2002 07 31 CC Minutes, SpecialMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
July 31, 2002
8:00 a.m.
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in special session on July 31, 2002, at 8:00 a.m.
in the Council Chamber of the Baytown City Hall with the following in attendance:
Coleman Godwin
Calvin Mundinger
Don Murray
Pete C. Alfaro
Gary M. Jackson
Ignacio Ramirez, Sr.
Gary W. Smith
The following Council Members were absent:
Ronnie Anderson
Mercedes Renteria III
Scott Sheley
Council Member
Council Member
Mayor Pro Tem
Mayor
Interim City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which Council Member Godwin led the Pledge
of Allegiance, offered the invocation, and the following business was conducted:
Receive the City Manager's proposed budget and budget message for fiscal year 2002 -2003.
Gary M. Jackson, Interim City Manager, expressed his thanks to Donna Sams, Finance Director, and
the staff of the Finance Department for their hard work in preparing the proposed budget and message.
He also thanked Bob Leiper, Assistant City Manager, for his work in compiling the proposed budget.
The theme for the budget is "Hold the Line." The proposed budget attempts to address the priorities
expressed by City Council, the priorities of the Comprehensive Plan and the critical needs identified by
the department directors. In reviewing the budget document, Mr. Jackson called attention to the
Manager's Message, which contains a summary of the key issues, concerns and goals presented in the
budget. Section 4 contains the major budget issues and provides information on the revenue and
expenditure items affecting the proposed budget.
The 2001 -2002 fiscal year was filled with uncertainty. It began in the aftermath of September 11.
Contingency budget plans were developed at the beginning of the year. Expenditures were delayed.
The nonrenewal of the CCPD sales tax and the Charter amendment on Fire Department staffing
continued the contingency plans. The contingency planning looks to future impact, especially in areas
of recurring expenses. To approve of a recurring expense, it is prudent to provide an increase in
recurring revenues or a decrease in expenditures.
Mr. Jackson outlined the total amounts of each fund in the proposed budget, $43 million in the general
fund; $7.9 million in the interest and sinking fund; $0.731 million in hotel occupancy tax; $18.2
million in the water and sewer fund; and $3 million in the sanitation fund. The growth of the general
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Minutes of the Special Session —July 31, 2002
fund is reduced from 13.4% in the 2001 -2002 fiscal year to 5.8% in the proposed budget. Similarly the
f growth in the total budget is reduced from 11.6% to 4.6 %.
The tax rate is proposed to remain the same, as is the sanitation fee. Water and sewer rates are
proposed to be increased by $0.22/1,000 gallons over the minimum rate. No increase is proposed for
the minimum water and sewer rates. Sales tax revenues are proposed to be flat, with a 0.1 % growth.
Great strides have been made in the compensation plan in recent years. With a few exceptions, the
plan is very close to market. Merit increases have been provided in the last few years. No market
adjustment and no merit increase are proposed for the 2002 -2003 fiscal year. No lay -offs are
proposed. Generally, the service level is maintained. Web -page development is reduced and will
provide for tourism development, but not e- commerce.
A transition plan over a three -year period is proposed for the former CCPD expenses. By the fourth
fiscal year, all former CCPD expenses will be carried in the general fund. The expenses are carried at
the current level only.
The budget provides for full compliance with the Charter, as amended, relating to Fire Department
staffing. While all fifteen new fire fighters should be hired by October 1, 2002, they will not all be
certified. Therefore, there is proposed overtime for full compliance.
Work sessions are scheduled on August 12, 13 and 14. Additional information and presentations will
be made during those meetings. A few errors have been found and will be corrected. The proposed
budget addresses the major issues and maintains the bond projects as priorities for the City.
Consider Proposed Ordinance No. 020731 -1 setting the time, date and place of the public hearing
on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2002 -2003.
Proposed Ordinance No. 020731 -1 sets the time, date and place for the public hearing on the budget at
6:40 p.m., Thursday, August 22, 2002, in the Council Chamber, Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market
Street. The Charter requires that notice of the public hearing be published at least seven days prior to
the date of the public hearing. Texas Local Government Code, Section 102.006 requires that the
public hearing be held at least fifteen days after the date the proposed budget is filed with the City
Clerk. Section 102.0065 requires that notice of the pubic hearing be published at least ten days prior to
the public hearing. At the public hearing, any taxpayer of the municipality may attend and participate.
The notice of the public hearing is scheduled to be published in The Baytown Sun on Wednesday,
August 10, 2002.
Council Member Murray moved adoption of the proposed ordinance. Council Member Mundinger
seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Council Members Godwin, Murray, and Mundinger
Mayor Alfaro.
Nays: None.
The motion carried.
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Minutes of the Special Session —July 31, 2002
ORDINANCE NO. 9397
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, SETTING A DATE,
TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2002 -2003
MUNICIPAL BUDGET; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
Adjourn.
There being no further business, Council Member Mundinger moved adjournment of the meeting.
Council Member Godwin seconded the motion. The vote follows:
Ayes: Council Members Godwin, Murray, and Mundinger
Mayor Alfaro.
Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned at 8:22 a.m.
4 G !k
ith
City Clerk