Minutes TC 08/12/1997 - Budget WorkshopMINUTES OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING/PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
BUDGET WORKSHOP/FINANCE COMMITTEE
TOWN OF TROPHY CLUB, TEXAS
AUGUST 12, 1997
THE STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF DENTON
The Town Council of the Town of Trophy Club, Texas met in a Budget Workshop with the
Finance Committee on Thursday, August 12, 1997, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held within the
boundaries of the Town and was open to the public.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jim Carter
Mayor
Marshall Engelbeck
Mayor Pro Tem
Doug Glaspell
Council Member
Edwin "Ed" Decker
Council Member
Susan H. McCabe
Council Member
Kevin Carr
Council Member
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
John Carter Chairperson
Robert Burns Member
Dave Robison Member
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Scott Smith Member
Kay Pratt Member
David Garlitz Member
STAFF AND GUESTS PRESENT:
Donna Welsh
Karen Sadri
Bill LeGrand
David Miller
Roger Unger
Barbara Allen
Jack Jacobs
Greg Guillaume
Town Manager
Town Secretary
Director of Public Works
Director of DPS
MUD Manager
Court Administrator
Town Treasurer
Senior Accountant
Page 2
Budget Workshop
Town Council Meeting/Finance Committee
August 12, 1997
CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCE A QUORUM:
Mayor Carter called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m., noting a quorum was present.
INVOCATION:
John Carter, Finance Committee Chairperson, gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICAN AND TEXAS FLAG:
Jack Jacobs, Town Treasurer, led both pledges.
CONTINUATION OF THE AUGUST 5, 1997 TOWN COUNCIL/STAFF/FINANCE
COMMITTEE 1997-1998 BUDGET WORKSHOP:
Council Member Glaspell moved to follow the general direction in what we are doing this
evening, let the Finance Committee provide all the information they have to give to us,
uninterrupted, then let the Staff make all their presentations and any areas of disagreement
between them and the Finance Committee. Then allow the Town Council to take the floor and
ask questions. Mayor Pro Tem Engelbeck seconded; motion passed unanimously.
Chairperson Carter asked Robert Burns to address the one remaining issue concerning the Parks
budget. Mr. Burns stated that the Trophy Club Economic Development Corporation tentatively
agreed to fund the $106,000.00 in projects that were removed from the Parks budget.
Chairperson Carter moved on to the Courts budget and asked that Robert Burns make a
presentation on that budget. Mr. Burns stated that the Finance Committee didn't feel any changes
needed to be made to the Courts budget. There was no input from the Staff on this item.
Chairperson Carter moved to the Public Works budget. The Finance Committee recommends
that:
► $1,500.00 be taken out of overtime and holiday payroll. (instead of $3,000.00 it would be
$1,500.00)
► $500.00 reduction in closing allowance.
► $1200.00 reduction in Equipment and Maintenance.
► $600.00 reduction in Vehicle Maintenance.
► $600.00 reduction in Maintenance Supplies.
► $1500.00 reduction in Printing.
► $3000.00 to be added to Independent Labor.
► $115,000.00 reduction in Landscape Maintenance.
► $2,500.00 reduction in Engineering Services.
► $8,000.00 reduction in Property Maintenance.
► $500.00 reduction in Code Enforcement.
Page 3
Budget Workshop
Town Council Meeting/Finance Committee
August 12, 1997
► $1,000.00 reduction in Animal Control.
► $12,500.00 reduction in Irrigation Repairs.
► Street Sweeping eliminated completely.
► $2500.00 reduction in Street/Traffic Signs and Crosswalks.
► Uniforms and Accessories was eliminated.
The Finance Committee has suggested to reduce the Public Works budget by $47,500.00.
Chairperson Carter asked for comments from Bill LeGrand, Director of Public Works. Mr.
LeGrand had no comments at this time, he agreed with all the recommendations by the
committee. Mr. Robison asked Mr. LeGrand about a $90,000 reduction concerning the streets
and Mr. LeGrand asked to defer his answer until later in the evening.
Chairperson Carter moved on to the EMS budget. The Finance Committee's recommendations
were:
► No salary cuts in the EMS Dept.
► Under Administrative expenses:
$300.00 reduction in Equipment Maintenance.
a 50% reduction in Vehicle Maintenance.
Public Safety:
► Operating Expenses:
$500.00 reduction from small equipment.
Chairperson Carter then moved on to the Police Department budget. The Finance Committee's
recommendations were:
► No salary cuts in the Police Department.
► Total reduction of $800.00.
Chairperson Carter then moved on to the General Administrative budget. The Finance
Committee's recommendations were:
► No salary cuts.
► Insurance reduction of $2,500.00.
► Records Retention reduction of $500.00.
Chairperson Carter then turned the floor over to Donna Welsh, Town Manager.
Ms. Welsh explained the handout dated 8/12/97. The staff recommendations were:
► adding a contingency of $25,000.00 to the General Administration Budget.
► a reduction of $90,000.00 in street construction.
Page 4
Budget Workshop
Town Council Meeting/Finance Committee
August 12, 1997
► a bond issue to fund street repair.
► a possible tax rate increase to $.48.
► transfer garbage billing costs to Citizens.
This includes a 14% increase in tax revenues.
Mayor Carter questioned the 34% increase in spending.
Ms. Welsh opened the floor to the Council's questions. The Council agreed to follow the
guidelines set by the motion earlier in the evening.
REVENUES:
Council Member Decker read a memo from an employee in the cable industry. Mr. Decker
would like to know the status of the negotiations with Marcus Cable on the franchise renewal.
Ms. Welsh explained the franchise issue (including but not limited to; an increase to 5% in
franchise fees, and a channel of our own) was slated for the September 19, 1997 Council
meeting. Mr. Decker feels strongly we need to negotiate the 5% franchise fee.
Council Member Engelbeck questioned the $1.9 million in projected revenues in 96-97 when
actual collected revenues is $1.7 million. Ms. Welsh explained the developers overestimated
their building projections.
Jack Jacobs, Town Treasurer, stated this is the first year in many years that we will have a deficit
budget. ( approx. $8,000.00)
Mayor Carter stated that the city sales tax revenue estimate is very conservative.
David Robison, Finance Committee member, reminded Council that the Finance Committee has
discussed raising sales tax another one-half percent.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION:
Council Member Decker asked what the average of salary increase was. Ms. Welsh explained the
average was 3%. The only adjustment was to the Town Secretary salary, which was to bring that
salary up to an acceptable level.
Council Member Decker feels that the Town is still under -insured for public liability.
Page
Budget Workshop
Town Council Meeting/Finance Committee
August 12, 1997
EMS:
Council Member Carr questioned the schools and training amounts, salaries and over -time, and
insurance.
Council Member Decker stated he didn't want any cuts to EMS at all.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Council Member Decker questioned the 10% increase in salaries. What guidelines do we use to
compare salaries. Mr. Decker feels we need to raise the city tax rate to maintain competitive
salaries in the area to avoid huge increases every year.
Council Member Decker questioned the lack of funding for the animal holding facility for the
P.D.
Council Member Engelbeck is against the animal holding facility because there are too may
hidden costs involved.
Council Member Glaspell stated he can't support the animal holding facility. He feels we need
personnel first.
Council Members McCabe and Carr are also against the animal holding facility.
Council Member Carr questioned the salaries and over -time. He suggests hiring another officer
to reduce the over -time. Mr. Carr would like to see the D.A.R.E. officer more involved at the
school by spring by adding the new officer this winter.
COURTS:
No changes.
Council Member Carr would like to reduce the landscape maintenance costs for the common
areas the Town has to maintain.
Council Member McCabe wanted to know if there were any options to reducing the winter
upkeep for the athletic fields.
Page 6
Budget Workshop
Town Council Meeting/Finance Committee
August 12, 1997
PUBLIC WORKS cont.:
Council member Glaspell would like to move any savings to the Parks upkeep.
Council Member Carr would like to see the painting of the bike lanes included in the budget. He
has gotten quotes considerably less that Teague, Nall & Perkins.
Council Member McCabe supports Council Member Carr's views and would like to see the bike
and walk paths incorporated into this budget.
Council Member Glaspell verified the removal of the street cleaning line item and reminded the
Council of the non -homeowner areas that would need to be Town maintained. Mr. Glaspell
supports the sidewalk for the school area.
The consensus was to include the sidewalk on Village Trail, Trophy Lake Drive and Trophy
Club Drive (to the Marshall Creek bridge), and the striping of the bike paths in the budget.
Council Member Decker expressed his concerns regarding the situation at 241 Oak Hill and any
liability costs the Town may incur.
Council Member Decker moved to street repair. Mr. Decker noted the total cost of street repairs
to be about $6.9 Million. Mr. Decker suggested to have a bond issue to finance long term street
repairs.
David Robison, Finance Committee member, stated that the remaining life expectancy report
shows that the majority of the streets have a life expectancy of 20 years. He also reminded the
Council the Finance Committee did not want a bond issue or any certificates of obligation. The
Finance committee recommends that all the street repair be funded out of the budget.
Council Member Engelbeck wanted to clarify that this budget does not reflect the rebuilding of
Skyline Dr. Mr. Engelbeck feels there is a disparity of urgency surrounding the repair and
rebuilding of Skyline Dr.
Discussion continued regarding the street rebuilding/repair issue.
Page 7
Budget Workshop
Town Council Meeting/Finance Committee
August 12, 1997
1 :I►
Council Member Decker moved to adjourn at 10:04 p.m. Council Member Glaspell seconded;
motion passed unanimously.
Karen Sadri, Town Secretary
(Seal)
-Jim Carter'_Mayor