2019 08 08 WS MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
AUGUST 8, 2019
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in a Regular Work Session on Thursday,
August 8, 2019, at 5:36 P.M., in the Council Chamber, Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street,
Baytown, Texas with the following in attendance:
Laura Alvarado
Council Member
Charles Johnson
Council Member
Heather Betancourth
Council Member
Robert Hoskins
Mayor Pro Tern
David Himsel
Council Member
Chris Presley
Council Member
Brandon Capetillo Mayor
Rick Davis
City Manager
Ignacio Ramirez
City Attorney
Leticia Brysch
City Clerk
Keith Dougherty
Sergeant at Arms
Mayor Capetillo convened the August 8, 2019, City Council Regular Work Session with a
quorum present at 5:36 P.M., all members were present.
DISCUSSIONS
a. Discuss the City of Baytown Municipal FY 2019-20 Proposed Budget.
Finance Director Wade Nickerson stated that based on Council's comments from Tuesday's
Budget Work Session discussion, staff went back to review the budget and offer the Council
options as it relates to the lowering of the tax rate and increase in tax exemptions. He noted that
this year's tax appraisals are in already; therefore the increase to the exemptions for the disabled
and elderly was not an option for this year, but will be kept in mind for next year's proposed
budget. He noted that exemptions provide more tax relief than a tax rate reduction alone. With
that in mind, Nr, Nickerson stated that staff had reduced the FY19-20 proposed budget by an one
cent tax reduction, which is an estimated $1.2 million dollars in revenue, below is a list of the
items that were removed to offset the reduction in the budget:
fund balance was lowered by two days to decrease the City's food balance days to 90;
two days are an estimated $555,000;
$395,000 were taken from miscellaneous funds from different line items and different
departments; such as: education & training, street lights, special services, etc.;
City Council Regular Work Session Minutes
August 8, 2019
Page 2 of 2
• the allotted monies for the Laserfiche Project was reduced by $100,000; $300,000 has
been requested and it is now down to $200,000;
• $50,000 was removed from contract engineering services, which was budgeted to
help with plans, but will be revisited later in the year after contract is completed to see if
more monies will be required;
• $50,000 was removed from highway sweeping; staff had requested $250,000 and it is
now down to $200,000; and
• $50,000 was removed from the on/off ramp improvements; staff had requested $250,000
to improve the look and beautification of these space.
Mayor Pro Tern Hoskins stated that this one cent reduction was a step in the right direction, and
helps get the City where we need to be in regards to the tax rate and requested that staff continue
to look at next year's budget for rebates and more reductions.
As it relates to the over time line item analysis, Mr., Nickerson noted that the City's over time
line item is 4% for the City's budget while most governmental entities are at 8%, and noted that
while the City is well below the average staff will go back to complete the overtime analysis that
was requested by the Council at the last meeting.
Council Member Himsel noted in regard to the on and off ramp improvements if it was prudent
to take over responsibilities that belong to TxDOT. City Manager Rick Davis noted that he will
work with TxDOT for some financial support on this item, but noted that if the City wants to be
able to move forward with some of these beautification items, it would have to take the lead.
Council discussed Pirate's Bay and making people comfortable while they wait in line,
enhancing Calypso Cove, and looking at increasing capacity for both parks, but made no changes
to the proposed budget.
After a brief discussion, the Council had consensus for one cent reduction in property tax.
b. Discuss any or all of the agenda items on the City Council Regular Meeting Agenda
for August 8, 2019, which is attached below.
This item was not taken.
2. ADJOURN
With there being no further business to discuss, Mayor Capetillo adjourned the August 8, 2019,
City Council Regular Work Session at 6:18 P.M.
nn
Leticia Brysch, City lerkCity of Baytown