>> Good morning. I will call
our budget work session to
order. Happy Friday to
everyone. And I'll turn it over
to Jay Chapa.
>> Good morning, everyone.
So you should have received
an e-mail last night with
budget responses from Tuesday.
The information that we hope we
covered the information the
council asked for.
One of the hearing, a second on
the nas brave to come up and
go through the presentation is
put together the overall impact
to our ratepayers and
taxpayers. From the individual
fees. But one of the items in
the budget responses, the list
of
services that council read up
on Tuesday concerns about the
cuts in the impacts. And asked,
allowed to work with the
individual department heads
to come together to put.
What it would look like to
bring back positions that are
being impacted are programs
that are being impacted to
lessen the services. That's in
your budget response. Boak.
But the response you received
and I just laid out your spot.
Cost the equivalent for each of
those areas along with the
tax rate equivalent. If the
the desire was to increase the
tax rate. So the tax rate
equivalent for each of those
items the total one of the
things that I did include that
then come on Tuesday. But I've
had several council members
bring up to me. Was pay for
performance or general
employees.
And so we included that this
would be still having to start
have made here. But it be 4 and
a half percent.
Average for everyone, not
executive below assistant
director and a 4% versus
indirect or not.
This, what's the equipment and
hear what had included that
for you? So you could see what
the impact is there. But with
that, I'm gonna as Brady come
up and go through his
presentation.
>> Good morning, mayor and
council Brady Kirk says
director with the Fort Worth
lab. So on Tuesday we gave you
a very, very long report that
included all of the fees which
were recommended to change in
Fy 27. But today we're coming
to you with a much shorter and
more focused overview of just
those fees and rates. Which
impact every resident that
lives in the city. And be on
property taxes. It's really
a short list. So we're only
talking about the storm water
fee. Water and wastewater
rates. Solid waste rates and
the environmental fee.
And then at the end go through
those and how that's going to
affect the total cost to
residents on annual or monthly
basis. I'll give you one quick
summaries well of any other
fees, depending on which city
services resident chooses to
engage with, they might have
to pay.
Starting with property taxes.
I think you seen this these
figures many times already.
But within the recommended
budget, there's a 3.2% increase
to the tax rate, which is about
5%. And that 5% tax rate
increase since that's smaller
than the amount we've lost on
the taxable value of an average
home. That means that on
average homeowner in the city
would pay less to the city in
Fy 27 in fy. 26. So that amount
is about $16 and $0.69 per
year. And not that people pay
their property taxes on a
monthly basis. But if if you
break that up over 12, that's
about. $1.39 per month. So that
a one percent decrease.
The storm water fee. We showed
you in JUNE that we are
recommending 85% that fee and
that's to help fund some flood
mitigation projects. Increase
Capital Project Partnership
participation and Channel last
it management position. And
so that 5% increase is going
to be $0.36 for a typical home
on the monthly water bill.
And if you spread that out of
the year, that's about $4 and
$0.32
And moving into water and sewer
rates. So on the water side.
There's a about a 5% increase
to the fixed monthly charge.
But this year there's no
increase to the volumetric rate
and that is for the cost of
service. So. Really, for all
these funds. After the property
tax. None of these are general
fund fees. So for water storm
water, all the others.
The revenue that they are and
pays for the service itself.
And so this like the other ones
is is to pay for the cost of
service. So on the water side,
only that's about $0.70 per
month to an average homeowner.
Dollars and $0.45 per year,
which is less than 2%.
And on the wastewater side.
There's a similar increase.
Closer to 6% on the fixed
charge. And then there is a
small less than one percent
increase to a typical homeowner
on the volumetric rate. So
those 2 combined would be about
$0.63 per month or 7.50, per
year, which is very similar,
a little bit less than 2%.
On solid waste. It's a little
bit larger cause we're focusing
on.
The long-term outlook at this
fund. And we've talked to you
about whether or not the
current solid waste rates that
people are paying are really
enough to pay holistically for
the service that they're
getting in. That service
includes long-term capital
planning. So.
This is a recommended 20% to a
typical household with a 96
gallon cart that the $5.15 per
month. Which is a little bit
less than $62 annually.
And then finally, the
environmental fee, which is
a another funds separate from
the solid waste fund. On this
front. We're recommending about
an 11% That's one quarter per
month and $3 per year to
typical household.
So when you sum that all up,
you can compare that to city
managers recommended tax rate
of 70.2 cents. But also take
into account how the taxable
value of a typical home has
fallen. You've got about a one
percent decrease to the
property tax bill, which is
more than half of the whole
equation. The typical homeowner
is going to be paying. And a
6.6% increased to what people
are going to be paying on
average on that monthly water
bill. And what it all shakes
out to is a little bit less
than a.
2% increased annually. So
that's $5.70 per month that the
typical household might see.
And a little bit more than $68
over the course of the year.
And moving into other fees.
These are not fees. The typical
person would pay in the course
there are daily lives, but
out of that 150 pages,
probably.
100 and something was just
development fees because
there's so many development
permits. So the development
services department is
instituting about 5% on average
across the board fee increase.
And due to rounding or whether
there are specific cost
recovery consideration. Some
of these mining increased by a
little bit more than 5%.
But the good news is that this
increase was done with the
support of the Development
Advisory committee and the Real
Estate Council with whom
Deejays Department works very
closely.
And these aren't 100% only in
development services. They also
there are development fees that
other departments collect.
So, for example, there's a fire
alarm permanent that the fire
department, Lex. But these are
not something that a resident
would pay normally. Maybe if
you are buying a brand-new
built house, this might affect
you. If you're doing a major
home repair.
But I talked to dj and he said
that on a typical home, this 5%
across the board increase.
Would affect the cost of a
newly built home by less than
$100. So out of hundreds of
thousands, that's a very small
portion that cost.
And then getting into some
other fees which residents MAY
pay if they want to use the
services. A lot of the balance
of the fee increases were in
golf just because they had so
many categories for the very
services that they provide.
So for the first one where
parks and recreation overall is
what I meant to say for the
first one is golf. And that's
an increase to the junior past
fee. In golf. Just like those
other funds. We talked about
water, storm water. That's the
fun where.
The revenues that the Gulf and
collects pays for the cost.
Golf services. So this is just
cost recovery. These other
categories would be in the
general fund. So for community
centers, there's a lot of fees
increasing. There's a lot of
fees decreasing. It's part of
the study the department did.
And just overall streamlining
these and trying to make it a
little bit more efficient and
straightforward and then some
similar changes to the other
services. So the Log Cabin
Village, for example. The
nature center, if you want to
have a birthday party, one of
our community centers or if
you're taking part in athletic
league, some of those might
have gone. It.
Before we leave this and I want
to throw you off your pace if
you prefer to take questions.
At the end, I making notes.
>> But on the other fee
increase categories, I do want
to get some more detail as far
as the increase of junior past
fees and how that impacts
clumps. And right now we've got
first team down there. We also
have a high school days clubs
that come in. They're rely on
Rockwood, for instance, my
council district 2. Your
practice or programs Reiser.
And I know in the past they
have a told me and I
communicated this to to Dave
Lewis as well.
They're concerned, you know,
about the fees and now we're
proposing an I'm wondering what
kind of effect that's going to
have on them.
>> Nast data company already
is.
Good Morning Council Dave
Lewis, director Park and
Recreation. Yeah, really.
There's a few things going on
there. So we as with all fees,
we benchmark coffees in each
fall in order to prepare fee
changes.
With the junior few. We found
that there are only 2 other
municipalities are courses near
road courses in our vicinity.
That even offer a junior
passed. And like with all of
our fees, we strive to be the
median for that. And so raising
that he gets median first, he
has its own feet in the range.
And do we have with the
construction of the building?
We also through near local
green that we offer isd.
He's a special rate as well.
Some of them were taking
advantage of the junior golf
annual pass because it is much
lower. Then the fee that we
offer them as a discount to be
on the course. But really the
the increase in the junior
annual past. We should not
affect either the first he or I
see because we have special
pricing for them.
>> Talk about
>> fees for the increase for
birthday parties that it has
that risen substantially are.
>> Yeah, I think birthday
parties are mostly at forward.
They've sent a refuge where
they actually didn't have a
birthday party fee before Fs
a few men. Tulsa, lot of this
is just clean up. We want to
for fees are in accordance with
the ordinance. So it's just
cleaning up what we do changing
the title of some things.
But again, it's all
benchmarking and community
centers log Cabin Village, 4th
data center, the benchmark, all
their fees against similar
facilities in the region and
across the state.
>> Can you send us the new
rate?
Is it somewhere gets in the
packzi that 2 days ago with
okay these nights and that
separately 271 page. Yes, it's
a good thing. That's the
400 page. Okay. Yeah. Just just
for the I want to make sure
when we talk about the fees
that are changing at the nature
center.
>> Is that is that include the
non resident and increase and
fees or did we talk about that?
Is that having no?
>> Yeah, we have not. We've
changed a number of fees, but
we avoided a non resident few
because it is a tourism
facilities. We do. We want to
make sure they're in a case
that attracted to people who
don't live in the city to city.
>> But we are the and the
Veterans Free Access. Okay.
Thank you.
>> Ready, I don't think you
got to it yet or maybe barely
mentioned at the fire
department lift assist. I know
that's been a topic from
several council members.
So I don't know. It said if she
forton tear anybody wants to
speak to that decision, that
would be helpful.
>> I think you're going to get
Christine's in more detail on
that of public safety Committee
near future.
>> We didn't have a fee.
So we wanted to include a fi Yi
where where that forward and so
that the public Safety
committee was going to get a
full presentation on that.
To see if they want to
recommend lifting the Senate
even more what you want to do
it going forward. But when will
that briefing happened on
public safety? The beauty and
SEPTEMBER.
Its next It would. And I guess
I'm just backing up in time.
Is that going to be before
these decisions are made the
budget? So we're not going over
increasing more me on 7.50, or
not. Yes, we should be able
to and just then make the
amendment for the budget
ordinance. Okay.
Cuts were larger to a speech
that Al, you're welcome to.
I don't know that the more for
it. And just to go ahead and
just skip public safety
committee altogether does bring
us to go to work. And then as
mayor and council for decision
because I'm pretty sure that's
something we can.
>> We're all going to be up to
get behind because it's
something that's been needed
for quite some time to question
on the amount. So staff are
recommending the 7.50, but we
want to take it to you all to
see if you guys wanted to make
it even higher.
>> And that is public safety
committee and it will it'll
be whatever the committee
recommends will add that into
the budget ordinance that gets
approved. And then from there
after that after because they
didn't want it to work session
or from just re district budget
that straight to the budget.
Whatever recommendation will
put it in today as a budget
recommendation, you know, going
straight into the ordinance,
it'll get approved and they'll
be the new fee. Whatever's most
remind process to get that.
Yeah. That sounds great to have
you back. Comes on. The council
brought it up.
>> Related to this on the next
slide. We have the ms fee
increase at an existing fee.
So would that be also taken
on by the Public Safety
Committee of errors as well for
yeah. Yeah. I think that can be
discussed as well. Right?
Thank you. Cross an awesome.
I both points for me.
>> Next one, the municipal
court fees. So there are some
new fees that involve civil
parking. There's a a technology
fee to support that in and one
of the one related civil
parking. And there's a an
increase to the booth fee.
These are city services.
You do not want to engage with.
If you can avoid it. And then
credit card fees. Last year
we authorize the city to let
vendors just pass those fees
directly on to end users.
So instead of
taking them is revenue paying
them out of our own pocket.
We're just letting the end
users pay for those. So we
authorized 2 and a half percent
last year because that was
enough for existing city
vendors. There's a couple
vendors that. If we were going
to passes on, there would be a
little bit higher than 2%.
So we're recommending.
Giving authority to go up to
the statewide maximum, which is
5%.
And then finally be on the
solid waste, monthly charges
that you saw. There are a few
extra fees on there. If you
have something like an
overloaded cart, there's an
extra charge for that bags
outside the card. I think
that's the one where we had.
Something funny, like 12 of
them in the whole city and all
year. But that is going to and
then nothing out trips to where
if you've requested, pick up
and then you're not there for
them to come get it, that he is
increasing as well.
>> Brady, do you know what the
actual collection charges for a
credit card company? What
percentage?
>> So for ours.
>> Are you talking about the
there?
>> On what they're passing on
us. And we're not gonna pass on
to customers. Typically it's
3%, but they're so last year
the council approved us
allowing a direct charge.
A pass to so that when a person
pays the they pay with a credit
card, they would pay that fee,
whether it's 2% to have actual
feeds, not an upcharge it off
in the city. The issue is not
all our systems or other
systems. Again, are getting
upgraded. And we have some.
The vendor charges. More than
3% up to 5%. Sometimes 3 and
a half. So we're having to
cover the difference. So we're
just trying to get.
Requests be made whole
completely basically making the
money just to be a baby.
And so it's it's just the
actual cost. Some of them are
4%. That's what we have.
Multiple vendors.
On the system's. It's a it's
like
you have a different vendor,
for instance, on the water
side, then you have. On the
city said you don't do because
of the system's the types of
systems that are used.
>> Just to understand. So
you're saying a flat fee of
5%, no matter which system
they're accessing. Our do know
it will be a charge. The will
be charges stated with the with
the system. Exactly. And and
all of them. We went up to 5%
because we don't have any that
are well state doesn't let us
go to 5% were just trying to be
made whole from the city side.
I think that's okay.
>> Any questions or comments
on the summary if Ian rates
right now, yes, cause before
>> I do forget which one it
was. I think I know the answer
to this, but I just want to
confirmation solid waste charge
slide 6. There's a nasty note
based on typical home using
96 gallon cart.
Does that also inclusive of
the recycling Curtis? Well,
yes, sir. Thank you. That's it.
Everybody gets recycled part
with that.
First and second because the
96 cart, you know, our size
rather, I mean, you have an
option to upgrade to a larger.
Council. Looks like you also
have updated budget responses
in your packet. If we want to
have Christian walk through
those that might be helpful.
>> Sure thing. Good morning,
mayor and council Christine
Simmons with the 4th lab.
So just 3 budget responses in
your packet last night. The
first is an updated version of
the vacancy, eliminations and
freezes budget response.
Adding in the column for the
total team personnel and the
number of those positions that
occur across the department
now as unresponsive
Councilmember Flores's
question, maybe others about,
you know, what kind of team
strength is left. If we do
eliminate or freeze a position.
So that date is there for you.
The second budget response is
about gas lease revenue gas
while revenue outlines the
policy and our typical process
for appropriating those funds
and a little bit of the history
of kind of what the order of
magnitude of those funds has
looked like.
And then the 3rd budget
response is the one that Jay
mentioned where we worked with
a couple of select departments
based on your questions Tuesday
to ask them, you know, with
it with judiciously, like what
positions would you add back?
Knowing we're balancing the
budget, but really looking
again at the service level
impacts for the programs that
has asked about and that we've
been hearing sort of similar
themes in the community
meetings. And so you'll see
Code Development Services,
Library, parks and recreation
and transportation and public
works. Each of those directors
and staff sort over the last
couple of days to say if I
could add something back here
is what it would be. And then
the 4th lab staff layered and
some serviceable impacts that
we gathered from the
departments and we produce the
handout that you have, which
is the tax rate equivalent of
adding those back so that you
can kind of have this menu in
front of you and say, you know,
these are really important
things and know how that would
affect the tax rate. And again,
the one item that's not
>> written up as the pay for
performance fees.
And the total all the items
would be impacted. 0.3, 6, 4,
3, 9, 1, which would still put
the average bill lesson.
The current year's bill.
But it basically lessons of
by half. It would be $8 for $16
that was added to the tax rate.
And act. Talk about.
>> The 7 positions for the
public safety communicate or 2,
that 7 out of 13 just so people
understand what's happening
there.
>> Sure. So that so
traditionally that area has a
lot of turnover. And so we have
typically 7 to 10 positions
that are they can all the time.
We're always recruiting.
We're still recruiting now.
We still have vacancies.
And so the idea was just to.
Not fund the salaries so that
we could have that savings
because they're basically
always vacant anyway.
>> Library page position.
It says there's 12 positions
but total 6 on the team.
And so I'm confused about how
that.
Yes, you'd add those together.
So we're at much amending
freezing 12. There are 6
additional and then sort of us
across the whole department
there. 41 pages and then
libraries response this week.
They did ask to add back just a
couple of those for consistency
in stopping in a few locations.
I can Dave Lewis Kimono because
I have some parks related.
He said, no, I'm just kidding.
I of not. On a Friday morning.
Yeah. Is out you look silly.
I just I'm looking at this
maintenance worker and has
worked were cutting a lot of
those positions and then the
recreation.
>> Assistant position looks
like we're cutting a lot of
those, but they have a lot of
positions and can you walk me
through what the maintenance
workers do and
realistically what we can
expect, the reduction services
to look like without those.
6 maintenance workers.
>> Yeah, there's 2 sets of
maintenance workers are talking
about. One group is with the
Athletics division and we have
built those back in essentially
for six-month freeze for the
year, meaning we can get
through the winter, but we got
to hire them back to get them
into the spring and the other
maintenance workers are spread
throughout the different park
operation divisions. We have 7
divisions, north, northwest
southeast. All of those we
build back some of those.
So really looking at it's kind
of helps to look at the overall
strength of that. It's hard
to quantify really what the
difference is, the way we've
talked about this over the last
couple weeks is. For people
that are changing trash.
Where they might be able to do
that. In today's now, it'll
take them 3 days. So obviously
a little bit slower for that.
But there MAY also be some
things that they don't get,
too. It's really hard to
quantify exactly what that
looks like. The good news is we
have only seen a slight uptick
in complaints via our app, son,
emails and phone calls. But
restoring that back should have
less of an impact than was
originally frozen. But it's
really hard to quantify.
Exactly. So it's things like
trash pickup. It's what I'm
trying to figure out is does
this mean want to swing breaks?
It takes longer for the swing
to get prepared or is this like
internal?
>> You know, Quitman repair.
We do know it. Good Something
like a swing repair generally
would be our skilled trades
technician, which is also on
that list. And it's why we've
request to build those back.
Ok, we have to we have to trade
screws. One does maintenance
and went to small capital
projects.
>> And what we would do if
those aren't restart is
actually shift some people from
the small capital projects crew
into the maintenance repairs.
So MAY slow up some of our
small peco projects, but it
make sure that we're staying on
top of repairs and maintenance
to amenities within the
facilities.
>> Okay. And then let's talk
about recreation systems out.
Looks like we have a lot in the
department. There's 95. But
we're getting rid of 9 out of.
About half of them. Half of
this particular team, I guess
so.
>> Yeah. In the way they've
divided up is the team would be
essentially the community
center. So that's the strength
of that of an average community
center. It's not the strength
of all of them. And so it's
really that's being spread out
in the combination of
Recreation Assistance Committee
center, aids, the all work on
programming. They'll work on
answering phones, hosting
people with the program are
being more in a system being
more heavy on the program side
with being more on custodial
service is answering phones.
And so really it's trying to
find the balance between those.
We believe that this this new
proposal would have very
minimal impacts. What we're
trying to do is really relook
at things in shuffle to make
sure that we're covering
things. I think what's just as
important as looking at the
program, Dayton, really having
a better understanding of when
community centers are needed.
Are we open times that we don't
need to be? Are we opening to
early staying too late open on
days that the community hasn't
expressed an interest in really
needing that center? So that's
part of our exercise, too.
All of that analysis is part of
regular recreation programming
development really doing a much
deeper dive right now to be
more efficient. Thank you,
>> This is not a day with his
question. So you're off the
clock. Okay. My pertains to
development services.
>> Don't lay day at it. He's
going to be close to a day.
I was they are right in line
and the front row. It's in the
>> Dj as far as development
services. The customer service
rep too. I know that in recent
years we've been.
Trying, you know, to to
increase, you know, the Florida
processes in your department.
You've done a lot of work
towards that. I want you to
talk about this proposed, you
know, reduction in force.
How does that affect you?
Does it affect you how you're
going to compensate?
>> Good Morning. Mary Council,
thank you for the question.
Councilmember Flores. Yes, we
have been trying to increase
customer service reps to
increase the flow on the 5th
floor. People in and out online
what we plan to do to
compensate with these cuts is
to try to lean on technology.
We've been working with it and
some of the resources that they
have to look at like chatbots
other solutions that we can put
a line that can get people off
the phone obviously, without
that, you know, the call time
or the Cole whole time with
the increase. But with
technological solutions, we
think we can, you know, kind of
keep development moving
forward. That MAY be a slight
impact on, you know, wait times
in the lobby. Maybe also with
like, you know, plan review or,
you know, moving things from
like Tw to water to development
services. But we're going to
try to compensate, you know,
with no technological
improvements as much as
possible and process
improvements as well.
>> All right. Or any of these
proposed Do they impact the x
team?
If you're back up?
>> After you are present.
>> I heard from multiple
residence about making sure
that we did not do away with
any services in parks and
recreation. It's a forward
facing department. So are you
comfortable that these cuts
will ensure that we don't do
away with any of those
services.
And I know that's a broad
question. But I you know, I
want to support this, but I
can't support it. If we're
gonna lose services to the
community.
>> The new proposal minimizes
any impacts. And again, we have
to do more homework to really
understand community need in
each of the locations. So I'm
confident that we can still
provide the same level of
service. It's just being more
efficient, effective in and
really understanding community
need better. We look at all of
our community centers
differently. They serve
different audiences with
different needs and so really
customizing that making sure
that we're serving those local
residents, but in a fashion
that they need and making sure
that we're not staying open,
we don't need to. That's it.
That's the big part of it.
But it's also a maximizing
those spaces.
Well, we say that the community
center supervisor's job is to
make sure that at community
center is bustling from open
to close. How do you do that?
You offer programs that people
are interested in and how do
you do that? You ask. And so
it's really just making sure
that we're understand that
community need.
>> Well, and that's good.
So I 3 of the people that I
heard from more ministers who
rely believe it or not, handily
on the community center for
activities for their youth.
And so I just want to be sure
that I can reassure them that
we're not going to disrupt some
of those activities that they
think help deter crime and keep
their folks busy.
>> Yeah, it's great to hear and
I'd love to hear from them
directly on what is important
to him and what their needs are
making sure that we're able to
meet that.
Thank you. They've had similar
concerns and receive the same
communication. I wanted to also
inquire about community centers
that have after-school programs
and things of that nature and
that have different, you know,
organizations that are ready
convening there regularly for
whatever reason. And will those
be given priority also
considered? And we have not
recommended any reductions to
any of those programs at all.
The only thing we're looking
at is again, streamlining some
of the hours. If we can
determine.
>> That the community doesn't
need the facility. It's one of
the topics are talking about.
There are 4, 5 cities open on
Sundays. All of them are open
on Saturdays. Is it still
necessary that to be open those
days? When we start looking
at the data, some of the usage
is low on Saturday. So is that
something that's that's
necessary? But we need as the
community that question and
think about kids are back in
school. Do you want to go to
community center program on a
Saturday after that busy week?
Maybe. But that's what we need
to better understand.
>> And not to belabor the
point. When you say we're going
to ask the community is their
formal method in which you're
going to communities. We don't
have a formal unplanned, but
each community center does
survey on their own and then it
obviously is a lot of the
anecdotal, Stephen. We've got a
neighborhood association
meetings and
>> various stakeholder input
that we get. Some of it's
anecdotal, but somebody says
serving as well and not one big
survey. We do that. But every 5
years we test community need is
part of our strategic planning.
>> Outside of us of formal
survey, is there data that you
can pull like check ins
checkout skier is in in our
system. We have all of that.
Whether it's rentals, whether
it's drop in or actually
registered used. That's the
data that we're looking at.
>> That in combination with
Placer ai the kind of overlap a
little bit. But so we can tell
when people come in just the
traffic of looking to see who's
actually registering for
programs as well. I think my
preference would be that we
rely heavily on that data
because I think sometimes
preference.
>> And what people voices,
their preference versus what
their actual habits are might
be different. And so and I want
to make sure that that's if we
have that ability that's
factored in. Absolutely.
Anyone else for days. Thank
you, Dave. Front row seat or
I use month. Stay closed.
Just never know. Yeah.
And maybe add a question for dj
again. If you don't mind.
Dj, you alluded to working with
it and different solutions that
are maybe in turn already be
able to the city of Fort Worth
to feel like we have properly
extinguished all options that
are outside maybe vendors that
were not currently working with
the pilots. Some of this work.
>> I'm not sure, mayor, to be
honest, I think that'll come to
light when we start doing some
of these lean process analysis,
obviously with these cuts, we
need to look at how we keep the
same level of service for our
customers. So we'll be looking
at, you know, all options,
right? If there is a 3rd party
that can do something faster
for cheap and we'll definitely
be looking at that. Yeah.
>> You know, I I bring that up
because council members hb
public and interact with
different vendors at lc
meetings or tm outlook, cetera.
I would encourage us to bring
any of those options to dj his
team so he can tell us a quick
look at what's out there.
What's interesting is a lot of
these companies will let you
pilot at no cost to the city
for a period of time. You still
have to have the man power on
your. And so that's not
actually creating more work for
your team. So recognize it
takes time. But to the extent
that this body can be helpful
and bringing options to you?
I think I would encourage us to
do so. Now and and let them
start thinking about that.
The next fiscal year. Park
Ranger question.
>> I just want to check with
the use. Part of this budget
have been scrubbed through it,
but do any of the proposals
come forward? You have any
services or our cuts for the
rise Community Center or
library. No, not really.
Thanks for that. Yeah.
Questions council. Go ahead.
Controllers have cut.
>> I was going to ask will
first from last meeting we've
back and watch that. You want
to thank you, mayor and the
colleagues who stepped forward
PetSmart Alliance because after
as watching, of course, is wait
after that. Snow. So certainly
hearing a lot from the
residence on that one, too.
So long live PetSmart Alliance.
Thank you for that advocacy
and also to really make to
cause checked to go in there
like that. Yeah, so definitely
don't want to at
a couple things I'd like to
learn more about.
>> You know, as we
your reach out to their
residents and 11 about that
Sunday's possible fee
increases. And although some
your tax or tax rate goes up,
although they MAY be painless,
it's really hard to justify a
lot of that has we spend on
public art hot topic and one
that hard to bring up
but it's really hard to look
them in the face. And back,
by the way, when asked to spend
more on some of these fees
while we're in a deficit year.
>> While paying for these, so
I know.
We clearly know the process
for moratorium. I don't know.
That's necessarily the right
way for this. But
what does it look like as far
as temporarily suspending
funding for some of the larger?
Public art projects that
haven't been contractually
obligated yet. I know it's if
a pot because it's tied to the
bond. What does that look like
as far as deferring that to
possibly year would become
painter ears on up more
positive budget year. What does
that look like?
Well, I think the council could
take action not to not to fund
those, but
those are like you said its
capital so would really help
the general fund.
>> Or any of the areas where
we're asking for a fee
increases right dollars.
Just wouldn't be spent. And
I guess it would you be used
for capital instead?
>> Yeah, I think that be the
key theirs. You know,
understanding we can move that
back to general fund. But I
think it also has a lot to do
with just the perception and
the you know, we're say, hey,
guys, it's really tight year
now. Again, we tell somebody,
hey, we're kind of broke right
now, but we're gonna go out,
has taken lobster. It's kind of
a bad perception. My opinion.
It's important still. But I
think about I think there's a
legal question since we went
to the bondholder, you know,
to the voters and they voted
for a bond that included public
arts. I'm not sure. And then
looking at Dennis Kneale is
looking at him.
>> Well, if there's even a
mechanism for that.
>> With that being even allow
those inserting designated to
public. That's what that's
things like. I'm looking more
for like a temporary pause and
tell so maybe not but this year
or next year, but the year
where we can actually afford
it. At. Good morning, Dennis
Michael City attorney's office
with respect to James question
about allowed use of the bond
funds. It was.
Presented to voters MAY use
up to 2%. So council does not
allocate that money. Previous
allocated money. Paws were
implemented, as Jay said.
Those projects just wouldn't
get paid during this period.
I we'd have to do a deep dive
into the contract, Jeanette,
like.
Offer. This probably is a good
topic for the council really
wrestle with so.
>> If I'm hearing you correctly
j it wouldn't actually impact
our ability to change this
discussion on this fiscal year
but has 0 impact on our
operating budget. So if the
body would be okay with it
because we do need to get
through this budget process.
Let's push this conversation
to a work session in SEPTEMBER.
OCTOBER and talk about it
openly and that way, we're not
derailing this because I can
already feel against the bill.
Really want to keep it on
track. And some understandably
have to worry about
perceptions. So that's one
thing. I'll say they want same
thing about that can cause
we're back. I think it's for
them to say no.
>> And I'm just the other one,
if a person but a response or
rfi, if you will, if we can
just get at because whenever I
heard the credit card
processing out of that, that
part of Myers because as a
small fry campaign, 3% for for
us and my Pinellas and dollars.
So it's not much at all.
City our size, you know, kind
of scale should be paying a
lot last night and they were
passed on. So it's easy for
us to Sara. Well, whatever
they're charging is what will
pay for some development
services. The last year when I
came on board, the first thing
that brought to me because they
were spending almost a million
dollars.
>> Out of their budget to cover
the credit card fees for that
for people that came in to pay
with credit cards, right?
We try to push folks to do a ch
or to do debit card. And so
that's what we brought to city
council. That change.
Like I said, different. We have
different vendors on different
systems is type of systems.
And we're trying to kind of
streamline all those kind of
things. And so the systems that
have been we've been able to
change to go ahead and pass.
That forward has been done.
We found that some of them are
over 3%. And so.
We're having to pay it out of
work, collecting the dollars.
But we were kept the 3% because
that's what we asked. The
council is just an increase in
the cap.
So yeah, Mahle widely to to
see who's charging more than
3% does believe it's be said it
actually charge under spies
that they're charging a
customer of more than 3 and a
half percent or more. 3%.
>> be really cares to see that
certainly be some economies of
scale there. You know, the
average large businesses paying
around 2, 2.1%
And of course, we're going to
pass that on shore. But it's at
least one lesson that spent
and quite frankly, there.
If you're spending that much
money to your smart about, if
you're lucky enough to have a
3% cash back and look at charts
to net percent great like I'm
going to use my credit card,
right? You're going to. Like,
like Michael said, you're gonna
get your miles real quick.
But I just like to see what
we're paying. And is that
something that we we put an rfp
out on or credit card
processing cause? That's so
yes, I think we do it from the
different for the different
vendors. And worst Reggie
Reggie.
>> He's maybe even getting one.
>> Credit card processor for
all of them end up. There is I
can see getting an even better
rate.
>> Yes, the that process it has
been our speed over the years.
And as Jay indicated, it's a
decentralized process. We have
several systems that are
managed by that have been
implemented over the years.
And so, yes, the city has
considered and standardize
process a bit. But, you know,
with a little bit behind.
>> And in doing that.
>> The credit card fees are
charged by the various
merchants and there's not not a
whole lot we can do about that.
And I think the change is just
simply to ensure the city's
reimbursed.
>> Right. And my point there is
just what the city can do and
that's negotiate those rates
with those credit card
processors because that is
easily negotiable.
That's one thing I just like
us to look at, because it's
easy to say that's the rate
that.
We can find vendors who will
charge a lot less because they
want the business with the city
of Fort Worth because are.
>> They're gonna count act with
some data.
Be as easy to negotiate that.
>> Right to an rfp process you
can. That's kind of what you
get in on the.
>> I mean, it's business.
It's if you reduce the business
with the city of forward, a
number 2% of them. I would want
that business from city forward
because the amount it also tied
to the fees they charge us for
our vendor. Right? So
>> one might have a better
credit card fee to the end.
User should be charging them to
be a vendor, right? I mean one
or visit us the more expensive
on a system side, right process
in the building. I don't go to
Don the red hold and it's
expensive.
So is the as I in front of you
is an equivalent on those items
at this. The department's came
back.
As you'll see the the average
tax bill for what it's worth
would still be below the
current one.
Confirmed that it would be
another.
Not almost to 1.5 million
before we would get to people
too. The current tax rate.
Or the current bill would
match. The new bill would match
the current bill. So that's the
at this point. You can still
make the argument that the
average taxpayer would pay less
with her if you wanted to
increase the tax rate. Based on
what we provided today.
We're back. Yeah, I'm sorry.
I just want to make sure that
I'm clear. So if we look at it
and budget response, number 20,
I'm not 20.
>> 19 that had all of the
positions. What you're saying
is this handout. Here is the
cost difference. If we brought
back all of those positions
notes, the ones that are on
tied to budget response.
21 post 21. Okay. All right.
So the staff, the Aztecs this
week when departments were
trying to pick into sort of
their biggest priorities for
adding back. That's what I see
your hand up.
>> Okay. Lets a pay for
performance at mid-year for
general employees.
>> Are typical. Glad I asked.
Thank you.
>> So again, I'm gonna repeat
that. His anybody to hear it.
You've on the sheet that he
said you, that's this one here.
The top line under restoration
is increased pay performance.
That is not in a better
response, but they articulated
here based on conversation this
week. In addition to that at a
budget response, 21 are each of
these departments he went
through and scrub which
positions would have impacted
services the most for us to
consider restoring back into
the originally proposed budget.
And if you go up and you
compare the budget scenario,
you've got this year, 2027
recommended. Then you have
restorations and you have a
total there. And what Jay-z
articulating is if you move
over to the right column under
average tax bill, $1642 and
$0.62 Compare that to the
current fiscal year 2026.
Adoption. You are still below
are costing taxpayers less than
$8.20 sits on average per year
and their tax bill, even with
the tax rate increases that
are necessary to stabilize our
budget and prevent furloughs,
layoffs and impacts to
services. So at this point, the
council really needs to wrestle
with what's in front of them,
which is does the body majority
want to move forward with what
was recommended originally for
2027. Do they want to wrestle
with a 2027 with restorations
number and at this point would
be really helpful to staff to
give some direction where we
want to go. So at this point
out in the floor, we can have
that discussion.
Nobody wants to go first.
Looking at the 0, 0, 5, 6, I
mean, I think it's it's stuff,
but I think it's the reasonably
prudent thing to do. It's
>> I think staff did a good job
of going through and really
figure out where we can where
we can cut without really
affecting service it's it's
tough. To increase in the rate.
However. We just have they just
got so much more expensive.
And I think as long as we can
really articulate. Going to
the year, if this is what this
body decides to approve, I
think we have to be really
diligent on the things that we
do approve going forward and
making sure that it is a basic
city service getting back to
the basics. It's not a bunch of
nice to haves because it's
going to be really. It'll be a
black eye for all of us to
raise the rate even though it's
effectively still lowering
their tax bill. Perhaps most
are. And I did go up and then
turn around and give, you know,
a nonprofit or get someone
else. You know, millions of
dollars at the same time.
So I think it's really careful
as we go for it. This is what
we do said to be really
diligent going forward on the
dollars we spend and allocate.
Council home.
>> Not to devalue which said a
COUNCILMAN, our staff. I think.
Very often we substitute, you
know, we consider raising rates
and we start talking about
nonprofit and that's where like
they were giving them money
often. I hear this body and and
several colleagues that
suggests that we rely on
nonprofits to stand in the gap.
So I don't think it's fair to
talk out of both sides of our
faith to say.
Let's look for nonprofits to do
certain things. Reports are the
services and then we start
talking about tax rates star
saying that we're giving money
away to nonprofits.
>> All right. I guess just to
which I hear you, however, I
have never had a single
nonprofit come to our office
mic and say, can we help you
out the infrastructure
potholes?
Parks and rec? So no, but they
are standing in the gap, a
social services and often and
this friend, we suggest that we
call upon them to stand in the
gap for us on social services.
So they are not in the job in
the in the business of doing
pothole. I'm just saying I'm
not the value of point. I just
want to.
Remind you remind us that we
often try to strike a balance
with nonprofits and it's not
fair to look at them like
there's some type of charity
case when we pay for services
that the nonprofit is, in fact,
a charity case. I mean, it's
it's nonprofit. And I think
that every nonprofit just say
we have to be very diligent,
make sure that the money we are
getting out is to ones who are
going to be good stewards of
those dollars and the service
they're providing is one that
he says that is the got, which
I completely agree. There's
going to be some that are
great. They're doing amazing
work out there. And I want to
see is continued because it
that will really reduce the
burden, I believe on on our
system. And that's the Senate.
And so I'm gonna not to belabor
the point, but let's be
specific. And in the future
when we make a statement,
that's all I'm asking. If we're
going to throw that out there
into the East Coast. Let's just
be specific about when to
nonprofits. We're talking about
which ones with incident
charity cases, which ones were
considering part well, and
that's where people's has a
question. Maybe I'll ask for
she and her Brady in the
overall budget process and
working with departments.
I would assume.
>> That our departments really
looked closely at additional
services that were being
provided external to the city
are contracts that we had as a
part of their 3% or one percent
cuts to either of you have any
additional comment you could
make about that process or
things that you saw for
departments. And I'll turn
accounts for peoples.
>> I would say, well, you know,
it's a went through the
process. And when we asked
departments to cut one percent
and 3%, we did the same thing
with. Partners that we provide
funds to. So we. They took the
impact as well.
>> You have an example. Maybe
Jay, you can pry the clears.
Ones are the 3 chambers of the
lower chamber's been
African-American
black chamber, commerce that
they you know, we went to them
and say especially the first we
didn't ask for that. But it's
when we got further in the
process. And when you the gap
is getting bigger, we said.
We need to were looking for
every, you know, diamond, the
in the cushion. So. They all
said we understand will look
at it and we'll come back and
we can and they'll come back
and said, yeah, we will make it
work. So. So we went through
that process.
Qatar, people's incomes were
back.
>> So, mayor, I want to start
out by saying I'm gonna catch
my remarks because my budget
meeting with the community
isn't until AUGUST the 31st.
But based on the conversations
that I've had with community
meetings, the things that j
brought us today are things
that my constituents were
asking for. They ask about
making sure that we provided
for parks and recreation.
They asked that we go back and
look at library services and
me. One of the things I was
one of the council members Sj
about going back to look at
taking care of our employees by
making sure that we provided
them opportunities far pay for
performance because I
understand employee
satisfaction and employee
retention. Some I will just
tell you.
I am comfortable and at catch
that by saying I need to hear
from the rest of my residents
on the 31st. But I am
comfortable that j and team
went back and did what I
personally asked them to do
because I feel like residents
want the services provided to
them and we need to and we U.S.
Deal giving them a. We're still
trying to keep their bills
manageable. And we came in with
a right that's below of what
they mean with the tax I'm
comfortable with this in j you
and your staff have done an
admirable job. I know this was
it a tough one? I know we ask a
lot of you, but today I'm
comfortable now on the 31st.
Most it MAY change. Thank you.
Cause we're back.
>> So I had I actually had my
budget meeting yesterday and
I own a j, though those weren't
plants. I promise.
>> All of the things that I
brought up on Tuesday, it was
like they every person hammered
at home. But it was we heard a
lot about not wanting a cut
in services, particularly when
it came to Code Library in
parks, which we all kind of
communicated and Tuesday.
I have never been comfortable
with the fact that we got to
this budget solution on the
backs of our employees. It just
didn't feel right with me.
We ask so much of them already.
And if we're honest, government
work is not one that comes with
a lot of parks. They don't get
bonuses. They don't get, you
know, fun parties are cool swag
right there coming here for the
love of the game. And I want to
make sure that that we're
taking care of them. So.
And no one likes an increase,
but we're already going up.
You've already recommended 3.2
And since the increase and this
minor increase gets us to a
place where we're not cutting
services and we're supporting
our employees. And I think,
you know, and we still get
below what their tax bill was
last year. And I personally
think that's a win for
everybody.
>> Anyone else guess comes from
a teen is.
I'm so my budget e of meetings.
Also coming up on Saturday,
will this information as
a second? That's because being
counseled kind of gives us
direction. Today will update
the to let everybody know we're
we're we're headed at least.
>> I would really like to see
included because, you know,
people need to know that, you
know, adding this well, provide
the least impact on service.
To piggyback on COUNCILMAN
Martinez, my budget meetings
that's really held already this
week files on Tuesday night.
And if there's going to be some
changes, is there any way that
I could call a concept to maybe
get a brief summary so that I
could fund that day to my
constituents just to know that
we have pivoted and to some
extent with those
conversations, the numbers that
we proposed already have to
have change or we can. We can
put something together and and
once we had at the presentation
to include that with this is
kind of where we're going, it
will be updated on the website
is thank you for for us.
>> Kind of emphasized some of
these talking points that were
all having here. I my budget
meeting is still up coming be
interesting to see. Hopefully
get some good participation.
What I will be looking for that
was like most Council members
little clarity. What's
important to, you know, our
constituents with that said.
I wish we have all the budget
meetings, not because I think
it would help us to reaffirmed
what our priorities are as
counsel because I'm still not
clear on that. I could
articulate what's priorities in
my district, but that doesn't
necessarily mean it's going to
match up with everyone else.
Right? So that's what I'm going
to be looking forward to.
And I know that's what's
intended j when all this is
done in this exercise is
completed I'm looking for that.
What do our priorities look
like following these meetings
following having received
public input. Is it then?
I think we can start making
more refined choices on right.
Word caught would reduce and
we're not too.
And at.
>> I can honestly say after
4 meetings and I meant made the
comment last night.
COUNCILWOMAN That refer to
after 2 or 3 speakers and one
person kind of brought their
list of grievances
that merit exactly the
conversation from this group
on Tuesday. And so these items
that were brought up Tuesday
is exactly what we're hearing
from.
The 4 meetings we've had so
far that folks are saying.
You know, somebody said last
night the other day you're
already proposing a. The tax
rate increase. Nobody wants
less services because a little
bit more to.
Get get us back. Those services
would rather do that because it
doesn't look like you're not
going to have a decrease on the
tax rate.
It doesn't make that much
difference. If it's not going
to change or overall customer
on. That was a comment last
night, but it's been consistent
in every meeting. I think
there's. I would guess maybe
100 people so far to the 4
meetings 120 people. There's
been one person that says and
all they said was I like lower
value like lower taxes. And
that was his comment and
everybody else. It's that's the
only person out of all of that.
Is that so? Yeah, we have a
server results and you know
that that chart that shows the
departments that went up versus
the ones to gun down. That
mayor is almost exactly this.
Non scientific survey that we
put out to the public this
summer. And so, Jay, back to
you. So
>> I haven't had my meeting it.
But I told you I've heard from
multiple people in this is what
I heard. And I just got a text
that said good job. Go for it.
So I think, you know, residents
do watch this and I hope people
are listening or looking now.
But the consensus I have unless
it changes on the 31st is that
people want don't want to drop
and services and they're
willing to pay a little bit
more are see a little bit of an
increase because they won't
be paying more. But he a little
bit of an increase to get
those.
>> Yes, thank you. I do want to
support this recommendation.
And a note comes, asa still
being talked around. Other
things that we can do. And I
want to Thao directly to our
employees. I general employees
because I think
they are the heartbeat of our
community. And what makes the
city wants a parks department.
Alright, couple compliance
ashtray teen and there were
concerns
raises are not getting raises
and we know cost of living goes
up every year. And so this
budget supports to make sure
they can still put food on our
table. And I remind
you that even a county last
year get a tax decrease.
But they also got rid of the
whole department with 100 plus
jobs and I want to make sure
that I'm please know that we
value here. We certainly not
going to be could mean the
body's Joplin departments.
And if that
costs us to raise at Texas,
then that's what we want to
do. And so I can support what
you have to post today.
Any other comments from
council?
Again, your staff's and an
awesome job.
>> Jay, I know this has not
been easy. If you listen really
across the state and several
jurisdictions are all grappling
with budgets. And I'm just
really proud. Also this body
to to Alice, give staff
direction as we move forward in
future meetings. So it sounds
like follow-up that Kristi and
her team will provide kind of a
summary of what these changes
look like to all council
members will be helpful.
Future meetings and also those
of you that already had budget
meetings as well. And then it
might be helpful just one more
time to articulate the timing
of what we're going to do in
the next month before we vote
on the final budget to give
your body time, you do have
plenty of time. We're just got
this recommendation front of
you to allow staff to run with
this rather than the original
proposed budget present.
>> So on AUGUST, 25th, so
Tuesday's regular work session
meeting, we have a place Holder
for budget, follow-ups and
items. They're just as part of
the regular meeting. We have
continued community engagement
into next week with the last
meeting occurring on SEPTEMBER
for 3rd. And we have a budget
public hearing special called
meeting at 02:00pm on SEPTEMBER
first. So that's just with all
of you at once hearing from
many community members who
would like to speak on the
budget and then you're
scheduled to adopt the tax rate
in the budget on SEPTEMBER.
15th.
Any other questions on this
topic before we even to ccpd.