Call this meeting to order at 5:30
p.m. August 4th, 2026.
Ask Will Anderson to come up.
We all stand.
Let's pray together. Father, we thank
you tonight for the wonderful
opportunity to come together over our
great city, for all of these great
people, the decisions that will be made
tonight. Your word says that you've
created us for your glory. So I pray
tonight in the name of Jesus that every
decision, every line item, God, that you
would be pleased tonight. That your
spirit would be in this room with us and
that all that we do in this in this room
tonight would be to serve one purpose to
bring you glory tonight. That you would
be pleased with all that happens in here
tonight. Lord, we thank you for this
opportunity. We thank you for every soul
that's in here tonight. We pray it all
in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ.
Everyone said, "Amen." Amen.
Pledge.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
Yeah, we have one speaker Gary Tremble.
>> I'm here. Yes, I know you don't have to
» I'm here. Yes, I know you don't have to
listen to me. You never have.
>> Come up here, please. Thank you.
» Come up here, please. Thank you.
>> Sure.
» Sure.
Podiums don't scare me.
I'm here tonight representing the Beth
Bethany Bethl Baptist Church and uh what
they're asking is that the uh commission
issue a proclamation and recognition of
their church turning 100 years uh in
September and uh just black's
consideration on that. That's it.
And that's the only speakers we have for
the open forums and staff.
>> Okay. Um well, I'm going to start with
» Okay. Um well, I'm going to start with
our employee of the month and um Malcolm
Buffkin, if you would come down here,
please.
You're the next contestant.
» Um I'm really happy to um acknowledge
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> an extra hand. Malcolm,
» an extra hand. Malcolm,
>> I'm really happy to acknowledge uh
» I'm really happy to acknowledge uh
Malcolm Buffkin as our employee of the
month. He um exemplifies our bre values
and more than that, one of the things
about Malcolm and everybody probably
knows him well here in town. Um if he is
not um giving you a hard time about
something, um he doesn't like you.
Um he is our resident, give us all a
hard time, but um we are so happy to
have him on our team. But really truly
about his leadership, he is a true team
leader for the fire department. He
really involves um Christie and of
course as the assistant fire chief of
West Turner in all the decision making.
Um you know when you think about
succession planning, he is the epitome
of that. He's planning for that
succession. um and bringing those people
up and involving them in the day-to-day
operation. So, Malcolm, we appreciate
you and we're glad you're here and even
if you have this going on and you made
him in, he's been, you know, he's had a
procedure. So, we appreciate him
tonight. Thank you.
Um the other thing and I I won't go over
all of this in detail. This is um a new
page on our website with our capital
projects um that detail the timelines
and um what capital projects are going
on. Uh one of the a few things I did
want to say on most of these are TWW
projects with the uh waterline
replacement that's going on.
when they are replacing a water line
like they were doing on Elm Street. Um
they're done with Elm Street now, but
when they were doing that and now
they're on Williams, um they will have
to turn off water in sections as we go
and that does require boil water
notices. So, um
many I mean we do have many boil water
notices, but many of the ones that we've
had in the last several months have been
in relation to installing new water
lights. So I wanted to bring that to
your attention. We also have our
wastewater treatment plant projects
underway um both at the wastewater
treatment plant with the installation of
aiators. Um and also our lift stations
um that project will be underway soon as
well. Um the notice to proceed we just
had our first construction kickoff
meeting still has to go review. I mean,
we go we start here, it goes to the
engineers, it goes to TWWDB to get
approved and comes back up, but um that
is um pretty much all the projects
except for the waste the water treatment
plant are underway right now. Um and
then on the waterline, as reminder, um
our street projects, we're in phase
three once Elm Street is done, the water
line, so that will be paid. This first
part is going to be paid from dollars
from the downtown revitalization
um grant that we got. But then the rest
of Elm Street will be done through our
street because of the plan phase three.
And then same with William Street um
once the water line is done there. Um
that will be paved and then we've got um
East Wheeler that will be the one water
line and then paving. So, I just wanted
to give you that quick update on
projects
and then the city secretary has the
upcoming uh for upcoming events. Monday
we have um another citizens academy.
We're almost through with the second set
the second session of that. So, it's
been a on
pickup third Thursday of every month
where resident can put three large items
on the street. Um and Republic Services
will come by and pick that up. They just
have to sign up and you can do it um via
the web or just calling up city hall
who's called the Friday before. Um and
we will be setting as one of the agenda
items that you have on your agenda today
is to set the public hearing on the tax
rate that would be scheduled for August
the 25th. Um and then something that is
not on here that may um brush pickup
will begin again in quadrant sections
beginning in September. So in September
that will start but we'll start putting
up dates back up again for residents in
quadrants one I believe that starting
back
» move on to consent agenda any
commissioner may request it on the
consent agenda to take up individual
consideration
have a motion
>> I move to approve consent agenda items 3
» I move to approve consent agenda items 3
through as presented.
>> A second. All in favor?
» Okay, we move on to the public hearing.
Open public hearing at
5:38 p.m.
And just so that everybody knows that
during this public hearing,
it's only discussion. There's no no
responses under these items. Uh number
six, consent uh or conduct a public
hearing regarding a table 12 light
industrial manufacturing uses section
7.E E use tables of chapter 22 zoning
under the break range code of ordinances
to add wind turbine recycling facility
permissible un uh use in property zoned
industrial I district
>> there was no one to speak for that item.
So we'll go on to seven
conduct a public hearing regarding
amending table two residential uses
section 78
use tables of chapter 22 zoning of
breaker code of ordinances to allow
manufactured homes in certain single
family residential zoning districts with
a conditional use permit.
» There was no one to speak on that item.
Eight.
>> Eight. Conduct a public hearing
» Eight. Conduct a public hearing
regarding request for a conditional use
permit for a manufactured home on
property known as 309 Dallas zone as
single family residential SF7.5.
If the uh amendment to the zoning
ordinance amending table two residential
uses section 7.e use table uh chapter 22
zoning is approved.
We do have one speaker for that item.
Will
» good evening.
We're requesting to y'all to I guess
pass item seven and eight, but I'm here
talking about eight. You have
might help me out a little bit. Uh this
piece of property sits between Rose and
Dallas Street. It's on five acres by
itself. where the home will actually sit
is the next closest property is 300 ft
away and there's a free line that will
be blocked as well. Um entry way from
Dallas Street so there's not going to be
traffic impedance the utilities are
already there you have to pay for a
meter take a water meter and t
the lines are there seems like a simple
bill to be and there's when you get to
the the agenda item Cynthia will go over
several things that we needed to meet to
make that acceptable under the zoning
rules and I think we've met all those in
this particular situation but when the
agenda item comes up you'll see some
pictures
there
have more questions maybe
Nine. Conduct a public hearing regarding
amending chapter 22 zoning recrench code
ordinances by amending table 8 general
business retail uses to add vape shops
as a use which is prohibited all zoning
districts and amending section 30
definitions to establish a definition
for vape shop. There is no speaker.
» 10. Conduct a public hearing regarding
whether the building on the buildings on
the following properties are dangerous
buildings pursuant to chapter 5, article
one of the Breen Ridge Code of
Ordinances,
411 West Wheeler.
» There are no speakers for that.
Brie Northview.
>> We do have one speaker, Charity Sil.
So, that
is you look at the photos, it's
horrible. I'm going to be 100% honest
with y'all. It's horrible. Um, my
grandfather gave it to me at the tip of
my toe. He did not tell me like it that
that was the property and I didn't
really look into it. But uh he says
he says
that he's already tore down the back
half and then there was also like two
bedrooms in the bathroom on the side. He
tore those down and he's already started
building like a the base for the back to
rebuild all of it.
He says it can be done.
Do anything. So that's kind of it. I
don't know what else to say about it.
» 11:01 North Harvey.
>> Shout out. Yeah.
» Shout out. Yeah.
>> 909 North Smith.
» 909 North Smith.
>> Mr. Reed, is that the one?
» Mr. Reed, is that the one?
>> That is me.
» That is me.
>> Yeah. 911.
» Yeah. 911.
Well, that's my address right next to it
on the same lot.
Um, just want to let you know I am
making progress on dealing with this
pile of rubble. It's not a structure
anymore to speak of. There are no
utilities attached to it. It's not
likely to catch fire
cats in the neighborhood. There is not a
burning infestation.
But
as you can see, I have a full-time job
caregiver for a disabled wife at home.
So I kind of kind of limited but I am
making progress on the end of the year.
» Guess about all I have to say.
>> Thank you.
» 601 East.
>> There are no speakers for it.
» There are no speakers for it.
>> 803 West.
» 803 West.
>> There are no speakers.
» There are no speakers.
>> Real one North View. There are no
» Real one North View. There are no
speakers for that.
>> 1100 East Wall.
» 1100 East Wall.
>> There are no speakers.
» There are no speakers.
>> Go ahead and close this public hearing
» Go ahead and close this public hearing
at
5:44. Can you
» action items?
Discussion and any necessary action
regarding approval of new gen rate study
recommend uh recommendation for water
waste rate increase. Mayor and
commissioners, um, as you know, um,
Newton County, we did our water
wastewater rate study about five years
ago and, um, we had them under contract
to do the rate study again, um, five
years later and we've got Chris Eric
here and he's going to go through the
presentation. We appreciate you being
here, Chris.
>> Good evening, mayor, members of
» Good evening, mayor, members of
commission. Chris Eric with New Strategy
and Solutions. Pleasure to be with you
tonight. I do know you have a packed
agenda. So, I will try and keep this
brief. I do want to introduce Nick Ahala
who's with me as well. He's the primary
analyst on this job. So, uh pleased to
have him here to to see how this process
concludes tonight. Uh as we move forward
in the presentation, I I will note in
the bottom right hand corner of the the
handouts, there should be numbers. I'll
try and uh keep up with you as we go
through. But moving on into slide two,
as we talk about the water and
wastewater utility this evening, I I do
want to remind you that the utility is
tracked in what's called a proprietary
or enterprise fund. Why is that
important? Ultimately, that fund type is
preserved for a business type activity
of government. So while we are providing
service to our citizens, we are also
effectively running a business. For a
business to be successful, we have to
make sure that our revenue stream is
sufficient to cover our expenses. We
call that revenue sufficiency. Second
thing we have to do in the water
business, we literally have to plan for
a rainy day. It will rain again at some
point. Uh when it does, uh our customers
use less water while our expenses
continue. They are a fixed cost
intensive business. Uh generally when
you're talking water utilities they can
be 70 to 90% of your cost is fixed and
so we price on a volutric basis or at
least a portion of our service. So we do
have to maintain adequate reserves in
the bank. This is also important to deal
with contingency issues that arise when
we have infrastructure that may go out
of service. The third thing we have to
do when we're talking about our water
and wastewater utilities and thinking
about rates is we have to think about
reinvestment. We have pipes, plants,
pumps, all of these things that break
down over time. We have to reinvest in
our business. And that's really why I'm
here this evening is to talk about that
capital reinvestment and make sure that
you as council are informed as to
actions you can take going forward to
ensure the financial stability of the
utility. So with that, moving on to
slide three. Just kind of a recap of
where we've been. Again, as as Cynthia
mentioned, we were engaged back in 2021
to develop an initial financial plan for
the water and wastewater utility. Some
of the things that you've heard about
tonight uh were part of that study. We
talked about the wastewater treatment
plant improvements. We've talked about
the lift station improvements. All of
that capital reinvestment. That was the
focus of that study. If you're thinking
about this in terms of triage, that was
the intent of that study was how do we
get ourselves in a solid financial
position so that we can make the
improvements that are needed. You'll see
some of the other items that were
addressed in that study as we looked at
replacing water meters as we looked at
ensuring that we are adequately
compensating our staff and competing for
staff in the local area. As we come into
this study, we are in a good solid
financial position. The goal of this
study is to maintain that financial
position going forward. Your cost will
continue to go up. There's just no way
around it. There is investment needed in
the system. There is no way around that
going forward. And so what we've tried
to structure for you are some options to
consider going forward to how we
maintain that financial position. So,
moving on on slide four, what you're
going to see is just a really graphical
representation of where we see your
costs going longterm. What this takes
into account is inflation, capital,
investment, all of the items needed uh
as we go forward to run our utility. Uh
our scale is a little bit off between
what I provided you and what's on the
screen right now. But if we can focus on
the handout you have uh looking at that
bar that's the expense bar that line
that is your projected revenue under
current rates. Anytime that bar goes
above that line we are in a revenue
insufficient position. So that's
something to note going forward. On
slide five, what we look at here on
slide five is we look at those days of
operating expenses. You have by uh prior
council action looking at policies. We
want to maintain
180 days of cash on hand. That is basic
reserve that we want to maintain. You
see, you're in a very solid position
right now. I applaud this council. I
applaud the decisions that you've made
to put yourself in that solid financial
position. Our concern is if we don't
continue to take measured action going
forward yet we incur those costs we
would quickly drain those reserves. And
so again this also points us to how
should we act going forward. On slide
six the last thing we look at here is
debt service coverage. What debt service
coverage is is basically a an assessment
of can we pay our debt? We have made
promises to bond holders that we will
repay that debt. So this is a ratio to
say after we pay our on and m expenses
can we also pay our debt with sufficient
margin here your bond holders require
you the Texas water development board
requires you to maintain a 1.1 times
debt service coverage. What you see here
is in 2028 we're actually projected to
fall uh slightly below that metric. So
again, if we don't meet that service
coverage, water development board can
come in and force us to restore
financial performance to that level. We
don't want that to happen. We want to
maintain a solid credit position. So in
the event we have to access the debt
markets in the future, we are able to
come in and do that and maintain our
system, continue to provide continuous
and adequate service to our customer.
So what we put together for you on slide
seven is really a consideration of three
options going forward. Triaging this the
highest option scenario one the lowest
option scenario three. Scenario three is
the minimum option you need to maintain
your financial policies that this
council has adopted. What that would
represent is about a 4.14%
increase in rates annually going forward
through the course of this study. The
higher option scenario one, what that
represents is building to 365 days cash
on hand even after you've made all that
reinvestment. Why did we use 365 days
cash on hand? That number comes from the
debt rating agencies and specifically
Fitch. So when you go to the debt
markets, you receive a debt rating. Uh
the higher the debt rating, the lower
your long-term cost of borrowing. The
lower the long-term cost of borrowing,
the lower your long-term cost of
providing service to customers. So, it
is our recommendation that you consider
scenario one, but we recognize that we
need to be cognizant of the impact we're
having on our customers. And I'm going
to show you some of those customer
impacts in just a moment. But again,
scenario three, that is our opinion of
the minimum action needed to maintain
your financial policy.
>> Question real quick.
» Question real quick.
>> Yes, sir.
» Yes, sir.
>> This 3.831 31 million number. Um, is
» This 3.831 31 million number. Um, is
that at the end?
>> That's at the end of 10 years. That is
» That's at the end of 10 years. That is
the end of forecast. Yes, sir.
>> Gotcha. Yes, sir.
» Gotcha. Yes, sir.
>> Good question.
» Good question.
>> Counting debt service.
» Counting debt service.
>> That's counting the debt service. That's
» That's counting the debt service. That's
counting the capital reinvestment. That
is counting long-term inflation into
those numbers. That is taking into
account everything.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> So, this is just a speculative number
» So, this is just a speculative number
basically because you obviously can't
figure into anything like that. This is
just your best guess. uh so it's an
educated uh I would be careful with the
word speculative again we are
forecasting into the future uh so it is
it is based on what we know today I will
say that there may be a time when your
rate increases have to be higher than
what we show here in the event we have a
significant infrastructure failure or if
costs change more than what we're
anticipating right okay
looking at slide eight uh what we're
looking at here is that estimated uh
bill impact under scenario one. This is
that 4.8% increase. What we're looking
at here is a 2,000galon customer. A
2,000galon customer is uh generally a
single individual living in a home by
themselves potentially. This is somebody
on a fixed income. Uh we look at this
level because this can often represent
our senior citizens or those on fixed
income. right now that that 2,000galon
water and wastewater bill 96 excuse me
96.669 69 per month. Under the scenario
one increase, that would increase to
four by $4.67
a month to 10136. Again, that's that's
the high side. Going on to our next
slide here, we look at that 5,000galon
bill. The reason we use 5,000gallon
bill, that represents our average
residential customer over the course of
a year. They may be slightly lower in
the winter, slightly higher in the
summer, but monthly average over the
course of the year, 5,000 gallons here.
uh that bill right now is1856.
Under scenario one, that would go to
12428. So that's about a $5.72
increase. Again, that is the highest
scenario that we put together. You will
note this does uh continue year after
year after year. Uh obviously, as we're
looking at rates, we look at rates every
year associated with our budget. There
may be times that we have to adjust. Uh
but your costs will continue to increase
going forward. So we have baked that
into uh our numbers for you this
evening.
>> A question. So that is dealing with the
» A question. So that is dealing with the
infrastructure that we actually have
right now and all everything that goes
entailed for our infrastructure the
water and wastewater infrastructure
built in.
>> So this is on and expenses. This is
» So this is on and expenses. This is
wholesale expense. This is your existing
debt service. This is projected capital
projected going forward as well. Yes
sir. Okay.
As we look at scenario two, that same
2,000galon impact here again 90 9669
increasing by $4.33
going into 2027. On our next slide, we
have that 5,000galon customer. That
5,000galon customer increasing $5.32.
And I do have a comparison of all three
of these scenarios here uh at the end of
the presentation. So that'll that'll
that will be coming through on slide 12.
Scenario three. This is the lowest
scenario to us based on what we know
today. This is the lowest action we can
take. And $4 a month would be the
increase for that 2,000galon customer in
uh 20.7. That 5,000galon customer on
slide 13. Here it's $4.90.
On slide 14, again we we tried to
compare these together. I want to focus
on the left hand side here. We're
looking at that 2,000galon customer. Uh
the highest increase we had for the
2,000galon customer was $4.67
under scenario one. Scenario three, the
low end was $4. Now, there's not a big
difference there in 2027. What you see
on the right hand side, that's the 2036
number. And that's that's where this
does become stark as you look at those
increases going forward. But again,
putting you in the best financial
position relative to your credit rating,
we're recommending scenario one, the
minimum to meet your financial
requirements, we're recommending
scenario three.
On slide 15, what we have here is that
5,000 gallon customer. Again, the the
low scenario, scenario three for 2027,
$4.90.
The high scenario, scenario one, $5.72.
But on slide 16, uh, let me stop here.
Every commission I'm in front of, every
council or board I speak to wants to
know how do we look compared to
everybody else. And I I use the same
language every time I I present this.
You have to be careful when you look at
presentations like this because every
community is different. Communities have
different water supplies. They have
different wastewater treatment options.
They're at different places in their
growth and capital plans. And so with
that, there's any number of reasons this
chart looks the way it does. So be
careful. We have to do what's right for
our community. We don't base our action
based on what other communities are
doing. But right now, the 2,000galon
customer, as I said before, 9669. The
blue bar is your water bill. The green
bar is your sewer bill right now. Uh
going to the highest point here,
scenario one, 10136.
The lowest point, scenario 3, 169. And
again, we not sure why our charts are
not showing up right on the screen, but
we will make sure we get a solid PDF of
that that you can put on your website.
On page 17, uh this is that same
comparison, that 5,000galon bill here.
Currently 11856, that's the current
bill. And you see you really don't move
within this comparison. One thing I
would note though is as you look at
these future bills, I'm projecting your
future 2027 bill compared to everybody
else's bill today. Communities all over
the state are going through this same
exact exercise right now as they go in
to adopt their budgets for next year.
They are looking at what rate action is
needed to maintain the financial
position of their utilities. Uh so
again, I'm showing your 2027 bill
against everybody else's bill today. If
we rerun this in October or January, it
will look different. So, please keep
that in mind.
Final comparison I have for you tonight
is on slide 18. This is the commercial
bill. Your average commercial customer
13,000 gallons. Right now, that bill is
25178.
Uh, in the event we went with the
highest option, scenario one, that bill
would go to 26390.
The lowest option 26219.
Again, there are providers that are
higher than you on on this list.
So, with that, I know I've thrown a lot
of numbers at you this evening, but I'm
happy to answer any questions. It is our
recommendation that as you go into
adopting your budget for this next year,
which will be effective October 26, uh
that you identify a an option and take
action on rates going forward. Again,
you've done a great job managing your
utility up to this point. Uh it is our
hope that by taking measured rate action
every year going forward, you will
maintain that financial position which
again will maintain the viability of
your business, allow you to rein
continue to reinvest in that
infrastructure.
What questions can I read this evening?
>> Um so I started on this commission back
» Um so I started on this commission back
in I guess right after this original
rate study began. Were you part of that
first one?
>> Yes, sir. Was that a fiveyear plan or
» Yes, sir. Was that a fiveyear plan or
that was a fiveyear plan?
>> I just wanted to make sure why this
» I just wanted to make sure why this
one's 10 versus five.
>> We went ahead and ran this one out a bit
» We went ahead and ran this one out a bit
longer because again, you're now past
that initial response stage. Uh I would
recommend that you come in and revisit
any plan at the 5-year mark because we
don't know exactly what's going to
happen. We are we are using our
knowledge of past practice uh to come in
and project going forward. But as we've
seen recently, inflation has been
running a little hotter than than maybe
what we anticipate on a long-term basis.
So again, I think it's important to
revisit about every five. What about
every year? I do have some communities I
work with every year. I've got about I'd
say about 14 communities that I do this
with every year going through the budget
process. This is just part of their
standard process.
uh you are fortunate that you are in a
position that the action that the
council previously took and some of
those increases which I understand were
were were on the higher end you have put
yourself in a good financial position.
Uh with that said I don't know that you
need our services every year but if you
do we're we're happy to help. Um, so
it's it's one I would just carefully
monitor your financial performance and
if you start to see things dip, it would
be good to revisit at that time.
>> Currently is the water and wastewater
» Currently is the water and wastewater
are they earning income that they are
right now? Is that
>> what do you mean earning income?
» what do you mean earning income?
>> The funds are they going up even
» The funds are they going up even
currently right now?
>> I don't the increases what I would what
» I don't the increases what I would what
I would tell you is the increases they
were substantial. So five years ago, I
wasn't here when it was when the council
took action, but the rate increases like
for the first year, I want to say it was
like 19 and then it was 17 and then it
went down to five and like the last one
was only um like a dollar or something.
Um so when you right now I mean that
those were the increases.
>> What I'm saying is right now at the end
» What I'm saying is right now at the end
of this year will there be an income
into the water and wastewater funds?
Will we be above what we started last
year? So I think the issue this year is
uh with rainfall uh and we at least a
couple of months ago we were still
behind uh going into 2027. We are
projecting you will be cash flow
insufficient into the fund at that
point. So in 27
>> yeah so I'm sorry. Yeah, that that's
» yeah so I'm sorry. Yeah, that that's
your question. I mean this year because
we do base our budget on projections.
They are educated projections because we
look at what has gone before and we're
looking ahead. However, um this year it
was a wet year and so we have not been
selling as much water. This year we have
had more expenses than we expected. So
we have less revenue and more expenses.
So, um I will say every year, yes, we've
been gaining and that's why we have just
about 2 million in each fund the uh in
our fund balance for water fund and
wastewater.
>> And you spoke to that previously that's
» And you spoke to that previously that's
the buffer you were attempting to build.
>> Yes.
» But one of the things I I just want to u
a couple of things to consider and we've
talked about them, but um we have aging
infrastructure. Everybody knows that we
have an oversized infrastructure. Our
infrastructure is just not in good
condition. So for instance, I mean right
now um and I'm just pointing to one
thing. Even though we have a lot of
projects on board, they're not
addressing everything. So um we have our
at our water treatment plant, we have
two clarifiers and both clarifiers are
limping along and we've been investing
money in them. But to replace just one
clarifier is $1 million.
So if they both went down, we would have
just enough to replace both clarifiers
and our fund balance would be wiped out.
I mean that's how fast it can go.
Another thing and I I'll talk about this
in budget but um I mean these are just
the increases of CPI that's happening
every year. Um our water our collections
and distribution gravel and dirt has
gone up 40%.
Because of the data center 40% and so
that is a staple supply that we have in
our water wastewater fund
every every minute for water and sewer
life affairs. So the the years that
you've been here, you actually have been
putting in as in making this safe so in
case something does happen, we do have
the refund the resources to fix those
things.
>> Yes. Because of the decision that the
» Yes. Because of the decision that the
commission made, you know, five years
ago, we are in a better financial
position than we've ever been. Not only
that, but it also provided um as he
alluded to, it provided us resources to
be able to we bought um we have a new
Vtor truck. We're getting a new Vtor
trailer. Um I mean those are big
purchases. Yeah.
>> Um we we are buy we told you we are
» Um we we are buy we told you we are
going to be using fund balance to use a
dump to buy a dump truck. Um so we're
getting that information together bring
to you guys. Um, so there's been some
capital purchases as well,
>> needed capital. We uh we've bought back.
» needed capital. We uh we've bought back.
We have um
» one one thing I think we need to think
about is um we're always going to have
debt always. So
>> we is the professional that is
» we is the professional that is
recommending a 1.1 debt ratio. um said,
>> so if I can clarify that that is
» so if I can clarify that that is
required by the Texas water development.
So if you want to maintain access to low
interest loans and to fund through the
water board, you have got to maintain
that level of ratio. Ideally, we would
love to improve that over time. Uh some
of the debt rating agencies right now
want to see 1.5, 1.75. I've actually
seen some recommend two or higher. I
think that's a little aggressive overall
because we we do have to realize that as
we hit these metrics, we're having an
impact on customers. So again, we
structured this plan to stick with that
1.1 and maintain that. So it's safe to
say that we're on an up uptrend in due
to our
infrastructure that's that's
not the best, but we're on an uptrend as
in fixing those things, having money
just in case anything does happen. and
then and then moving on and addressing
those issues. And so your recommendation
is helping us keep on that uptrend.
>> Yes, sir.
» Yes, sir.
>> You are in much better position than
» You are in much better position than
when I was here in 2021. I will say
that. Uh as you're talking about rolling
stock, u I believe you had as a
community the distinction of having the
oldest piece of rolling stock that was
still working when I was here here with
you in 2021. Uh so uh you keep your
things a long time and you keep them
running but what you've been able to do
is invest in that system and you have
you now put yourselves in a position
where you can uh basically take smaller
annual rate action. You don't have to
have those big jumps because that's what
we want to avoid. We want to practice
what we call rate gradualism. We want to
avoid rate shop which this allows you to
do that but still maintain where you are
and continue to make gains going
forward.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Yes sir.
» Yes sir.
>> Last meeting we approved a grant.
» Last meeting we approved a grant.
Correct.
>> Application for a grant 100% funded.
» Application for a grant 100% funded.
>> What was that grant for?
» What was that grant for?
>> Water.
» Water.
>> It was for waterline.
» It was for waterline.
>> Waterline.
Yeah,
>> it's just the application. Um, so yes, I
» it's just the application. Um, so yes, I
mean to your question and uh Mr. Hunting
and to your question, I mean we've got
TWWDB projects, right? We've got the
rural water loss assistant fund um at
5.7 million um 4 million which was grant
and then 1.7 million is a low interest
rate loan. And then we applied for um in
the WSIG TWWD project, we applied for 10
million um and that would be 100%
funded, which is great. Meaning that's
>> Yeah.
» I mean, because we're dealing with a
system that's very very
brittle. Um you shut up and you have
some spread out somewhere down the line.
Um and then we're now marking those very
um where those lines all of our lines
are. We're going in and finding out
where our lines are lined what lines
that we have not known that it was
there. Um so I I believe that um their
recommend recommendation is yeah
and your your description of the system
is brutal as is at [laughter]
» and again that's why we talk about
reinvestment because utilities are out
of sight out of mind. We don't think
about them until the water stops flowing
or the waste water stops uh you know
going out of our home. So uh that's why
we do have to think of it as a business
and reinvest in our infrastructure
>> and we have had to deal with that when
» and we have had to deal with that when
the water stops in our community.
federal su
but I will say u you're not you're not
unique as a community in this this is an
industrywide problem uh where we've
installed systems and then we've just
not done anything with them for years
and years and years and now we are the
recipient of that and and we have to
address those problems. So uh please
don't uh I I don't want to come across
as critical because again you are not
unique as a community being in the
situation you're in. One thing that is
unique is you have taken a hard action
uh which has put you in a good position
going forward.
» I'm not for a 10-year plan with a
compounding 4% cost. I personally would
like to see this revisited every year
and put a vote because I may not be on
the commission one year.
It's I completely agree with what you're
saying absolutely with our
infrastructure like uh Commissioner
Huntington said it's brittle or
personally witnessed this for 15 years.
Um but
I think the compounding part of the 4%
>> um that might be a little steep. We are
» um that might be a little steep. We are
a single community in a very large
county and
money doesn't go as far as understand.
So
is it possible?
I guess that would be a question that we
could table this and see if that we can
move this to a like a one-year plan
instead of a 10 year.
>> Well, I wouldn't recommend tableabling
» Well, I wouldn't recommend tableabling
it. I mean, you can take any action
tonight, but when you say I mean, it's a
10-year plan, you still the
recommendation for every for 10 year to
take action and raise the rates. You
still have to um approve that every
year. So, that's what you're asking. We
can we can do that. And we actually do
with our um
uh schedule of fee. So, we put it in our
schedule of fee and and it has to be
approved. So, we can revisit this at the
budget and say this is what we're
proposing and
make sure that you the commission is on
board with that and then
>> move forward that
» move forward that
>> action the budget
» action the budget
but it's going to be revisited.
>> Yes. Right. Every year that's in your
» Yes. Right. Every year that's in your
plan. It's it's revisited no matter
what.
>> Right.
» Right.
So what what you're suggesting of us be
revisiting what you're saying is we
already are revisiting it every year of
of dealing with the wastewater and water
management and what we're doing with
that. And so we do visit it every year.
We do check on it every year. So when
that does happen
as in we set a rate for 10 years but
every year in those 10 years
>> we're not locked in. It's a suggestion
» we're not locked in. It's a suggestion
right suggestion.
>> Okay. And like he said, he we have
» Okay. And like he said, he we have
scenario one and we have scenario two
and we have scenario three. And
whichever one that we adopt into our um
or enforce at this time, uh we have to
think about whether it's going to
benefit our community.
» So this is just a suggested 4.1%.
4.1% is our projection of what will be
needed every year to meet your minimum
financial requirements. Again, to your
point about revisiting annually, I
strongly recommend that you look at this
with the budget every year uh at least
internally because there may be times
when you have capital needs in that year
that are higher than what we projected
here. We don't know what's going to fail
in four years, in six years, in 10
years. Uh so again, this is what based
on what we know today. Uh so revisiting
annually makes a lot of sense as you
look at what is needed in each year.
>> So it's recommended is what you're
» So it's recommended is what you're
saying.1%
4.4 or 4.8 but revisiting every year
potentially could go higher or lower
depending on our need.
>> Depending on your need
» Depending on your need
>> just output
» just output
I sure
I have a motion.
What are What are we thinking? I'm
thinking
>> three.
» three.
>> Yeah. Three for now. Mhm.
» Yeah. Three for now. Mhm.
>> And then as we revisit it again um in
» And then as we revisit it again um in
the following years we'll determine
I think we come back and we revisit this
in another year because council may
change in I don't know lot
expected
revisit I agree too. I think we need to
it needs to be brought up every year
because you know where we started what
we have in the bank account I mean we've
had grown a bunch and then now we're
adding more to somebody's water bill and
we got 40% of our customers they can't
pay no water bill right now
>> and now you're just adding five more
» and now you're just adding five more
dollars $500 and we just added for trash
we just added
>> so I mean we just give them more in debt
» so I mean we just give them more in debt
you know if the That's
what was already raised. Get money into
the account.
>> And that was my my question for Morg is
» And that was my my question for Morg is
if we're still able to put money into
that account, then I don't see a need to
raise it too high.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> Well, and yes, I would agree. And um one
» Well, and yes, I would agree. And um one
of the things that I would say, I mean,
and we look as staff, we're evaluating
this year. So, of course, we're going to
bring it back every year um because
every year is different. But if you guys
can, if we did this this year, one of
the things that we're looking at, I
mean, next year that I would be
recommending um is looking at our debt
and paying off um and uh 2012, we have
basically about 550,000.
So, we could pay that off. Again, you
still want to maintain a four to six
month operation in your u fund balance
for each fund. Um but we would have that
opportunity at that point I think to
start paying down some of that debt. But
you still want to maintain
that fund at a level because as I said
if a a clarifier does go down I mean
that's a million dollar we are required
GCEQ will require us to make that
expenditure.
I mean we have to do it. So and if we
didn't have it I mean when I got here I
would have said unbalances 300 400,000.
Yeah. Now, I mean, thank God we're we're
getting grants and we're in a position
where we are investing more money in
system improvement in the budget um
itself and then having this this in case
something catastrophic happen.
>> That was my question on the grant from
» That was my question on the grant from
last year too and I believe it was that
$10 million in full infrastructure. So,
if we can get some of these lines
replaced like they're necessary as Mr.
or honey are brittle. This may be one of
those times in the next few years we may
able to lower that percentage increase.
>> Sure. Yeah, absolutely. And we can we
» Sure. Yeah, absolutely. And we can we
can yeah I mean we will analyze that
over the year
>> but with the fund balance of where it is
» but with the fund balance of where it is
um we are in a somewhat of a a good
space just in case we do go out without
water like we did you know and we had
the funding to actually fix those things
whatever messes up in that. Um, so I I
agree with uh going and revisiting every
year, which we already do, but um I
think is to have in mind for anything of
a rainy day, if you want to call it a
rainy day. Um, you know, because like
you said, you not might not be on the
commissioner board at that time, but
we're setting up future commissioners to
not be in a rock or hard place.
>> Correct.
» Correct.
I move to approve option three
of the new generate study for the water
wastewater rate increase of October 1,
2026.
>> Second all.
» Thank you.
>> Thank you so much, sir.
» Thank you so much, sir.
>> Thank you, sir.
» Thank you, sir.
2012. Discussion and any necessary
action regarding whether the buildings
on the properties are dangerous
buildings pursuing to chapter 5, article
one of the break code of ordinances. And
if so, discussion and any necessary
action regarding issuing orders to evade
the dangerous buildings or accepting
obeyance of properties
from owners.
41 West Clear
41.
» Sorry about that. Um, so I just did want
to remind you guys, um, I put, um, a
piece of paper at each of your places
for what the procedure is, um, when we
declare a substandard building. And this
is pursuant to chapter um, five, article
one. And you can see that I mean, and I
just shortened this down from our
ordinance. Basically, it's inspection,
staff determination, notice of
abatement, request for a public hearing,
and then that action has been staff
action that has taken place on all these
homes. And now we are at number five,
enforcement of the city commission. So
the list that you have here A through B
is not exhaustive, but these are the
options, potential options you can take
on these buildings that we have before
you tonight. Um staff is recommending
um demolition on all of them that are
brought before you tonight. All of these
buildings are vacant. So I just did want
to let you know that um no one's living
these buildings. So, they've been vacant
and they've been um non-livable for
quite some time.
>> It's it's much better for the city and
» It's it's much better for the city and
the owner if they deed it over to us
first. Correct.
>> We work with them if we can get them to
» We work with them if we can get them to
do that because then we can get we can
demo it. We have an interlocal with the
county and we can um demo it and then uh
dispose of it in our monofil which is
right here. If not, um, we will have to
budget. We've budgeted just a few, but
we'll have to budget to haul it.
>> And every owner is well aware that it is
» And every owner is well aware that it is
in their benefit to beat it over to the
city.
>> We that we work that really hard. And I
» We that we work that really hard. And I
will say Christie does a good job.
Malcolm, Christy, Jay, that's the team
there. Um, they do a good job trying to
get that.
>> This particular owner we didn't hear
» This particular owner we didn't hear
from at all. So
>> right, you have in your background
» right, you have in your background
information, you have I mean the
enforcement history and then the dates
that we sent out the notice
>> and all of these are sent out certified
» and all of these are sent out certified
and then they're also posted on each.
>> So when it comes to 411 West Wheeler, no
» So when it comes to 411 West Wheeler, no
communication.
>> Didn't they do that to their daughter or
» Didn't they do that to their daughter or
something? Well, that's who the letter
was to the current owner.
>> Nothing. No response. No response. No
» Nothing. No response. No response. No
response to the certified mail or
anything like that.
>> So, it's just a property sitting there.
» So, it's just a property sitting there.
>> It used to have a donkey living in it.
» It used to have a donkey living in it.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> What? It used to have a donkey living in
» What? It used to have a donkey living in
it.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> It had a dog up in this place like
» It had a dog up in this place like
>> Oh, there he is. They're getting by that
» Oh, there he is. They're getting by that
place all the time.
>> So, has a donkey responded to us?
» So, has a donkey responded to us?
[clears throat]
>> No, just ask. Okay. No. All right. Okay.
» No, just ask. Okay. No. All right. Okay.
>> Uh, I move to declare 411 West Wheeler a
» Uh, I move to declare 411 West Wheeler a
dangerous building order that the owner
demolish and remove the building within
30 days.
>> I second.
» I second.
>> All in favor?
» Most view.
>> Um, you see a picture there and she'll
» Um, you see a picture there and she'll
scroll through some of the pictures. Um,
again, we've emailed um the owner
applied for a building permit in 24, but
now we started the construction. Um, and
again, June 26, another building letter
was sent. Dangerous building letter was
sent
14 hours of hearing
>> and that was the one that was given to
» and that was the one that was given to
the granddaughter.
>> Yeah, this is the she was hearing smoke.
» Yeah, this is the she was hearing smoke.
She was here.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Well, they make a comment that they had
» Well, they make a comment that they had
been working on repairs and foundations.
How long ago was that?
>> Well, they never brought their permit
» Well, they never brought their permit
application back to do anything. That
was in 24 and um in June this year.
>> We give them bu if they do six months
» We give them bu if they do six months
and if they don't get anything done,
we're kind of getting off that
>> because they just they'll let it go for
» because they just they'll let it go for
years. So, we're working on it, but
that's what you see.
>> So, how long does it look like that?
» So, how long does it look like that?
>> At least 22 20
» At least 22 20
>> 20 probably not longer.
» 20 probably not longer.
>> Okay. So like the work that she's saying
» Okay. So like the work that she's saying
that there has taken place
>> technically has work took place.
» technically has work took place.
>> She did say
» She did say
that picture that was two weeks ago.
>> I don't
work from what I understand. They just
tore some boards off
>> one at a time. And could you guys could
» one at a time. And could you guys could
you guys come up on the front row?
>> Yeah, I'll stand back.
» Yeah, I'll stand back.
>> Stand back there. [laughter]
» Stand back there. [laughter]
Your arm hurting you today.
Well,
>> been here longer than I have working on
» been here longer than I have working on
some of these buildings. So, his
knowledge is going to talk, but it's
from what I understanding is it was just
a tore off like this on the be the south
side of the uh that's the north, excuse
me, north side of the building and it's
set there for the time I've been here.
It's looked this way.
>> How long?
» How long?
>> Uh started in almost two years ago now.
» Uh started in almost two years ago now.
A little over a year and a half.
And have they applied for that permit
like to they asked for one but they have
not brought a permit back in telling us
exactly what they want to do with it or
anything else
>> in 24
» in 24
>> and in 24 they got one and never
» and in 24 they got one and never
>> well I did email Mr. Snowball one the
» well I did email Mr. Snowball one the
owner in June and he never brought in
the application. I emailed him an
application.
>> The young lady that was here was any of
» The young lady that was here was any of
these notices sent to her or they sent
to the previous owner
>> sent to the owner on the county listed
» sent to the owner on the county listed
the owner. Yes,
>> we didn't give her information just now
» we didn't give her information just now
to see what her intent was with
>> no.
» no.
>> So technically does she own the
» So technically does she own the
property?
>> No grandfather owns the property. So the
» No grandfather owns the property. So the
great lies on the grandfather.
>> We got the she actually came up here to
» We got the she actually came up here to
speak to us.
Doubt on that.
>> Is it connected to water service? We
» Is it connected to water service? We
know that.
>> No.
» No.
>> Any power going to it?
» Any power going to it?
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> It's not disconnected.
» It's not disconnected.
>> It's not disconnected.
» It's not disconnected.
>> It's not on me there.
» It's not on me there.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> See it?
» It's completely gutted. So, is there any
way to send some of the like send a
a notice if you want to do any future
um I mean shadow of doubt she came and
she asked about it. Um is there any way
to send her this information instead of
her grandfather? Can we send it to her?
>> She's not the owner.
» She's not the owner.
>> Only the owner can get surely there's
» Only the owner can get surely there's
communication between her and her
grandfather or she wouldn't know to be
here.
>> I don't know. It looked like she had the
» I don't know. It looked like she had the
the laminated sheet that was staked up
there.
>> Yes. She handed it to me outside.
» Do we have when she requested to speak,
did she give any information?
>> We have her information.
» We have her information.
>> That's true. Yeah. But one one of the
» That's true. Yeah. But one one of the
things I want to let you I mean to let
you guys know
>> to get to this point
» to get to this point
the number of staff hours that have been
put into this and not only that but the
advertising we advertise all of this and
so um we haven't gotten to it yet but um
our advertising costs are going to be
going up and I mean it's just another
cost of doing business and again you
guys Yeah, I mean that is one of your
options. You can permit a repair, but I
would
highly recommend that you put a time
frame to it because this again, these
are eight homes and this is just there's
a long list after this to bring to you
and a long list before this that we
brought you.
>> I've I've been here for three or four
» I've I've been here for three or four
cycles of this and from my experience,
95% of the people that come here and say
they'll do something do not. I will be
the bad guy and I will move to declare
310 North View Dangerous Building and
other and order that the owner demolish
and remove the building within 30 days.
>> I don't have to, but I second.
» I don't have to, but I second.
>> All in favor?
» All in favor?
>> I
11:01 Winorth Harvey Street.
>> You see the history there. Um,
» You see the history there. Um,
and Jay, I don't know if you have
anything else, you know, input into
that.
>> That's basically the history right now.
» That's basically the history right now.
Lauren Carl's back in June and said he
was going to try to plan to demolish the
home, but never contacted again. And
I've sent letters for high and weeds and
stuff. I know that's nothing for the
building, but I'm always have to
maintain make sure the owner cuts that
one, too.
So
>> the roof is completely and it's starting
» the roof is completely and it's starting
to cave in on the back side.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> So the water was going to tear down
» So the water was going to tear down
anyway. Yes.
>> He said he was, but it's never started
» He said he was, but it's never started
or
>> um I move to declare 1101 North Harvey
» um I move to declare 1101 North Harvey
be a dangerous building in order that
the owner demolish and remove the
building within 30 days. Second. All in
favor? I.
909 North Smear.
» John, what's your timeline?
>> My timeline is I have limited spare time
» My timeline is I have limited spare time
to work on it, but I'll do it as much as
I can.
>> How much have you got clean on?
» How much have you got clean on?
>> Well, I've been clearing trees because I
» Well, I've been clearing trees because I
talked to maino about coming in there
and knocking the house what's left of it
completely down and he says I need to
clear the trees around it so he can get
into it. I've been working on that.
Okay.
>> Big pan tree on the property.
» Big pan tree on the property.
>> Almost 11. So you were over there just
» Almost 11. So you were over there just
last week.
>> I live right next door.
» I live right next door.
>> I know. I know where you live.
» I know. I know where you live.
>> So you're you're over there as you can.
» So you're you're over there as you can.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> As quickly as you can.
» As quickly as you can.
>> Yeah. I work full time.
» Yeah. I work full time.
>> All the driving chores.
» All the driving chores.
>> I know.
» I know.
>> My responsibility. You know my future.
» My responsibility. You know my future.
>> I do. I know you very well.
» I do. I know you very well.
>> How long you think it take to get that
» How long you think it take to get that
picture?
couple months.
» Yeah.
>> So, I think it's a dangerous building,
» So, I think it's a dangerous building,
but based on your statement, I don't
You're saying you can't get it done in
30 days?
>> Yeah. Financially, there's no
» Yeah. Financially, there's no
>> I know the rolloffs are very expensive.
» I know the rolloffs are very expensive.
>> What's the difference in in us declaring
» What's the difference in in us declaring
this and if he can't do it, we do it.
All we pay for it. It's just there's a
lean against the property. That's it.
>> There be a lean. I mean that's
» There be a lean. I mean that's
>> but that's his correct but that's his
» but that's his correct but that's his
property until you were to sell it. Some
in front
same lot was my
>> I don't know how we can divide it up and
» I don't know how we can divide it up and
>> on the same property
» on the same property
>> be it all
» be it all
>> a couple other houses
» a couple other houses
>> there's another lot
» there's another lot
>> it's on the back side there that belongs
» it's on the back side there that belongs
to me apparently he goes over to live
oak became aware
>> city the guy who was going to come down
» city the guy who was going to come down
in your best interest to to do this and
the city does it cleaned up. You just
have a lean on your propert.
» You're not going to ever sell that
property.
>> Had no intention of it.
» Had no intention of it.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> It meaning I have to
» It meaning I have to
make payments with
>> we send you a bill first and then
» we send you a bill first and then
the cost of would be
>> well.
Correct. But if you don't, there's no
lean on it and then there's no I don't
think there's any financial
responsibility.
>> Are you So are you interested in beating
» Are you So are you interested in beating
it over to us?
>> I don't know how it's on the same lot as
» I don't know how it's on the same lot as
your
house.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> How big is the property? I believe the
» How big is the property? I believe the
deed said 95 ft by 190 ft
which extends from North Smith Street in
front of my house to live oak street.
>> Mr.
» Mr.
had any issues communicating with him?
>> I hadn't had when I sent the letters or
» I hadn't had when I sent the letters or
anything sir.
» What do you mean out of my
point? somebody to tell them
>> what they already
» what they already
give a little grace.
>> Okay. Um, can we can we have you come
» Okay. Um, can we can we have you come
up? I mean, I just we we're recording. I
want to make sure we get conversations.
We got a lot of side conversations
going. Um,
okay. So, Justin, I I'm not sure I'm not
sure what the conversation was. Can we
>> So, I was asking him and Mr. POS about
» So, I was asking him and Mr. POS about
the the amount of communication. Um, Mr.
Reed is saying he didn't quite
understand what abatement and such
things meant. Mr. Pots was saying he Mr.
Cole and what it's not really there.
>> Yeah. No, I get it. And my my point is
» Yeah. No, I get it. And my my point is
is if he is in the process, if he was
over there just a couple days ago, what
can we do to assist him in cleaning this
up without having to just lactate give
him 30 days, which he is saying is not
feasible in his
>> You could give them more time.
» You could give them more time.
>> But we can give him more time.
» But we can give him more time.
>> Uh but I would I would give them a
» Uh but I would I would give them a
timeline.
>> Oh yeah, I'm definitely for that.
» Oh yeah, I'm definitely for that.
>> So you could give them more time.
» So you could give them more time.
>> So how long do you think it would take
» So how long do you think it would take
to clear it? It depends on when I can
afford to get a backho over there and a
dumpster
like paycheck to paycheck.
>> You know my situation too.
» You know my situation too.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
» Yeah. Yeah.
There's
>> I don't think the urgency
» I don't think the urgency
>> Well, it's
just worried about others is
>> Can I have Mr. Pots respond to that?
» Can I have Mr. Pots respond to that?
>> One of the reasons we're looking at when
» One of the reasons we're looking at when
we look at a building that looks like
this and it's like you said lean there.
lo and behold as the teenager or
somebody or kid decide to go inside
there and they accidentally fall down on
and stuff. So that's why we ask for
these type things on these type
buildings. Uh, not saying they'll ever
happen, but we have to also think about
those type of things as well
>> cuz there was somebody living in the
» cuz there was somebody living in the
house behind me which is across from you
>> and they did have teenage and stuff. So
» and they did have teenage and stuff. So
they were who knows what they were doing
back there but you know um for the
safety
>> know the legal
» know the legal
>> yeah of it I don't feel particularly
» yeah of it I don't feel particularly
bound to be responsible for the actions
of trespassers
» good point that is a good point
>> well that the legal question that we
» well that the legal question that we
won't get into but the bottom line is
the reason why these ordinances exist is
for the health and safety of the
community And so when we have a
dangerous building like this, I mean
it's a danger and it's the health and
safety you you it wasn't hurting but we
have that is that is the danger. So we
have to look at risk analysis and I mean
that would be um I don't want to get
into legal complication with you know
what your responsibility would be. We
just don't want anyone um you know to
>> anybody get hurt either. But like I
» anybody get hurt either. But like I
said, I don't feel that it's a danger. A
few walls that still remain standing or
being propped up by the trees that I
need to cut down before I can get heavy
equipment in there to understand that.
But I mean the ordinance defines what is
dangerous and so you have in your
background material what I mean the
items that are considered. Could we if
we give you six months, could you do
some?
>> I'm sure I could do
» I'm sure I could do
a lot of possibly all of them.
>> Six months.
» Six months.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Are you going to say I'll give him six
» Are you going to say I'll give him six
months?
>> Sure.
» Sure.
>> Great.
» Great.
>> So, we're give them six months to take
» So, we're give them six months to take
care of that
>> that action.
» that action.
>> Make the motion. So, yeah. So your your
» Make the motion. So, yeah. So your your
action on this would be to give to
declare it a dangerous building
>> and give the owner six months to clear
» and give the owner six months to clear
to demolish the building or demolish it.
I got it.
>> Well, but if it's not, we would ask you
» Well, but if it's not, we would ask you
would have in that that if it's not so
that we don't have to advertise that you
would that you would it would become
building if it's not resolved by the
property. Well, I'm going to move to
being a dangerous building and I'm going
to give 180 days.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> So, move to declare I move to declare
» So, move to declare I move to declare
909 North Smith a dangerous building and
order that the owner demolish and remove
the building within 180 days.
>> All in favor?
» 601 East Gatis.
No, there is
>> this is a home that's on 601 East Gas.
» this is a home that's on 601 East Gas.
There's actually a second home on this
property as well. This is the house to
the east side of the property that's
completely fallen. It's hard to see in
the bunch of my pictures, but it's
completely falling in on itself. And and
it's the same situation kind of previous
case before.
>> No any contact
» No any contact
>> no contact from the owners. Letter sent
» no contact from the owners. Letter sent
out. Buildings will be posted by us.
» I move to declare 601 East Gatis as a
dangerous building in order that the
owner demolish and remove the building
within 30 days. I second. All in favor?
I
803 West Holland.
>> So on this property, you'll notice from
» So on this property, you'll notice from
your u background information, the city
commission did order this house to be
torn down back in 23. the county sold
the property in the tax sale before it
was able to be demolished. So, the
county notified the buyers at the tax
sale that it was a substandard home. Um,
but we have to start that process all
over, which we did. And
>> you said,
» you said,
>> when was the tax sale?
» when was the tax sale?
>> Jmber, it was December 2024, I believe.
» Jmber, it was December 2024, I believe.
Yeah, 24th.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> 20 days after I started or 15 days after
» 20 days after I started or 15 days after
I even started work. It's been a while.
And the company has not ever responded
to any of the letters we sent to them.
And I've even had to send letters for
» I move to declare 803 West Holland a
dangerous building in order that the
owner demolish and remove building
within 30 days. I second. All
>> in favor? uh
301 Corp.
>> This is also another property that
» This is also another property that
actually has two residents on it. And
number one gives this trailer house a 90
I mean a 303 address, but it's actually
all on 301 North. So that's why I've had
to address it under the 301 North
property.
Um the trailer, all the skirting around
it is falling apart. The windows, uh I
think there's a few missing. Um, no
electrical, no water, and uh, continues
to have the grass and stuff around it at
that time, too.
>> Yeah, this little kind familiar. Was
» Yeah, this little kind familiar. Was
this This is 301 North View. Um, was
there another trailer on that property?
>> Yes, there's two trailers. Two trailers
» Yes, there's two trailers. Two trailers
and one is like
>> This is the one on the north side.
» This is the one on the north side.
>> Yeah. And so wasn't this like a shock
» Yeah. And so wasn't this like a shock
that the the owner said that
>> like his son is
» like his son is
>> No,
» No,
>> there's a house trailer. No.
» there's a house trailer. No.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> There's a house on the corner of
» There's a house on the corner of
>> You know which one I'm talking about.
» You know which one I'm talking about.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> And then this house, this is the trailer
» And then this house, this is the trailer
north on the same piece of propert.
>> Any contact?
» Any contact?
>> No contact.
» No contact.
>> Okay. I move to declare 301 North but a
» Okay. I move to declare 301 North but a
dangerous building in order that the
owner demolish and remove the building
within 30 days.
>> All in favor
1100 East Walker.
» This is As you see the house is also I'm
pretty sure they purchased this during
one of the
>> county tax sales and stuff. They went in
» county tax sales and stuff. They went in
and then they started working on it and
then they've just stopped and now it's
got siding off of it, missing windows.
>> Um,
» Um,
>> structurally it does not seem to be safe
» structurally it does not seem to be safe
at all.
>> I believe this building was owned by
» I believe this building was owned by
Dane Alford's dad.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Yeah. And they were working on it cuz
» Yeah. And they were working on it cuz
the whole front end was like all messed
up and so they did something but now
county
>> tax sale tax sale bought it and now he's
» tax sale tax sale bought it and now he's
gone this far.
>> He bought like five or six properties
» He bought like five or six properties
with that tax sale.
>> It's for sale.
» It's for sale.
>> It's currently for sale.
» It's currently for sale.
>> Okay. Um
» Okay. Um
has there any contact?
>> No contact letters did come back.
» No contact letters did come back.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
been signed for one of the
signatures.
Okay.
» Have you seen anybody over there?
>> Anytime recently?
» Anytime recently?
>> Not anytime recently. Not in the last
» Not anytime recently. Not in the last
year probably.
>> We cut his grass line this year.
» We cut his grass line this year.
>> Oh, we did that for
» Oh, we did that for
>> Yeah, we actually had to do that because
» Yeah, we actually had to do that because
Yeah.
>> Keep in mind this is on walk,
» Keep in mind this is on walk,
>> right? And near
» right? And near
and we're trying to beautify my
>> correct. Um
» correct. Um
>> I move to declare 1100 East Walker
» I move to declare 1100 East Walker
dangerous building and order that the
owner demolish and remove the building
within 30 days.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> All in favor?
» All in favor?
Can we uh make sure that like number one
on the list take care of those days
first.
» How much is it per 28
>> for that? [laughter]
» 28
hours 28
I think.
Number 13, discussion and necessary
action regarding approval of ordinance
2026-11
regarding a proposed amendment to
chapter 22 zoning of the breakage code
of ordinances to add wind turbine
recycling facility as a permissible use
and industrial eye zoning district.
>> So uh the commissioner just uh remind
» So uh the commissioner just uh remind
you there's three parts to our zoning.
We have got our zoning ordinance, our
use chart and our zoning map. Um this is
a request to update our use chart to
allow um this use a wind turbine
recycling facility as a permissible use
in our um property zone industrial. Um
the owner has requested the development
and operation of a focused on processing
and recycling the end wind turbine blade
and related wind energy components along
with the operation of concrete gas plant
that will utilize processed wind turbine
blade material as an aggregate or
supplemental material in concrete
operations will be in compliance with
the portable regulatory agencies i.e.
PCQ
and um
>> the manufacturing operation is promoted
» the manufacturing operation is promoted
projected to promote sustainable
industrial development economic growth
specifically create jobs and increase
our tax base support recycling and
benefits of difficult
material um and to advance
environmentally and responsible
manufacturing practices. CNZ did um rec
heard this uh uh address this last night
in their meeting, excuse me, and they
did recommend um to uh vote in favor of
approving the ordinance which is
creating the use for permissible use. We
do have the u owner of the company is
here. Um Bob.
>> Yeah, Rob.
» Yeah, Rob.
>> Rob, I'm sorry. What's your
» Rob, I'm sorry. What's your
>> Piscatelli? Piscatelli.
» Piscatelli? Piscatelli.
I butchered it last night. So, I mean,
if you want to come up here if you have
questions, I mean, we do have um
pictures of what
what's going on out there. So, if you
have questions, it's here to answer any
questions.
>> Sure. Good evening everyone. Is there
» Sure. Good evening everyone. Is there
any specific questions or I could just
go with a high level overview of
>> what's your what's your expected water?
» what's your what's your expected water?
You I saw in your pamphlet, it talks
about the dust being a major issue.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> What are you expecting? We use about 40
» What are you expecting? We use about 40
gallons an hour when we're running full
that probably five to six hours a day of
that 40 gallons an hour the whole it's
not all day every day.
>> Good.
» Good.
>> So there's that was one of my big
» So there's that was one of my big
questions. You have fiberglass you have
carbon fiber things like that floating
into the air. So obviously the water is
to keep the dust down as you're
destroying these things.
>> Correct. Yeah. So I've already had
» Correct. Yeah. So I've already had
discussions with um air division at TCQ
as well as storm water division at ECQ.
Um these are all very standard you know
applications and perish that we would be
applying for. In general you know
there's no specific regulation for wind
turbine recycling. We actually our first
facility is in Iowa and did help write
regulation for that where we have
emission calculations all the way down
to the dust that's kicked up by the
trucks that come in and out of the
facility.
Um,
also I know that the some of those
blades, you know, they're carbon fiber,
they're fiberglass, and there's resins,
other things like holding them together.
Do you dissolve any of that prior to the
destruction of it, or is that just
that's all in the destruction?
>> Oh, yeah. It's all mechanical separation
» Oh, yeah. It's all mechanical separation
that we do and then we claim, you know,
all that material then goes to our as
well.
>> Okay. So there's no dissolve of anything
» Okay. So there's no dissolve of anything
used to get rid of that resin that we
made because there's solid part right.
Yeah. No 100% the process that so we're
not adding any chemicals or environment.
>> Yeah. Shredded and then all off. No
» Yeah. Shredded and then all off. No
concrete is made on site.
>> Uh onsite we would be making concrete
» Uh onsite we would be making concrete
potentially. So one of the things that
we've developed in house as use for this
material is u a pre-cast concrete
product. So right now we are making in
Iowa 2 by 2x6 block which is a very
standard you know industrial right there
on the right. So any aggregate company
any municipality uses this type of
material. Ultimately we'd love to make
an aggregate that's then just goes to
larger readiness plants but just like
any new industry just proof of concept
we're doing it inhouse on our own right
now just to that help it you know
integrate into the larger industry. So,
um, the company, uh, the city that this
company, uh, is in Iowa. I called the
mayor and I talked with him on about the
company and how they run and he said
that he had nothing but flying colors
for them. And he said that they are um
involved in the community and they
actually come and they uh talk with the
community, ask any questions that the
community has, let alone had they had a
a lunch in I believe it was a lunch in
with the community where the owners and
their children and wives came down and
they met the community. They poured into
the community when they poured into the
fire station, the police station, they
built a uh they built a a a playground
for the community. I mean, the community
that the the company is in wasn't a big
community. Um, it's 100 people, but that
makes a big difference in a 100 person
community. Um, and so, um, I think it's
it's a what they're doing is it's it's
needed because we do deal with, uh, the
the blades and stuff from the the
windmills, but let alone um, you know,
provides jobs. um they pour back into
the community and uh what I've read in
their um stuff is flying colors.
>> Yeah. Thank you. Glad glad you called.
» Yeah. Thank you. Glad glad you called.
It's a very small town. Yeah.
>> Uh and again, we we need to be in a
» Uh and again, we we need to be in a
place where we have space. We need to be
close to both where they're coming from.
So if you look in Iowa, there's
obviously a significant amount of wind
turbines there, right? Just like in this
region of the country as well. So that's
why we selected this area both for the
inbound and then the outbound. you know,
we want to get into the concrete
industry around here, Dallas Worth. It's
just a massive, you know, this lawyer is
exploding. So, we want to be here to
participate in that.
>> And one of the things that the mayor
» And one of the things that the mayor
dealt with was he had second thoughts or
he was kind of questioning because there
were other wind turbine companies that
came and they just end up making a win
turbine graveyard and this company
actually does what they said they're
going to do with it.
>> Yeah. ask that company out. Homeland
» Yeah. ask that company out. Homeland
County will have one in when they didn't
follow up.
>> If we say yes today, what what's kind of
» If we say yes today, what what's kind of
your timeline? Just out of curiosity.
>> Yeah. So, we have the property under
» Yeah. So, we have the property under
contract and I think we're probably
about 15 days out from just, you know,
all the legal and mortgage, all that fun
stuff. And then, um, we would, you know,
do some beautifification of the property
almost right away. There's some utility
work that needs to be done. There's
some, you know, vandalism that's
destroyed the electric.
>> The ground is running as soon as
» The ground is running as soon as
possible.
>> Yeah. So, you know, ideally we would,
» Yeah. So, you know, ideally we would,
you know, be working here Q4 ideally.
You know, we don't have any work slated.
It's a little bit of a build that they
will come model, but from our customers
are nationwide. So, we've said, "Hey,
we're going to open up in this area
soon." And they kind of said, "How quick
do we need to be operating?" So, you
looking
that's a two-lane road out there. Um,
and those blades are fairly large in
size. So, that says truck receiving
seven to 7-4. be looking for how many
trucks would you say a day?
>> So, our trucks, they come in in legal
» So, our trucks, they come in in legal
truckloads. So, there's some initial
sizing done in the field. Um, so
everything comes in either on a step
deck trailer like that where it's legal
height, legal width. Okay.
>> Um, or sometimes in dump trailers or we
» Um, or sometimes in dump trailers or we
we'll cut them flat. So, we selferform
some of this work in the field and then
a lot of times our customers will also,
you know, load the trucks and send them
to us. But everything's legal truck.
Everything is cut down to the size you
require and size easier to transport
before you ever shed this.
>> Correct. So this would be the biggest
» Correct. So this would be the biggest
you see and when you stand it is
massive. You know it's the same size as
a van trailer but instead of the van
it's you know the the turbine blade
nested within itself. But yes truckload
volume wise 6 to 10 a day on a really
busy day with then you know three four
outbound. So maximum 14 trucks a day in
or out. So would have no major impact on
the traffic patterns of the area
>> and it's a texttop facility.
» and it's a texttop facility.
>> How many
» How many
>> It's a texttop facility road.
» It's a texttop facility road.
>> How many jobs would this provide?
» How many jobs would this provide?
>> It' be six to 10 jobs. So be you know
» It' be six to 10 jobs. So be you know
the six when we start going as we get
more into the concrete application
that's when the additional jobs would
come in. Um we literally just two weeks
ago installed that first plant in Iowa.
So, just like our shredders, when we
bought the first one, we knew we needed
a second, but we wanted to run it for 90
days because we knew we're going to say,
"Oh, we wish this was a different angle
or this was a different size."
>> So, this doesn't include the concrete
» So, this doesn't include the concrete
process. You're saying this is just the
shredding fix would be the shredding
process up to 10 then what the contour
going would again hopefully be very
quickly because our customers are really
excited about that product.
» Good to be good.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I move to approve ordinance
» Yeah. Yeah. I move to approve ordinance
2026-11
as presented.
>> Second favor.
» Second favor.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Coming to town.
» Coming to town.
>> Yes. You all very soon. Yes, sir.
» Yes. You all very soon. Yes, sir.
>> Yes. Thank you. Number 14, discussion
» Yes. Thank you. Number 14, discussion
and any necessary action regarding
approval of ordinance 2026-12
a proposed amendment chapter 22 zoning
of the breakage code of ordinances to
add manufactured homes as a permissible
use with a conditional use permit in
certain additional residential zoning
districts.
>> So this is a two-part um action before
» So this is a two-part um action before
you tonight. This is this action and
then the subsequent one is dependent
upon this one. Again, PMZ met uh last
night and is recommending approval of
this. And this would be adding in our
use chart. Um a conditional use permit
under for a mobile a manufactured home
um
correct because it is not a manufactured
home um to be in a single family 7.5.
Single 7.5 denotes the size.
>> Um And so this there two different one
» Um And so this there two different one
would be changing
to allow
>> and if you allow this then we've got a
» and if you allow this then we've got a
request for addition
and PSP already approved this
>> they're recommending you
» they're recommending you
>> I'm approal ordinance 2026-12 is
» I'm approal ordinance 2026-12 is
presented
>> second all in favor
» number 15 discussion and any necessary
action regarding adoption of ordinance
2026-13
granting conditional use permit for
placement of a manufactured home on
property known as 309 Dallas which is a
single family residential SF7.5 zoning
district.
>> So this is um the property and the the
» So this is um the property and the the
homeowner request. Um again PMC did
approve it. Um staff would like to
remind did remind PL members and would
like to remind you we just had a a major
comprehensive zoning plan update and um
spent considerable amount of time
looking at zoning and looking at
manufactured homes um if you when you do
something like this um you are setting a
precedent. And so one of the things uh
we talked about last night was what sets
this property apart where you you know
you you would consider a conditional use
permit. This is a 5 acre track land. So
if others come and ask the same thing
remember I mean this you're setting a
precedent but at least here you can say
well this was five acres well 4.71
acres. Um, so that's the track of land.
You see that? Um, where the star is,
that's an overview. Where the star is is
where the mobile home would be placed.
Um, and remember when we did the zoning
update, uh, we unfortunately had uh
zoning classifications that had more
than one use, which is not best
practice. And so what we were trying to
do in that zoning update was uh purify
those zoning classifications.
Um so you're going to have this was an
area um that was if you look to the it
was are4 um some of these areas that are
nearby because you have stick bill homes
and mobile homes. U
so just FYI that's just your information
for you to consider.
>> So what do you mean by we're setting a
» So what do you mean by we're setting a
precedent?
You're setting a precedent for anybody
else who comes and acts. I mean, you
have zoning laws for a reason.
>> Okay. But putting a house on this
» Okay. But putting a house on this
property would increase the property
value, which would generate more taxes.
Is that correct?
>> Um, that is not the question before.
» Um, that is not the question before.
>> No, that's the point.
» No, that's the point.
>> Okay. Well, okay. If you look in I just
» Okay. Well, okay. If you look in I just
>> I move to approve ordinance 20
» I move to approve ordinance 20
6-13 as presented.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> All in favor? Right. Did I get everyone?
» Of course.
» 16. Discussion of any action regarding
amending chapter 22 zoning of the direct
range code of ordinances by amending
table 8 general business uh retail uses
to add vape shops as a use which is
prohibited in all zoning districts and
amending section 30 definitions to
establish definition for vape shop.
>> Okay. Uh you can read the background
» Okay. Uh you can read the background
information. PNV approved this and this
will not allow any more eight shops to
be um in the city. Right now we have
six. I will tell you discussion last
night they are going to want to come
back
recommending that you even though they
took this action and recommended it to
you tonight. Um they are looking at
allowing it in recommending that you do
allow it in uh uh industrial.
>> So right now this one is to not allow it
» So right now this one is to not allow it
at all but come back and revisit it to
allow in certain locations.
>> Correct.
» Correct.
>> Currently we have six.
» Currently we have six.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> And they're grandfathered in. I suppose
» And they're grandfathered in. I suppose
>> they're grandfathered in. They're legal
» they're grandfathered in. They're legal
non-conform.
>> Okay. because we have an issue with one
» Okay. because we have an issue with one
of them that is built by the school.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Like literally down the street from
» Like literally down the street from
schools.
>> So this will eliminate that.
» That one it will be legal performing
still. You have a letter at your place
put up there.
>> They're they're currently abiding by all
» They're they're currently abiding by all
laws. Yeah. And Eileen's looked at this
and she Yes. Okay. And
>> I will say police chief has been over
» I will say police chief has been over
there making sure that they are in
compliance statute.
I move to approve ordinance 2026-14
amending chapter 22 the zoning of breage
code of ordinances by amending table 8
general business retail uses to add vape
shops and the use which is prohibited in
all zoning districts and amending
section 30 definitions to establish a
definition for vape shop. I
>> all in favor.
Number 17, discussion and any necessary
action regarding approval of resolution
2026-9 accepting the 2026
certified appraisal role.
>> So you've got the certified appraisal
» So you've got the certified appraisal
role in front of you and all this action
is um just accepting that certified
appraisal value.
» Um I move to approve resolution 2026-9
accepting the 2026 certified appraisal
rule. Second. All in favor?
>> I
» I
18. Discussion, any necessary action
regarding approval of resolution
2026-20,
May ID homecoming parade.
>> Mayor, commissioners. Um, every year we
» Mayor, commissioners. Um, every year we
do bring this to you. We partner with
the IND to host the homecoming parade or
not to host it, but we work with them to
provide traffic control, things like
that. And we also have to submit an
application through tech stock for the
closure of Walker Street. Um, and so in
the past couple of parades, we've all
worked really hard to come up with a
traffic plan, um, a staging plan, things
like that that that really seem to work
for all parades. Um, and so we have
hoped to keep that, you know, in a
standard standardized form format so
that if other parades come in that, you
know, makes it simple and easy for
traffic control. This year the BISD is
hoping to
Did you
>> Oh, you point I'm sorry. you know, I
» Oh, you point I'm sorry. you know, I
just cuz you had said me and I was like,
"Oh, this year the um they want to hold
the parade on September the 2nd from 7
to 8:00 p.m. and that's on Wednesday."
And this resolution um will just once
it's passed, we'll send everything to
text for approval of the closure of
walking. And we do have Gentry here who
and you know or BD here. If y'all have
anything that y'all would like to add,
great.
>> We have the same format as last year.
» We have the same format as last year.
We're obviously looking to make sure um
to approve on that. We thought it was
really a lot of things pretty went
smoothly. So again, we'll revisit that.
We want to start talking about it. What
would be better? Um we started that last
year.
>> So staging second street over by the AFA
» So staging second street over by the AFA
now and staging down there and then
lining up
>> and then yeah and then lining up down
» and then yeah and then lining up down
live oak. So they'll start that. It made
it easier for the big trucks um which
was one of the big issues in the past.
Um, so it works that way down Walker
Street and then back up. We also stopped
allowing drop offs on Court Street,
which was congesting traffic and things
like that. So hopefully we got a lot of
those things worked out and
an easier process moving forward.
>> And would you say that system that we
» And would you say that system that we
that you implemented last year worked
smooth worked good?
>> It was better than what it had been. So
» It was better than what it had been. So
there's some other pieces that we want
to improve on. I know. I did. Um
Stson Dubler, he drives 18 wheels that
had the football team and he had trouble
getting his truck back there and then he
was parked in front of houses where
there was nowhere else to go. And then
his complaint was trying to drive back
on those side roads to go drop off back
at school.
You know, I think Chad
>> I drove last year too. It was I uh used
» I drove last year too. It was I uh used
to you drop them off where the ex's and
it was great. the kids could go to the
pep rally at the courthouse and it
worked really smooth and us drivers
could get back to wherever we were
going. But having to drop the kids back
off at the high school was absolutely
terrible.
>> Well, I think we we did allow limited
» Well, I think we we did allow limited
drop off and we I think we were talking
about that up by TSTC if there was
needed. But the reason to stop drop offs
there at Court Street was that it was
completely backing up the parade right
there and then kids running across and
things like that. It was a tray. It was
a safety hazard
>> and we had some miscommunication and
» and we had some miscommunication and
there was a bus parked there and the
band they were getting the band kids to
take to that rally. So that which we
didn't anticipate because we didn't know
that's how that was going to work.
>> No.
» No.
>> So now that we know because your truck
» So now that we know because your truck
should be able to stop or exactly where
the bus was, but now there's a bus and
there's kids getting on the bus. So now
that we know that that's a conversation
have, hey, we're not going to park the
bus there. So it's just a
miscommunication. We didn't know what we
didn't know. But with it being a fiveday
school week this year, pep rally will be
on Friday and there is talk of no
bonfire for homecoming. Bonfire being
for senior night and so that also will
allow easier drop off at TSC for like
the final with all the semis and
everything like that. Generally, we do
meet with the ISD and all of the
entities together to kind of work out
try to work out some of those kinks um
with the police chief and the street
department and everything to try and
work all of that out so that if there
are issues that come up, this action
today really is just the approval of a
resolution allowing us to host that
parade and to have the closure for tech
on Walker Street.
>> I move to approve resolutions 2026-20
» I move to approve resolutions 2026-20
as presented. Second. All in favor? Uh
19. Consider approval of resolution
2026-21
designating the Albany News as the
official newspaper of the city of
Breenidge for public notices effective
August 4th, 2026 through September 30th,
2026 and designated Abalene Reporter
News as the official newspaper for
ordinance publications in accordance
with section 4.24 to board of the city
chapter.
>> So, this action item generally in
» So, this action item generally in
October of every year, we do bring to
you to have our um newspaper of record
for the year of where we're going to
post our public notices, things like the
ordinances, stuff like that. Um but
unfortunately in July, the Breenidge
Americans ceased printing a physical
paper. So, it no longer meets the
requirements of the government code that
we need for public notices. So, what
this opened up was kind of a
bucket of worms in a way like we um and
I and I hate to put it in that way, but
it really did. There was a lot of
research that went into this into what
the best options are moving forward for
us because we don't have a lot of
physical newspaper options in Breenidge
currently or that meet the requirements
of Texas Government Code. And you can
see at the top those are the
requirements of Texas Government Code.
Um and then the requirements of our
ordinance of our charter are a little
bit different. Um so I have to meet we
have to meet both of those. So when we
were looking at options the Abene
reporter news was the first option that
we did look at. Um that one is sold here
at bracket register as a physical paper
here and they do meet both requirements
of the charter as well as the government
code. The issue with that is when we
started publishing those the line ad
rate was $5.19 per line. So where an ad
was previously costing us approximately
let's say $150 to $200 to run it was
upwards of $6 to $700. So that was a
significant cost inre increase to the
city. So that created a little bit more
research on our end where we said okay
let's see if we can come up with a
creative way that we can you know fix
this issue and still remain fiscally
responsible for our budget. So what we
did is we did reach out to Albany News
and they do meet the requirements of the
government code for things like public
notices. Where they do not meet is for
the charter because they do not print a
physical paper in Breen Ridge and our
charter requires that that be for the
past year that they publish in the city.
Um you can see there their line rate is
a $150. So it is a huge difference and
the majority of the things that we do
publish are public notices. Um, but what
this would allow us to do is to work
with Albony News over the next year and
I have been in contact with them. We we
have been in contact to try to work out
a way that they can start having a
physical paper available in Bragg Ridge
so that they can meet the requirements
of the charter in a year. Um, which
would then allow them to do both. It's
we don't always want to have two papers,
but um, we feel that in order to have it
as one, we're going to spend a whole lot
more money to do that. So, we do
recommend using the Albany News
currently as our newspaper record for
public notices and the Abling Reporter
News strictly for ordinance penalty
postings only in accordance with our
charter. This resolution in front of you
today um it just finishes out the
resolution that was approved in October
of last year. So, it would come back to
you again um in October to approve it
for a whole year ahead of time and then
we can continue to work those out. Can
we uh in the future can we change our
charter to match the Texas government
code?
>> You well to change the charter requires
» You well to change the charter requires
an election and that is something that
is our our list to do.
>> Can we just put it on the next do that
» Can we just put it on the next do that
then election?
>> Well, it's not that simple. [laughter]
» Well, it's not that simple. [laughter]
That's okay. Um, you know, but that is
an option that we because there's
several things on the charter that staff
would recommend that change, but um,
>> that should definitely going to be our
» that should definitely going to be our
best option currently in the situation
that we're in now to remain legally
compliant um, but still be responsible.
>> I move to approve 2026-21
» I move to approve 2026-21
as presented.
>> I second.
» I second.
>> All in favor? I
» All in favor? I
>> number 20 discussion any necessary
» number 20 discussion any necessary
action regarding approval of interlocal
agreement with young county Texas for
the purpose of funding a bond
supervision officer.
>> So this is a renewal that comes to you
» So this is a renewal that comes to you
every year annually. Um it is between
Young County, Stevens County, the city
of Graham, city of the city of
Breenriidge. Um and it basically pays
for um
an overseer for this program. And so it
is we do it every year. I will say they
are the first couple of years there was
no increase. Um last year there was a 5%
increase. This year there was 5%
increase. And um I have talked to them
and they are projecting that there will
be a 5% increase on an annual basis for
this project and primarily sales.
» You all understand that?
>> Yeah. Well, right now Blacktock comes
» Yeah. Well, right now Blacktock comes
in. He's a principal young he comes in
and handles on bonds provision for us.
Anytime Jud falls you
alone handled anybody on provision
tracks really well.
>> So I move to approve an interlocal
» So I move to approve an interlocal
agreement with young county for the
purpose of funding a bonds provision
officer.
All in favor? I.
» 21. Discussion and any necessary action
regarding approval of ordinance 2026-15
providing for the
abandonment of vacation and closure of
certain streets within the high mount
addition and providing the for the
convenience in said property.
So for us to we've had this request to
um close this road um to close a road we
have to take any of the right away that
is there and um half of it goes to one
property owner and half goes to the
other property owner the abuing property
owner. Um to be clear this was a big
project. It is an unrecorded cla um
these uh roads are not there. This is
bur land and so what the ordinance is
before you is closing the road and um
again vacating the road and half of it
goes to us. We are the property owner on
the north side of that. This is down by
Booker T Park and the south side the
property owner is Chad Townsen and it
would go to him. Um again these roads
are not there. There's nothing there. It
is if you go there it's a drop off. Um,
so it's virgin land. Um, and that's what
is before you.
>> I move to approve ordinance 2026-15
» I move to approve ordinance 2026-15
as presented.
>> I second.
» I second.
>> All in favor?
» All in favor?
>> I
» I
[clears throat]
>> 22. Discussion. Any action regarding
» 22. Discussion. Any action regarding
approval of resolution 2026-22 declaring
surplus property?
So, the fire department has received a
grant for new air compressors. Um, the
existing um air compressor is 30 years
old. The Albany Fire Department in the
need of an air compressor compressor,
sorry, staff is proposing to exchange
our old air compressor for air bottles.
Um, and to do so, we are asking the city
commission to declare the old air
compressor surplus.
I move to approve resolution 2026-22
as presented. Second. All in favor.
>> 23. Discussion and any necessary action
» 23. Discussion and any necessary action
regarding FY2026-2027
budget.
>> Okay. So, um we presented a draft budget
» Okay. So, um we presented a draft budget
to you last month based on preliminary
values. We got the next slide. We got
our C. Hold on. Hold up. We got our
certified values in. And so I'm not
going to go through all these slides. If
if you would go to the
Okay. Um but a couple things I wanted to
go over. Um we start talking about the
budget in February, March of every year.
And here in Breen Ridge, we've talked
about the budget um almost every meeting
since March. Um, since we have three new
commissioners on here, mayor and
commissioner, I wanted to review the
strategic plan. I have discussed with
the mayor, probably a good idea maybe to
review the strategic plan, make sure
we're still all on board with what these
goals are. They're very simple. Um,
invest in infrastructure, invest in
employees, invest in beautifification,
promote economic development and
tourism, promote transparency and
communication. Um this is basically um
when we did it the first time it was
vetted through staff, it was vetted
through the city commissioners, it was
vetted through the community leaders,
including um those at the appraisal
district, the hospital, the school
district, the county, um the EDC and the
chamber um were all involved as well as
all of the citizens. We had a public
meeting and we went to the citizens with
all of this and getting their input on
what their priorities were um per
department in Breenbridgeidge and this
is what u was basically the result of
all of those meetings. So it's very well
vetted. However um every year we do u
review the strategic plan. We talk about
where we've been, where we are, and
where are we going, and we're if you go
back to the next slide that um and we um
make sure that we're still on track. And
so we're asking for commission input. Um
we've been asking that for that input
for several months. And the reason is, I
mean, it helps us set clear targets and
goals. It makes sure that we're
prioritizing our limited funds. it keeps
us on track to actually work the plan.
Um, if we go to the next slide, this was
presented several months ago. Um, but
what we do is we review the strategic
plan. We look at those are the five
goals. Go to the next slide. Um, these
this was in your packet. I'm not going
to go over in detail, but I just wanted
to highlight we went we do this
different every year. This year what I
did was department by department what
we've done in each department that was
in alignment with the strategic plan.
And so you see how in administration we
invested in our infrastructure. This
commission chambers used to be this with
the back wall right here. And so it was
much smaller. So now we have a bigger
commission chamber. Um we have uh redone
some restrooms here. business of how old
is this building, Diane?
>> I mean, it's been a grocery store. It's
» I mean, it's been a grocery store. It's
been a grocery store, right? Um I mean,
it's been a lot of stuff, but we've had
it for several years now. um investing
in employees with the vehicle
replacement program. Um employee pay,
employee certification pay, training, uh
budgets and improving our employee
culture as far as tourism, transparency,
communication and administration. How we
have promoted that is our citizens
academy where our second one we've
initiated a fall festival um and
transparency and communication. We
updated the website uh four three years
ago, three and a half years ago and that
content keeps in um we keep that content
updated on a daily basis. Um we do live
streaming. We didn't do live streaming
of these meetings before I got here.
When I got here, we started doing the
live streaming. We have increased our
social media and digital digital tools
and our platform and our communication
across those platforms.
our police. Um we have improvements to
the acco facility. We have updated
radio. We we're updating radios,
exploring that. Um that's kind of on
hold because there's a statewide
um
statewide initiative to address that. Um
we have body cam, we got a grant for
body cams for our police. Um as far as
employees, we've invested in our
employees. We've increased acco. We went
from 2.5 to three and um we have gotten
our pay in um up to date our um
certification pay when we commissioners
approved the certification pay back
before I got here in 20 I believe 21. Um
however it was not funded. So we had a
phased in approach to funding that
certification pay and at this point it
is 100% funded as long as our employees
have the different certifications.
Uh we have increased our law enforcement
and increased uh acco enforcement. If
you look at the next two slide, it shows
you that those comparisons, the
citations that were issued in 24
compared to 25 in law enforcement and in
our acco operations, um, same thing. The
citations that were issued in 24 and 25.
So, there's been a marked in increase in
our encouragement.
For public services, we have a new
playground. We have a new uh little kid
playground. Um we have disc golf um
updates and improvements. We have
updates to pool offices that happened
this year and the restrooms. Um the
again the vehicle replacement pretty
much the investment in employees is
pretty much the same. Um beautifying
Breen Ridge we invested in the
foundation park. Um the biggest thing
there I mean we do tree trimming every
almost every year. Um but we did um
invest things in first which has been um
great look for the foundation park in
our downtown area. Um we've increased
our park amenities sand volleyball
pickle ball um lights up tea um park and
then um we are going out we have a
splash pad grant we applied for it we
didn't get it we applied for again we
got it and that is in process right now.
Um, and the next slide, public works.
Um, I've talked about the projects. I'm
not going to go over those. Um,
employees, um, Unifying Breen Ridge. I
mean, every year we are, um, we have
invested in the Consololis Creek
maintenance and, um, weed eating, um,
along 183 and 180 and in the downtown
area. um Lake Daniel's improvements. Um
and so those are the improvements that
are in alignment with our strategic plan
that we've made over the last couple of
years.
Um well, economic development.
Well, we've got um so we've hired, of
course, our full-time code officer, Jay,
has done an outstanding job these last
two years. Um, we brought many ordinance
updates to you over the last four years.
Um, beautifying Breen Ridge substandard
building. We went through some of that
one round tonight. U, we've done several
prior to this. Um, we updated, we did
have a grant to update our comprehensive
development plan and for those new ones
that are here, it is online and I would
recommend that you go through that and
I'm happy to highlight any of those um
items for you. Um, it is super
important. The zoning um was just
completed um in February and that sets
the stage for how our community looks
for years to come. Um, Lake Daniels, we
do have a five-year plan. Um,
unfortunately, we haven't been able to
put too much forward. One of the things
we're looking at is adding a dock out of
the lake um and putting um additional
restrooms and campsite improvements out
there. We do feel it as u primitive
camping out there. Um the downtown
maintenance, we u
was paying for that. Um and we are um
we've assumed responsibility for that.
Um we initiated as far as uh three and
four we've initiated review development
review meetings with our developers.
There is an uptick in our development in
Breen Ridge which is exciting. I mean
it's not Dallas for Worth or Houston um
but we are seeing an uptick in that and
so um that is exciting. Um we have
partnerships with the chamber with the
PEDC and of course the BDDC
and um we've got the Sage Brush project
that is ongoing um that will be a
benefit to our community. Uh we've this
is the first time in many many years
that we've actually expanded. We've
annexed property into the city and not
only is the school looking at locating
there but we are looking at single
family multifamily and retail
development out on that site of 43 acres
by Walmart.
So fire um of course the big news there
is we've got them in temporary living
quarters and we are prepping for a new
fire station which has been a long time
coming. They were living in substandard
conditions for quite some time and so um
that has gone a long way to increase our
um morale in our fire department. Um we
we do a good job. U Malcolm and Wes do a
great job getting grants. U we've got a
bunker gear grant. Um air air
compressors and um
they we we we get grants almost every
year. So they go out for those pretty
deliciously
good getting them. So, we partner with
Stevens County with the volunteer fire
departments and emergency management and
um they do programs with schools as
well. So, the budget process, I'm not
going to review that a whole lot. We're
getting towards the end. I will say that
these timelines are statemandated
timelines that we do have to meet. We're
coming into those deadlines. Go to the
next slide.
Um we've gone over these um go to the
next slide with the certified rates.
Basically the
preliminary rates were um last year the
certified rates were 299 million and
this uh this year the preliminary was
318
um but the certified rates came at 339
which is good for us. Um so the numbers
changed for those no new revenue rates,
voter approval rates. Um our current tax
rate is 102893.
The proposed tax rate. Now if you
remember last
week, last month um with the preliminary
values where we were projecting 1.03,
which would have been an increase, but
this is we're um recommending a pending
decrease. So that proposed tax rate is
1.01893
which is a penny less. Um and you see
the the no new revenue new rate there.
The voter approval rate which as a
reminder is essentially
um up to a 3.5% increase is what is
allowed by the state statute. um the
debt rate was calculated and then the
minimum rate and that is a rate that is
available the city's under 30,000. Um
the next slide you can see this is the
certified values history and then you
can see there that now that turn has the
certified values which is 339
and some change. This is a 10-year tax
rate history. Um I think that tells the
story. We have been making progress over
the last several years. Um, our tax the
proposed tax rate is the lowest that it
has been in 10 years.
Next slide. Um, again, I'm just going to
review the funding challenges. Um, the
audit is up 30%, legal fees are up 30%,
chemicals are up 20%. Fuel costs are up
10%. The young county bond was up 5%.
Um, workman's comp building insurance is
up. Everything is increasing. The CPI is
30%. Um, as I mentioned, I mean, um,
gravel, and this is just recently that
the gravel went up 40% gravel and dirt.
Um, we talked about the employee health
insurance. Um, it's going to be a
substantial increase. What I did here is
I if you go to the next slide, um, we
still don't have a final. We did add
another new with our insurance folks and
they're going back to Blue Cross Blue
Shield who is our carrier and they are
asking for uh other insurance carriers
to um bid to submit quotes for us. Um we
have had several that have declined to
quote because our loss ratio is very
high. and um Blue Cross, they did come
back and say our increase was 70%. So
they were projecting a 50 to 100%
increase in our employee health
insurance, which is substantial. Um it
came in as 70%. We are fairly confident
they're going to go back and advocate on
our behalf and they have a lot of clout
with Blue Cross Blue Shield and we're
really hoping we can get that down to
60%.
um a 60% increase which if you look at
that first column the total cost of
insurance we pay 100% for insurance uh
employees only and then the employee is
responsible pickup if they have family
members or spouse. Um right now we are
paying 621,000 for employee insurance.
With a 60% increase, we would be paying
688,000,
which is an increase of about 67,000
68,000.
Um, a 70% increase if we can't get it
down to 60 um would be 731, which would
be um an increase of 110
um,000.
Next slide.
So, we always do a health comparison.
Um, you know, we look at the average
value from last year, what the tax rate
was and and what that average tax what
that tax would have been on an average
value. Um, this year is a little bit
different. Um,
as the average we get that average value
from the appraisal district. The last
year it was a 105268.
The year before that it was 1050.
This year it's 116. So it has the
average value has gone up quite a bit.
Um but with a tax rate of 101.893
we compare what that average tax
increase would be at that rate you know
it would be 106 increase. Go to the next
slide.
This is um our sales tax revenue. We are
projecting that our sales tax we will be
over what our projections were. Um I
think we projected about 2.3 and I think
we're going to end up at 2.5 give or
take. Um and remember we collect 2% we
keep 1% in the general funds. um half of
half um of cent of the other 1% half of
that percent goes to fund EDC. Um a
quarter of that other 1% goes to street
goes to street improvements and a
quarter of that 1% goes is dedicated for
reducing property tax. So that's where
that 2% goes.
Go to the next slide.
And this is our our debt. And um the
total debt payments for this year will
be 1,580.
Um
next slide. And as I indicated earlier
with the action, I think we can continue
the road that we are with our utilities.
I think next year we can come back and
pay off 2012 debt which is again about
570,000.
Um the next one is about 750,000.
And so that's something that in two
years that we'd want to look at. That's
something that staff will look at
analyze and bring it um to you if it's
recommended that we would use some of
our fund balance to pay off that debt
that we talked about earlier. I'm not
going to go through all these uh because
these charts really didn't change that
much from what we presented um last
week. Um one thing I would point to um
we have made progress with our
employees. We're still not when we look
at our employees salaries um we're still
not um meeting that average rate um for
those like communities. Um but we are
making progress and what I will tell you
I think the first in three years ago we
had 68 employees and our uh we had about
15 vacancies. Um it was hard to keep
people and we still do have quite a bit
of turnover um and mostly in public
works. Um but the fact that we have
about three vacancies is speaks you know
to what um you guys have done as far as
supporting our employees.
I'm not you'll go I mean I'm not going
to go over all these slides. We went
over them last year but you'll go almost
to the end of this.
So, I have we've been asking for your
feedback. You know, we I mean, what
we're hearing is that we're on right
there. We're on track. Um, but you know,
we need feedback from you right now. I
mean, when you look at the increases,
not all of these I mean, the only
increases,
not all of these are new expenditures.
Let me put it that way. I mean, I just
want I like to flag our investment in
our fleet maintenance program. Um, and
that's 200,000. Um, that employee
insurance increase of 68,000. I put that
there just to pull it out at 60%. That's
what it would be. But that is actually
folded into the cost of a three. I did
increase the employee raise to 3%
because I felt like we were able to do
that. Um, so that $282,000
includes our 3% employee increase and
the $68,000
for insurance
» question discussion be
>> on the salaries. You said we're getting
» on the salaries. You said we're getting
competitive but we're trying to get
other competitive. Is that all positions
or certain ones?
Um most of the positions I would say um
I mean we're really close we've done
over the years so for the new ones over
the last three years we've been able to
not only do raises so before I got here
essentially they had had raises for five
years or more. Um and so that first year
I did not do that budget. That budget
was done by an interim. Um, but there
was the 3% and then we were able to do a
4% I think we did 3% 4% now we're
looking at 3%. So we've been able to
bring it up. Um,
but and we have done some equity
adjustments in again with the on the
water there's three there's four
different funds. You got your general
fund, you got your water fund, you've
got your wastewater fund and those two
are supported by utility billing. Okay.
And then you've got your sanitation
fund, which is our solid waste fund. So
with the rate increases that we've done
on the water wastewater side over the
last five years, we've been able to not
only do increases, but we've done a
small equity package as well. So our
public works has gotten closer to that
50%. Um, one year, it was two years ago,
we did, uh, two years in a row, we did
equity adjustments for department heads
because they were very far off and, um,
so they are closer, but some of our
department heads um are are still the
farthest off. I will say city manager
and the department heads are the
farthest off the average.
>> Is that chart that you usually do for
» Is that chart that you usually do for
the TML comparison, is that on here?
[clears throat]
It was on the last.
Yeah.
>> Um,
» Um,
>> so the salary comparison would have been
» so the salary comparison would have been
done, you said two years ago for all
department heads, everything like that.
>> I'm sorry, what was the question?
» I'm sorry, what was the question?
>> So you said two years ago a comparison
» So you said two years ago a comparison
was done for department heads. Is that
>> I mean we're we're looking Yeah. So we
» I mean we're we're looking Yeah. So we
use TML and so we look at like cities in
population and geographical area not all
in the geographical area but population.
>> So that is our that's the universe that
» So that is our that's the universe that
we're using.
>> Okay. because I did when I did my TML
» Okay. because I did when I did my TML
survey with their comparison thing,
there were several of them that were far
over, but there were some that were
under talking about departments,
>> right? And I took I took an average. So
» right? And I took I took an average. So
what I do is I'm I'm taking, you know,
I'm looking at 10 different cities for
example
>> and so yes, some are over and some are
» and so yes, some are over and some are
under. So then I take an average and I
use that. That's the average. And then I
compare that to what our actuals.
>> And the
oh the menry coordinator position.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> What kind of grants does
» What kind of grants does
having someone in that position? What
does it allow us? What are the grants
for? What do they do?
>> The grants are for Main Street
» The grants are for Main Street
improvements. So, some of the things
that we would be looking at or we could
look at um even though there's some um
effort to the place to be. Does
everybody know where I'm talking about
with the place to be?
>> Okay. So, there's some effort to do
» Okay. So, there's some effort to do
that. I mean, no funding has really been
identified. That's something that we
could get a grant for. We could get a
grant for wayfinding signage downtown.
Um, I mean there's a lot of different
thing improvements in downtown. Um, we
have we do already have decorative
lighting. Um, but we could update that
decorative lighting. Um, we could do
improvements to foundation part. Um,
there are different opportunities. Um
and we would work I mean how I envision
that position is that they would really
help to work in partnership with the EDC
with the BDDC and with the chamber. Um
the chamber, we want to work with them,
but we also have to remember the chamber
is a member organization and so they've
got a targeted I mean their their base
is their you know who their members are
but we do work with them. I mean they
are they administer our hot funds. So
we've got a contract with them and they
administer our hot funds which are
basically the events that we do. It
doesn't mean that we can't do events.
So, there are some main there there are
events that Main Street coordinator
could also do. One of the things that
we've talked about, we've got this
parking lot over here um with this
gazebo is having a food truck Friday and
having a concert on Friday and that
could be an event that would bring
people to the area. Uh so having a
person that could you know work with our
other entities and put that on would be
a benefit
>> with the main street coordinator.
» with the main street coordinator.
Wouldn't we get a grant that is 100%.
>> They're all different. I mean you most
» They're all different. I mean you most
of them you're there for you want to
identify a project.
>> Yeah. in there for a project and there I
» Yeah. in there for a project and there I
mean some of them I mean a lot of them
there are matching funds but some of
them aren't depends on just kind of like
what we get
with I mean even the body cams that we
got I mean there was a portion that we
paid
>> right
» right
>> so I have a question on we talked about
» so I have a question on we talked about
it last meeting was the contract mowing
you said a significant amount like you
said somewhere between 30 and 50,000
um and This BEDC cost downtown worker a
1099 worker.
Is it required to have contract mowing
on these city lots or can city employees
mow them instead of using contract lo?
>> Well, when I say that that this is
» Well, when I say that that this is
mowing um Okay, remember when Jay said
we mowed his lawn form?
>> That's a lot of mowing that we talked
» That's a lot of mowing that we talked
about where we're placing a lean. Yes,
our our employees sometimes they have
mowed our and not all the time, but
sometimes they have.
>> I'm talking you we're talking about the
» I'm talking you we're talking about the
lots that people are neglecting, right?
>> Our city employees can
» Our city employees can
>> No.
» No.
>> No, they can't.
» No, they can't.
>> No, we need to have a contract.
» No, we need to have a contract.
>> It has to be a contractor.
» And isn't that due to to liability?
>> Well, it's a legal issue of being
» Well, it's a legal issue of being
we're not
We're not a business, you know. So when
we place a lean, we're using city
resources to mow and then replace
the profit.
>> So it's better to have
» So it's better to have
a vendor.
>> Okay.
I mean what has helped us in the in the
maybe not as much this year um but what
has helped us you know last year and the
year before and again not those other
years because we didn't have them but
having the clients we um have been able
to utilize clients and it has been a
huge help for us in the and really where
we put them to work is on Gonzalez Creek
maintenance mostly, although they have
helped, you know, at the top shop and
they've helped at the cemetery and parks
as well.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> And you're talking about clientele from
» And you're talking about clientele from
Walker.
>> Yes.
Could
they be used for any of this contract
mowing or is that probably
>> Well, they're not it's not um
» Well, they're not it's not um
it's not predictable. It's not
predictable and consistent.
» Also, when it comes to that, it's free
labor. So then we wouldn't be able to
put any
on the 3%. You're saying employees, but
you're also talking about um employees
that are on salary, right?
>> Yes. I mean we don't
» Yes. I mean we don't
we at most cities I mean best practice
you don't want to give some employees a
raise and some not a raise that doesn't
create a good environment of choice so
it's systematic
>> but if some are over and some are under
» but if some are over and some are under
we're talking salary
wages things like that
then I would
>> well I will say there's nobody there is
» well I will say there's nobody there is
one position that is at 50%
And that is that I mean
I hate to get into personalities. I mean
it's a position but there's one position
that is at 50%. Everybody else is below
and that
we're at but that's the only one that is
at. I mean, we've gained, we're closer,
but not
» my research showed like, like I said,
when I used TML survey that there were
several rows that were higher, but far
higher how you could average those down.
And so maybe that's a discussion for
another time, but
I don't personally see how they're that
far above how a 3% increase in their
employment is a good thing. Because if
they're that high up, 3% is going to be
far more than it is for someone who's
selling someone who is making far less
than the average.
>> What cities did you use?
» What cities did you use?
>> Uh I use TML's salary surve.
» No, because you can go in there and you
can set it by population. Um I also
actually reached out to some of the
surrounding towns just to figure this
out
>> geographically.
» geographically.
>> Yeah. people that were in the same
» Yeah. people that were in the same
situation. We are a single town or a
small town in a rural county.
Is there anything in the budget on
getting any computers put into the
actual police vehicles?
>> Tough books. No. Um we have looked at um
» Tough books. No. Um we have looked at um
I mean there are some grants that are
available um but no we have not that is
a huge expense and we just have it. I
mean we've got we take it you know one
day at a time there's a lot of wands out
there.
>> I I get that but when we have people
» I I get that but when we have people
that are going out doing things and then
they have to come back to the office and
print it all up that's a waste of a
resource right there.
>> Right. I don't disagree. It's a lot of
» Right. I don't disagree. It's a lot of
travel time, a lot of fuel costs even
back and forth to their office.
>> I don't disagree.
The books would be nice.
We have been looking for variances.
>> But then then you're going into a place
» But then then you're going into a place
of trying to
shuffle
um resources
through like what's what's over here and
then you like shuffle over that way, but
then you're you're neglecting stuff over
here. And so it's it's better to have a
budget that's actually um across the
full board where you're able to deal
with issues. Now, it might not raise the
the lowest person who's getting paid
them that much, but you're you're making
it across the the board to
um to deal with the funds and the
resources that we actually do have,
but also we are able to acquire
resources through grants.
We're trying to stay away from loans,
but through grants. and some of those
grants we had to pay also into it. So,
um
that's the
way that I think that I was going to go.
One thing I would say for the um again
just to keep in mind on the
the 3% increase um the CPI is 3
something% I mean they're not even paid
because our employees are having
struggles as well but um and then you
have
employee insurance increases as well
>> that change of insurance is not going to
» that change of insurance is not going to
give type.
>> Well, right. Even with the 3% they're
» Well, right. Even with the 3% they're
going to be losing money this year.
» Yeah. Trying to offset that cost of that
increase in insurance is
that's going to be difficult.
discussion.
» Well, what is there feedback for
us? I mean, are we are we on track with
what how we need to go because we've got
you got we've got deadlines we need to
meet. Um,
>> so I app I approve the number you
» so I app I approve the number you
proposed.
>> Okay,
» Okay,
>> I approve that.
» I approve that.
>> I mean, this is not formal act,
» I mean, this is not formal act,
>> right? I know
» right? I know
>> it makes sense of what you have
» it makes sense of what you have
presented the numbers that you're
presenting
for that. I don't that's I think with
that I think what
most everybody if you're saying that
they agreement to the direction you're
going to
>> so the next steps just I mean and you
» so the next steps just I mean and you
guys know because you took action I mean
we'll have a public hearing on the 25th
and that will be for the public. So
there there won't be you won't be making
a decision that night either. Um but
again if there's changes to what we
presented we need to narrow so we can
make those changes so that then you'll
have input on the 25th and then on
September 1st um that's when you'll
adopt the budget. So, do it mean for no,
you know, I mean, in the next few weeks,
>> do we know if doing this 3% increase is
» do we know if doing this 3% increase is
going to bump anybody into the higher
tax bracket could actually end up
cutting their check?
That would be hard everyone
and things like that. I mean that their
their family status things like that. I
mean that that would be really hard to
figure for each individual person.
So like right now the only that's
meeting off of 50% is
him. So right now everybody's below.
So I don't think it would help them over
a tax bracket but that will require into
individual
and all the the things that go into
individually as in like you know the
amount of people kids you know in the
household what they're claiming and what
they're not claiming.
» I'm going to go ahead and motion that we
move on.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
24 discussion and any necessary action
the schedule August 25,
2026 for public hearing on the proposed
tax rate discussion tax rate NNR and
voter approval rate amendment rate and
take a record vote. I'll make a motion
to approve scheduling August 25th 2026
for public hearing on proposed tax rate.
A motion has been made to approve
scheduling August 25th, 2026 for a
public hearing on the tax rate. Ask the
city secretary to please call the role.
>> When I call your name, just say yay or
» When I call your name, just say yay or
nay. Mayor Treml,
>> yes.
» yes.
>> Commissioner Hamilton,
» Commissioner Hamilton,
>> yay.
» yay.
>> Commissioner Rose,
» Commissioner Rose,
>> yes.
» yes.
>> Commissioner Fernandez,
» Commissioner Fernandez,
>> and Mayor Pro Tim Huntington,
» and Mayor Pro Tim Huntington,
>> yay.
» yay.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> 25. Discussion, any necessary action
» 25. Discussion, any necessary action
regarding public hearing to consider
fiscal year 2026 2027 proposed budget on
September 1st, 2026.
>> So this is just um calling that public
» So this is just um calling that public
hearing um to uh consider uh the
proposed budget on September 1st.
>> I move to approve setting the public
» I move to approve setting the public
hearing to consider the fiscal year 2026
through 2027 proposed budget on
September 1st, 2026.
Second.
This time we're going to convene to get
the executive session
at 7:51.
Texas government code a notice
chapter 551 sub chapter E Texas open
meetings act. City commission will
recess into executive session post
meeting discuss the followup real
property 551.072 072 Deliberate of the
purchase of exchange lease or value of
real property 26 YMCA
27 102 West L 28 1305 West first 29 601
apartment
» we can be in open session at 8:09
Commissioners, were there any action
taken?
>> I move to approve resolution number
» I move to approve resolution number
2026-23
authorizing the donation of real
property located at 300 East Walker to
the Stevens Memorial Hospital District.
Read all them at one time.
>> No, no, just one.
» No, no, just one.
>> Okay. Second.
» Okay. Second.
>> All in favor? I
» All in favor? I
>> I make a motion to rescend the city
» I make a motion to rescend the city
commission's action of July 7, 2022
awarding the bid for 1305 West first to
Bob Edelman due to inaccuracies in the
bid summary presented to the commission.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> All in favor? I
» All in favor? I
>> I make a motion to approve Kenneth
» I make a motion to approve Kenneth
Boyd's bid for the property located at
1305 West First and authorize the city
manager to finalize and sign all
documents necessary to finalize the sale
of the property.
Second. All in favor?
>> I make a motion to resend the city
» I make a motion to resend the city
commission's action of July 7, 2026,
awarding the bid for 601 North Harvey to
Director Skidmore due to inaccuracies in
the bid summary presented to the
commission.
>> I second.
» I second.
>> All in favor? Uh,
» All in favor? Uh,
and I make a motion to approve Bob Ed
Bob Edelman's bid for the property
located at 601 North Harvey and
authorize the city manager to finalize
and sign all documents necessary to
finalize the sale of the property. So,
all in favor I
requests from commissioners uh from
commission members staff for items to be
placed on next meeting agenda.
We'll
join
meeting at 811.
>> Did you join the meeting at YMCA? I'm
» Did you join the meeting at YMCA? I'm
sorry. I didn't Was there any action on
YMCA?
>> The first resolution
» The first resolution
>> the 300 West Walker, the donation of
» the 300 West Walker, the donation of
real property located 300 East Walker.
Just a blend.