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Home My WebLink About2026 04 23 CC WS MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN April 23, 2026 The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in a Work Session on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 4:30 P.M. in the Council Chamber of Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas,with the following in attendance: Laura Alvarado Mayor Pro Tem Sarah Graham Council Member Kenrick Griffith Council Member James Franco Council Member Mike Lester Council Member Charles Johnson Mayor Jason Reynolds City Manager Scott Lemond City Attorney Angela Jackson City Clerk John Stringer Sergeant at Arms Mayor Charles Johnson convened the April 23, 2026 City Council Work Session with a quorum present at 4:35 P.M. All members were present with the exception of Council Member Jacob Powell who was absent. 1. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mayor Charles Johnson announced no citizens signed up to speak. 2. DISCUSSIONS a. Discuss the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. City Manager Jason Reynolds,provided a presentation regarding the 2027 budget. (Exhibit A) Mayor Charles Johnson expressed they would need more time to review all provided data to make any further decisions for the 2027 Budget. Council Members expressed their concerns and recommendations regarding the associated cost and impact to the City's future financial projections. Director of Public Affairs Thomas Reeves further clarified the data results. City Council Work Session Minutes April 23, 2026 Page 2 of 2 Chief of Police John Stringer presented the Homeless Intervention initiative for the City of Baytown and introduced Chief Aaron Crowell. (Exhibit B) Chief Crowell, further discussed the effects of unresolved homelessness concerns and the impact it can have on a City and the residents. Mayor Charles Johnson requested more details regarding organizations relocating methods for homeless individuals within their Cities. Director of Parks,Recreation,and Tourism Clifford Hatch informed the City Council how services at the parks are addressed, during normal business hours and after hours. Chief Stringer responded to the Mayor and Council Members concerns and recommendations. Council Members shared their opinions and recommendations of the ongoing global epidemic with homelessness. Interim Director of Health Shawn Cohcran provided the strategic goals to accommodate clean up requirements. Council Members expressed their understanding and appreciation for all the assistance and date compiled to ensure accuracy when making these decisions for the budget. Mr.Reynolds requested direction from the Mayor and Council Members regarding items discussed at today's meeting. • Building a budget at thr current rate. • Maintaining a ninety-day reserve. • Using capital from the reserves for homeless intervention,vehicle, and solar lights. • Budget for overtime and disposable cost. • In 2027 evaluating performance effectiveness to continue budgeting for specific items. 3. ADJOURN With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Charles Johnson adjourned the April 23, 2026, City Council Work Session at 6:38 P.M. .,��pYT• T /It ;i Bela J: kgi1; city) lerk City of Baytown r' . r EXHIBIT "A" 4/29/2026 a v,. Setting the Stage s B;11= .;;,. . milli April 23rd Council Work Session ...iii. . - - ■ w Fund Balance Beginning a- S Fund Beginning Revenue Revenue Revenue Expenses Expenses Fund Balance Property Acute Transfer In Ongoing Non-Recurring Balance Ending Policy implications Policy Considerations Days in Tax Hate Fees xorode++ Days in Policy Goal:90 days • Healthy reserve that meets • Stay at a operational goal of 90 days Reserve/Cash intervention reserve/Cash benchmarks Spending Bond Election spending Fy17 coca:a.as% Projected:102 Days by contract=$4 25 >90 Days Some cash available mRllon furore Discussions for Council Priorities (lune 26.) 1 4/29/2026 a 1-2 Fund Balance Ending ""S.. Revenue Property S. Policy Implications Policy Considerations Policy Implications Policy Considerations 102 Days • Still meet goal at 90 days • Spend down to 90 days Tax Rate • Years of No New Revenue • No new revenue or up to voter Available to Use; • $5mm-min.project impact • -$5 million • IDA:I cent=`$980,000 approval rate(VAR) • Below 90 days;possibly be close • Spend down to 75 days • FY2028-$0.05 cent reduction in • VAR-afford to offset rate increases to 90 with annual savings • `$10 million I&S;-$4.9mm revenue loss in other portions of the budget • $10mm-one/two street • >90 days and cash fund when • 5$0.68:Floor rate in 212;- • Stabilize the tax rate projects possible lmm additional revenue loss • Stable I&S rate • Extra cash may appear as taxing • Grow reserves to limit future GO • Service delivery changes • GO Bond preparation too much Bonds • Increase fees • New fees Property Tax �tiT1I a mcn z z COB Property Tax Rates 7 4/29/2026 I R: � 5 . . . Revenue Property H Expenses Ongoing 641 R'tt'� Xg g TOWS Policy Implications Policy Considerations Policy Baseline Increased Efforts Policy Considerations Fees • Fees stay up to date with • Incremental update of fees Homeless Intervention • 1 Police Officer 8-10 • Add targeted staff time • 146&I-10 Economic Growth growing costs hours a week • Add vehicle and equipment • EMBEC Construction • Clean team with • Additional Health staff • San Jacinto Marketplace Health Dept members and increased Construction and Opening • PRT night checks disposal costs • Seeing an Increase in • Camera tower and solar homeless interventions year lighting over year Total:Current Budget Total Increase:SS80,000 2 4/29/2026 EXHIBIT "B" A. rey %°� 1 THE CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS firm BN �., '� ;, ; • The local population of homeless individuals is greatly �� increasing • Efforts from neighboring jurisdictions are pushing homeless Maintaining Safe Public Spaces individuals into our area • The demand on city resources is straining personnel and funding to the breaking point City of Baytown Police Department • The current situation, if left unchanged, is untenable Health Department Parks and Recreation rp 0 WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT Real-World Examples BAi t, s • - • We are seeing "Broken Windows Theory" play out in real time • x; •,, w • Visible disorder can attract additional disorder and crime :..c• \ii • Small problems,left unaddressed,grow into large issues ,l' • This is a city-wide issue that negatively affects public safety, .: -, quality of life, and economic development opportunities • Public perception of danger and crime have tangible effects -_J: 1111 • Immediate steps must be taken to mitigate these issues --: iid^ 1 ii 4/29/2026 CITY-WIDE ISSUE ✓-� .. -?.:;�� ,' _ CITY-WIDE ISSUE it, �600L�$�FWy 4�300 EawfiNY.•... ,.n r i 264 h District 5: 33 ,t6 r �j t j G,sh�ct J ::: `7 - District 6 128 • Dist;cr1 l i 5801 Bayway � #.? r uawde District 2 189 ' * . '. ` a i 04/01/25-03/31/2026 `e t r. .1201$Alalwn oop 1400 Garth Ji¢ PD HOMELESS INCIDENTS ON THE RISE a PD MANHOURS CONSUMED ON THE RISE 1141 --5- 702 Kg ac E —__ I ,64 E 61341 431 E ii — t 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 4022 2023 2024 :22 2026 +e 1 4/29/2026 MOVING FORWARD a MOVING FORWARD a B.t1TO to b!\.p S s • Requires a multi-phase approach from multiple city departments • Health Department-Clean Team Short term: • Will require coordinated long-term planning for long-term • Immediate approval of One(1)additional Clean Team two-person crew at approximately$125,000 with associated equipment solutions • Additional funding of$35,000 to$50,000 for unbudgeted abatement • Short term: and disposal costs • Immediate injection of funding for Police Department overtime and • Parks and Recreation Short term: equipment • Immediate injection of$2,300 for additional supervisor overtime • $200.000 in overtime funding for data-driven.targeted Homeless • Additional funding of$94,000 for camera towers and solar lighting Intervention efforts •This is the first part of a long-term, multi-phased approach by • $105,000 for Homeless Intervention vehicle and specialized equipment city departments as a whole Clean Team Assistance ht}P POINTS TO CONSIDER N-\ @ • The perception of crime is just as important as crime itself • • Homelessness is not a crime, and our first efforts always involve ft'��, f offering assistance and referral to resources ''' 110 q A' • Secondary effects of homelessness can involve crimes such as trespassing. - ei • criminal mischief, theft,assault.drug possession • The Police Department has a duty to ensure public safety for ALL 5801 Garth citizens of Baytown, as well as the individuals we encounter Road • Our departmental mission involves becoming the safest city in Harris County, and as such addressing these issues are top priority 2 7 4/29/2026 THE BIGGER PICTURE ponce c,01111.9 , g, BAYTOWN r S �i a • f yw THANK YOU • %„ . - - fE ••• %Owns 0,w.MIW$r Pyr,,