[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