[0:02] One minute.

[0:12] » Long as it has ever been.

[0:22] » The time is about 6 PM and we will call

[0:24] this meeting to order.

[0:27] >> You can join me in prayer.

[0:30] » You can join me in prayer.

[0:30] Heavenly Father, standing here in this

[0:32] room, you have people who have their own

[0:34] worries and difficulties and also their

[0:37] own blessings and joys. But one thing we

[0:39] all have in common is the desire to do

[0:42] what is best for the city of Richwood.

[0:45] Please hear our prayers for what rests

[0:47] heavy on our hearts, but also the

[0:50] prayers of thanksgiving for the

[0:51] blessings and joys in our lives. Let us

[0:54] add to these individual prayers ones for

[0:57] the city of Richmond, for its

[0:58] leadership, its volunteers, its first

[1:00] responders, and its citizens. Guide us,

[1:04] protect us, nurture us, and love us. For

[1:07] without you in our lives, we are

[1:08] nothing. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

[1:12] Amen.

[1:15] Pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[1:17] United [clears throat] States of America

[1:18] and to the republic for which it stands.

[1:20] One nation under God indivisible with

[1:23] liberty and justice for all.

[1:26] >> Honor the Texas flagg

[1:29] » Honor the Texas flagg

[1:29] to thee Texas. One state under God one

[1:32] and indivisible.

[1:39] Council

[1:46] member Johnson is absent. Thank you,

[1:48] sir.

[1:50] >> No public comment today. I guess we'll

[1:52] » No public comment today. I guess we'll

[1:52] move on.

[1:56] » Mr. Paige, you have the floor. And I I

[1:58] need to remind our audience that, you

[2:00] know, when they show up, our public

[2:02] comments section is delegated to this

[2:06] andor agenda item. I got out of hand

[2:09] last time. So,

[2:10] >> you haven't had Monday to yet.

[2:11] » you haven't had Monday to yet.

[2:12] >> What's that?

[2:14] » What's that?

[2:14] >> One of these days, but I just need to

[2:16] » One of these days, but I just need to

[2:16] make sure everybody knows that we need

[2:18] to stay in line with stuff. We got a

[2:20] little out of hand on stuff. But now the

[2:22] floor is yours.

[2:23] >> All right, Mr. D.

[2:26] » All right, Mr. D.

[2:26] I think you said at the end of the

[2:28] meeting about where you were asking too

[2:30] many questions.

[2:32] >> There's no such thing as too many

[2:33] » There's no such thing as too many

[2:33] questions. Please ask all the questions

[2:36] you got. Basically uh you members up

[2:39] here

[2:40] basically the citizens eyes and ears

[2:44] your questions are sometimes the only

[2:48] uh

[2:50] thing that provides the public actually

[2:51] insight to decision making things going

[2:53] on city hall sometimes you ask questions

[2:57] we won't ask

[3:00] okay and then I've got another one for

[3:01] you later

[3:03] but here goes

[3:05] that word again transparency

[3:09] uh it shouldn't apply [snorts] only

[3:14] to good news. It should also apply the

[3:17] bad news as well.

[3:20] Uh for instance, uh that increase in the

[3:23] legal rates that one of the fees was 60

[3:28] negative 67%.

[3:30] That's why

[3:32] I'm asking hopefully at least one of

[3:34] y'all will ask uh for consent agenda

[3:37] item F be pulled

[3:40] uh to actually discuss

[3:43] uh those rates whether they were up,

[3:46] down, good, bad, and if not, maybe one

[3:50] of y'all could at least address it at

[3:52] the end of the meeting.

[3:54] Uh

[3:56] also, uh I did a little bit of research

[3:59] into how

[4:01] other cities around us in Missouri

[4:04] County handled their uh budget workshops

[4:08] every year. I was surprised to find out

[4:11] Richwood was the only city in Missouri

[4:13] County with populations under a thousand

[4:17] that actually hold

[4:19] their uh

[4:22] their budget round the one we had last

[4:26] week in within a city

[4:30] meeting. Every other city either holds

[4:32] it a designated area prior to the

[4:35] meeting, usually an hour and a half or

[4:36] two hour blocked out or on a separate

[4:39] day. And uh let me read this so I don't

[4:42] get uh

[4:44] and maybe the reason the budget workshop

[4:47] deserves this attention is probably the

[4:50] single most important discussion of the

[4:53] year affecting citizens financially.

[4:56] It shouldn't be tucked into an already

[5:00] packed agenda. I know last one was a

[5:02] little bit different, but it was really

[5:03] packed to the point where you actually

[5:05] look around and see members in the

[5:07] audience and people sitting back here

[5:09] kind of looking at their uh watch,

[5:11] including myself over there wondering

[5:13] when is this meeting going to end.

[5:16] Uh,

[5:18] so that being said, I just wish maybe

[5:20] y'all would consider

[5:22] future years to actually doing that

[5:24] actually give it either its own special

[5:26] meeting or an hour and a half prior.

[5:29] Now, let me get quickly back to yours.

[5:32] Uh

[5:35] your question about firefighters should

[5:38] possibly uh I mean we thought all

[5:41] volunteers should qualify for the same

[5:44] uh discount that firefighters get in my

[5:49] opinion. I'm you know I don't think we

[5:51] really deserve it. But then on the other

[5:53] hand,

[5:55] uh for this for these reasons here,

[5:58] they're on call 247,

[6:01] risk their lives, responsible for

[6:04] keeping their gear in working condition.

[6:07] Some of them even have their personal

[6:10] clothing destroyed when they go to a

[6:13] meeting. And one of the other things,

[6:16] rest of us volunteers,

[6:18] I mean, yeah, we we mostly spend our

[6:21] time at at uh scheduled meetings,

[6:26] council, city sponsor. We only do it a

[6:30] couple of months. I I don't know about

[6:31] the rest of you, but I don't think I

[6:33] deserve it.

[6:34] Uh

[6:37] and but actually

[6:39] what I one of the things I rec recently

[6:42] learned our fire chief is the only

[6:44] department head who does not have who is

[6:47] not an hourly employee.

[6:50] This is despite

[6:52] all the paperwork, planning,

[6:55] admin, administrative responsibilities

[6:58] that the job has.

[7:01] And the chief is the only chief is only

[7:04] compensated

[7:06] the same as the other firefighters on

[7:08] his water bill.

[7:11] This might be a controversial one, but

[7:12] I'm going to throw this suggestion out

[7:14] here.

[7:16] Maybe that position deserves the same

[7:19] $300 a month typing that the head of the

[7:23] KRB gets receives for uh the

[7:26] administrative work that she does.

[7:29] Reason being, I mean, of course, you

[7:30] know, hers is understandable.

[7:33] Uh she is directly responsible and works

[7:35] very hard to maintain and do paperwork

[7:39] that keeps our uh star classification

[7:43] and she's the one that gets us to those

[7:45] grants hopefully vital.

[7:48] That being said, I think that's all I

[7:50] have to say. Things

[7:54] say another word to Mr. M. Thank you

[7:56] very much.

[7:59] A few extra minutes left out.

[8:03] Okay, we're going to move on to consent

[8:04] agenda with no other public comments.

[8:08] Uh, a approval of revised personnel

[8:11] policy handbook to reflect current

[8:12] employment practices and update

[8:14] recommended by the city's human

[8:16] resources consultant.

[8:18] B, budget report June 2027. C,

[8:21] investment report quarter 3, fiscal year

[8:24] 26.

[8:25] Approval of updated financial policies

[8:27] for the city of Richwood. Approval of

[8:30] minutes from regular meeting held June

[8:31] 8, 2026. and then approval minutes for

[8:35] regular health regular health meeting

[8:36] July 13, 2026.

[8:41] » Yeah, I'd like to make a motion that we

[8:44] remove uh item eight, the personnel

[8:46] policy handbook from the

[8:53] second.

[8:56] I'll second it.

[8:58] All in favor?

[9:08] I'd like to have a discussion if we

[9:10] could because I have no idea why we're

[9:12] >> I wanted

[9:16] » I wanted

[9:16] it.

[9:17] >> Okay. She

[9:20] » got it.

[9:23] >> We have all eyes,

[9:25] » We have all eyes,

[9:25] >> zero nays. Motion carries on that. Uh,

[9:28] » zero nays. Motion carries on that. Uh,

[9:28] as far as the rest,

[9:30] how do you vote, council?

[9:35] » I need a motion for B through F.

[9:38] >> I'll make a motion that we uh approve

[9:41] » I'll make a motion that we uh approve

[9:41] the minutes I mean items B through F.

[9:46] >> Okay,

[9:48] » Okay,

[9:48] second. Second.

[9:49] >> Okay. All in favor? I

[9:51] » Okay. All in favor? I

[9:51] >> Okay. Record. Let the record reflect

[9:53] » Okay. Record. Let the record reflect

[9:53] everything carries. be correct. A will

[9:56] be tabled.

[9:59] Okay. Discussion and action items. A

[10:02] consideration and possible action to

[10:03] adopt ordinance number 26-542 amending

[10:06] chapter 14 article 4 of the code of

[10:09] ordinances regarding outdoor burning by

[10:11] establishing criteria for the issuance

[10:13] denial suspension revocation of burn

[10:16] permits providing an administrative

[10:18] appeals process and providing for sever

[10:21] severability appeal of conflicting

[10:23] ordinances and effective an effective

[10:26] date

[10:27] >> council this is the same ordinance that

[10:29] » council this is the same ordinance that

[10:29] was presented last month I I won't take

[10:31] your I'm workshopping again. That was

[10:33] the point of last month. So, um I'm just

[10:35] bringing this back to you to adopt. Um

[10:38] had conversations with the fire

[10:39] department and I believe this meets

[10:41] their request of having clear defined

[10:43] terms of what an approved burn would be.

[10:45] We've also kind of workshopped some

[10:47] procedural

[10:48] things that could help them approve

[10:50] burns and help residents know what will

[10:52] be an approved burn and what would not

[10:53] be an approved burn. We're going to do

[10:56] graphics and pass things out to

[10:58] residents as they come in and apply for

[10:59] burns.

[11:04] I'd like to make a motion that we adopt

[11:08] ordinance [snorts] number 26-542

[11:11] amending chapter 14 article four of the

[11:14] code of ordinances regarding outdoor

[11:17] burning.

[11:19] >> I'll second.

[11:20] » I'll second.

[11:20] >> Okay. All in favor?

[11:22] » Okay. All in favor?

[11:22] >> I the record reflect. The motion

[11:24] » I the record reflect. The motion

[11:24] carries. Thank you, gentlemen. On to B.

[11:28] Public hearing and possible action on a

[11:29] proposed crime control and prevention

[11:31] district budget for fiscal year 2026

[11:33] 2027.

[11:36] U mayor and council, this is um kind of

[11:38] a housekeeping thing required by our

[11:41] ordinance um that uh the CCPD budget

[11:46] come to you for approval. Um public

[11:48] hearing if anyone in the audience has

[11:51] any questions about it. Um, this budget

[11:55] was approved by the CCPD board um at

[11:58] their last meeting. Um, and so

[12:04] that we're doing

[12:08] so everything's good there.

[12:11] >> Okay, we just need a motion on that.

[12:13] » Okay, we just need a motion on that.

[12:13] Well, as leaison for 66, I'd like to

[12:18] make a motion that we uh adopt the uh

[12:22] proposed budget for fiscal year 206.

[12:28] » Okay. All in favor?

[12:30] >> I Okay, the motion carries.

[12:34] » I Okay, the motion carries.

[12:34] >> Thank you. Moving on to C.

[12:36] » Thank you. Moving on to C.

[12:36] discussion and possible action to adopt

[12:39] ordinance number 26-543 amending

[12:41] appendix B fe schedule the code of

[12:44] ordinances to revise utility rates

[12:47] first of all um thank you Mr. done. Um,

[12:52] in the packet, I thought I printed it,

[12:54] but I

[12:56] um the crossed out uh rates are not the

[13:00] current rates. They're two years ago.

[13:02] So, if [snorts] there's any confusion,

[13:03] but the the new rates included in your

[13:06] packet

[13:08] um reflect the 5% increase that we

[13:10] discussed at the last meeting. Um so um

[13:14] we're just asking you to approve uh a

[13:17] new rate for water base bill of 4455

[13:23] and then the next tier if they go over

[13:26] 2,000 gallons would be 729.

[13:29] U for um over 20,000 it would go to 758.

[13:35] The uh sewer rate would increase 3142.

[13:41] The next tier over 2,000 gallons would

[13:44] be $545.

[13:47] And then all the uh the senior citizen

[13:49] discount is a percentage. It doesn't

[13:52] need to be changed. Multi-units are um

[13:56] multiplication of those base rates. So

[13:58] they would change accordingly.

[14:01] Any questions?

[14:04] >> Senior citizen discount wasn't new,

[14:06] » Senior citizen discount wasn't new,

[14:06] right? It just hasn't. So, it used to be

[14:09] a I think it was 750 for water and 750

[14:12] for sewer 3 to four years ago. Um, we

[14:16] brought it to council because it wasn't

[14:18] growing as the water bill grew. So, it

[14:20] became a a smaller benefit. So, we

[14:22] changed to a percentage.

[14:25] >> We haven't advertised it very much. Is

[14:27] » We haven't advertised it very much. Is

[14:27] that what we got?

[14:29] >> We occasionally put something out on the

[14:30] » We occasionally put something out on the

[14:30] bills.

[14:31] >> I think the last month we put it out.

[14:33] » I think the last month we put it out.

[14:33] Yes, I just did and put it out again.

[14:36] And we've had quite a few people calling

[14:38] and coming in.

[14:40] >> Um we try to promote it. It's difficult

[14:42] » Um we try to promote it. It's difficult

[14:42] sometimes for us to say, "Oh, are you

[14:45] signed up for the senior citizen

[14:47] discount?" And they'd say, "Why? I'm

[14:48] only 58." You know,

[14:51] >> so um so we do what we can.

[14:54] » so um so we do what we can.

[14:54] >> It falls back under one more question.

[14:57] » It falls back under one more question.

[14:57] The people that live in the apartments,

[14:59] senior citizens that live in apartments,

[15:02] I know y'all don't pay a water bill.

[15:05] Yes, we pay a water bill. in your rent.

[15:07] >> Do they get a tent?

[15:09] » Do they get a tent?

[15:09] >> It is not incorporated into that. No.

[15:12] » It is not incorporated into that. No.

[15:12] >> See, that's that's and I understand that

[15:14] » See, that's that's and I understand that

[15:14] because that's just part of Texas.

[15:17] >> That is something we could look at in

[15:18] » That is something we could look at in

[15:18] the future. Um see how that would be

[15:22] administered.

[15:24] Um

[15:25] >> I've never thought of it quite honest.

[15:27] » I've never thought of it quite honest.

[15:27] >> Well, that and

[15:29] » Well, that and

[15:30] it would be hard to make sure that the

[15:32] apartments are relaying that discount we

[15:34] give them.

[15:35] >> It's true. Like even if we were to say,

[15:37] » It's true. Like even if we were to say,

[15:37] "How many seniors do you have that live

[15:38] in your complex?" And they tell us and

[15:40] so we give them a discount based on

[15:42] that.

[15:42] >> I have no way to make sure that they're

[15:44] » I have no way to make sure that they're

[15:44] going to pass that on.

[15:48] » Yes,

[15:48] >> I truly do.

[15:49] » I truly do.

[15:49] >> But it's something that can

[15:51] » But it's something that can

[15:51] >> I mean, we can get to it way to

[15:54] » I mean, we can get to it way to

[15:54] >> Well, it it's and I might be off off

[15:58] » Well, it it's and I might be off off

[15:58] topic here a little bit, but it's like

[16:01] my my apartment is a three-bedroom

[16:03] apartment. Mhm.

[16:04] >> They charge they my water bill is based

[16:07] » They charge they my water bill is based

[16:07] on that square foot in that threebedroom

[16:09] apartment. You live in there and you

[16:11] live in a onebedroom apartment. Yours is

[16:13] your water bill is calculated on a

[16:15] onebedroom apartment.

[16:18] >> So see that and they're charged the same

[16:20] » So see that and they're charged the same

[16:20] for every apartment.

[16:24] So that right there

[16:27] makes her argument pretty mad. So but we

[16:30] can look into it. Um, it's too late for

[16:32] this year, but for going forward, we

[16:34] could look into it because it's a valid

[16:36] point.

[16:36] >> It's too late for me.

[16:41] » Any other questions?

[16:50] » The public packet's been updated with

[16:51] the correct previous numbers. Just

[17:03] must be done and say we adopt ordinance

[17:07] number 26543 amending appendix B your fe

[17:12] schedule code of ordinance for you to

[17:16] revise utility rates

[17:21] okay all in favor

[17:22] >> I

[17:24] » I

[17:24] >> okay

[17:24] » okay

[17:24] >> just a note on that it'll take effect

[17:26] » just a note on that it'll take effect

[17:26] 101 the First water bill that'll be

[17:28] affected would be the bill sent out

[17:32] October 25th.

[17:34] No, November November 25th through

[17:37] December 10th.

[17:39] >> So they won't see this immediately.

[17:43] » So they won't see this immediately.

[17:43] >> But in the meantime, we can get

[17:44] » But in the meantime, we can get

[17:44] something

[17:44] >> we'll get a

[17:49] for the record. The motion carried.

[17:51] Uh move on to D. discussion only

[17:55] regarding the proposed budget and

[17:56] proposed tax rate for fiscal year 2026

[17:58] 2027. No action will be taken.

[18:02] >> So I gave you each a copy of this. Um I

[18:06] » So I gave you each a copy of this. Um I

[18:06] made sure and put a cover on here

[18:07] because I don't want anybody out in the

[18:10] public thinking this is our final

[18:11] budget. Um but this is as it sits today.

[18:15] Um our budget can change sometimes um

[18:18] without warning um until we get it

[18:21] approved. The only number I'm waiting

[18:23] on, we have not been able to get our

[18:26] premiums for our property liability and

[18:28] auto um policy. Um but they should be

[18:33] coming any day. I will have them before

[18:35] we approve in September. Um

[18:39] so I want to talk about tax rate.

[18:42] Um so you have

[18:50] Okay. So this slide is just um giving

[18:53] you a snapshot of where our revenue is.

[18:56] Um I'm going to present to you some

[18:58] options for our tax rate. This is built

[19:02] on the highest option I'm giving you. Um

[19:05] it's the highest option we have that we

[19:07] can go to without risk of it going to a

[19:09] ballot at the election time. um it um

[19:14] would show that our total revenue is

[19:16] 4,000

[19:19] 4 million. Um one reason I show you this

[19:23] is just to show you how dependent we are

[19:26] on property tax. Um 70.29%

[19:30] of our projected revenue is from

[19:32] property tax in the general fund.

[19:36] um sales tax comes in a distant second

[19:39] at 21.17

[19:41] and then the other things make up the

[19:42] rest. So I just wanted you to see some

[19:45] cities property tax is not

[19:49] that big. Um but we don't have a lot of

[19:52] other revenue. So, okay. Next.

[19:58] Okay. So, at the top of the sheet, um

[20:02] you'll see our current tax rate um for

[20:05] this existing

[20:06] um year is 0.557993

[20:12] for every $100 of assessed value of

[20:15] that.

[20:16] M which is maintenance and operation for

[20:19] the general fund. That's the money

[20:20] that's used to operate the city not

[20:24] counting um the water and sewer um is

[20:29] 466352.

[20:31] The next number is our INS or debt rate.

[20:35] This is calculated by the county to give

[20:38] us what we need to assess on our taxable

[20:43] values to re or to bring in enough money

[20:48] to pay our debt requirements for the

[20:50] next year. So that number is fixed by

[20:53] the county. We can't fudge on that. So

[20:56] um

[20:58] so the um

[21:01] tax year 26 which is fiscal year 27

[21:06] um that we're working on it the INS rate

[21:09] it has been set by the county at 082239

[21:14] per $100 of taxable value. So it has

[21:17] gone down um 0.009402.

[21:23] Our taxable value when I was here a

[21:26] month ago and I gave you our estimated

[21:29] taxable value it was 577

[21:32] million. When we got our certified it

[21:35] went down 551

[21:38] million657986.

[21:41] So it is an increase from last year of

[21:44] 1.8% 8% but it is significantly lower

[21:49] than what I showed you last month. Um

[21:52] this is due to protests

[21:55] primarily. Um again we have no control

[21:58] over that.

[22:00] Um I'm going to be talking about

[22:01] different kinds of rates. The no new

[22:03] revenue rate will be if you take the

[22:06] exact same properties that were on the

[22:07] tax roll last year,

[22:10] you come up with a tax rate that will

[22:11] give you that same revenue you got last

[22:14] year. that rate varies because of the

[22:16] debt rate and their assessed values that

[22:19] they went up. Um, so that's the no new

[22:22] revenue rate. The voter approval rate

[22:26] allows cities to gain a bit on the

[22:30] revenue. Um, for cities under 30,000

[22:35] population, which is us, we can go up 8%

[22:39] from the no new revenue rate. Cities

[22:42] over 30,000 can only go up three and a

[22:44] half.

[22:46] If you go higher than this, then you

[22:48] risk going to uh that a a resident can

[22:52] do start a petition and it'll go on the

[22:54] ballot. So, um I have spoken wrong in

[23:00] past years.

[23:02] I'll just tell you that. I'm admitting

[23:04] it. I thought once you reduced your tax

[23:06] rate from your maximum that you lost

[23:10] revenue forever. Well, I didn't know

[23:13] because we've never done this before. Um

[23:16] there's an unused incremental rate that

[23:18] the county calculates if you didn't go

[23:22] with your V or voter approval rate. We

[23:26] went below that last year. So the um

[23:29] county calculated that we have an unused

[23:33] incremental rate of 0007743

[23:37] which is then added to the B. Um this is

[23:41] to help to keep cities from losing that

[23:44] revenue over and over again.

[23:46] So I admit I was wrong.

[23:50] >> Iated the day that she told me I said I

[23:53] » Iated the day that she told me I said I

[23:53] made sure I mark down when you were

[23:54] wrong.

[23:54] >> Yeah. It doesn't happen very often.

[23:59] » Yeah. It doesn't happen very often.

[23:59] Okay. So

[24:01] this chart um our existing rate as I

[24:05] said earlier is 0.557993.

[24:09] Um it brings in a total levy to the

[24:11] general fund of 2624535

[24:14] if we collected 100%.

[24:18] The county also calculates our

[24:20] anticipated collection rate. So they're

[24:23] saying we're only going to get 98.69%

[24:25] 69% of what we levy. As you can see

[24:29] below there, we used to be at 103.2,

[24:32] which I'm not real sure how you get

[24:34] more, but they said that we've got gone

[24:37] down every year to where now we're

[24:39] expected to only get 98.69.

[24:44] So, if you apply that figure to the

[24:46] total levy, you come up with a levy of

[24:50] 2,590,154.

[24:54] This is an increase from

[24:56] and this is if we had our existing rate

[24:59] on our current our new certified it

[25:02] would increase our revenue by 62,59

[25:06] and our change our bottom line on the

[25:09] general fund would be a positive $16,15.

[25:16] If we went to the no new revenue rate,

[25:17] which as I explained is keeping it the

[25:20] same as as last year, um for those

[25:23] existing properties, we would actually

[25:25] go negative in our general fund of

[25:28] 25,54.

[25:29] And again, this is all projected based

[25:32] on assumptions.

[25:34] If we went to the 3 and a half% V, which

[25:39] is what cities over 30,000 can do, um,

[25:44] we would have a net increase on our fund

[25:46] balance of 105,000.

[25:49] And if we went to our maximum,

[25:52] it would be 220,541.

[25:56] Now this is assuming we hit every number

[26:00] in the budget straight on. You know

[26:02] these are budgets are educated guesses.

[26:05] So um so that is the the V 8%

[26:13] is the one that is I've built this

[26:16] budget on.

[26:18] I can change it. I just always push for

[26:22] that because

[26:25] you know I think we have a lot of

[26:28] building to do going forward but it is

[26:31] ultimately up to you guys. Um this also

[26:35] uses or includes that unused incremental

[26:39] rate

[26:41] of um what was it? 007 something that's

[26:46] been added to the the two VS.

[26:49] If we took away that unused incremental

[26:52] rate, that would reduce any of these

[26:56] levies by $42,155

[27:00] that's in that box.

[27:03] So, I'm giving you a lot of options. We

[27:06] have these four rates, but we also have

[27:09] the VS without the incremental on them,

[27:13] which would take that down to roughly

[27:18] 60,000 and 180,000 positive.

[27:24] So that is um the options I'm giving

[27:28] you. Then the next page,

[27:32] this is what these rates would have,

[27:36] what effect they would have on a

[27:38] property. Um, I highlighted the 250,000

[27:41] because that's the closest on this chart

[27:43] to our median value of a home. So, the

[27:46] majority of of our homeowners would feel

[27:50] whatever we do at the 250,000.

[27:54] Um, so at our current rate, if we didn't

[27:58] change our tax rate at all, their tax

[28:01] bill from Richwood would be $1,395.

[28:05] If we go to the highest,

[28:07] it would be $1,488

[28:11] or about $90,

[28:13] um,

[28:14] $86 different for the year, just to tell

[28:19] you how that chart works. Any questions

[28:22] on any of that? I'm throwing a lot of

[28:25] terms and a lot of numbers at you and

[28:29] it's it's kind of like hearing Greek.

[28:32] >> Can we go back to that last one?

[28:33] » Can we go back to that last one?

[28:34] >> What's that?

[28:35] » What's that?

[28:35] >> Can we go back to the last one?

[28:36] » Can we go back to the last one?

[28:36] >> Yeah.

[28:40] So, u

[28:43] it looked like when I looked at the

[28:44] budget, I didn't have access to this new

[28:47] one, but when I looked at the last one,

[28:50] it uh looked like almost every

[28:52] department in the city was under budget

[28:55] on the proposed budget compared to uh

[28:58] the current budget. Is that correct?

[29:00] >> Like our current just spending in

[29:01] » Like our current just spending in

[29:01] general.

[29:02] >> Yeah.

[29:05] » Yeah.

[29:05] >> Yeah. our expenditures have have gone

[29:08] » Yeah. our expenditures have have gone

[29:08] down um in the general fund.

[29:12] Find it here. Um this the current budget

[29:16] we're living in right now, our

[29:18] expenditures were 3.4 million and we're

[29:21] proposing 3.3. So they've gone down

[29:25] about 100,000 um overall for each one of

[29:29] the departments. Um

[29:31] some of that uh last year public works

[29:35] got a new truck. Um you know there were

[29:38] other things that are not happening this

[29:40] year. We had some engineering costs in

[29:42] in the general fund I think.

[29:48] » Anyway, there's things that are

[29:49] happening.

[29:51] >> Well, that's what I'm curious current

[29:52] » Well, that's what I'm curious current

[29:52] year that are not going to happen this

[29:54] next year. the voter approval rate of

[29:57] 7.9 or 8% that's $220,000

[30:01] at the end of next year added to the

[30:03] budget. Correct.

[30:04] >> Added to

[30:05] » Added to

[30:05] >> that means that if you add all your

[30:07] » that means that if you add all your

[30:07] >> revenue that year mark or something or

[30:09] » revenue that year mark or something or

[30:09] why would

[30:10] >> no that um so that is what you get to

[30:14] » no that um so that is what you get to

[30:14] when you add all your revenues and take

[30:16] out all your expenditures. We'd have

[30:18] 220,000 left.

[30:20] >> But not to cut you off but we missed you

[30:23] » But not to cut you off but we missed you

[30:23] last month. Wait, did you watch back the

[30:24] meeting when we talked about adding to

[30:26] the same capital?

[30:27] >> Right.

[30:27] » Right.

[30:27] >> Um, so we took your

[30:31] » Um, so we took your

[30:31] comment from that we had when we were

[30:33] talking about earmarking money and we

[30:35] requested to do that. and we built that

[30:37] in and then this would yes be the

[30:38] additional unrestricted unallocated

[30:42] >> so

[30:45] » so

[30:45] um

[30:46] >> one thing

[30:48] » one thing

[30:48] as I said earlier our budget is an

[30:51] educated yes we don't know what fiscal

[30:54] year 27 is going to do um so I like to

[30:57] have some cushion

[30:59] for ups and downs

[31:01] um to keep us from going negative

[31:06] um that's saying we have to have

[31:07] 220,000.

[31:08] If we don't if it came in exactly what

[31:11] I'm projecting right now and we had

[31:13] 220,000 left on 930, it would just add

[31:16] to our fund balance for a general fund

[31:19] which can be then put wherever we want.

[31:24] >> It can we can use fund balance for a

[31:26] » It can we can use fund balance for a

[31:26] project in the next year.

[31:27] >> Yeah. So um

[31:29] » Yeah. So um

[31:29] >> it can help clip

[31:30] » it can help clip

[31:30] >> of course

[31:31] » of course

[31:31] >> it could help clip on the general fund

[31:33] » it could help clip on the general fund

[31:33] side.

[31:34] >> Yeah. We technically we could with

[31:36] » Yeah. We technically we could with

[31:36] council approval transfer it to utility

[31:39] projects as well.

[31:39] >> I guess it could be all budgets.

[31:41] » I guess it could be all budgets.

[31:41] >> Yeah.

[31:42] » Yeah.

[31:42] >> So

[31:44] » So

[31:44] I feel like my job is to tell you best

[31:47] case scenario with the tax rate that

[31:49] would get us there. Um this does not

[31:52] mean we have to do this. Last year

[31:55] council voted they wanted me to

[31:58] calculate a rate that left a $100,000

[32:00] bottom line.

[32:02] Um, to me that was a

[32:06] it's still a guess, you know, that we'd

[32:08] get to that. Um, but if you look at this

[32:11] chart, the V3.5

[32:15] gets us right about there. Um,

[32:20] I don't want to do the negative one.

[32:21] I'll just tell you guys that. And if you

[32:23] vote on that, that's your choice. But I

[32:26] don't recommend it. Um the existing rate

[32:30] in my mind is a little too close for

[32:32] comfort. I don't want to go negative. Um

[32:36] so I would um

[32:40] I think we need to take advantage of

[32:43] that unused incremental rate.

[32:47] But if you we can do that on either of

[32:50] the VS.

[32:52] If you wanted to do the VA 8% without

[32:55] that, that would lower the rate by a

[32:58] little bit. 0.77.

[33:02] So that would bring us in in that area

[33:05] between the two. Um we could do the V

[33:08] 3.5 without that. Um that would bring us

[33:11] in at about 60,000

[33:14] net. Again, to me that's a little too

[33:16] close. Um, but we are I used to like to

[33:22] say that I wanted 300,000

[33:25] but we weren't doing the reserves like

[33:27] we are now. We have increased reserve

[33:29] spending or not reserve spending,

[33:31] reserve saving. Um, we have started

[33:34] putting into the capital improvement

[33:36] fund with this budget. We're still

[33:38] putting some into the contingency fund

[33:41] to bring it to 2 million. And those

[33:44] numbers will vary until right before

[33:48] budget when I can get as close to exact

[33:50] as I can. Um, but those two numbers will

[33:53] total to 10% of expenditures. Um, so

[33:57] it's really um

[34:01] it's where you guys as a as a council

[34:05] want to see us go and um where you want

[34:11] us going forward. Um I can only present

[34:15] to you

[34:17] >> question

[34:18] » question

[34:18] is a 3.5

[34:21] lock I mean is that a hard number? Yes,

[34:25] >> it can't it can't be changed like the

[34:27] » it can't it can't be changed like the

[34:27] 8%.

[34:28] >> We don't we can pick any number

[34:30] » We don't we can pick any number

[34:30] whatsoever between the NNR and the V8%.

[34:35] You guys could pick a number anywhere in

[34:37] that range.

[34:38] >> Like you could pick 5%.

[34:40] » Like you could pick 5%.

[34:40] >> You could. Yes.

[34:41] » You could. Yes.

[34:41] >> Okay. Okay. That I I [laughter] locked

[34:44] » Okay. Okay. That I I [laughter] locked

[34:44] in.

[34:44] >> These are just

[34:46] » These are just

[34:46] >> hypothetical.

[34:46] » hypothetical.

[34:46] >> These are just the options the county

[34:48] » These are just the options the county

[34:48] gives us.

[34:49] >> Okay.

[34:50] » Okay.

[34:50] >> Um and a general standard. Yes. But you

[34:53] » Um and a general standard. Yes. But you

[34:53] can go.

[34:54] >> Um, but you know, last year when they

[34:56] » Um, but you know, last year when they

[34:56] had me calculate to bring the proposed

[34:59] budget to 100,000 positive bottom line,

[35:03] that wasn't any of these numbers. That

[35:05] was somewhere

[35:06] >> in between.

[35:07] » in between.

[35:07] >> Okay.

[35:07] » Okay.

[35:07] >> Trish, can you explain the recapture?

[35:10] » Trish, can you explain the recapture?

[35:10] And did you and you told me this, you

[35:13] said it, they recapture the prior three

[35:15] years. So, if they choose to adopt a

[35:16] rate that doesn't recapture next year,

[35:18] we'll get that we'll get another

[35:20] recapture rate. They go over those for

[35:22] that unused incremental rate. They go

[35:25] back three years. So last year um it was

[35:29] 47,000 that we didn't capture because we

[35:33] went below the V. So that was 47,000 of

[35:36] revenue we didn't get last year. So that

[35:40] revenue now they figured out what rate

[35:43] we would need to get to get that revenue

[35:46] this year. So we lost it last year, but

[35:49] we can get it this year.

[35:51] if we don't use that rate or if we go

[35:54] somewhere in between the you know

[35:57] anything below the V plus that and it's

[36:01] they base it on the V 3.5 not the 8. Um

[36:06] they go back three years. So this year

[36:08] we only had one year because the other

[36:10] two years we went the full amount. Um

[36:14] next year if we didn't we'd have two

[36:17] years with their children together. So

[36:18] it would be the 47,000 this year and you

[36:21] know 32,000 or whatever the next year.

[36:24] >> If we did at least 3.5 this year

[36:28] » If we did at least 3.5 this year

[36:28] next year would they give us that 47 as

[36:30] an option again or is it like

[36:32] >> Okay. So it's still just those three

[36:33] » Okay. So it's still just those three

[36:33] years until until they fall off. Yes.

[36:36] Okay.

[36:37] >> I just wanted to give them all the

[36:38] » I just wanted to give them all the

[36:38] things to think about.

[36:39] >> Yeah. So you use

[36:40] » Yeah. So you use

[36:40] >> this is new for all of us. We have not

[36:41] » this is new for all of us. We have not

[36:42] had this happen with us.

[36:43] >> I didn't know it existed because we've

[36:44] » I didn't know it existed because we've

[36:44] never gone below the B while I've been

[36:47] here. Um,

[36:49] so it's based on the last three years.

[36:52] You lose the money the year you don't go

[36:54] that full rate. And if we didn't do it

[36:56] this year, we're losing it for the

[36:58] second year, but we still have that

[37:00] option to get it two more years.

[37:04] » Question for you.

[37:05] >> You may not know the numbers off top of

[37:07] » You may not know the numbers off top of

[37:07] your head. Does the 3.4

[37:10] million or 3.1

[37:14] expenditures this year

[37:19] Does that include the money that was set

[37:21] aside for the U contingency funds and

[37:26] >> no

[37:26] » no

[37:26] >> general fund?

[37:27] » general fund?

[37:28] >> No. So if you look at

[37:30] » No. So if you look at

[37:30] >> I don't know what I should have these

[37:32] » I don't know what I should have these

[37:32] pages numbered. Um but the page that the

[37:35] first category says emergency disaster

[37:39] it's about fifth page I think.

[37:44] So a little over halfway down it says

[37:46] total expenditures.

[37:49] » So

[37:50] >> So it says 34

[37:51] » So it says 34

[37:51] >> 3.346

[37:54] » 3.346

[37:54] is our projected expenditures

[37:57] >> and we brought in 3.8

[38:01] » and we brought in 3.8

[38:01] this year. So we had a $400,000 surplus

[38:04] this year. Is that an accurate

[38:05] statement?

[38:10] » Yes. Right now.

[38:13] So, as of June 30th,

[38:16] >> um

[38:18] » um

[38:18] we're 470,000 ahead, but that's only

[38:22] >> that doesn't include in what we talked

[38:23] » that doesn't include in what we talked

[38:23] about last month,

[38:25] >> ensuring the it's not contingency fun or

[38:28] » ensuring the it's not contingency fun or

[38:28] whatever you call it,

[38:29] >> the capital improvement.

[38:29] » the capital improvement.

[38:30] >> Capital improvement. So, not so yeah, we

[38:32] » Capital improvement. So, not so yeah, we

[38:32] take capital improvement up to 2 million

[38:34] or contingency fund up to 2 million and

[38:36] then put the rest in capital

[38:37] improvement. Correct. So, so when you

[38:39] look at the budget, the total

[38:40] expenditures are what it costs to run

[38:42] the city, the operation of the city.

[38:44] Yeah.

[38:45] >> Okay. Then below that are sources. Those

[38:48] » Okay. Then below that are sources. Those

[38:48] are things um brought in from other

[38:50] funds. Um which it shows um 25,000

[38:56] transferred in that is for the software.

[39:00] Um we had talked last month about

[39:02] getting new software and the um court

[39:05] technology fund paying 25,000 toward the

[39:09] implementation. That's what that's

[39:10] brought in. So it's not really revenue

[39:12] to the city. It's just kind of a Okay.

[39:16] And then uses are transfers out.

[39:20] So we have a transfer to contingency

[39:23] fund of 108500

[39:25] and a transfer to capital projects of

[39:28] 226.

[39:30] So you take your revenue less your

[39:31] expenditures and then add the sources

[39:35] subtract the uses. So then on the next

[39:37] page that's your bottom line. So you can

[39:40] see under 2026 budget it came in right

[39:43] at 100,000 because that's what they

[39:44] instructed me to do. um right now, well

[39:48] I shouldn't say right now the actuals on

[39:51] this budget form right now are through

[39:53] 6:30. When I bring um the proposed

[39:58] budget for approval next month, I'll

[40:00] have it updated, but I did 6:30 so that

[40:04] our departments had a gauge of where

[40:07] they could see where their spending was.

[40:10] Um but so right as of 6:30, we're

[40:13] 470,000 ahead. So would it be an

[40:16] accurate statement to assume that

[40:19] we're over this year 450 460,000

[40:23] whichever one we approve on here we went

[40:26] back one slide

[40:30] it would add to that 450,000

[40:32] >> so that 400 and some thousand we've

[40:35] » so that 400 and some thousand we've

[40:35] gotten 90ome% of our income in already

[40:39] at this point

[40:41] >> we've reached 98%

[40:42] » we've reached 98%

[40:42] >> but we still have pretty much,

[40:45] » but we still have pretty much,

[40:45] >> but we still have three months of

[40:48] » but we still have three months of

[40:48] expenses. So, that's going to go down.

[40:51] Um, we're still getting sales tax in.

[40:53] We're still getting a trickle of

[40:55] property tax, but we're at like 98

[40:59] something% of our property tax that

[41:01] we're going to collect in.

[41:03] >> So, this is it inflates the bottom line

[41:06] » So, this is it inflates the bottom line

[41:06] early in the year.

[41:08] >> That's what I

[41:08] » That's what I

[41:08] >> Does that make sense?

[41:09] » Does that make sense?

[41:09] >> Yep. That's that's what

[41:11] » Yep. That's that's what

[41:11] >> um so when I come next month, I'll have

[41:14] » um so when I come next month, I'll have

[41:14] a better idea for you. I will project

[41:16] I'll go to the end of August and then

[41:19] I'll project for September to give you

[41:21] hard harder numbers to see where we're

[41:24] going to land. There's still projection

[41:26] for a month. Um it'll be closer to that

[41:29] 100,000, but I think we're going to be

[41:31] ahead still. Um, our revenues are down,

[41:35] but we also haven't spent. We've had uh

[41:38] salaries that haven't been spent because

[41:40] we've had missing police officers,

[41:42] missing, you know, different um, you

[41:46] know, some positions now are lower paid

[41:48] than they were a year ago, that type of

[41:51] thing. Does that answer your question?

[41:53] >> Yes, ma'am.

[41:54] » Yes, ma'am.

[41:54] >> Okay.

[41:57] » Okay.

[41:57] >> And just for clarification, like what

[41:58] » And just for clarification, like what

[41:58] we're voting on today is not the actual

[42:00] tax rate. is

[42:02] >> the mag we could go up. [clears throat]

[42:05] » the mag we could go up. [clears throat]

[42:05] >> This the language that the state sets

[42:07] » This the language that the state sets

[42:07] out is very very confusing on this

[42:10] record tax vote. What we're telling the

[42:12] taxpayers is that the city of Richmond

[42:16] will not enact a tax rate higher than

[42:19] this amount we're saying today. Now,

[42:22] when it comes up in paper, it's going to

[42:24] look like we're raising our taxes that

[42:26] much. Maybe we are. We're not deciding

[42:30] till next month, although I'd like some

[42:33] guidance. Um, but this tax, we are not

[42:36] setting the tax rate after tonight. We

[42:40] can't go higher. So, if you said, um,

[42:43] you know, our record tax rate

[42:46] [clears throat] is.574494,

[42:49] we can't then go to the very the VA%.

[42:54] Um, we could go below or at the V 3.5 as

[42:59] an example. Um, so I always ask that you

[43:04] vote in your record vote for the highest

[43:06] when I'm presenting. That gives us

[43:08] flexibility. We don't know

[43:11] what's going to happen tomorrow. We

[43:13] don't know if something's going to come

[43:16] off the Gulf in a week and or we just

[43:20] don't know. So if you go lower, you've

[43:24] you've shrunk our possibilities.

[43:27] Now it's only for a month, but it's

[43:29] still it

[43:31] >> we're also waiting on insurance premium.

[43:33] » we're also waiting on insurance premium.

[43:33] >> We're waiting to work on insurance

[43:35] » We're waiting to work on insurance

[43:35] premiums. I did build in 10% increase on

[43:38] insurance, but some years that that's

[43:42] only a fourth of what they went up.

[43:44] Hopefully not this year. Um but a few

[43:47] years ago they went up over 40%. I think

[43:49] it was 49. Um, so

[43:53] we want to vote on the highest one just

[43:57] to give us

[43:58] the opportunity to be flexible as we

[44:00] work.

[44:01] >> You're looking for two types of guidance

[44:02] » You're looking for two types of guidance

[44:02] tonight, right?

[44:04] One to a set a ceiling on our tax rate.

[44:08] Two, guidance for you to actually create

[44:10] a budget. Is that

[44:12] >> the budget? So we're when you vote on a

[44:14] » the budget? So we're when you vote on a

[44:14] budget, you're voting on the

[44:16] expenditures. You're not voting on the

[44:18] revenue because um revenue is going to

[44:23] be what it's going to be,

[44:24] >> but you're voting on a tax rate. Um I

[44:29] » but you're voting on a tax rate. Um I

[44:29] present a budget and I think every city

[44:30] does with the revenue showing showing

[44:33] the revenue for that tax rate you're

[44:35] going to approve. So I would like some

[44:37] guidance of where you guys would like to

[44:39] be so that I can bring a budget document

[44:42] to you that reflects that. Just like

[44:45] last month you gave me guidance on the

[44:47] utility rates, tonight I'd like you to

[44:51] kind of give a consensus of where you

[44:53] want that tax rate to be. That doesn't

[44:56] mean

[44:58] we can't change it if the unforeseen

[45:01] comes or something, but that gives me

[45:03] guidance.

[45:07] I'll make a motion to uh

[45:09] >> Well, this is not actually

[45:10] » Well, this is not actually

[45:10] >> So, we're not actually heard this

[45:12] » So, we're not actually heard this

[45:12] discussion, general discussion.

[45:14] >> This is discussion and guidance to me.

[45:16] » This is discussion and guidance to me.

[45:16] Then when we get to the item, there's

[45:18] exact language we have to use.

[45:20] >> Yeah, just

[45:21] » Yeah, just

[45:21] >> we just last year our council's

[45:24] » we just last year our council's

[45:24] prerogative was like focus on the bottom

[45:26] line. We didn't know if y'all are more

[45:29] interested in what that rate actually

[45:31] looks like or the bottom line or

[45:33] >> dollar figure. How how do you want it to

[45:36] » dollar figure. How how do you want it to

[45:36] look so we know how to go forward? If

[45:38] you want her to look at it without

[45:40] recapturing that amount that the council

[45:43] decided to forego last year, that's your

[45:46] call. Also, um we just want to bring you

[45:49] a budget because that's when we have to

[45:52] formally publish it.

[45:54] >> Um actually today we put it out there.

[45:57] » Um actually today we put it out there.

[45:57] We're going to put it out there um in

[45:58] the morning after

[45:59] >> Yeah. We have to send to the county what

[46:01] » Yeah. We have to send to the county what

[46:01] your record vote is.

[46:02] >> Yeah. and then we'll we'll post.

[46:05] » Yeah. and then we'll we'll post.

[46:05] >> And I do want to clarify one thing with

[46:07] » And I do want to clarify one thing with

[46:07] that incremental rate. If you use it

[46:10] this year, it doesn't mean you don't

[46:11] have that next year. You get it every

[46:13] year, but it's within those three years.

[46:15] So, it's not a once and done. Yeah.

[46:18] Clarify that.

[46:21] >> So, when are we going to actually vote

[46:23] » So, when are we going to actually vote

[46:23] on the tax rates?

[46:24] >> Next month.

[46:25] » Next month.

[46:25] >> Next month.

[46:26] » Next month.

[46:26] >> So, we do this record vote so that way

[46:28] » So, we do this record vote so that way

[46:28] we can put out legally required notices

[46:30] to the public. We publish it in the

[46:32] paper. We put postings on the website

[46:34] and then that gives the public a month

[46:36] notice of your city's possibly going to

[46:38] go this high and you can you're welcome

[46:40] to attend the public hearings. So I read

[46:42] all motion on all these public hearings

[46:43] and that gives us the green light to

[46:45] publish these notices to get the

[46:46] residents informed of what's going

[46:47] >> and when we take the the vote on the

[46:50] » and when we take the the vote on the

[46:50] record vote we have to go one at a time.

[46:53] Um because we have to publish who voted

[46:55] yes, who voted no. Um, so, um,

[46:59] this is all required by by our laws. Um,

[47:05] so I would just like to get, um,

[47:09] some guidance. Um, first of all, if

[47:12] there's anything in the budget document

[47:14] that you think we haven't covered enough

[47:16] or that you've changed your mind on and

[47:18] should be included, um, this includes

[47:21] everything we've talked about, including

[47:23] the software. And I felt like that was

[47:25] pretty resounding. Yes. Um like I said

[47:28] earlier, it includes that $25,000

[47:30] transfer. Um it includes um really a

[47:36] pretty barebones budget because I think

[47:38] we all as we worked through the budget

[47:43] with all the changes that have occurred

[47:44] in this city in the last several months,

[47:48] we all just wanted to kind of maintain

[47:50] status quo. Um, we're not asking for big

[47:54] things except the software. Um, you

[47:57] know, Cliff doesn't have a list of

[47:58] equipment he wants to include. Um,

[48:01] there's some necessary projects in the

[48:03] enterprise fund. Um, but

[48:07] otherwise, this is pretty bare bones

[48:08] what it's going to take to run this

[48:10] city. Um and then um going forward next

[48:16] year

[48:17] we'll we'll re-evaluate and maybe we can

[48:19] start doing some improvements, some

[48:22] capital projects um fixing streets or

[48:26] you know but this year we don't have

[48:28] anything big um that we're asking for

[48:31] right now. Correct.

[48:33] >> Right. It'll all be next year.

[48:35] » Right. It'll all be next year.

[48:35] >> Yeah. So, so, um, one thing when you

[48:39] » Yeah. So, so, um, one thing when you

[48:39] consider the tax rate,

[48:42] it's not money that's just going to sit

[48:44] in a pile and look pretty. It's, um,

[48:48] money that we could use next year for

[48:50] the projects that he's got mulling

[48:52] around in that brain of his. So, um,

[48:55] >> and that and that's perfect. Like, one

[48:57] » and that and that's perfect. Like, one

[48:57] of the things I was sitting here

[48:59] thinking about was I have no problem

[49:01] looking at a V of 8%, right? None.

[49:04] because you spend an hour with Cliff and

[49:07] you'll want to hand him money for

[49:09] infrastructure needs, right? And so I

[49:13] don't have any issue in doing that, but

[49:16] I think the public certainly should have

[49:19] some idea of what these big projects are

[49:21] coming up, right? That this is why we

[49:24] have, you know, so much money in reserve

[49:27] right now. We're uh what would you say?

[49:31] $100,000 at the end of this year. We're

[49:34] looking at $220,000

[49:36] in addition at the end of next year,

[49:38] right? Like the public should have some

[49:40] understanding that, you know, we're just

[49:42] not grabbing a bunch of money and

[49:44] saying, "Thank you very much."

[49:47] >> And in fiscal year 20,

[49:50] » And in fiscal year 20,

[49:50] I work in so many different years. I got

[49:52] to think fiscal year 25, that was last

[49:55] year. Um,

[49:57] our budget included 700,000

[50:00] to repair two streets. Um, and that was

[50:04] transferred out of our fund balance in

[50:07] the general fund to the transportation

[50:10] fund so Cliff could fix. Right. Two

[50:12] streets,

[50:14] >> huh?

[50:15] » huh?

[50:15] >> There's one. Cypress. Cypress. Misty.

[50:17] » There's one. Cypress. Cypress. Misty.

[50:17] Sorry.

[50:18] >> That's two streets.

[50:18] » That's two streets.

[50:18] >> They do.

[50:21] » They do.

[50:21] >> Um,

[50:22] » Um,

[50:22] so, so that's the type of thing we're

[50:24] looking at. He has when we got the

[50:26] streets master plan, he has a whole

[50:30] hierarchy of streets top to bottom of

[50:33] who needs work first. Um those are the

[50:36] type of things I'm talking about. Um our

[50:39] fund balance

[50:42] sits there. We want six months worth of

[50:45] expenditures

[50:47] there

[50:49] in case the bottom falls out. But above

[50:52] that, we can use it for streets. We can

[50:55] use it for

[50:58] >> anything you Yeah. drainage,

[51:00] » anything you Yeah. drainage,

[51:00] >> um, parks, anything that you guys

[51:03] » um, parks, anything that you guys

[51:03] approve. Um, it's not going to go to

[51:06] waste. There's a lot of work to be done

[51:08] in this city. We've made a lot of

[51:10] headway, but there's a lot more to go.

[51:13] So, um,

[51:16] you know, I I feel like I just keep

[51:18] saying, "Let's stick money here, stick

[51:19] money here for later." But there's he's

[51:22] got $30 million of projects to do. Um,

[51:27] so,

[51:28] you know, it's just where you guys feel

[51:30] comfortable. And that's one of the

[51:32] reasons I give you the chart showing the

[51:35] how much the rates change for a

[51:38] household. Um, and I know year by year

[51:42] by year it adds up, but the changes in

[51:46] each year

[51:48] are, you know, a trip to El Toro.

[51:52] Um, and I realize we have families that

[51:55] can't afford to go to El Toro. I'm not

[51:57] trying to diminish that, but I'm just

[51:59] saying, um,

[52:02] it's there's not a huge

[52:05] insurmountable difference between top

[52:07] and bottom of the rates. Um, but when

[52:10] you put them all together, it can make a

[52:12] big difference for Cliff and the jobs he

[52:15] has to do.

[52:20] Any other comments or questions?

[52:23] Anything I didn't touch on?

[52:26] >> Please don't. We are so

[52:30] » Please don't. We are so

[52:30] >> I want to hear you guys thoughts. Um,

[52:33] » I want to hear you guys thoughts. Um,

[52:33] >> do you want them to provide you a

[52:36] » do you want them to provide you a

[52:36] percentage or a solid number tonight?

[52:38] You know, you guys did so great last

[52:40] month and kind of getting a consensus

[52:42] without really having to go through the

[52:43] vote process for the 5% increase on

[52:46] utilities. If you guys could kind of do

[52:50] that again, it's great, but I know it's

[52:51] hard. There's so many options. Um,

[52:55] >> I'll tell you, I'll throw what I'm

[52:56] » I'll tell you, I'll throw what I'm

[52:56] leaning towards the 3.5. And I say that

[52:59] because it covers So, looking this year,

[53:02] we got a $400,000 surplus. If you do the

[53:06] 3.5, that covers the $95,000

[53:10] increase between the software annuals or

[53:13] the software implementation

[53:15] and the pay raises for the employees. So

[53:18] that covers that 100,000 if you did the

[53:22] 3.5 plus the the um incremental. So

[53:27] that's kind of where I'm leaning. I

[53:28] think we probably brought in enough

[53:30] money. I personally I think the city

[53:33] should break even. You shouldn't. We're

[53:35] not in the money making business. You

[53:37] know, there's other ways to do capital

[53:39] projects. And if you're throwing,

[53:42] I mean, literally, we bring in four

[53:44] million. If you have 2 million in

[53:46] capital or in general fund, 2 million in

[53:50] contingency funds, and you're dumping,

[53:54] what is it 220,000 in the capital

[53:56] projects, that's probably what we can

[53:58] afford. That's probably responsible.

[54:01] So, I I think where we're at this year,

[54:03] I like this budget. It's kind of the

[54:05] $100,000 mark. I'm kind of leaning to

[54:08] mirror that plus provide that that ERP

[54:12] is pretty critical, I think, because

[54:13] that

[54:15] >> that runs all of this

[54:16] » that runs all of this

[54:16] >> and that is built into the budget

[54:18] » and that is built into the budget

[54:18] >> and then the 4% increase in raise that

[54:22] » and then the 4% increase in raise that

[54:22] funds that as well. So, I'm kind of

[54:24] leaning that away is where I'm at.

[54:26] That's my mindset

[54:28] >> with the um unused incremental included

[54:31] » with the um unused incremental included

[54:31] >> include include that. So it would be 3

[54:36] » include include that. So it would be 3

[54:36] >> 494.

[54:37] » 494.

[54:37] >> Okay.

[54:37] » Okay.

[54:37] >> Yeah.

[54:38] » Yeah.

[54:38] >> That has the incremental in there.

[54:40] » That has the incremental in there.

[54:40] [clears throat]

[54:41] >> That's kind of where I'm thinking.

[54:46] » But tonight I'd almost like to see both

[54:50] of them at the 8% and then 3.5. But I

[54:52] know that puts more work on. So

[54:54] >> you'd like to do what?

[54:56] » you'd like to do what?

[54:56] >> You want to see the budget with it? But

[54:57] » You want to see the budget with it? But

[54:57] with both.

[54:57] >> No. So tonight I would tell you if I had

[54:59] » No. So tonight I would tell you if I had

[54:59] to vote tonight, I would say the 8%.

[55:02] >> But then I would tell you while you're

[55:03] » But then I would tell you while you're

[55:03] doing the budget, I would lean towards

[55:05] the

[55:06] >> Gotcha. So for the record vote, you're

[55:07] » Gotcha. So for the record vote, you're

[55:07] going to Oh, yeah.

[55:11] >> Gotcha.

[55:11] » Gotcha.

[55:11] >> That way in case I look in here and

[55:13] » That way in case I look in here and

[55:13] they're like, "Oh man, we cut our nose

[55:14] off."

[55:15] >> Yeah.

[55:16] » Yeah.

[55:16] >> It just gives us more.

[55:17] » It just gives us more.

[55:17] >> You just need the ceiling

[55:18] » You just need the ceiling

[55:18] [clears throat] number from council and

[55:20] then we go from there for next month. So

[55:22] y'all are all fine with eight. We don't

[55:24] vote on it tonight.

[55:26] >> We'll vote on the eight tonight.

[55:27] » We'll vote on the eight tonight.

[55:27] >> We vote on the eight, but that's not a

[55:29] » We vote on the eight, but that's not a

[55:29] hard number, right? But I just would

[55:30] like to have

[55:32] >> kind of a consensus of you don't all

[55:34] » kind of a consensus of you don't all

[55:34] have to agree, but what would be

[55:36] approved next month,

[55:37] >> right?

[55:38] » right?

[55:38] >> Um

[55:39] » Um

[55:39] it does I mean I can change on the fly,

[55:42] you know. Um I can bring whatever you

[55:46] guys want. Um, I just like to come ready

[55:51] and with your guys intention in mind.

[55:55] So,

[55:57] >> eight,

[55:59] » eight,

[55:59] >> you say eight.

[56:01] » you say eight.

[56:01] Is that what you said?

[56:01] >> Yes, me.

[56:06] » H

[56:08] >> purposely.

[56:10] » purposely.

[56:10] >> That gives you your big window. And we

[56:12] » That gives you your big window. And we

[56:12] >> that's we're we're clear on that part.

[56:14] » that's we're we're clear on that part.

[56:14] She's meaning

[56:17] more of what we're

[56:19] >> the second piece.

[56:20] » the second piece.

[56:20] >> Yeah. What what number do you want? What

[56:23] » Yeah. What what number do you want? What

[56:23] what bottom line or what number are you

[56:25] wanting her to base our

[56:28] >> budget that we're going to

[56:29] » budget that we're going to

[56:29] >> Is that what you're right now? The

[56:31] » Is that what you're right now? The

[56:32] budget that you have in front of you is

[56:33] based on

[56:34] >> built with the eight

[56:35] » built with the eight

[56:35] >> that bottom line. Um,

[56:38] » that bottom line. Um,

[56:38] I can bring it back just like that and

[56:41] we can always change it if you guys go

[56:42] to a lower rate before we publish our

[56:45] approved budget. What you're approving

[56:46] is the expenditures.

[56:49] Um, but I just like to come so that you

[56:51] know what you're voting on. If you want

[56:54] to wait

[56:56] and not really give me an idea, that's

[56:59] fine. Um, and we can just do the record

[57:03] vote tonight. But if you guys are all of

[57:05] a consensus, uh, I mean, when Kai and,

[57:09] um, Randy said eight, are you talking

[57:11] about the ceiling or are you talking

[57:12] about the actual rate?

[57:16] » I mean, I think it if

[57:19] I think we have enough here. I mean, the

[57:22] main thing for me was wanting to just

[57:24] make sure that having these numbers and

[57:26] having these bottom lines, are we still

[57:27] all good with these expenditures? We

[57:29] still feel comfortable approving

[57:31] software. It's not a dire need, but it

[57:33] is a asset to the city to

[57:37] >> to do that on and it'll touch all

[57:39] » to do that on and it'll touch all

[57:39] departments.

[57:40] >> Um,

[57:41] » Um,

[57:41] >> so we just want to make sure that we're

[57:43] » so we just want to make sure that we're

[57:43] good. Whatever y'all come with, I mean,

[57:45] whether it's 3.5 or eight, we're going

[57:47] to make this work and still provide the

[57:48] best service we can to the residents.

[57:50] >> Um, we were just talking in staff. I

[57:53] » Um, we were just talking in staff. I

[57:53] think if we can I mean the last thing we

[57:56] want is to not look transparent or be

[57:57] transparent but I think if the residents

[57:59] can start seeing that their money is

[58:00] working and it is getting stuff done and

[58:02] we are planning things um to do with

[58:04] this excess and then we're saving on the

[58:07] side um I think it's a little easier to

[58:10] swallow rates but when it doesn't look

[58:12] like much is getting done or they're

[58:14] seeing any benefits of it right

[58:16] >> um

[58:17] » um

[58:17] >> that's when it becomes it's concerning

[58:19] » that's when it becomes it's concerning

[58:19] to me also I don't want us to ever look

[58:21] like we're not

[58:22] >> and I feel My job as as finance director

[58:24] » and I feel My job as as finance director

[58:24] is to give you your options and your job

[58:29] is to, you know, where you're

[58:32] comfortable, where you feel the citizens

[58:34] would be most comfortable. Um, and I

[58:38] will build it on whatever. Um, as I

[58:42] said, you're going to be voting on the

[58:44] budget expenditures next month and

[58:48] you're voting on the tax rate

[58:51] separately.

[58:52] um have to do the budget first.

[58:54] >> We have to spend it before we can make

[58:56] » We have to spend it before we can make

[58:56] it.

[58:56] >> Yes, we have to you approve the budget

[58:59] » Yes, we have to you approve the budget

[58:59] then you approve the tax rate and

[59:03] you know we can bring it to where it's

[59:06] it's a zero bottom line. We can bring it

[59:09] to 220. Um as I said I used to push for

[59:14] 300,000 bottom line but we weren't

[59:16] saving into our reserves. We are now.

[59:20] So, if we want to go with the 3.5,

[59:24] I'm okay with it. I'm okay with any of

[59:26] them because you're the council and you

[59:28] guys decide and I just work with it. Um,

[59:32] we're probably

[59:34] going to end up this year a little

[59:37] better than 100,000, but nowhere near

[59:39] the 400,000 that it shows right now just

[59:41] because, you know, we spent quite a bit

[59:44] a month. Um, and the revenue is not

[59:46] coming in. sales tax. If you look at it,

[59:49] it looks like a roller coaster. You

[59:51] start thinking, "Oh, we're making more

[59:53] sales tax." And then it plummets. It

[59:55] goes down this year. Next year it could

[59:57] be up. You know, our economy is bad

[59:59] right now with pricing prices. People

[1:00:02] aren't, you know, maybe spending like

[1:00:05] they did next year maybe, you know,

[1:00:08] they'll have money that they

[1:00:09] [clears throat] want to spend. So, it's

[1:00:10] really hard hard to predict in a

[1:00:14] volatile economy. um all we can do is

[1:00:17] base it on history and that any of the

[1:00:20] revenues could fluctuate except really

[1:00:22] property tax.

[1:00:26] So it's just important to note that we

[1:00:28] will not meet again before there is a

[1:00:30] decision made. So if you have questions

[1:00:32] in between, reach out.

[1:00:35] >> Um so that way we can come prepared.

[1:00:38] » Um so that way we can come prepared.

[1:00:38] We'll have public hearing. We'll listen

[1:00:39] to the public. Um hope so we'll be ready

[1:00:42] to make a motion next month. didn't ask

[1:00:44] me with a with a rate. Every rate has to

[1:00:45] be specific. But by all means, when you

[1:00:47] guys go home and you start thinking

[1:00:49] through this,

[1:00:50] >> reach out with the questions. I I would

[1:00:53] » reach out with the questions. I I would

[1:00:53] rather answer questions than have you go

[1:00:55] with unanswered questions or to have

[1:00:58] them asked here without me being able to

[1:01:00] prepare

[1:01:02] um so that I can answer the best I can.

[1:01:04] Would it be too much ask from you if if

[1:01:06] you would run these numbers with 150,000

[1:01:10] in your general fund,

[1:01:12] >> you know, in between? Yeah. In between

[1:01:14] » you know, in between? Yeah. In between

[1:01:14] 3.5 and 8 see what 150,000 would do for

[1:01:17] >> I mean it would be so you see the V 8%

[1:01:20] » I mean it would be so you see the V 8%

[1:01:20] without UIR

[1:01:22] um in the box [snorts] that rate

[1:01:25] 0.587817

[1:01:27] it's going to be about 180

[1:01:31] 178. So, I mean, it's going to be, you

[1:01:33] know, if we went to 150, I could

[1:01:35] calculate that. It's not a big deal. I

[1:01:37] can't do it in my head right now.

[1:01:38] >> No, no, I know.

[1:01:39] » No, no, I know.

[1:01:39] >> But, um, it I mean, we could do that,

[1:01:42] » But, um, it I mean, we could do that,

[1:01:42] too. Um,

[1:01:45] >> I know Mr. Johnson is a hard number.

[1:01:48] » I know Mr. Johnson is a hard number.

[1:01:48] >> Yeah.

[1:01:48] » Yeah.

[1:01:48] >> Council member, that's how we got to

[1:01:50] » Council member, that's how we got to

[1:01:50] that number last year.

[1:01:51] >> Right. Right.

[1:01:53] » Right. Right.

[1:01:53] >> So, we can look at the difference in the

[1:01:55] » So, we can look at the difference in the

[1:01:55] revenues of the two and bring

[1:01:56] [clears throat] that as the middle, too.

[1:01:58] >> Yeah. So we'll we'll bring exact rates

[1:02:01] » Yeah. So we'll we'll bring exact rates

[1:02:01] with numbers and change in fund balance.

[1:02:05] Um

[1:02:07] >> I mean did you get

[1:02:08] » I mean did you get

[1:02:08] >> between 3.5 to eight? We will work in

[1:02:10] » between 3.5 to eight? We will work in

[1:02:10] the middle there. You can

[1:02:11] >> I can bring a couple of the rates and

[1:02:14] » I can bring a couple of the rates and

[1:02:14] >> um and if you have any questions

[1:02:17] » um and if you have any questions

[1:02:17] >> you got what you needed from council.

[1:02:19] » you got what you needed from council.

[1:02:19] >> I think so.

[1:02:20] » I think so.

[1:02:20] >> Okay.

[1:02:21] » Okay.

[1:02:22] >> Um

[1:02:23] » Um

[1:02:23] >> anything else on it?

[1:02:27] » anything else on it?

[1:02:27] and the enterprise budget that's in that

[1:02:28] budget I gave you um includes a 5%

[1:02:31] increase. Um that's the only thing that

[1:02:33] changed there. Um

[1:02:36] so yeah, we're in good shape. Um like I

[1:02:40] said, we only have one number really

[1:02:41] we're waiting on and that is the

[1:02:44] insurance. Um but that should be coming

[1:02:46] any day. Um and we'll we'll let you know

[1:02:50] in the weekly update when we get it what

[1:02:53] percentage it went up or down. Before

[1:02:57] you move on, um that 9869

[1:03:01] >> is there any way we can get that clo I

[1:03:03] » is there any way we can get that clo I

[1:03:03] mean not personally but how do we get

[1:03:05] that closer to 100 again?

[1:03:06] >> I mean they have collections agencies

[1:03:07] » I mean they have collections agencies

[1:03:07] they use

[1:03:08] >> that's up to the county. We don't

[1:03:10] » that's up to the county. We don't

[1:03:10] collect our own tax rate or our own tax

[1:03:12] levy. Um they go through the county.

[1:03:14] They have a a legal firm that does

[1:03:16] collections for them.

[1:03:18] >> Um I have a feeling I've never really

[1:03:20] » Um I have a feeling I've never really

[1:03:20] talked to them of how we got up to 17%.

[1:03:23] >> It was passed. I think it was probably a

[1:03:25] » It was passed. I think it was probably a

[1:03:25] lot of delinquent tax.

[1:03:27] >> Um, so that took us above the the levy.

[1:03:32] » Um, so that took us above the the levy.

[1:03:32] When you see tax year 25 at 99.33 and

[1:03:36] tax year 25 at 98.89 and now we're at

[1:03:39] 9.9 98.69,

[1:03:41] there's going to be a lot of delinquent

[1:03:44] now um on the books. So, we may see it

[1:03:49] go up again or we may see it hit one

[1:03:51] more down. I don't know. Um, but we

[1:03:53] don't calculate that and we don't

[1:03:55] control it.

[1:03:56] >> How many years back can you see that

[1:03:58] » How many years back can you see that

[1:03:58] from the

[1:03:59] >> This is what I have. Um,

[1:04:01] » This is what I have. Um,

[1:04:01] >> I just want to know if it keeps doing

[1:04:03] » I just want to know if it keeps doing

[1:04:03] this.

[1:04:03] >> Yeah. Yeah, this is what I have, but I

[1:04:05] » Yeah. Yeah, this is what I have, but I

[1:04:05] could probably call and ask

[1:04:07] >> or if it's historically going to keep

[1:04:09] » or if it's historically going to keep

[1:04:09] going down.

[1:04:10] >> Yeah. I I don't know.

[1:04:12] » Yeah. I I don't know.

[1:04:12] >> No. I I didn't know if we had any

[1:04:15] » No. I I didn't know if we had any

[1:04:15] control over that.

[1:04:16] >> None at all.

[1:04:17] » None at all.

[1:04:17] >> Okay.

[1:04:18] » Okay.

[1:04:18] >> Go door to door and say, "Have you paid

[1:04:19] » Go door to door and say, "Have you paid

[1:04:19] your taxes?" Why? [snorts]

[1:04:22] But um yeah, and that's one nice thing

[1:04:25] about how it's set up here is that we

[1:04:27] don't have to do the collecting.

[1:04:29] >> The county does it and so we don't have

[1:04:31] » The county does it and so we don't have

[1:04:31] to get on the backs of our residents for

[1:04:34] it. Um but that also takes away some of

[1:04:37] the control that we have.

[1:04:40] >> Okay,

[1:04:42] » Okay,

[1:04:42] questions.

[1:04:45] >> Thank you for the short explanation.

[1:04:47] » Thank you for the short explanation.

[1:04:47] Mhm.

[1:04:50] » So now it's your job to say what it is.

[1:04:54] I'm just going to go on to it.

[1:04:58] » Oh, okay.

[1:05:01] >> You need me to do what?

[1:05:02] » You need me to do what?

[1:05:02] >> Normally you announce what the next item

[1:05:04] » Normally you announce what the next item

[1:05:04] is. I'm just going to keep talking.

[1:05:06] >> So are you done with your slideshow?

[1:05:08] » So are you done with your slideshow?

[1:05:08] >> Yes.

[1:05:08] » Yes.

[1:05:08] >> We're on the E now.

[1:05:10] » We're on the E now.

[1:05:10] >> Yes. uh considered and record a vote on

[1:05:13] » Yes. uh considered and record a vote on

[1:05:13] the proposed tax rate of 0.595560

[1:05:17] for fiscal year 2026 2027 which

[1:05:20] represents an increase of up to 7.9%

[1:05:22] above the no new revenue tax rate for

[1:05:24] the city of Richwood proposed tax rate

[1:05:26] is scheduled to be adopted at a future

[1:05:28] meeting.

[1:05:29] So if if [clears throat] whoever makes

[1:05:32] the motion has to um read um to approve

[1:05:38] a proposed tax rate and go on to the

[1:05:41] where it says ritual. That's the

[1:05:43] language we have to use.

[1:05:45] >> So they might as well just read the

[1:05:46] » So they might as well just read the

[1:05:46] entire thing back

[1:05:50] >> and then we have and we you know

[1:05:52] » and then we have and we you know

[1:05:52] obviously have to have a second and then

[1:05:53] we have to vote one at a time

[1:05:57] >> next month or this month.

[1:05:58] » next month or this month.

[1:05:58] >> Yeah. Okay.

[1:06:03] » I can't be the one reading it again.

[1:06:07] >> I'll make I'll make a [clears throat]

[1:06:08] » I'll make I'll make a [clears throat]

[1:06:08] motion to uh to approve the proposed tax

[1:06:11] rate of

[1:06:13] 0.595560

[1:06:15] for fiscal year 2026 through 2027, which

[1:06:19] represents an increase of 7.9% above the

[1:06:21] no new revenue tax rate for the city of

[1:06:24] Richwood.

[1:06:26] >> I'll second that.

[1:06:27] » I'll second that.

[1:06:27] >> Okay, Mr. How do you vote?

[1:06:29] » Okay, Mr. How do you vote?

[1:06:29] >> Uh,

[1:06:29] » Uh,

[1:06:30] >> Mr. Dun, how do you vote?

[1:06:31] » Mr. Dun, how do you vote?

[1:06:31] >> I York, how do you vote?

[1:06:32] » I York, how do you vote?

[1:06:32] >> Hi.

[1:06:33] » Hi.

[1:06:33] >> Mr. Mayor, how do you vote?

[1:06:34] » Mr. Mayor, how do you vote?

[1:06:34] >> Hi.

[1:06:35] » Hi.

[1:06:35] >> Okay, let the record reflect that motion

[1:06:37] » Okay, let the record reflect that motion

[1:06:37] carries.

[1:06:38] >> Thank you.

[1:06:40] » Thank you.

[1:06:40] >> All right.

[1:06:42] » All right.

[1:06:42] >> Are you introducing the next two?

[1:06:47] » Are you introducing the next two?

[1:06:47] >> Okay, moving on to F. discussion and

[1:06:49] » Okay, moving on to F. discussion and

[1:06:49] possible action to approve resolution

[1:06:51] number 26-R8

[1:06:53] setting the date and time for the public

[1:06:54] hearing of fiscal year 2026 2027 annual

[1:06:57] budget for September 14th, 2026 at 6

[1:07:00] p.m.

[1:07:00] >> So the next two items are formality to

[1:07:02] » So the next two items are formality to

[1:07:02] make sure we can get these notices

[1:07:04] posted for our public hearings. So we

[1:07:06] just need approval to set public hearing

[1:07:09] and we'll get the ads put out.

[1:07:15] That one was easier than the last.

[1:07:18] >> So,

[1:07:25] I'll make a motion that we approve

[1:07:27] resolution number

[1:07:29] that 26 R8 setting date and time of the

[1:07:34] public hearing uh on the fiscal year

[1:07:37] 2026 2027 annual budget for September

[1:07:40] 14th, 2026 at 6 pm.

[1:07:45] A second.

[1:07:48] >> I'll second.

[1:07:49] » I'll second.

[1:07:49] >> Okay. All in favor?

[1:07:52] » Okay. All in favor?

[1:07:52] >> Okay. Let the record reflect. The motion

[1:07:55] » Okay. Let the record reflect. The motion

[1:07:55] carries.

[1:07:56] Moving on to G. [clears throat]

[1:07:59] Discussion and possible action to

[1:08:01] approve resolution number 26-R9

[1:08:04] setting the date and time for the public

[1:08:05] hearing on the proposed tax rate for

[1:08:07] fiscal year 2026, 2027 or September 14,

[1:08:11] 2026 at 6 pm.

[1:08:14] the same

[1:08:15] >> same thing

[1:08:16] » same thing

[1:08:16] >> just for [clears throat] tax rate.

[1:08:17] » just for [clears throat] tax rate.

[1:08:17] >> I make a motion that we approve

[1:08:19] » I make a motion that we approve

[1:08:19] resolution number 26R9 setting the date

[1:08:22] and time for the public hearing on the

[1:08:23] proposed tax rate for fiscal year 2026

[1:08:26] 2027 for September 14th, 2026 at 6 p.m.

[1:08:32] I'll second that. Okay. All in favor?

[1:08:35] >> I Okay, the motion carries.

[1:08:39] » I Okay, the motion carries.

[1:08:39] Um item approved consent agenda was only

[1:08:42] a for future time future meeting.

[1:08:45] >> No, it's two days.

[1:08:46] » No, it's two days.

[1:08:46] >> Okay.

[1:08:47] » Okay.

[1:08:47] >> Um so for the approval of a personnel

[1:08:49] » Um so for the approval of a personnel

[1:08:49] policy, um I sent that out to you all

[1:08:52] and in my memo I said that it had no

[1:08:54] financial implication implications on

[1:08:56] our budget. Um it did. I did not intend

[1:08:58] to leave in that vacation provision. Um,

[1:09:01] there was actually two other policies

[1:09:03] that I pulled out of this approval

[1:09:05] because I feel like it

[1:09:07] affects our budget and council deserves

[1:09:10] to have a workshop on that and talk

[1:09:11] about it. One was um a sick leave pool

[1:09:14] and the other was parental leave. Um, I

[1:09:16] didn't propose parental leave, but it

[1:09:18] had been discussed in a previous review.

[1:09:20] Um, a little bit of a backstory on the

[1:09:22] personnel policy. We've been reviewing

[1:09:23] this policy since 2019. Um, we did a

[1:09:28] month-long review with staff to go

[1:09:31] through every policy, make changes, and

[1:09:34] this was in 2019. We had a change of

[1:09:36] administration. It never came to

[1:09:38] council. So, it was my goal to get it

[1:09:42] done. And so, in January of this year, I

[1:09:43] did a complete overhaul while keeping

[1:09:45] the spirit of that review together along

[1:09:48] with best practices and current law. And

[1:09:50] I did this current policy that I present

[1:09:53] to you today. Um, so I did keep that

[1:09:55] parental leave provision as a policy to

[1:09:57] present at a later date. Um, and then

[1:10:01] the sick leave pool, that's not

[1:10:04] something I want to venture into right

[1:10:05] now while we're trying to get switched

[1:10:06] over to this new HR company. Um, so when

[1:10:11] Steve brought it up to me that we

[1:10:14] were going to be paying out vacation

[1:10:15] leave, which was not something we

[1:10:16] currently do, I wanted to go ahead and

[1:10:18] remove that also until we can discuss

[1:10:19] with council. And actually Trish and I

[1:10:21] sit down to work numbers to see what how

[1:10:23] that would even affect us if every

[1:10:25] person in the city period got paid out

[1:10:26] 10 hours at the end of the year. Um so

[1:10:28] the policy I'm presenting to you that I

[1:10:30] put on your desks um is to put no salary

[1:10:34] provisions in L of vacation which this

[1:10:35] is the exact policy to follow. Now you

[1:10:38] can carry over 40 hours. If you don't

[1:10:40] you lose it or you can write a letter to

[1:10:42] the city manager explaining why you

[1:10:43] didn't get to use it. And it's a case by

[1:10:45] case basis of um carrying a leave over.

[1:10:48] Usually it's we had hurricane, nobody

[1:10:49] used to take off for six, four months or

[1:10:52] whatever we have or you didn't get your

[1:10:54] vacation until November and you couldn't

[1:10:56] take 80 hours in between November and

[1:10:57] December. So few and far between maybe

[1:11:00] one or two a year if we do at all that

[1:11:03] we carry over leave. Um so that's that

[1:11:07] change. The other definition

[1:11:10] is or the other policy I wanted to amend

[1:11:12] with you here on the fly was the

[1:11:14] definitions. Um few years ago we got in

[1:11:17] some a little bit of an issue with

[1:11:20] what's considered full-time not

[1:11:21] full-time and we had to switch health

[1:11:24] benefits because of this. So um we

[1:11:27] clarified a little bit about what

[1:11:30] entitles you as a full-time employee to

[1:11:31] benefits. Um but in our conversations it

[1:11:34] did not exactly define how many hours a

[1:11:37] full-time employee is which could leave

[1:11:40] an employee to feel entitled that just

[1:11:42] because I work 32 hours I'm not

[1:11:43] part-time. So maybe an employee feels

[1:11:45] like they could work 32 hours, which is

[1:11:47] not the case. So I went in there and

[1:11:48] added additional language that it says

[1:11:51] that a full-time employee is somebody

[1:11:52] who at least works 40 hours per work

[1:11:54] week. Um, so that's the only change to

[1:11:56] that definition. Our work week is still

[1:11:59] 40 hours. It's not that's not changing.

[1:12:00] We just wanted to get a little bit more

[1:12:01] specific. So there was no gray area for

[1:12:05] somebody to say, "Oh, well, your policy

[1:12:06] says it's 32 hours." So that's that. Um,

[1:12:11] HRP has reviewed this. I sent it to them

[1:12:13] a few weeks ago for their legal team and

[1:12:15] their HR um our rep to review it and

[1:12:18] make sure that it complies with law and

[1:12:20] best practices and um they did not send

[1:12:23] back any adjustments or notes to what I

[1:12:25] sent them. Uh did not send it to our

[1:12:27] legal team because they have attorneys

[1:12:29] that employment attorneys that review it

[1:12:31] also. Uh so I just need to see if we can

[1:12:34] get this approved so that way we can

[1:12:35] move forward with the new company. Um

[1:12:37] today is our last day of payroll in our

[1:12:40] own bubble. So starting tomorrow, we are

[1:12:43] with HRP for timekeeping in all of their

[1:12:46] services officially like ripping the

[1:12:49] bandaid off we're going. So I want to

[1:12:50] get these done and so they have a clean

[1:12:52] slate of policies to go forward where

[1:12:54] our employees need them.

[1:12:58] Question.

[1:12:58] >> Yes.

[1:12:59] » Yes.

[1:12:59] >> So

[1:13:01] » So

[1:13:01] current the current policy says that uh

[1:13:04] on leave without pay for 10 days that

[1:13:07] council has to approve anything over 10

[1:13:09] days. But the new polic

[1:13:11] that goes to you without council

[1:13:14] authority. Is that correct?

[1:13:17] >> Let me reread it. Last dug deep into

[1:13:20] » Let me reread it. Last dug deep into

[1:13:20] these in February. Um, but let me pull

[1:13:23] it back up so I can answer

[1:13:30] the one I sent y'all where has the notes

[1:13:32] the changes. Do you know which policy

[1:13:33] number is off the top of your head?

[1:13:36] >> Yeah. So chemical.

[1:14:05] Next time I'll give you advance. Sorry.

[1:14:07] >> You're not not bothered at all. It's

[1:14:08] » You're not not bothered at all. It's

[1:14:08] taking Okay.

[1:14:14] » I guess my real question is then is

[1:14:16] there maximum duration of time that the

[1:14:19] city manager can authorize

[1:14:22] after you.

[1:14:25] » A lot of policy reference.

[1:14:45] Thought we were going to change the

[1:14:46] verbiage of fulltime to 60 hours.

[1:14:54] [laughter]

[1:15:01] » I mean, y'all do it already. So,

[1:15:04] >> but it's not required.

[1:15:07] » but it's not required.

[1:15:07] >> I'll do it with a smile

[1:15:08] » I'll do it with a smile

[1:15:08] >> with the courtesy. Okay, I'm here.

[1:15:14] » with the courtesy. Okay, I'm here.

[1:15:14] >> Cliff had 120 a week.

[1:15:16] » Cliff had 120 a week.

[1:15:16] >> Cliff's like, "Oh, that'd be perfect.

[1:15:19] » Cliff's like, "Oh, that'd be perfect.

[1:15:19] >> I get to see my house."

[1:15:23] » I get to see my house."

[1:15:23] I think Steve I think this came back to

[1:15:25] remember we had the employees that were

[1:15:26] out and the council did grant approval

[1:15:29] um

[1:15:30] to additionally without pay which was

[1:15:32] outside of I guess according to our

[1:15:36] current benefit administrator at the

[1:15:37] time it was outside of their pervy to be

[1:15:39] able to do. So I think what this is my

[1:15:42] goal with this changing this was that um

[1:15:45] the city manager would have to then

[1:15:47] approve it and you said 104 word saying

[1:15:50] request um department directors may

[1:15:52] approve short-term leave without pay

[1:15:54] request consistent with its policy and

[1:15:55] then request that a material impact

[1:15:57] operations go to the city manager

[1:15:59] because we removed that 10day provision

[1:16:01] I think alto together

[1:16:03] that was the proposed the 2019 proposed

[1:16:05] language and then what I'm proposing is

[1:16:07] no longer going to be a 10day at All

[1:16:10] it's it's to maintain that 32 hours

[1:16:13] which will be allowing eight hours of

[1:16:14] unpaid leave approval like allowable by

[1:16:17] a director and then anything else has to

[1:16:21] go to the city manager for approval.

[1:16:23] That way we can ensure that employees

[1:16:25] that are using more leave without pay

[1:16:27] than probably allowed are eligible for

[1:16:29] FMLA and still maintain their status for

[1:16:32] benefits. Um, I think putting it to

[1:16:35] council, they were by granting it, it

[1:16:37] was outside their even scope of ability

[1:16:39] to give them leave without pay.

[1:16:41] >> Absolutely good with the change.

[1:16:42] » Absolutely good with the change.

[1:16:42] >> You know what I mean? But I don't I I

[1:16:44] » You know what I mean? But I don't I I

[1:16:44] think that 10 days out because it that I

[1:16:46] think that was just a a number that was

[1:16:49] chosen by I mean we left it in that 2019

[1:16:52] proposed if you look at the working

[1:16:54] document that I sent out separately. Um,

[1:16:58] we remove that 10 days alto together

[1:17:00] because we want to maintain this uh

[1:17:02] regular employee or the part-time

[1:17:05] schedule or that make sure they don't

[1:17:07] dip down to a part-time equivalent

[1:17:09] because if you're part-time equivalent,

[1:17:11] you don't get benefits and we needed to

[1:17:13] set a hard line of

[1:17:15] especially since we are no longer with a

[1:17:17] pool. It we have a little bit more

[1:17:19] power. We didn't then at the time we

[1:17:21] didn't know we didn't have that power.

[1:17:23] um

[1:17:25] council at this point I think could

[1:17:27] grant as much leave without pay they

[1:17:28] wanted to because we're privately

[1:17:31] partnered with our insurance and no

[1:17:33] longer in like a a pool. Um

[1:17:37] but I think we wanted to remove that

[1:17:38] number and just do a case by case basis

[1:17:40] and as long as they qualify for

[1:17:42] disability or FMLA then then that's what

[1:17:44] the city managers able to approve.

[1:17:48] Um,

[1:17:49] >> okay. That helps.

[1:17:51] » okay. That helps.

[1:17:51] On the red line version that you sent

[1:17:53] me, the 10 was still in there. That's

[1:17:55] fine.

[1:17:56] >> I see here in the 2019 proposed. Yeah.

[1:18:00] » I see here in the 2019 proposed. Yeah.

[1:18:00] No, I don't want I don't want that for

[1:18:03] sure.

[1:18:04] >> I think that it's a strength number

[1:18:06] » I think that it's a strength number

[1:18:06] anyways to be down to 30. Um,

[1:18:10] that's more than it doesn't mean it's a

[1:18:12] full day to be at 30 hours. Um, but yes,

[1:18:16] I I don't I don't want to in there. I

[1:18:19] think we just need to ensure that if we

[1:18:21] have an employee on leave without pay

[1:18:23] that they are still eligible for their

[1:18:26] benefits and don't put the rest rest

[1:18:27] rest rest rest rest rest rest rest rest

[1:18:27] rest rest rest of the

[1:18:29] staff at risk by being out

[1:18:42] » quick

[1:18:44] does the definitions of employee and

[1:18:46] volunteer directly conflict with each

[1:18:48] other with what we got going on.

[1:18:54] » We have paid volunteers and then we have

[1:18:56] the fire department want to be a paid

[1:18:59] volunteer.

[1:19:00] >> We don't have a paid volunteer and I'll

[1:19:02] » We don't have a paid volunteer and I'll

[1:19:02] clarify that a little bit since it's

[1:19:03] we're talking about personnel. Um the

[1:19:05] executive director for KRB is paid out

[1:19:07] of their funds and she is a stipened

[1:19:10] >> employee of KRB. She's not an employee.

[1:19:12] » employee of KRB. She's not an employee.

[1:19:12] She's and it's not of the city, it's of

[1:19:15] that group. And I've addressed this with

[1:19:17] the fire department also that they maybe

[1:19:18] could look at an administrative person

[1:19:20] that they pay out of their funds. Um the

[1:19:24] city's funds do not go towards the care

[1:19:26] director's stuff.

[1:19:28] >> If we leave this language in here and we

[1:19:30] » If we leave this language in here and we

[1:19:30] do the um

[1:19:34] paytoplay volunteer fire department is

[1:19:36] that put that in conflict.

[1:19:39] >> Um

[1:19:39] » Um

[1:19:39] >> like do we make him

[1:19:42] » like do we make him

[1:19:42] employees at that point? Well, I

[1:19:43] definitely plan to have that

[1:19:44] conversation with HRC if we if we go

[1:19:47] that route after the mayor's meeting

[1:19:49] with them. They don't want it. They told

[1:19:52] me not to worry about they don't want to

[1:19:54] be paid per call.

[1:19:55] >> They want help me to help with

[1:19:57] » They want help me to help with

[1:19:57] recruitment and social media and getting

[1:19:58] their name out there. And so that's what

[1:20:00] we've been doing. Um I've tried to

[1:20:03] follow the calls to get pictures of them

[1:20:04] and that's just that's what we're going

[1:20:06] to do for now. Try and get them more

[1:20:08] help.

[1:20:08] >> Um but they don't want to lose their

[1:20:11] » Um but they don't want to lose their

[1:20:11] discount. And then they made a good

[1:20:13] point. If we start paying them for call,

[1:20:15] it affect affects their taxes. It could

[1:20:18] affect things that they currently they

[1:20:21] don't want to deal with personally.

[1:20:23] That's what they were bringing up to me.

[1:20:24] So, um we are not moving forward with

[1:20:27] that at this point.

[1:20:31] » But if if we did, then we would look at

[1:20:33] new definitions and get HRP to help us

[1:20:35] with that for sure.

[1:20:42] Do you need council to approve?

[1:20:46] » Okay. So, we need to make a motion to uh

[1:20:49] approve consent agenda item A.

[1:20:54] Making a motion to uh approve consent

[1:20:58] agenda item A, approval of the revised

[1:21:01] personnel policy handbook.

[1:21:04] >> Second.

[1:21:05] » Second.

[1:21:05] >> Okay. All in favor? I

[1:21:08] » Okay. All in favor? I

[1:21:08] >> the motion carries.

[1:21:12] » Next up,

[1:21:15] capital improvement projects update.

[1:21:18] >> I don't there's nothing new um to really

[1:21:21] » I don't there's nothing new um to really

[1:21:21] report on. I think it might be might be

[1:21:25] good to make mention with regards to the

[1:21:27] sauce tonight and the money additional

[1:21:30] monies additional potential monies. Um

[1:21:34] and you know the the promises are

[1:21:38] without action. You know we're looking

[1:21:40] at several things um

[1:21:43] fairly immediately. Uh could be some

[1:21:46] some parks improvements with assistance

[1:21:49] from a grant. Um we plan to propose a

[1:21:52] fairly decent size drainage improvement

[1:21:55] next year somewhere between 10 to

[1:21:57] $400,000.

[1:21:59] Uh we have some capital improvements.

[1:22:01] Some outdated electrical is coming up

[1:22:03] probably somewhere between 150 and

[1:22:05] 200,000. That's all coming council's way

[1:22:08] next year. Uh right now the major

[1:22:11] infrastructure um being the water tower

[1:22:14] is is currently under consideration with

[1:22:16] the grant. But even even the parks

[1:22:19] projects, something like that, the

[1:22:21] grants are a one to one match. Um the

[1:22:24] initial project for the park is

[1:22:26] $880,000.

[1:22:28] So we're looking at a possible

[1:22:30] contribution of $440.

[1:22:34] Um if we can qualify for that grant. So

[1:22:38] these things are coming to council and

[1:22:40] they're coming in next year. Those are

[1:22:43] three um of the dozens that I could

[1:22:47] throw out there. I've got to try to

[1:22:48] prioritize some of the group, but

[1:22:50] they're coming your way. So, please know

[1:22:52] that that decisions you make are not

[1:22:56] it's not unwarranted. There's several

[1:22:58] things that we need to do and we did

[1:23:01] decide to hold off on a lot of those

[1:23:03] this year just with the all the movement

[1:23:05] that it's coming to you.

[1:23:08] >> If I could just make one comment I

[1:23:10] » If I could just make one comment I

[1:23:10] thought of um we can amend our budget.

[1:23:13] So, if something like this comes, we can

[1:23:16] amend our budget to allow for it. But

[1:23:19] once that tax rate is set,

[1:23:22] it's set. We can't go back and say, "Oh,

[1:23:25] I wish we would have that 200,000 or

[1:23:27] whatever." I just wanted to make that

[1:23:29] clear.

[1:23:30] >> Is it possible to overlay budget talks

[1:23:32] » Is it possible to overlay budget talks

[1:23:32] with our five and 10 year plans? Can you

[1:23:35] talk about [clears throat] like what

[1:23:38] basically making the citizens aware of

[1:23:39] what that capital improvement projects

[1:23:41] would be? If I said, "Hey, Cliff, if we

[1:23:44] had $500,000 left over next year, which

[1:23:47] we're projecting out of our 10-year

[1:23:50] plan, can we check anything off?"

[1:23:53] >> Yeah, we could do we could do something

[1:23:55] » Yeah, we could do we could do something

[1:23:55] like that. We when we had the master

[1:23:57] plan done, it's important for council

[1:23:59] know that the only one that we had

[1:24:00] tiered per year blocks 5, 10, 15, 25

[1:24:04] were the water and wastewater. So the

[1:24:06] streets, the drainage and the parks

[1:24:08] master plan are not they we left that

[1:24:11] all to council to decide. Uh to be

[1:24:14] honest um you know we didn't know where

[1:24:16] the funding was coming from. Um so we

[1:24:19] didn't get as detailed. We wanted to get

[1:24:21] the high level projects kind of get them

[1:24:24] itemized by or prioritized by um public

[1:24:28] input, staff input, council input and

[1:24:31] let y'all decide as we go. Right now

[1:24:34] we're just using um public input, but

[1:24:37] yeah, we can we can begin to start

[1:24:40] working on that.

[1:24:42] >> Used to we would have um workshops where

[1:24:45] » Used to we would have um workshops where

[1:24:45] we would bring someone in to help

[1:24:46] council come up with a strategic plan

[1:24:48] and a plan of what what they wanted to

[1:24:50] see for for so far. We got to the point

[1:24:53] where we were strategic planning, but we

[1:24:55] had no money to do anything. So, it was

[1:24:56] like what are we doing?

[1:24:57] >> Exactly. But that's not a bad idea now

[1:24:59] » Exactly. But that's not a bad idea now

[1:24:59] that we're getting ourselves into a

[1:25:00] better position and we're needing things

[1:25:03] and needing to come up with we there's

[1:25:06] people that will come to us and hold

[1:25:07] Saturday workshops for us and walk y'all

[1:25:10] through coming up with that kind of

[1:25:12] plan.

[1:25:13] >> We could do that before. We us we used

[1:25:14] » We could do that before. We us we used

[1:25:14] to would do it in May after elections,

[1:25:17] >> but you hopefully you'll agree this this

[1:25:20] » but you hopefully you'll agree this this

[1:25:20] council is far easier to work with

[1:25:24] >> than those councils were. And they

[1:25:25] » than those councils were. And they

[1:25:25] desperately needed

[1:25:27] >> guidance,

[1:25:27] » guidance,

[1:25:27] >> that guidance before we started getting

[1:25:30] » that guidance before we started getting

[1:25:30] some of these plans in place for

[1:25:32] something tangible for council to look

[1:25:33] at and actually have something, you

[1:25:35] know, to base their decisions on.

[1:25:37] >> So we we can do that.

[1:25:39] » So we we can do that.

[1:25:39] >> Yeah. And to the point of Bob with the

[1:25:41] » Yeah. And to the point of Bob with the

[1:25:41] workshops and having them all day, it's

[1:25:44] mainly because we didn't have much we

[1:25:45] could plan for or do, but we're getting

[1:25:48] to a point where we could have these

[1:25:49] where we sit down and talk have a lot

[1:25:52] longer discussion on funds and what

[1:25:53] we're going to do with them down the

[1:25:55] road instead of just looking at one year

[1:25:56] at a time.

[1:25:57] >> We've been one year at a time for many

[1:25:59] » We've been one year at a time for many

[1:25:59] years. Yes, I think it would be far more

[1:26:00] productive now than it was back then,

[1:26:02] especially with our current financial

[1:26:04] position and getting a little bit better

[1:26:06] and a little bit more solid. But really,

[1:26:09] to be honest with you, where the metal

[1:26:10] meets the meat, we haven't done much

[1:26:13] five, 10 year planning. We're lucky to

[1:26:15] get two years down the road.

[1:26:17] >> It's just sweet.

[1:26:20] » It's just sweet.

[1:26:20] >> Curve balls are just

[1:26:21] » Curve balls are just

[1:26:21] >> Yeah, once we get through this, we

[1:26:22] » Yeah, once we get through this, we

[1:26:22] should maybe Trish and I can sit down

[1:26:23] and look at a new budget calendar.

[1:26:26] It just makes that $220,000 more

[1:26:28] palatable for sure. I know it's going to

[1:26:30] go to

[1:26:31] >> Right. 100%.

[1:26:32] » Right. 100%.

[1:26:32] >> Absolutely.

[1:26:32] » Absolutely.

[1:26:32] >> And I agree. And

[1:26:33] » And I agree. And

[1:26:34] >> and um you know, six years ago, our fund

[1:26:37] » and um you know, six years ago, our fund

[1:26:37] balances were not anywhere near where

[1:26:39] they are now,

[1:26:40] >> right?

[1:26:40] » right?

[1:26:40] >> Um we worked hard to get them there.

[1:26:44] » Um we worked hard to get them there.

[1:26:44] >> And I' I've actually been kind of

[1:26:46] » And I' I've actually been kind of

[1:26:46] waiting to start dropping these.

[1:26:48] >> Yeah. So,

[1:26:49] » Yeah. So,

[1:26:49] >> we couldn't we couldn't really do

[1:26:50] » we couldn't we couldn't really do

[1:26:50] anything without any sort of I can't

[1:26:53] tell you any $30 million. a way to

[1:26:56] >> tell you how to how to produce it or or

[1:26:59] » tell you how to how to produce it or or

[1:26:59] to get it get it produced with funding.

[1:27:00] I can't um but now we're looking better

[1:27:03] and we can start those discussions.

[1:27:05] >> Yeah. Well, and we'll get a plan in

[1:27:07] » Yeah. Well, and we'll get a plan in

[1:27:07] place for this for the next year.

[1:27:09] >> Oh yeah.

[1:27:09] » Oh yeah.

[1:27:09] >> While we're kind of thrown into this in

[1:27:10] » While we're kind of thrown into this in

[1:27:10] May um al together. Uh so we're going to

[1:27:14] we're going to come back next year with

[1:27:15] a a better process

[1:27:19] >> and we have lots of ideas. So this year

[1:27:20] » and we have lots of ideas. So this year

[1:27:20] we were chasing our tail to get to this

[1:27:22] point. Um, but it'll actually be nice to

[1:27:27] be able to actually plan beyond let's

[1:27:29] hold our head above water this year.

[1:27:32] >> We're feeling more confident with that

[1:27:34] » We're feeling more confident with that

[1:27:34] now than we ever have up.

[1:27:35] >> 100%.

[1:27:35] » 100%.

[1:27:35] >> Yeah.

[1:27:36] » Yeah.

[1:27:36] >> Yeah. I agree.

[1:27:37] » Yeah. I agree.

[1:27:37] >> That's all I Well, Cliff, I appreciate

[1:27:39] » That's all I Well, Cliff, I appreciate

[1:27:39] you saying that.

[1:27:40] >> Like the decisions that I'm making up

[1:27:42] » Like the decisions that I'm making up

[1:27:42] here, I realize are not just going to

[1:27:45] affect us this year or the next budget

[1:27:46] year. These are these are things that

[1:27:48] will affect us for 5 years, 10 years

[1:27:50] down the road, right? So, that's why I

[1:27:53] was uh looking at the rate like I was. I

[1:27:56] know you have a lot of stuff that needs

[1:27:58] to needs to get done. But, I appreciate

[1:28:00] you saying that because it helps the

[1:28:02] citizens understand as well that again,

[1:28:05] we're not just trying to rake in a bunch

[1:28:07] of money. We got stuff to do.

[1:28:08] >> So, as soon as y'all told us we could

[1:28:10] » So, as soon as y'all told us we could

[1:28:10] get some plans going, we were looking.

[1:28:13] >> Just so you know, I missed one slide. I

[1:28:15] » Just so you know, I missed one slide. I

[1:28:15] didn't go to the last slide, but that'll

[1:28:17] show you guys history of our tax rate.

[1:28:22] » Thank you.

[1:28:24] >> Yes, thank

[1:28:27] » Yes, thank

[1:28:27] otherwise all they see is increased

[1:28:29] taxes and pitch come out.

[1:28:30] >> We'll also do our part to make it public

[1:28:32] » We'll also do our part to make it public

[1:28:32] once we can get a little bit more solid

[1:28:34] direction. We'll do we'll do our due

[1:28:36] diligence to make sure the word gets out

[1:28:37] there. We've been playing catchup and

[1:28:39] now we can

[1:28:41] move forward.

[1:28:42] >> It's just it's not easy to put out these

[1:28:44] » It's just it's not easy to put out these

[1:28:44] big ideas when we don't know if we're

[1:28:46] going to get them funded. So, it's like

[1:28:48] I have been stewing on just our parks

[1:28:50] master plan that we did. We put out a

[1:28:52] really cool looking park and we're

[1:28:55] almost two years later and it's like

[1:28:57] >> then hopefully council understands that

[1:28:58] » then hopefully council understands that

[1:28:58] you know

[1:28:59] >> $20,000 $50,000 a little bit more

[1:29:02] » $20,000 $50,000 a little bit more

[1:29:02] palatable than 400,000 to a million and

[1:29:06] that is very honestly what we're looking

[1:29:08] at here very easily what we're looking

[1:29:10] at but we could like just stuff we need

[1:29:13] to do now nothing extra

[1:29:16] >> and I hate to pass up free money because

[1:29:19] » and I hate to pass up free money because

[1:29:19] we don't have the other half you know

[1:29:21] the match.

[1:29:23] Um,

[1:29:25] >> no new trucks. We got to save it for the

[1:29:28] » no new trucks. We got to save it for the

[1:29:28] parks.

[1:29:28] >> Well, we got those, too.

[1:29:30] » Well, we got those, too.

[1:29:30] >> There's $60,000 in your budget for a new

[1:29:32] » There's $60,000 in your budget for a new

[1:29:32] truck. [laughter]

[1:29:34] >> Okay. Thank you, Cliff.

[1:29:39] » City manager report.

[1:29:41] >> So, again, thanks to Trish and all of

[1:29:43] » So, again, thanks to Trish and all of

[1:29:43] staff for their work on the on the

[1:29:44] budget. Um, and I really, I say it

[1:29:47] again, I said it earlier, but I really

[1:29:48] do appreciate all of council taking the

[1:29:50] time to ask questions and be involved

[1:29:52] um, outside of the meeting, reaching out

[1:29:54] to us separately or and then bringing it

[1:29:55] back here to all um, brainstorm

[1:29:58] together. It helps us tremendously. It

[1:30:01] catches things that we may not catch. We

[1:30:03] are spread thin right now. And um,

[1:30:05] having another set of eyes, it we're not

[1:30:08] offended. It's anything you ask us and

[1:30:10] and we we need all the help. And um,

[1:30:12] that's why you're here. you're here to

[1:30:14] be the the second set of eyes for things

[1:30:16] we do. Um, and I want to thank all of

[1:30:18] our new council members that are

[1:30:19] attending new council training. Um, Mr.

[1:30:23] Dunn just got back and then um I won't

[1:30:25] blame him for not being able to go but

[1:30:27] did want to go. And then Councilman Ra

[1:30:30] and Mayor are going this week for newly

[1:30:32] elected officials training. I have been

[1:30:34] city secretary since 2019. I have not

[1:30:35] had anyone ever go. Um, I've always put

[1:30:38] it out there and um, they are taking

[1:30:42] time out of their own days, their own

[1:30:43] work, their own lives, whatever they do

[1:30:46] normally to travel hours to be better

[1:30:49] for the city and I appreciate it. Um, it

[1:30:52] won't be the last thing that I probably

[1:30:53] ask y'all to do um, on behalf of the

[1:30:55] city and I think y'all are up to the

[1:30:56] task and going to represent us well. Um,

[1:30:59] school starts this week. I'm sure I'm

[1:31:01] going to dump all of you on your

[1:31:02] comments. Um, but just be careful, keep

[1:31:06] your eyes and ears open for kids.

[1:31:07] They're going to be walking, riding

[1:31:08] bikes, and it's going to be a little bit

[1:31:10] more hectic in the neighborhoods this

[1:31:13] week. And then, um, thanks to the police

[1:31:16] department, they've had some heavy calls

[1:31:17] last few months. Um, one this weekend.

[1:31:21] And, um, our thoughts are out to all the

[1:31:23] families affected. And then our officers

[1:31:25] have to go out for that. Also, um, fire

[1:31:27] department's been kicking butt and

[1:31:30] taking names, and we're appreciative of

[1:31:32] them. Also, I'm trying to tag along when

[1:31:34] I can because I want to be in their

[1:31:36] business and see what they're doing.

[1:31:39] They won't get me.

[1:31:42] >> They just want you to drive the truck.

[1:31:43] » They just want you to drive the truck.

[1:31:43] >> I can drive.

[1:31:44] » I can drive.

[1:31:44] >> Halloween costumes are coming out. I can

[1:31:45] » Halloween costumes are coming out. I can

[1:31:45] drive one, but that's all I got.

[1:31:47] >> Oh, gosh.

[1:31:49] » Oh, gosh.

[1:31:49] >> Yes, they are.

[1:31:52] » Yes, they are.

[1:31:52] >> Thank you. Uh, Council Member Riyle, do

[1:31:55] » Thank you. Uh, Council Member Riyle, do

[1:31:55] you have anything you wish to add?

[1:31:56] >> Yeah, I'm looking forward to going to

[1:31:58] » Yeah, I'm looking forward to going to

[1:31:58] Round Rock and learning what I'm doing

[1:32:01] here.

[1:32:04] This this is this is kind of

[1:32:06] overwhelming for someone that hasn't

[1:32:08] done anything politically in

[1:32:12] a long time. I want to give my age a

[1:32:15] long time and so I'm looking forward to

[1:32:18] seeing what I can do.

[1:32:20] >> We appreciate that.

[1:32:23] » We appreciate that.

[1:32:23] >> Thank you, sir. Counc,

[1:32:26] » Thank you, sir. Counc,

[1:32:26] [clears throat]

[1:32:28] if you if you're listening, uh thanks

[1:32:30] for the remarks. Uh much appreciated.

[1:32:32] Your your comments didn't go unnoticed.

[1:32:35] Um

[1:32:38] I would tell you um

[1:32:42] there's consideration on all fees on all

[1:32:44] all sides. Um and and there's nothing in

[1:32:47] this world that's not going up in price.

[1:32:49] So I think we did the due diligence and

[1:32:51] please have faith in us in in that

[1:32:53] aspect. Um thanks for kind of letting me

[1:32:56] go to that TML training. It was much

[1:32:58] appreciated. Very enlightening. Um, you

[1:33:01] will talk you will talk a lot about tax

[1:33:03] rates. Unfortunately, you'll get some

[1:33:05] more of it. Um, I made it pretty easy to

[1:33:09] digest uh everything that we're hearing

[1:33:11] last month and this month with

[1:33:13] budgeting. So, you'll kind of learn

[1:33:15] that. Uh, and then it's good to get in a

[1:33:17] room with 300 individuals from across

[1:33:19] the state and you realize how green our

[1:33:22] grass is. Um, you realize how good the

[1:33:25] city truly is. Um so has you makes you

[1:33:30] appreciate coming back here. Um other

[1:33:33] than that it is back to school. Tonight

[1:33:36] was uh meet the teacher. So school zones

[1:33:38] ideally the the lights will be working

[1:33:40] on 2004 there and uh watch out and be

[1:33:44] safe.

[1:33:45] >> Thank you sir.

[1:33:49] » The only thing I have I apologize for

[1:33:51] not being able to make the meeting

[1:33:52] unfortunate accident. So other than

[1:33:55] that, I'm pretty good. I appreciate

[1:33:58] everybody showing up. I wish we had a

[1:34:00] little more attendance, but uh

[1:34:04] [clears throat] anybody's watching, I

[1:34:05] really encourage them to show up and and

[1:34:07] give their input.

[1:34:09] That's all I have. Thank you, sir.

[1:34:12] That's our

[1:34:15] Trisha.

[1:34:16] >> Yes, sir.

[1:34:17] » Yes, sir.

[1:34:17] >> Thank you very much.

[1:34:19] » Thank you very much.

[1:34:19] I know how much work you guys put into

[1:34:21] uh the budget preparation. So,

[1:34:24] >> you used to hear the screaming.

[1:34:26] » you used to hear the screaming.

[1:34:26] >> I'm sorry.

[1:34:26] » I'm sorry.

[1:34:26] >> You used to hear the screaming from you.

[1:34:28] » You used to hear the screaming from you.

[1:34:28] >> I did used to hear the screaming. I'm

[1:34:30] » I did used to hear the screaming. I'm

[1:34:30] glad I don't hear it anymore. Like, this

[1:34:32] is a wonderful season for me. [laughter]

[1:34:33] So, thank you all very much. I

[1:34:36] appreciate the work.

[1:34:38] >> That's it.

[1:34:39] » That's it.

[1:34:39] >> That's it. Well, I quadruple or second

[1:34:44] » That's it. Well, I quadruple or second

[1:34:44] or third or whatever you want to say.

[1:34:45] Thank y'all for the budget. I know

[1:34:47] you'll work hard in it. I love coming up

[1:34:49] here and seeing what you guys are up to

[1:34:51] daily because y'all are like bees in the

[1:34:53] beehive. I just I never get to go on

[1:34:55] Jeep side over there. I know you're

[1:34:57] busy. Um, you know, I appreciate all

[1:35:00] that y'all are doing for the city. So,

[1:35:03] it does not go unnoticed. I wish I could

[1:35:04] stop by more because when I do get to

[1:35:07] stop by, Gibson loves to play with

[1:35:08] y'all. He likes to take funds from the

[1:35:11] city like trash grabbers and raccoon

[1:35:13] suits. So, we might go over budget this

[1:35:15] year, but

[1:35:17] >> that's KRB. That's KB.

[1:35:19] » that's KRB. That's KB.

[1:35:19] >> I know. Happy to do it.

[1:35:21] » I know. Happy to do it.

[1:35:21] >> I'll keep them out of here. Other than

[1:35:23] » I'll keep them out of here. Other than

[1:35:23] that, um the principal at Pulk asked

[1:35:26] that everybody drive safe around there.

[1:35:28] Um if not, she's going to put out spike

[1:35:30] strips because she cares about all the

[1:35:32] little kiddos. And u everybody stay

[1:35:35] cool, be safe out there. Uh Chief

[1:35:39] Richards I know wants everybody to be

[1:35:41] safe in their you know uh after hours

[1:35:44] activities as well.

[1:35:47] And again our prayers and thoughts are

[1:35:48] with all that were affected even our

[1:35:50] officers that were there early in the

[1:35:52] morning.

[1:35:54] Moving forward I think that we uh have

[1:35:56] some good numbers for you to finalize

[1:35:58] for our budget and carry forward to the

[1:36:01] next year so Cliff can add more noise

[1:36:05] as I always say. So, thank you guys for

[1:36:08] all your hard work. Everybody in the

[1:36:09] city, even our fire staff that we never

[1:36:11] get to see. I know they're busy, but I I

[1:36:14] do

[1:36:16] >> they probably are I do appreciate

[1:36:18] » they probably are I do appreciate

[1:36:18] everything they I know they've made a

[1:36:20] couple fires since we were here last.

[1:36:21] So, I'll bring the marshmallows next

[1:36:24] time. And that's all I have. Um,

[1:36:29] do we have any items of community

[1:36:30] interest? Um, we are accepting

[1:36:33] applications for charter review and

[1:36:35] CCPD. They're all on our website for

[1:36:38] anyone that is interested. Um, other

[1:36:42] than that, um, I met with KRB last week.

[1:36:46] They have their meeting and this

[1:36:48] Saturday for just an hour, 9:00 a.m.,

[1:36:51] um, Saturday morning, they are really

[1:36:53] needing some help at the community

[1:36:55] garden. It's being overtaken by fire

[1:36:57] ants. And so, um, we're just going to

[1:37:01] meet there about 8:45 and work for an

[1:37:05] hour and just, you know, anyone that is

[1:37:07] able to come and and help them out. Um,

[1:37:10] I'll be out there and um, you know, just

[1:37:13] to help them with with their guard for

[1:37:15] an hour or so. That would be great.

[1:37:18] >> Everybody gets to pick up fire ants.

[1:37:19] » Everybody gets to pick up fire ants.

[1:37:19] >> Yeah. Yeah.

[1:37:21] » Yeah. Yeah.

[1:37:21] >> And no kids. Adults only. We're trying

[1:37:23] » And no kids. Adults only. We're trying

[1:37:23] to

[1:37:23] >> adults only. No volunteers from schools

[1:37:25] » adults only. No volunteers from schools

[1:37:25] or any organizations.

[1:37:27] adults. Mayor, can I make one comment?

[1:37:30] >> Yes, ma'am.

[1:37:31] » Yes, ma'am.

[1:37:31] >> Um,

[1:37:33] » Um,

[1:37:33] I just want to thank Laura Tiner in

[1:37:35] public. She um, we've had an employee

[1:37:38] out on leave and Laura had to get pulled

[1:37:43] back into her old role and um, at the

[1:37:47] same time learn her new role. She's been

[1:37:50] kicking butt. The employee came back

[1:37:52] today. Hopefully it'll ease up on Laura

[1:37:55] now some. But I just wanted to thank her

[1:37:57] in my book.

[1:37:58] >> She's been very helpful. She's been

[1:37:59] » She's been very helpful. She's been

[1:37:59] helping me out as well and giving me

[1:38:02] grief. Anybody

[1:38:05] >> I taught her well.

[1:38:07] » I taught her well.

[1:38:07] >> Thank you.

[1:38:08] » Thank you.

[1:38:08] >> Thank you. Thank you.

[1:38:09] » Thank you. Thank you.

[1:38:09] >> You have any future agenda items we'd

[1:38:11] » You have any future agenda items we'd

[1:38:11] like to add?

[1:38:12] >> So, um, we're going to bring the

[1:38:13] » So, um, we're going to bring the

[1:38:13] software agreement. I did not he Joe,

[1:38:15] he's the our rep that's been um helping

[1:38:17] us out a lot. wanted to come tonight,

[1:38:19] but I had to let him know I was not

[1:38:20] putting the agreement on this agenda

[1:38:21] just because I wanted to give y'all an

[1:38:22] option out to get out of it if he didn't

[1:38:24] want to do it. We would understand. Um,

[1:38:26] so we're going to have the fund you

[1:38:27] agreement on next agenda and he'll

[1:38:29] probably attend so we can meet y'all.

[1:38:32] Um, we have a dilapidated structure that

[1:38:34] I I've been letting youall know about.

[1:38:36] We're going to start getting those

[1:38:36] notices out and get it put on the

[1:38:38] agenda. um boards and commissions

[1:38:40] appointment. Like War said, we have the

[1:38:42] full charter review committee to staff

[1:38:44] and we have one position on CCPD and

[1:38:46] then we'll have a tax and budget

[1:38:47] adoption.

[1:38:49] >> Just a few things. We hope to have the

[1:38:51] » Just a few things. We hope to have the

[1:38:51] service contract for solid waste, too.

[1:38:55] >> Oh, well, you all authorize us to extend

[1:38:57] » Oh, well, you all authorize us to extend

[1:38:57] it. Um he's been working on the they got

[1:39:00] real busy and we're you got uh behind on

[1:39:03] getting us that updated agreement, but

[1:39:05] we're still working on it. It's coming.

[1:39:06] They did agree to the multi-year. They

[1:39:09] were happy to hear about that.

[1:39:10] >> Okay, good. Good. Our residents should

[1:39:12] » Okay, good. Good. Our residents should

[1:39:12] be happy.

[1:39:14] >> Okay, the time is now 7:40 and no other

[1:39:17] » Okay, the time is now 7:40 and no other

[1:39:18] issues to discuss. This meeting is a

[1:39:21] >> law

[1:39:24] » law

[1:39:24] require [clears throat]

[1:39:25] signature.

[1:39:27] >> The problem maybe just the mayor if it's

[1:39:29] » The problem maybe just the mayor if it's

[1:39:29] not too much. They've already authorized

[1:39:31] me to engage in it. If the um if

[1:39:36] >> they come back and say they want to do

[1:39:38] » they come back and say they want to do

[1:39:38] different rates, then we will

[1:39:40] >> But if not, they've already given me the

[1:39:41] » But if not, they've already given me the

[1:39:42] >> green.

[1:39:49] know about. Just

City of Richwood - City Council Meeting - 08/10/2026

Agenda

Transcript