call this meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
» Um, I don't have any speakers signed for that open forum today.
» Public hearing items. Public hearing. Open public hearing at
public hearing of on proposed fiscal year 2026 2027 city of Breen Ridge tax
rate. Do we have any speakers? >> We do have one speaker, mayor. Um Dr.
Daniel Newell, you would like to come up to the podium. You have three minutes.
» Okay. Try to get most of this into three
minutes. Uh first of all, Mr. Mayor and ladies and gentlemen, I'm Daniel, Dr.
Daniel Newell. My wife and I moved to Breenidge from the Pacific Northwest
three years ago. Found this nice little town, nice people. I think we enjoy it
here quite a bit. Bit of background among other things, I spent 30 plus 30
plus years salary career as a senior financial analyst, a budget director and
government compliance specialist as such. I was also involved in regional
expansion and marketing for three major regional and national insurance
companies with budgets between 3006 $600 million a year for 500,000 or 50,000
customers each and hundreds of employees. I know a thing or two about
budgets, taxation, staff and development funding, staff development planning. I
want to stress I am retired and committed to that. I also did not plan
to run for any public office. Uh, one thing I wanted to
uh realize, I joined the citizens academy this year at the start. I'd
recommend that to every citizen. It's a wonderful experience.
So, as I get started with my comments, one thing I want to clarify, part of the
role of our city manager and department heads is to dream of what could be. If
we only had enough resources and to share those with you, it's your
role to review those dreams as I understand it and request to ascertain
what is possible and what is not. If we can't generate the funds ourselves, then
we need to pursue help from the state and others that might be willing to help
us. Some of this is being done now. That's very good.
In reviewing our city tax agent history, and I brought a print out copy of last
year's rates, most people notice that our city rating has been about twice
that of surrounding counties. And they have a lot of concern because it just
raises serious questions. There might be something to it or not. But I brought
you a print out just makes it a whole lot easier to look up to than looking at
the little fine print on the spreadsheets provided by the state.
Also, I keep hearing that we have a population of just over 5,000 people.
That needs to be put in context. Of that, there's only about maybe 26 or
2,700 that are adults, taxpaying ages. And further, we only have maybe 1,250
to,700 actual homes that are represented by those individuals. So, the tax burden
is being spread over that small group. 30 seconds.
» Now, as far as >> you can go ahead.
» As far as budgeting goes, there's no shame in having to go back and forth
numerous times, you know, between ideas, you know, people share share what's
going on. But I I I stress that no one should be offended or being asked to
slow down or rework things. As a city council, you alone are the ones making
the final decision. And we've had problems in the community with this. As
an example, the Breenriidge ISD recently presented their dream for a new
elementary school to the public to be built somewhere somehow by someone at
some time according to some plans that still aren't set for only $40 million.
Figured just smoked out of the air and somehow it passed.
» Okay, sorry. >> That's okay. I will leave these comments
before it gets to where I'm basically recommending you go with the slow down
and do the no new revenue for this year to give us all time to breathe.
» Great job. >> Copy this to
Thank you so much. >> And again, I put under my name, address,
phone number. You want some more >> info or conversation? Glad to get it.
» I'm not competition. I'm not running for office.
» There's no more speakers. At this time, we'll go ahead and close
the meeting at 5:34 p.m. We'll drink.