Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2005-08-29 Special 08/29/05 2372 STATE OF TEXAS )( CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )( COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )( AUGUST 29, 2005 )( MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2005, FROM 1:00 PM TO 5:00 PM AT THE FRIENDSWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY, 416 SOUTH, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM: MAYOR KIMBALL BRIZENDINE (arr. at 3:00 PM) MAYOR PRO-TEM DAVID SMITH COUNCILMEMBER LAURA EWING COUNCILMEMBER JOHN LECOUR COUNCILMEMBER TRACY GOZA COUNCILMEMBER CHRIS PEDEN (arr. at 1:25 PM) COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES CITY MANAGER RON COX CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE Mayor Pro-Tem David Smith called the meeting to order. 1:00 PM —SPECIAL MEETING Discussion was held with Council and Staff regarding the FY2005-2005 City of Friendswood proposed Operating Budget. City Manager Ron Cox and Administrative Services Director Roger Roecker reviewed the proposed budget process with Mayor and Council and held a lengthy question and answer session. City Manager Ron Cox acknowledged those attending from City Staff and appointed committees. Director of Community Services Jon Branson provided a PowerPoint presentation on overview of activities and supporting budgets for Community Services. Councilmember Measeles asked Council to look at 20% increase, Staff advised it is at maximum, senior tax exempt, full impact on budget. Councilmember LeCour stated he is happy to see tax rate reduction, not sufficient and not what citizens looking for, look for further reduction, looking for quality of reduction in tax rate to effect quality home life, needs to be substantial rather than token. Councilmember Goza stated that the ending fund balance, transfer into reserves, would like to keep 3 months for operation, look at policy theory of reserve fund overage, policy states overages goes into General Fund for Capital Improvements Projects (CIP), have between $800,000 and $1 million over reserve amount, $4.1 million. Councilmember Ewing discussed the senior tax exemption and impact, continuance of responsive government, look at assistance to seniors, in example garbage, provide government that helps citizens out, look at maintaining programs, not cut just to cut be certain to maintain level of service and improving quality. Councilmember Smith discussed the senior tax exemption, redevelopment of empty commercial and Main Street building and sales tax to increase future sales tax revenue but look at allocation of sales tax funds to not be dependent on these fund for operation, policy and priorities related to sales tax services, discussed policy and transfer of appropriation and reserves. Councilmember Peden stated that the City cannot be everything to everyone. 08/29/05 2372 Council asked about the public safety building status, stated that policy is to put excess reserves allocated to CIP from last year's budget to reflect no planned growth in reserve funds, adopt a Council directive policy if excess revenues, asked Staff to prepare a budget for expenditures unless reserves are under funded, stated that budget excess funds from reserve fund in the following fiscal year go toward CIP develop policy for expenditure of overage in reserve fund this fiscal year, and discussed reducing additional tax rate or funding additional capital projects. Discussion was held regarding the pro's and con's of reserve funds and tax rate reductions. A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 5:10 PM. � � �� Mayor Kimball W. Brizendine Attest: �D� �R��Up� � L� �p � � , * v Deloris McKenzie, TRMC * City Secretary d'�7t +� F p�