
Prior to Council approval, the following Advisory Boards will review the Capital Projects budget and
contracts for expenditures:
Georgetown Utility
Systems Advisory
Board
(GUS)
Georgetown
Transportation
Advisory Board
(GTAB)
General Government
and Finance
Advisory Board
(GGAF)
Parks
Advisory
Board
Georgetown
Transportation
Enhancement
Corporation
(GTEC)
Electric
Water
Wastewater
Streets
Stormwater
Drainage
Airport
Facilities, Fleet, IT and
Other General
Government Capital
Projects
Parks and
Recreation
Transportation
projects
related to
economic
development
B. Control – All capital project expenditures must be appropriated in the capital budget.
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C. Financing Programs – Where applicable, assessments, impact fees, pro rata charges, or other fees should be
used to fund capital projects which have a primary benefit to specific identifiable property owners. Debt
financing is referenced in Section XIV. Debt Management of this document.
XI. CAPITAL MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT
The City recognizes that deferred maintenance increases future capital costs. Therefore, a portion of all
individual funds with infrastructure should be budgeted each year to maintain the quality within each system.
A. Infrastructure Maintenance — On‐going maintenance and major repair costs are included as expense within
the departmental operating budgets. These costs are generally considered system repairs and are not
capitalized for accounting purposes. They include such items as park and recreation facility repairs, street
repair, water line repairs and other general system maintenance.
B. Modified Approach — Pavement Condition Index (PCI) — Governmental Accounting Standards Board
Statement # 34 provides for an alternative approach to depreciation for measuring the value of infrastructure
assets and the related costs incurred to maintain their service life at a locally established minimum standard.
The City has elected to implement this modified approach in maintaining its non‐enterprise fund
infrastructure assets. In order to adopt this alternative method, the City has implemented an asset
management system that determines if the minimum standards are being maintained. This measurement
system will be updated at least every 3 years.
The City uses a Pavement Management Information System to track the condition levels of each of the street
sections. The condition of the pavement is based on the following factors:
Type of Distress
Amount of Distress
Severity of Distress
Deduct Values (function of first three)
The Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is a measurement scale is based upon a condition index ranging from
zero for a failed pavement to 100 for pavement with perfect condition. The condition index is used to
classify pavement in the following conditions:
The City’s administrative policy is to achieve an average PCI level of 85. An 85 PCI is considered maintaining
the streets in a “good” condition. Staff will prepare a street maintenance budget that meets this target for
Council’s consideration during the budget process. The PCI level as of 2014 was 87.30.
C. Internal Service Funds Capital Maintenance & Replacement – The City currently utilizes internal service funds
to maintain and replace existing assets. Assessments are made to other funds for the use of existing
equipment and to purchase new equipment. In this way, suitable funds are available for the purchase of
operational assets without the issuance of debt.
PCI Rating
100 – 85 Good
85 – 45 Fair
45 – 0 Poor
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FY2019 Annual Budget
1. Fleet Maintenance and Replacement – The City has a major investment in its fleet of cars, trucks,
tractors, and other equipment. The City will anticipate replacing existing equipment, as necessary
and will establish charges that are assigned to the using departments to account for the cost of that
replacement. Vehicle maintenance is also allocated in this manner. The targeted asset replacement
reserve amount is the average (1/5th) of the next five years on the replacement schedule fo cash‐
funded vehicles.
Compliance Status – Fleet replacement reserve FY2019 in compliance.
2. Technology – It is the policy of the City to plan and fund the maintenance and replacement of its
computer network and other technology systems. A reserve will be established within the ISF for
replacement of major systems and will be funded over time through excess revenues within the
Fund. The targeted amount is the average (1/5th) of the next five years on the replacement schedule.
While cash funding is preferred, major IT systems and projects may require debt that is amortized
over a shorter useful life appropriate for the software or hardware.
Compliance Status – IT replacement reserve FY2019 in compliance.
3. Facilities Maintenance – The City has established an on‐going maintenance program, which includes
major repairs, equipment, as well as contracts for maintaining City facilities. The City has anticipated
a useful life of such equipment and established a means of charging those costs to the various
departments in order to recognize the City’s continuing costs of maintaining its facilities.
Determination for facility repairs is based on useful life of the various elements of each facility. A
proportional cost for each element is expensed within the budget for capital replacement. The
targeted replacement reserve amount is the average (1/5th) of the next five years on the replacement
schedule.
Compliance Status – Facilities replacement reserve FY2019 not in compliance. It is estimated to take 3
years to build the replacement reserve.
D. Departmental Capital Maintenance & Replacement – The City also utilizes department capital maintenance
and replacement schedules for specialized assets and equipment necessary to provide services.
1. Parks and Recreation – As part of the City’s on‐going maintenance program, the City also recognizes
the need to regularly maintain and replace playgrounds, equipment and facilities that are part of the
City’s Parks and Recreation system. Separate replacement and maintenance schedules will be
maintained for these items including, but not limited to, playground equipment, buildings, sport
courts, trees and grounds, and restroom facilities. The City’s goal is to provide level on‐going funding
to ensure safe, well‐maintained facilities for its citizens. The current funding level is an annual
$200,000 transfer from the General Fund.
Compliance Status – Parks maintenance replacement FY2019 in compliance.
2. Public Safety Equipment – As part of the City’s on‐going maintenance program, the City also
recognizes the need to regularly maintain and replace specialized equipment in Police and Fire.
Separate replacement and maintenance schedules will be maintained for these items including but
not limited to for Fire: SCBA’s and other firefighting equipment and protective gear; and for Police:
bullet proof vests, armaments and other tactical equipment. The City’s goal is to provide level on‐
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FY2019 Annual Budget
going funding to ensure proper protection for employees and residents. The current funding level is
an annual appropriation in the General Fund of $70,000 for Fire and $88,000 for Police.
Compliance Status – Public safety equipment replacement FY2019 in compliance.
E. Surplus Property
1. From time to time it is necessary to dispose of certain vehicles or equipment that have been procured
with City funds and used in City services. Individual surplus property items with expected sales value
in excess of $50,000 must be approved by the City Council prior to disposition.
2. City staff will maintain reports and records of all surplus property dispositions in accordance with
good internal controls.
XII. ACCOUNTING, AUDITING, AND FINANCIAL REPORTING
A. Accounting – The City is solely responsible for the recording and reporting of its financial affairs, both
internally and externally. The Finance Director is responsible for establishing the structure for the City’s
Chart of Accounts and for assuring that procedures are in place to properly record financial transactions and
report the City’s financial position.
B. General Government and Finance Advisory Board (GGAF) – The City may establish a subcommittee consisting
of at least 2 City Council members and not more than 3 citizens that may meet monthly to provide additional
oversight to the City’s Finance operations. This subcommittee will also review general government items
that are not reviewed by another City advisory board before being presented to City Council. The City’s
Finance Director will be the liaison for this subcommittee.
C. Audit of Accounts – In accordance with the Charter, an independent audit of the City accounts will be
performed every year. The auditor is retained by and is accountable directly to the City Council. The auditing
firm will serve for up to 5 years, at which time, the City will re‐bid these services and change firms if deemed
necessary by GGAF and City Council.
D. External Reporting – Upon completion and acceptance of the annual audit by the City’s auditors, the City
shall prepare a written Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) which shall be presented to the City
Council within 180 calendar days of the City’s fiscal year end. The CAFR shall be prepared in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and shall be presented annually to the Government
Finance Officer Association (GFOA) for evaluation and consideration for the Certificate of Achievement in
Financial Reporting.
XIII. ASSET MANAGEMENT
A. Cash Management and Investments – The City Council has formally approved a separate Investment Policy
for the City of Georgetown that meets the requirements of the Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA), Section
2256 and 2257 of the Texas Local Government Code. This policy is reviewed annually by the City Council and
applies to all financial assets held by the City and applies to all entities (component units) included in the
City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and/or managed by the City. Refer to the separate
policy for details regarding:
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FY2019 Annual Budget
1. Statement of Cash Management Philosophy
2. Objectives
3. Safekeeping and Custody
4. Standard of Care and Reporting
5. Investment Strategies
6. Authorized Investments and Approved Broker/Dealer List.
B. Fixed Assets – These assets will be reasonably safeguarded and properly accounted for, and prudently
insured.
1. Capitalization Criteria – For purposes of budgeting and accounting classification, the following
criteria must be met in order to be capitalized:
The asset owned by the City
The expected useful life of the asset must be longer than one year, or extend the life of an
identifiable existing asset by more than one year
The original cost of the asset must be at least $5,000
The asset must be tangible.
On‐going repairs and general maintenance are not capitalized. Public Education and Government
(PEG) Funds will capitalize assets in aggregate over $1,000 on an annual basis.
2. New Purchases – All costs associated with bringing the asset into working order will be capitalized
as part of the asset cost. This will include startup costs, engineering or consultant type fees as part
of the asset cost once the decision or commitment to purchase the asset is made. The cost of land
acquired should include all related costs associated with its purchase.
3. Improvements and Replacement – Improvements will be capitalized when they extend the original
life of an asset or when they make the asset more valuable than it was originally. The replacement
of assets components will normally be expensed unless they are a significant nature and meet all the
capitalization criteria.
4. Contributed Capital – Infrastructure assets received from developers or as a result of annexation will
be recorded as equity contributions when they are received.
5. Distributions Systems – All costs associated with public domain assets, such as streets and utility
distribution lines will be capitalized in accordance with the capitalization policy. Costs should include
engineering, construction and other related costs including right of way acquisition.
6. Reporting and Inventory – The Finance Division will maintain the permanent records of the City’s
fixed assets, including description, cost, department of responsibility, date of acquisition,
depreciation and expected useful life. Periodically, random sampling at the department level will be
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FY2019 Annual Budget
performed to inventory fixed assets assigned to that department. Responsibility for safeguarding
the City’s fixed assets lies with the department supervisor or manager whose department has been
assigned the asset.
XIV. DEBT MANAGEMENT
The City of Georgetown recognizes the primary purpose of capital facilities is to provide services to the
community. Using debt financing to meet the capital needs of the community must be evaluated according to
efficiency and equity. Efficiency must be evaluated to determine the highest rate of return for a given investment
of resources. Equity is resolved by determining who should pay for the cost of capital improvements. In meeting
demand for additional services, the City will strive to balance the needs between debt financing and “pay as you
go” methods. The City realizes that failure to meet the demands of growth may inhibit its continued economic
viability, but also realizes that too much debt may have detrimental effects on the City’s long‐range financial
condition.
The City will issue debt only for the purpose of acquiring or constructing capital assets for the general benefit of
its citizens and to allow it to fulfill its various purposes as a city. The City will seek input on major projects funded
with debt via bond elections, master planning exercises, board meetings, budget workshops, and other methods
as needed.
A Debt Condition Update report will be provided annually.
A. Usage of Debt – Long‐term debt financing will be considered for non‐continuous capital improvements of
which future citizens will be benefited. Alternatives for financing will be explored prior to debt issuance and
include, but not limited to:
Grants
Use of Reserve Funds
Use of Current Revenues
Contributions from developers and others
Leases
Impact Fees
When the City utilizes long‐term financing, it will ensure that the debt is soundly financed by
conservatively projecting revenue sources that will be used to pay the debt. It will not finance the
improvement over a period greater than the useful life of the improvement and it will determine that
the cost benefit of the improvement, including interest costs, is positive to the community.
The City may utilize the benefits of short‐term debt financing to purchase operating equipment provided
the debt doesn’t extend past the useful life of the asset and the potential impact to the tax rate is within
policy guidelines.
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B. Types of Debt
1. General Obligation Bonds (GO’s) – General obligation bonds must be authorized by a vote of the
citizens of Georgetown. They are used only to fund capital assets of the general government and
are not to be used to fund operating needs of the City. The City’s ad valorem taxing authority backs
general obligation bonds. Conditions for issuance of general obligation debt include:
When the project will have a significant impact on the tax rate;
When the project may be controversial even though it is routine in nature; or
When the project falls outside the normal bounds of projects the City has typically done.
For debt programs that include multiple projects that will be issued over multiple years at the
discretion of the City Council, the City may approve a Contract with the Voters to manage future
property tax rate impacts. The Contract with the Voters will be included in educational information
for all applicable GO Bond elections, and will include a maximum annual tax rate increase and a
cumulative total per bond authorization maximum tax rate increase. The City will include these
impacts in its annual Debt Condition report.
The City Council will carefully manage the unissued GO Bond authorization through annual review of
related projects to ensure full disclosure on future timing of projects included in the bond package.
Timing of authorized projects and related bond issuance will be included in the Annual Budget and
published on the City’s website. Any changes to this schedule require specific Council authorization.
2. Revenue Bonds – Revenue bonds will be issued to provide for the capital needs of any activities
where the capital requirements are necessary for the continuation or expansion of a service. The
improved activity shall produce a revenue stream to fund the debt service requirements of the
necessary improvement to provide service expansion. The average life of the obligation should not
exceed the useful life of the asset(s) to be funded by the bond issue, and will generally be limited to
no more than twenty (20) years. An exception can be made for plant expansions or related system
expansions whose useful life is in excess of 30 years. A cost benefit analysis will be done to fully
disclose the impacts of extending debt beyond 20 years.
3. Certificates of Obligation, Contract Obligations (CO’s) – Certificates of obligation or contract
obligations may be used to fund capital requirements that are not otherwise funded by general
obligation or revenue bonds. Debt service for CO’s may be either from general revenues (tax‐
supported) or supported by a specific revenue stream(s) or a combination of both. Typically, the City
may issue CO’s when the following conditions are met:
When the proposed debt will have minimal impact on future effective property tax rates;
When the projects to be funded are within the normal bounds of City capital requirements, such
as for roads, parks, various infrastructure and City facilities and equipment; and
When the average life of the obligation does not exceed the useful life of the asset(s) to be
funded by the issue.
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Certificates of obligation will be the least preferred method of financing and will be used with
prudent care and judgment by the City Council during the budget development process.
4. Self‐supporting Certificates of Obligation Debt – Refers to certificates of obligation issued for a
specific purpose and repaid through dedicated revenues other than ad valorem taxes. The annual
debt requirements are not included in the property tax calculation. Both the Airport and Stormwater
Drainage funds will issue this type of debt. In addition, the Electric and Water Services Funds can
utilize this method of funding non‐system capital assets. The City also issues debt on behalf of the
Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation (GTEC) and the Georgetown Economic
Development Corporation (GEDCO) whom then pledge 4A and 4B sales tax revenue for the
repayment of that debt.
5. Internal borrowing between City Funds – The City Council can authorize use of existing long‐term
reserves as loans between funds. The borrowing fund will repay the loan at a rate consistent with
current market conditions. The loan will be repaid within ten (10) years. The loan will be considered
an investment of working capital reserves by the lending fund.
6. Other Short‐term Borrowing – The City may authorize the issuance of Public Property Finance
Contractual Obligations (PPFCO) which is short‐term obligations for the acquisition of personal public
property, such as equipment. PPFCOs are payable from either ad valorem taxes or another dedicated
revenue stream. Each issuance will be assessed to ensure cost effectiveness and the repayment
schedule will not exceed the useful life of the asset. Multiple equipment acquisitions can be grouped
in a single PPFCO issue in order to develop economies of scale.
C. Method of Sale – The City will use a competitive bidding process in the sale of bonds unless conditions in the
bond market or the nature of the issue warrant a negotiated bid. In such situations, the City will publicly
present the reasons for the negotiated sale. The City will rely on the recommendation of the financial advisor
in the selection of the underwriter or direct purchaser. The financial advisor must meet all licensing
requirements and comply with all Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) regulations. The City’s
financial advisor will not act as the underwriter on any City bond issue.
D. Disclosure – Full disclosure of operating costs along with capital costs will be made to the bond rating
agencies and other users of financial information. The City staff, with assistance of the financial advisor and
bond counsel, will prepare the necessary materials for presentation to the rating agencies and will aid in the
production of the Preliminary Official Statements. The City will take responsibility for the accuracy of all
financial information released.
E. Federal Requirements – The City will maintain written procedures to follow post issuance compliance rules,
arbitrage rebate and other Federal requirements.
Post issuance tax compliance rules will include records retention, arbitrage rebate, use of
proceeds, and
Continuing disclosure requirements under SEC Rule 15c2‐12, MSRB standards, or as may be
required by bond covenants or related agreements.
F. Debt Structuring – The City will issue bonds with an average life of twenty (20) years or less, not to exceed
the useful life of the asset acquired. The structure should approximate level debt service unless operational
matters dictate otherwise. Market factors, such as the effects of tax‐exempt designations, the cost of early
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redemption options and the like, will be given consideration during the structuring of long term debt
instruments. Exceptions to the 20 year average life include debt issues for major system expansions, such as
water, sewer or electric plants, in which case the City may issue debt greater than 20 years since the average
life of the asset exceeds 30 years. A cost benefit analysis indicating the impacts of extending debt beyond
20 years will be completed.
G. Utility Debt Coverage Ratio – Refers to the number of times all utility supported debt service requirements
or payments would be covered by the current operating revenues net of on‐going operating expenses of the
City’s combined utilities (Electric, Water, and Wastewater).
The City will maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.5 times for the utilities as a whole. The
bond ordinances allow the City to forego a debt reserve fund for its utility debt if the coverage is maintained
at 1.35 times or better. A coverage ratio of 1.5 times will also be required for all funds issuing self‐supporting
debt.
Compliance Status – Debt coverage ratio FY2019 in compliance.
H. Bond Reimbursement Resolutions – The City may utilize bond reimbursements as a tool to manage its debt
issues, due to arbitrage requirements and project timing. In so doing, the City uses its capital reserve cash
to delay bond issues until such time when issuance is favorable and beneficial to the City.
The City Council may authorize a bond reimbursement resolution for General Capital projects that have a
direct impact on the City's ad valorem tax rate when the bonds will be issued within the term of the existing
City Council. In the event of unexpected circumstances that delay the timing of projects, or market
conditions that prohibit financially sound debt issuance, the approved project can be postponed and
considered by a future council until circumstantial issues can be resolved.
The City Council may also authorize revenue bond reimbursements for approved utility and other self‐
supporting capital projects within legislative limits. Currently revenue bonds must be issued within 18
months after an eligible bond funded project is begun.
The total outstanding bond reimbursements may not exceed the total amount of the City’s reserve funds.
XV. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS, RESERVES, AND STABILITY RATIOS
The City of Georgetown will maintain budgeted minimum reserves in the ending working capital/fund balances
to provide a secure, healthy financial base for the City in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency,
allow stability of City operations should revenues fall short of budgeted projections and provide available
resources to implement budgeted expenditures without regard to actual timing of cash flows into the City.
A. Operational Coverage – The City’s goal is to maintain operations coverage of 1.0 (one), such that operating
revenues will at least equal or exceed current operating expenditures. Deferrals, short‐term loans, or one‐
time sources will be avoided as budget balancing techniques. Reserves will be used only for emergencies or
non‐recurring expenditures, except when balances can be reduced because their levels exceed guideline
minimums as stated below.
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1. Operating Reserves – The City will maintain reserves at a minimum of seventy‐five (75) days (20.83%)
of net budgeted operating expenditures. Net budgeted operating expenditure is defined as total
budgeted expenditures less interfund transfers and charges, capital improvements, direct cost for
purchased power and payments from third party grant monies. The amount of these funds are
allocated within the following operating funds and using the following guidelines to maintain the
fund balance, working capital and retained earnings (reserves) of the various operating funds at
levels sufficient to protect the City’s creditworthiness, as well as, its financial position from
unforeseeable emergencies. For asset replacement reserves, see Section XI. Capital Maintenance
and Replacement.
Compliance Status – 75 day citywide reserves FY2019 in compliance.
2. General Fund – General Fund reserves will be restricted on the balance sheet. Reserves are allocated
as follows:
a. Base Level Reserve – will equal ninety (90) days, or 25%, of current year budgeted operating
expenditures designated for emergency use only. If the Base Level Reserve is used during the
fiscal year, the balance must return to the ninety (90) day requirement within the following fiscal
year’s adopted budget.
Compliance Status – General Fund 90 day Reserve FY2019 in compliance.
b. Economic Stability Reserve – will equal up to 6% of current year budgeted operating
expenditures. The reserve will be designated to temporarily offset a decline in any General Fund
revenue source during the current fiscal year or in planning the future budget year. The reserve
may be used when growth in any General Fund revenue source from one fiscal year to the next
is below zero. The reserve will be available to support only existing programs approved in a prior
fiscal year. Used funds shall be restored up to the 6% reserve as soon as practical.
Compliance Status – General Fund Stability Reserve FY2019 at 2%.
3. Tourism Fund – A minimum ninety (90) days of operating expenditures will be reserved within the
fund balance. These funds are designated to be used to offset any potential revenue shortfall that
occurs during the fiscal year and should be replenished in the following fiscal year’s budget.
Compliance Status – Tourism Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance.
4. Joint Services Fund – A minimum ninety (90) days of operating expenses will be reserved for
unexpected delays in revenue or emergency expenses.
Compliance Status – Joint Services Fund Reserve FY2019 partial compliance. It is estimated to take
approximately 3 years to build the reserve to 90 days.
5. Fleet Fund – A minimum ninety (90) days of operating expenses will be reserved for unexpected
delays in revenue or emergency expenses.
Compliance Status – Fleet Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance.
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6. Facilities Fund ‐ A minimum ninety (90) days of operating expenses will be reserved for unexpected
delays in revenue or emergency expenses.
Compliance Status – Facilities Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance
7. Information Technology Fund ‐ A minimum ninety (90) days of operating expenses will be reserved
for unexpected delays in revenue or emergency expenses.
Compliance Status – IT Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance
8. Emergency Medical Services Fund ‐ A minimum ninety (90) days of operating expenses will be
reserved for unexpected delays in revenue or emergency expenses.
Compliance Status – EMS Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance – covered by an increase in the General
Fund 90 day contingency.
9. Water Services Fund – The Water Fund will maintain the following reserves and restrict them on the
balance sheet. These reserves are designated to be used to offset potential revenue shortfalls or
fund unexpected or emergency expenses that occur during the fiscal year. These reserves should be
replenished in the following budget cycle.
A. Operations Contingency Reserve – A minimum ninety (90) days or 25% of operating
expenses, including wholesale water contracts and net of transfers, designated for
unexpected or emergency use during the fiscal year.
Compliance Status – Operating Water Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance.
B. Non‐Operating Contingency Reserve – to maintain continuity of debt payments, capital
projects and to begin recovering from a natural disaster during the lag time of revenue
recovery. This reserve will be evaluated annually as part of the budget process,
considering the 5 year CIP and future debt requirements.
Compliance Status – Non‐operating Water Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance.
10. Stormwater Drainage Fund – A minimum ninety (90) days or 25% of operating expenses, will be
reserved in fund balance. These funds are designated to be used to offset any potential revenue
shortfall that occurs during the fiscal year and should be replenished in the following fiscal year’s
budget.
Compliance Status – Stormwater Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance.
11. Electric Fund – The Electric Fund will maintain the following reserves and restrict them on the
balance sheet:
A. Operations Contingency Reserve – A minimum ninety (90) days or 25% of operating
expenses, net of transfers and purchased power, designated for unexpected or emergency
use during the fiscal year and to be replenished in the following year’s budget.
Compliance Status – Operating Contingency reserve FY2019 in compliance.
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B. Non‐Operating Contingency Reserve – to maintain continuity and begin recovery process
from a natural disaster during the lag time of revenue recovery:
a. 1% of historical rate base (total assets plus accumulated depreciation)
b. 1/5th of the average cash funded portion of the 5 year CIP
c. At least 50% of annual debt service payment
Compliance Status – Non‐operating reserve FY2019 in partial compliance. It is estimated to
take 1 year to complete this reserve after enacting the new cost of service rate structure.
C. Rate Stabilization Reserve – Up to 10% of purchased power costs will be reserved to protect
against energy market exposure and to maintain wholesale power contracts and stability
until expenses are recovered through revenue generated in the Power Cost Adjustment
Factor.
Compliance Status – Rate stabilization reserve FY2019 not in compliance. It is estimated to
take 3 years to build this reserve after enacting the new cost of service rate structure.
D. Uses of Unanticipated and Unappropriated Electric Fund Balances – In the event that fund
balance in the Electric Fund exceeds recommended minimum cash as enumerated in the
above reserves, the funds may be used for the following purposes as approved by the City
Council:
a. Reduce the Power Cost Adjustment
b. Reduce outstanding utility debt
c. Fund capital projects
d. Fund other one‐time projects or equipment
12. Airport Fund – A contingency reserve of ninety (90) days of operating expenses will be maintained
in the fund for unforeseen or emergency expenditures. The reserve will represent all operating
expenses minus fuel costs and any transfers. Used funds should be replenished in the following year’s
budget.
Compliance Status – Airport Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance.
For all other funds, the fund balance is an indication of the balance of each particular fund at a specific time.
The ultimate goal of each such fund is to have expended the fund balance at the conclusion of the activity
for which the fund was established.
Reserve requirements will be calculated as part of the annual budget process and any additional required
funds to be added to the reserve balances will be appropriated within the budget.
Funds in excess of the minimum reserves within each fund may be expended for City purposes at the will of
the City Council once it has been determined that use of the excess will not endanger reserve requirements
in future years. This action requires an amendment to the City’s Annual Budget and is outlined in Section III.
J. Use of Unanticipated and Unappropriated General Fund Balances.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
B. Liabilities and Receivables – Procedures will be followed to maximize discounts and reduce penalties offered
by creditors. Current liabilities will be paid within 30 days of receiving the invoice. Accounts Receivable
procedures will target collection for a maximum of 90 days of service. The Finance Director is authorized to
write‐off non‐collectible, non‐utility accounts that are delinquent for more than 180 days, and utility
accounts delinquent more than 180 days, provided proper delinquency procedures have been followed, and
include this information in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report to the City Council.
C. Capital Project Funds – Every effort will be made for all monies within the Capital Project Funds to be
expended in a timely manner preferably within thirty‐six (36) months of receipt. Due to the long timeline of
some projects, unused cash or bond proceeds will be reserved on the fund schedule and appropriated when
needed. The fund balance will be invested and income generated will offset increases in construction costs
or other costs associated with the project. Capital project funds are intended to be expended totally, with
any unexpected excess to be approved for use according to the bond covenant and opinion of bond counsel.
D. General Debt Service Funds – Revenues within this fund are stable, based on property tax revenues. Balances
are maintained to meet contingencies and to make certain that the next year’s debt service payments may
be met in a timely manner. Fund balance should not fall below 45 days annual debt service requirements, in
accordance with IRS guidelines.
Compliance Status – Debt Fund Reserve FY2019 in compliance.
E. Investment of Reserve Funds – The reserve funds will be invested in accordance with the City’s investment
policy.
F. Ratios/Trend Analysis – Ratios and significant balances will be incorporated into both the quarterly financial
reports to the City Council for the Electric, Water and General Debt Service Funds. This information will
provide users with meaningful data to identify major trends of the City's financial condition through analytical
procedures. The following ratios/balances will be used as key financial indicators:
Debt Ratio: Current liabilities plus long‐term liabilities divided by total
assets
CL +LTL/TA AL < 0.5
Times Coverage Ratio: Operating revenue less operating expense divided by
annual debt service
(OR‐OE)/DSV AL > 1.5
The City will develop minimum/maximum levels for the above ratios/balances through analyzing of City
historical trends and future projections.
XVI. INTERNAL CONTROLS
A. Written Procedures – Wherever possible, written procedures will be established and maintained by the
Finance Director for all functions involving cash handling and/or accounting throughout the City. These
procedures will embrace the general concepts of fiscal responsibility set forth in this policy statement.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
B. Internal Audit Program – An internal audit program will be maintained by the Finance Director to ensure
compliance with City policies and procedures and to prevent the potential for fraud.
1. Departmental Audits – departmental processes will be reviewed to ensure dual control of City assets
and identify the opportunity for fraud potential, as well as, to ensure that departmental internal
procedures are documented and updated as needed.
2. Employees or Transaction Review – Programs to be audited include Petty Cash, City Credit Card
accounts, time entry, and travel. All discrepancies will be identified, and the employee’s Director
will be notified. The City Manager will also be notified depending on the seriousness of the
infraction.
3. The Finance Director and City Manager will present an annual audit plan to the General Government
and Finance board. Results of all internal audits will be provided to the GGAF and City Council at
year‐end.
C. Directors Responsibility – Each Director is responsible for ensuring that good internal controls are followed
throughout their department, that all Finance Division directives are implemented and that all independent
auditor internal control recommendations are addressed. Departments will develop and periodically update
written internal control procedures.
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City of Georgetown, Texas
City Council Workshop
July 10, 2018
SUBJECT:
P resentation and discussio n regarding the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and the Estimated Tax Rate Impact --
P aul Diaz, Budget Manager
ITEM SUMMARY:
Annually as part o f the Budget process, staff revie ws the pro posed tax supported five ye ar Capital Improvement Plan.
Attached in the item is the presentation, and two propo sed alternative spending plans.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
SUBMITTED BY:
P aul Diaz, Budget Manager
ATTACHMENT S:
Description
Overview Pres entatio n
CIP Plan totaling $75 millio n o ver 5 years
CIP Plan totaling $103 million over 5 years
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FY2019 Annual Budget
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Tax Supported CIP Overview
•Two portions of the tax rate.
–O&M (General Fund)
–I&S (Debt Service)
•Tax supported Capital Improvement Projects
are paid for with the “Interest & Sinking”
portion of the tax rate. Commonly referred to
as the “I&S” portion.
•Fund 159 –Debt Service is where the City pays
for its tax supported debt.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Debt Model
Current debt service payments without adding any new debt.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Debt Model
Current debt service payments with example of new debt service for
illustration purposes .
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Debt Model
Tax Increase
Example: Growth in the tax base is able to support some new debt service. The model
calculates at which point debt service requirements outpace property tax revenues.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Debt Model
•Helps to size the CIP program.
•Provides a five year outlook and the tax impact
•Helps balance the tax rate for the Truth in
Taxation calculation.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Truth in Taxation
•The effective rate is the rate the City would need to charge in order
to produce the same amount of property tax revenues as last year
while using the new valuations of the current year. Typically,
property values appreciate from year to year. In most years, the
increased value of a property means a lower tax rate could produce
the same amount of revenue. For example, a home valued at
$100,000 with a tax rate of 42 cents would produce $420 in
property tax revenue. If in the following year, the home is now
valued at $105,000, the effective rate would be 40 cents to produce
the same $420 worth of revenue. The effective rate enables the
public to evaluate the relationship between taxes for the prior year
and for the current year.
•The rollback rate is the maximum tax rate the City can set before the
taxpayers can petition for an election to reduce the tax rate. After
adjustments for debt calculations, the rollback rate is equal to the
effective rate times 8%, or in this example 43.2 cents.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Truth in Taxation (TNT)
Existing
Assessed
Value
Rollback Rate
Sales Tax Rollback Rate
Debt Service
Payments Rollback Rate
Frozen I&S
Payments Rollback Rate
TIRZ $Rollback Rate
New Assessed
Value Rollback Rate
Decrease
Increase
Increase
Increase
Increase
Decrease
= controlled by City Council actionPage 134 of 148
FY2019 Annual Budget
Frozen Revenue and TNT
•Frozen property tax revenue is estimate to
make up about 25% of total property tax
revenue.
•In FY2019, it totals $7.6 million.
•Increasing around 5% over the last few years.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Frozen Revenue and TNT
•Frozen property tax revenue is used to help balance the
tax rate against TNT calculation.
•Total assessed value has increased over the past 5
years.
•This causes the effective and rollback rates on the TNT
to decrease.
•Frozen O&M revenue is not in the TNT calculation.
•By using a majority of Frozen Revenue for O&M, the
City is able to fund essential general fund expenses
(Fire, Police, Streets, etc) while still meeting the TNT
requirements and not exceed the rollback rate.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
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FY2019 Annual Budget
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FY2019 Annual Budget
CIP Process
•Start with robust plan in February.
–Over the five year plan, $104 million of projects
were identified.
•Throughout the spring and summer as certified
values of property come in, staff starts sizing
the CIP plan to what can be afforded.
•Certified rolls are received on July 25th.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Debt Capacity
•Small changes can have big impacts.
•Assumptions
–$200,000,000 of new growth and 3.5% growth in
AV. Combined growth is 5 to 6 % growth year over
year.
–5% growth in frozen revenue
–Distribution of O&M and I&S frozen remains
constant.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
CIP Five Year Plan
•If the City funded $104 million of CIP in the
next five years, it is estimated the I&S portion
would need to increase by 6 cents by 2023.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Debt Capacity
•Fiscally constrained debt capacity is about $75
million over the next five years or about $15
million per year.
•If the City funds to this level, the I&S tax rate
and distribution of frozen I&S can remain
constant.
•If the City funds beyond this level, the I&S
portion of the tax will need to increase.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
Variance in CIP Plans
•Shift in years:
Intersection Pool 1,000,000
Southwestern Blvd.1,550,000
ADA 450,000
Parks Master Plan 200,000
Regional Trail
Development 1,275,000
San Gabriel Park 750,000
Old Town Southeast 1,500,000
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FY2019 Annual Budget
CIP Plan
•Important to note this is a five year plan only.
The Budget will adopt a plan on focused on
FY2019 and the spring debt sale.
•Both during the budget process in the summer
and in February prior to the debt sale, staff will
review with Council the propose impact of
issuing new debt.
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FY2019 Annual Budget
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Project Name Category Funding FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022 FY2023 Beyond Five Years
Berry Creek Drive 2008 Road Bond 2008 GO - - - - - 6,150,000
D.B . Wood (SH 29 to Oak Ridge)2015 Road Bond 2015 GO - - 4,820,000 12,500,000 -
Intersection Pool 2015 Road Bond 2015 GO 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,500,000
Leander Road (Norwood to SW Bypass)2015 Road Bond 2015 GO 2,000,000 - 2,231,000 - - -
Leander Road Bridge @ IH35 2015 Road Bond 2015 GO - - - 4,500,000 4,500,000
NB Frontage Road 2015 Road Bond 2015 GO 150,000 - - - -
NE Inner Loop/Stadium Drive 2015 Road Bond 2015 GO - - - - - 2,000,000
Preliminary Engineering Pool 2015 Road Bond 2015 GO - - - - - 2,050,000
SH29 (Haven to SH130)2015 Road Bond 2015 GO - - - - 100,000 3,900,000
Southeast Inner Loop 2015 Road Bond 2015 GO 1,200,000 - - - 1,200,000
Southwestern Blvd.2015 Road Bond 2015 GO 1,550,000 2,940,000 - - -
SW Bypass (3)2015 Road Bond 2015 GO - - - 500,000 -
Blue Hole Parking Expansion and Sidewalk Facilities CO 100,000 - - - - -
Downtown Parking Expansion Phase II Facilities CO 350,000 - - - - -
Downtown Parking Garage Facilities CO 2,500,000 - - - - -
Festival/Public Space - Downtown West Facilities CO - - - 5,400,000
Fire Station 1 & 3 - Remodel Facilities CO 30,000 1,000,000 - - -
Fire Station 4 - Relocation Facilities CO - - - - - 6,300,000
Fire Station 7 Facilities CO 6,250,000 - - - - -
Fire Station 8 Facilities CO - - - - - 6,300,000
Fuel Station Relocation Facilities CO - 400,000 - - - -
Mixed Use Parking Garage Facilities CO - - - - - 12,000,000
Public Facilities Master Plan Facilities CO - - - - -
Public Safety Operation and Training Center Phase II Facilities CO - - - 5,000,000
Signature Gateway Facilities CO - - - - 200,000
Cardiac Monitors Fire Department CO - 225,000 225,000 - - -
Public Safety Vehicles - Fire Vehicles Fire Department CO 1,025,000 2,650,000 2,525,000 1,480,000 1,200,000 9,605,000
SCBA Replacement Fire Department CO 290,000 290,000 300,000 - - -
Radio Replacement General CO 500,000 200,000 - - - -
ADA Transition Plan Parks CO 450,000 - - - -
Neighborhood Park Development Parks CO 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000
Blue Hole Park Improvement Parks CO - - - -
Historic San Gabriel River Park Parks CO - - 250,000 -
Parks Master Plan Parks CO 200,000 - - - -
Regional Trail Development Parks CO 1,275,000 1,200,000 3,000,000
San Gabriel Park Parks 2008 GO 750,000 5,250,000 - - 8,700,000
Southeast Community Park Parks CO - - - - 9,200,000
VFW Parking Lot Addition Parks CO 175,000 - - - - -
Westside Park Development Parks CO - - - 10,000,000
Westside Recreation Center Parks CO - - - - - 18,500,000
Public Safety Vehicles - Police Vehicles Police CO 501,000 903,200 870,100 642,500 705,000 4,004,100
2nd Street Sidewalks CO - 410,000 - - - -
Main St. (7th-2nd)Sidewalks CO - - - 300,000 -
Old Town Southeast Sidewalks CO - - 1,500,000 -
Phase I - Signal & Curb Ramp Improvements Sidewalks CO - 102,000 - - - -
Remaining Downtown Repairs Sidewalks CO - - 3,600,000
Rock St (9th-6th St.)Sidewalks CO 250,000 - - - - -
SH 29 (IH 35-IH 130)Sidewalks CO - - - - 2,100,000
Shell Road Sidewalk In-fill Sequoia to Rosedale (east side only)Sidewalks CO 180,000 - - - - -
15,751,000 11,655,200 14,591,100 15,892,500 16,305,000 125,459,100
FY 19-23 Total 74,194,800
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Project Name Category Funding FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022 FY2023 Beyond Five Years
Berry Creek Drive 2008 Road Bond 2008 GO - - - - - 6,150,000
D.B . Wood (SH 29 to Oak Ridge)2015 Road Bond 2015 GO - - 4,820,000 12,500,000 - -
Intersection Pool 2015 Road Bond 2015 GO 1,000,000 500,000 500,000 500,000 500,000 1,500,000
Leander Road (Norwood to SW Bypass)2015 Road Bond 2015 GO 2,000,000 - 2,231,000 - - -
Leander Road Bridge @ IH35 2015 Road Bond 2015 GO - - - - - 4,500,000
NB Frontage Road 2015 Road Bond 2015 GO 150,000 - - - - -
NE Inner Loop/Stadium Drive 2015 Road Bond 2015 GO - - - - - 2,000,000
Preliminary Engineering Pool 2015 Road Bond 2015 GO - - - - - 2,050,000
SH29 (Haven to SH130)2015 Road Bond 2015 GO - - - - 100,000 3,900,000
Southeast Inner Loop 2015 Road Bond 2015 GO 1,200,000 - - - 1,250,000 -
Southwestern Blvd.2015 Road Bond 2015 GO 1,550,000 2,940,000 - - - -
SW Bypass (3)2015 Road Bond 2015 GO - - - 500,000 - -
Blue Hole Parking Expansion and Sidewalk Facilities CO 100,000 - - - - -
Downtown Parking Expansion Phase II Facilities CO 350,000 - - - - -
Downtown Parking Garage Facilities CO 2,500,000 - - - - -
Festival/Public Space - Downtown West Facilities CO - - - 475,000 4,900,000 -
Fire Station 1 & 3 - Remodel Facilities CO 30,000 200,000 1,000,000 - - -
Fire Station 4 - Relocation Facilities CO - - - - - 6,300,000
Fire Station 7 Facilities CO 6,250,000 - - - - -
Fire Station 8 Facilities CO - - - - - 6,300,000
Fuel Station Relocation Facilities CO - 400,000 - - - -
Mixed Use Parking Garage Facilities CO - - - - - 12,000,000
Public Facilities Master Plan Facilities CO - 150,000 - - - -
Public Safety Operation and Training Center Phase II Facilities CO - - - 500,000 4,400,000 -
Signature Gateway Facilities CO - 100,000 - - - -
Cardiac Monitors Fire Department CO - 225,000 225,000 - - -
Public Safety Vehicles - Fire Vehicles Fire Department CO 1,025,000 2,650,000 2,525,000 1,480,000 1,200,000 9,605,000
SCBA Replacement Fire Department CO 290,000 290,000 300,000 - - -
Radio Replacement General CO 500,000 200,000 - - - -
Austin Avenue Bridges Other CO 156,800 - - - - -
Berry Creek Sec. 5 - Neighborhood Park Development Parks CO 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000
Blue Hole Park Improvement Parks CO - 200,000 1,000,000 - - -
Historic San Gabriel River Park Parks CO - 250,000 1,000,000 - - -
Parks Master Plan Parks CO 200,000 - - - - -
Regional Trail Development Parks CO 1,275,000 150,000 1,150,000 1,000,000 - 2,000,000
San Gabriel Park Parks CO 750,000 5,250,000 - - - 8,700,000
Southeast Community Park Parks CO - - - 3,000,000 - 9,200,000
VFW Parking Lot Addition Parks CO 175,000 - - - - -
Westside Park Development Parks CO - - - 1,500,000 8,500,000 -
Westside Recreation Center Parks CO - - - - - 18,500,000
Public Safety Vehicles - Police Vehicles Police CO 501,000 903,200 870,100 642,500 705,000 4,004,100
2nd Street Sidewalks CO - 410,000 - - - -
Main St. (7th-2nd)Sidewalks CO - 300,000 - - - -
Old Town Southeast Sidewalks CO 1,500,000 - - - - -
Phase I - Signal & Curb Ramp Improvements Sidewalks CO - 102,000 - - - -
Remaining Downtown Repairs Sidewalks CO - - - 1,800,000 1,800,000 -
Rock St (9th-6th St.)Sidewalks CO 250,000 - - - - -
SH 29 (IH 35-IH 130)Sidewalks CO - - 2,100,000 - - -
Shell Road Sidewalk In-fill Sequoia to Rosedale (east side only)Sidewalks CO 180,000 - - - - -
22,182,800 15,470,200 17,971,100 24,147,500 23,605,000 96,959,100
FY 19-23 Total 103,376,600
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City of Georgetown, Texas
City Council Workshop
July 10, 2018
SUBJECT:
Sec. 551.071: Consul tati on w i th Attorney
Advice from attorney abo ut pending or co ntemplated litigation and o ther matters on which the attorney has a duty to
advise the City Council, including agenda items
Sec. 551.072: De l i berati o ns about Real P roperty
- Discussion regarding possible sale of 1 acre of land located on CR 2 01 , Liberty Hill, TX -- Travis Baird, Real Estate
Services Coordinato r
- Rock Street/8 th Street
Sec. 551:074: Personnel Matters
City Manager, City Attorney, City Secretary and Municipal Judge: Consideration of the appointment, employme nt,
evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal
Sec. 551.087: De l i berati o n Regardi ng Economi c Devel opment Negoti ati ons
- P roject Toms
ITEM SUMMARY:
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
NA
SUBMITTED BY:
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