2002 08 13 WS Minutesla
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN
August 13, 2002
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, met in work session on August 13, 2002,
at 5:00 p.m. in the Hullum Conference Room of Baytown City Hall, 2401 Market Street,
Baytown, Texas, with the following in attendance:
Ronnie Anderson
Coleman Godwin
Don Murray
Pete C. Alfaro
Gary M. Jackson
Gary W. Smith
Absent: Calvin Mundinger
Mercedes Renteria III
Scott Sheley
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Mayor
Interim City Manager
City Clerk
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
The meeting was opened with a quorum present after which the following business was
conducted:
Discuss the proposed 2002 -2003 fiscal year budget.
Gary Jackson, interim City Manager, reviewed the information that was requested by
Council during the work session held on August 12. Sixty -five streetlights remain on the
list of requested streetlights. The Growth Management Commission reviews the requests
for streetlights in existing subdivisions. Growth Management has not reviewed the lights
remaining on the list.
The EMS collection rate is consistent with other cities in the area. The collection to
expense ratio is also consistent with other cities.
The certified tax roll was received from Harris County Appraisal District. The certified
roll indicates a reduction in values from the projections used in preparation of the proposed
budget. The current total assessed value (certified and uncertified) is $1,852,782,427,
which is $50,000,000 below the projections and an increase of $50,000,000 over last year's
assessed value. As a result of this information, the revenues from taxes will be reduced by
$350,000. The correction will be made by reducing the working capital to 66 days.
Technical adjustments have been made to the proposed budget to include $4,000 in the
Fire Department machinery and maintenance budget and $23,200 in the Streets minor
supplies budget.
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Minutes of the Work Session — August 13, 2002
Health insurance for retirees experienced a deficit of $157,393 from October 1, 2001
through September 30, 2002. To address the retiree health insurance for the future, new
hires after January 1, 2003, upon retirement, will be required to pay the cost of the
insurance. This change will not affect the current deficit.
Change to a twenty -year retirement system had been contemplated. The change could be
made without an increase in rates. The situation with the retiree health insurance coverage
makes the change seem undesirable. Additional retirees could exacerbate the problem.
The reserve in the health plan will cover the deficit for the current year.
Council Member Murray encouraged all funds to be closely scrutinized to assure that the
separate funds are not being subsidized by the General Fund.
Mr. Jackson, in response to an inquiry from Council Member Anderson, stated that the
funding is in place for the construction of the Police Academy and renovation of other
parts of the Police building. It is hoped that a new architect can be selected for the
Academy and Emergency Operation Center in the near future.
Mr. Jackson related that recurring expenses must be addressed or serious problems will
arise in future budget years. Council requested a projection of the problems and
recommendations for resolving the problems. All capital projects must be evaluated on the
impact on the operations and maintenance budget.
Adjourn.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m.
GarYW. Sfnith
City Clerk
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