Good evening. >> tonight's invocation. >> will be given by pastor.
felix bomb. Rain of. Grace way church. >> pastor. Come on up. And then
everybody let us pray. Heavenly father. We acknowledge. You as a father. Father of.
>> all creation. And today we bow before you. We ask that. Your name be hallowed in our
lives, in our families, in our city your name your glory be seen and honored in every heart
and every life. We ask lord today that your kingdom come your rule, your will be done in
this city of round rock and the lives of every member of the council and all the council
officials. Let your will be done in every city and every home that your will be done in
our schools that your will be done in our nation. Lord pray that you will give us this day
as the mission begins you would give wisdom to your sons and daughters as they deliberate.
as they answer questions we ask do you guide them by the spirit of wisdom and your will will be
established and guide their thoughts. We pray lord that you will forgive every sin, every
iniquity, every unrighteousness, every injustice and you will guide
from every error, deliver from every evil. Lord, we pray that your glory be seen over this
city. Guide this city with your watchful eyes that be provision for everything that is not
available humanly that you will give divinely divine wisdom, divine guidance in all things
in every way. We just thank you today for the opportunity to meet and to seek advancement of
this city. We pray you will help in every areas and that your name alone be glorified
and you bless your children as they continue to serve the city and your purpose in this
city with thank you we love you our god in jesus mighty name amen. Amen.
>> thank you carl. >> space bike. City council. >> meeting to order and please
call the roll. Mayor morgan here. Mayor pro tem montgomery here. Council member. Lee here
.council member. >> flores here. Council member fleming here. Council member
ortega here. Council member stevens here. I don't know if you're able to stand with me
for the pledges. I pledge allegiance. To the flag. Usa, to. America and to the
republic. For which it stands one. Nation under. God, indivisible.
>> justice for all. Honor the. >> texas one a pledge of allegiance.
>> to me. Texas one state. >> 100 indivisible. All right. Citizen communication. Any
system wishing to speak during citizen communication. Guardian item.
>> on. Or off. >> the agenda may do so after completing the required
registration card. All comments must be no more than three minutes in length per. Section
2-265 of the code of ordinances 2018 additions any comments? Guard arms not on the post gym
may not be discussed or respond to by city council person state law. All right. I have two that
are not on any agenda item mitchell snyder.
there's no. Such thing. As success without a successor. Is a phrase.
>> that I learned at. 3826 wheeler. >> avenue baptist church. Uh.
>> houston. >> texas 77004. We're reverend doctor. Marcus de. Cosby was my
pastor. And with. >> that he also taught that you can.
>> have a three point alliterative alliterative. Message so you can.
>> start. It all. >> with uh, you know, bebe. Or uh, r or whatever. You can
help. So with. That I. >> came up. >> with the. Phrase there is.
no such thing as success. Without a. >> successor.
>> without a struggle. And without a system. So in this last uh, two.
>> minutes and. 18 seconds. >> I just want to talk about systems and um. You know, you
can see systems everywhere. There there it's it's everything. Uh, you can look up
at the sky at night and uh, you'll see a. Solar system. Um. >> you can look at the ground.
the dirt and get bitten by. Ants and uh, you can go out. >> but it's actually a system.
you weren't. >> destroyed by chance. You were.
>> bitten by. >> a system. Or you can look to your. Left.
>> you can look to your right. And you can see a. Political system. And um. But yes,
systems. Are neutral. They're not good or bad. >> it's like a weapon. And so.
the person I wanted to. Hurt person. >> I wanted to honor. With
that. >> uh. That talks about. >> systems works.
>> not a person. You ever read the dharma? You ever seen it? It's it's pretty decent. It's
got some good. Things and so. On. >> the back is as. Far as.
>> I got. Uh. >> the word dharma refers to the. Inherent characteristic.
of something. So this isn't. Praising jesus. But it does speak about some things.
>> that are similar. To that. Uh. >> but you.
>> can see systems everywhere. Uh, bruce lee had a. System, uh, for. Fighting.
>> uh. >> jeet kune do. So the art of. Intercepting fist and it's
it's. >> a. Whole conglomeration. >> of things. Another person
that had a. System uh, kobe. Bryant have you. Ever heard of the mamba mentality? It's it's
amazing if you. Ever need an inspiration, if you ever. Want to.
>> uh. >> you know, be. Motivated to. >> fight through whatever pain.
>> you're going through. He talks. >> about how.
>> the dream. Is not that like you. >> get. Success the. Dream is.
>> not the dream. No, the dream is when you're in. Complete pain. And you still rise up and
you still. Keep going. That is the dream right there. It's not about. Like, um you.
>> know, ribbons. And titles and all this other stuff. It's about like a pain. So you must
have. A struggle within your system. Um, and then. Finally I. Just wanted to mention, uh.
scott adams. I don't know if y'all any of y'all are. Old enough. To have watched or.
read, um, delivered. But it's. >> it's an. Amazing like. >> you. Know, cartoon. It's
funny about. Politics or you know, office politics. But then. His main message through
his life that I got. Was that like. Systems over goals you have to have a system and.
>> to. The day that he died he. Was he. >> could barely breathe. He
still went out like a gangster. He's still. >> went out.
>> like a. Real tough guy and still being positive and giving. Everything that he had.
thank you. >>, carlos balderas. Good evening.
>> I come before you today because of the isn't being made in washington concerning title
six and eeo title six has not been repealed but the current administration has moved away
from disparate impact an important tool for examining policies that appear in neutral
paper but produced unjustified discrimination effects. Now why should this matter to citizens
of real rock? Because because title six touches on institutions and services
people depend on every day to make sure that things are not including discrimination or
that poses any type of financial burden on people. These areas involve education,
hospitals and health care, public transportation and city projects. The other thing
I want to touch on is uh, eo and the administration's um emphasis on merit. Now let me
be clear merit itself is not the problem. People should be hired promoted because of their
quality qualifications and capabilities. The danger comes when government treats the work
merit as an as it eliminates the need for subverts first of all rights um the protections
for generations americans have always relied on epo and women have relied on minorities have
relied on it uh the elderly have relied on it. People with disabilities have relied on it
all the system merit based does not automatically make the system fair if the if the
criteria determining merit applied is it is applied inconsistently then we're going
to have a whole lot of discrimination being had merit an equal opportunity should
work together not compete against one another. So so the council member what we're as
we're looking uh for council number 22365 is a couple action items which I have handed to
you all but I'm just going to touch on two right now. The other one you can read later.
one of them involves the city's reaffirming of title six making sure that anything that we do
as a city does not place any type of discrimination with regards to me the decisions are
made as well as looking at making sure that there's not a high level of financial burden
placed on people because of that. The other um the other part of that is know making
sure that or some level of use applied um and on top of that making sure that decision
makers um we require decision makers to document what actually means when making
employment decisions objective qualifications, experience performance skills and job
related requirements not subjective standards that can conceal discrimination. We
should be able to believe merit and civil rights um at the same time a person should not
receive a job simply because they racer sex but neither should a qualified american
lose an opportunity because of race, sex, um sex, age, disability, national origin or
any of the characteristic of. Um protected by the law. So rights has been rough has um
should not change every four years um equal opportunities not lower the standard of merit
it helps ensure equal opportunity uh equal americans good for opportunities to meet
the standard. But you. Talk real quick um get us go.. >> the other. Topic I want to
raise um. Is the thing regarding uh got to school road as got a school road has
widened now there's been uh high level of congestion on um on that area in the morning in
the afternoon and along with that you see hundreds of uh cedar ridge high school
students walk in those corridors. Uh, of course there's no guardrails in and
sidewalks, which creates a little, uh, risk for some of the students. There are other
issues of accidents that could occur. My my, uh, request is that we reach out to cat metro
to maybe see if there's opportunities to provide those students with some public
transportation on those corridors going east and west to help hopefully, um, remove
some of the congestion that students are placed in on the sidewalks. That could be an
added risk, especially when you have a high level of traffic flow going on east and west of
kind of school road now thank you very much. Thank you carlos. All right. That's all I
have for items not on the agenda. Anyone else wishing to speak? All right.
>> staff presentation z considered presentation department update from human
resources department. Come on up, sandra. Good evening, mayor and council members. I'm here
to report to you that the hr department is more passionate than. Ever to serve the people
that. >> serve this great community. Our team loves.
>> to serve with heart. We look for. >> different. Ways to partner
with all. The departments and have positive. Interactions with employees. We come to
them. And by the way. They're sitting. Right there those two. Roles supporting me. The h.r
team shines. >> under pressure. They step. Up and make change happen. I
want. >> to. Thank each. >> one of. Them for their
commitment to great customer service and their focus on employee experience. I do have
two. People that. >> I would like to. Recognize my name michelle reyes, my.
assistant director. This woman has elevated this. Department to another level. Her
leadership in operations has. Been instrumental and the key. To our wins this year tyler
jarrow, my h.r. Manager, he. >> gives me peace. Of mind. And he manages. Benefits and
compensation and. Serves as a as administrator. His knowledge and dedication help us offer
our employees the best. Resources available and. >> they have one less thing to
worry about and can focus on their work providing services. >> to our citizens. So thank
you all. Our mission. Comes to life through serve. It's reflected in how we. Support
organization. Engage our people, lead with respect. Listen to their voices. And
empower them to succeed. Thanks. >> our current this is a
workforce snapshot. Our current headcount. Is 1770. Employees that's composed of. Part time.
full time. Temporary and seasonal. We have a workforce that has a healthy mix of newer
talent and experience employees. Our workforce is relatively young but
experienced an average age of 41. Combined with an average tenure of 8.1 years suggests
that employees are building meaningful careers with the city, not simply just passing.
>> through.. >> so roughly. 70% of the workforce has less. Than ten
years of service. That's important. >> to note. It suggests that
the city. Has brought in a. Significant amount of. Newer talent while maintaining a core
group of long tenured employees who carry valuable institutional knowledge. At the
same time, we have more than 200 employees with 15 or more. Years of service. That creates
both an opportunity and responsibility for us developing our newer employees
while making sure we capture the knowledge and experience of our long tenured employees.
that's why retention, leadership. Development. >> succession planning and
knowledge is crucial to transfer that to continue to be important areas of the focus of
hr. Year. Today we have 19 employees. That have retired. More importantly. 21% of our
work. A regular workforce is retirement eligible. That is, more than 1 in 5 employees. Our
responsibility is to be prepared by identifying critical positions and
developing internal. Talent for hr. Workforce planning is about ensuring we have the right
talent ready when those transitions occur. And as you can see um on the retirements
year to. Date fire. Police and public works are the highest ones. Same with eligible to.
retire you have those three bigger. Departments up there. Another indicator we monitor
closely is employee turnover. Year to date we experience 93 separations with an average
monthly turnover of 9.5%. While turnover is normal part of any organization, we look beyond
the number to understand where are we losing talent, why employees are leaving and.
whether they're trends we need to address. The national average for the. Public sector
is. 1.5 and this doesn't exclude education. And so right now uh we're doing pretty well
and we're trending to be under the national average. Attracting qualified
candidates. Require us to go beyond simply posting a vacancy waiting for applicants. We're
taking a more proactive approach meeting candidates in the community, straining our
presence in social media, developing internship and school partnerships and
building our future talent pipeline. At the same time, we're focused on telling our
story and positioning the city as an employer of choice not just a place to find a job
but a place to build a career and serve our community. Attracting talent isn't only
about whether we recruit it's about why someone chooses us. People want more than a job.
becoming an employer of choice isn't one initiative. Or a benefit. It's the entire
employee experience. It's about competitive. Compensation and benefits. Strong leadership
coming from city council members and. >> our. Leadership team,
opportunities to grow employees ,having a voice and creating a culture where people feel
valued and connected to our mission. The city around rock offers something very powerful
the opportunity to make a direct impact. To the community that we serve. Our goal is not
simply to attract people to a job. We want to attract people that have a career for a
purpose. Year today we received more than 20,000 applications and welcomed 531 new employees
to the organization. While attracting candidates is important, we equally focus on
creating opportunities for people who are already here with us. We promoted 72
employees this year. Which speaks directly to the commitment to developing
employees and providing opportunities to build a career here at the city. Recruiting
great people is only the beginning. Once they're here we have to invest in their growth
and give them the tools to be successful. This year we're really expanded our focus in
learning and development. We're taking a more intentional. Approach identifying. Learning
needs across the city, strengthening our. Supervisors. >> customizing training on
needs of. Individual teams and expanding opportunities for our future workforce through
internships we've also expanded e-learning for compliance training, allowing us to reach
more efficiently and consistently well. We've been very busy but each of these
efforts is an investment in our people and for the future of this organization. Investing in
our employees goes beyond the professional development. It also means supporting them
during the for the overall health, wellness and quality of life. This year we continue to
focus on employee engagement through. Wellness events. Educational workshops and
webinars that give employees tools and resources to support their well-being. Our focus
moving forward is not simply to offer great. Benefits, but. To make sure that our employees
understand them, that they value them and have the tools they need to make the most of
them. Our onsite clinic is another way we're investing in our employees and families. It
provides convenient access to quality care, encourages preventive health and reduces
time away from work. It's a benefit that supports both the well-being of the workforce and
the long term sustainability of our health plan. Raw care clinic has had a 1823 patient
visits so far this year 788 people. Accessed care. And 140 of. Those were.
>> new patients. Our utilization rate is trending upwards from previous years.
supporting our employees also means to make sure that they have a safe workplace that we
proactively manage the risk associated with delivering those services to the city. We
continue to monitor workers compensation claims closely not only the number of claims but
they're occurring and the types of injuries we're seeing. Our most common injuries continue
to be strains cuts, punctures and scrapes, slips, trips and falls. Understanding those
trends allow us to focus on our safety efforts one of the strongest indicators of the
overall performance of our workers compensation program is the experience modifier. Html
risk pool compares our loss experience against thousands a municipality that ensures a 1.0
modifier represents average performance. Anything above 1.0 indicates losses. Above
average. Our modifier is 0.30. The lowest modifier html offers. Even more
significantly, we maintain the lowest possible. Modifier for the last. Five consecutive
years that strongly reflects the safety practices. Practices.
>> claims management. >> and commitment. >> of our departments and
employees to maintaining is safe workplace. We accomplish a lot but there are a few
initiatives I'm especially proud to highlight. One of our biggest accomplishments was
implementing a new performance management system citywide. This was this was a year in the
making and collaboration between hr and it team. We moved away from an outdated
process. And introduced a more modern consistent approach one that gives a better foundation
and meaningful feedback, accountability, employee development and performance
conversations. We also continue looking at how we can stream the overall employee
experience. And retention strategy. For the first time, employees received a total
compensation statement at their home and a note from the city manager thanking them for
their dedication and their commitment. The statement shows the full value of what the
city of round rock. Invest in them. Not just their paycheck. But the total benefits and
compensation. We also strengthen the safety net of our employees by adding paid
parental leave and enhancing our long term disability benefit. Both are designed to
provide greater support during significant. >> life transitions. Everything
we talked about today leads us to where we're going next. Our workforce continues to change.
hr must continue changing with it. Our focus isn't simply responding to today's needs. We
must anticipate what our organization and workforce for tomorrow. The next chapter
centers on four things being workforce ready developing our team. Modernizing how we
deliver hr services and using data to make better workforce decisions. As we close, I want
to thank mayor and council members for your continued support and investment in team
round rock. Your commitment to the employees give us the opportunity to grow and succeed
and to continue providing excellent service for our community together we're not
only building a stronger work workplace but we're building a stronger round rock. Thank you.
all right thank you sandra anybody have any questions or comments councilmember stevens.
thanks sandra for that. And you've got to two new people relatively new people.
>> in. Charge I think. >> you like doing a. Fabulous job. Um it's great to.
>> see you both here. Um I do have two questions. So our interns do you track. How many
.interns come. >> through an internship and then actually.
>> turn. Around and apply for a job. Even if it's not like a specific number like 25% of
them? 10%. >> well, I can tell you with this last internship I think
there's about three okay. And there was like 19 of them so it's pretty good. Yeah really
good yes. And then also I appreciate that. Total compensation uh statement that
you did for the first time I think that it's really important for employees to see
their total value, you know. Not just a dollar on a paycheck. And I'm just curious
since it's the first time doing it how the. Feedback has been. Um, from.
>> the employees. So far what I have heard and when people have told me it's been great they
loved opening that get in it at. Home was. A different experience the way it was
presented it was like in a big envelope. And it was colorful and beautiful city of round
rock pictures and then just having that note from the city manager really thanking
them for their efforts and then really being able to break in. You can see like if somebody
took a vacation how much they got paid for that for their sick leave for their overtime
and then. Get a total picture of. The real uh total compensation that you received
from the city, you know, including benefits. I think. That's very important. I be
curious. You already have a very, um. High retention rate. I'm just curious if there's any
trend. Going forward. Um, related to. Employees seeing their. Whole the whole package.
so I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember ortega. Yeah I like. To ask the
same almost. Same question. Here in. Reference to uh, internships. Uh, you're saying
you're going to try to increase that number? Did I. >> hear that correctly. Of
internships right. Well, we're trying to increase the people that we can hire from the
internships but yes, we would love to have more this year we've expanded the internship
program and my team just met with me and told me, you know what else they want to do for
next year and they have really great ideas. I think the um the state or the nation is going to
look at our program because we're thinking outside the. Box on how we can prepare them.
we're even having orientation with the mentors that are going to have interns. To also train
them on what an internship is and what they should be getting out of it. So I'm excited about
that. Well thanks. >> for that and thanks for mentioning mentors because I'm
a big proponent about mentors I think we all should be mentors um, to serve one way or another
though. Because uh. They're they're the key to success in my in my idea. But the program
you presented today was absolutely. Good right on. So I appreciate that in the hard
work your department has put together on this. Thank you. Thank you.
>> any other questions on the staff. Questions? >> councilmember fleming. I
respect. Y'all's group. Um, it's so important for the health of the organization. And
city. So I know y'all work really hard and appreciate everything you do. I just had.
>> a quick. Question some of numbers person but when we were looking at the. Um turnover.
rate and it was low but it said like seasonal. Was really about a third of the employees I
think it was over 500 versus the 1700 employees. So do you. Look at.
>> them differently for turnover? Is it year to year. >> or. Are you just removing
them completely? How do you look at that. At turnover it's a monthly rate but we only take
in consideration regular employee so that would be full time and part time. So seasonal
wouldn't be included? No because they're just here for the season.
>> that's why I. >> was. Wondering okay. Well thank you. Do you have a
question? Um. >> mayor pro. >> tem I didn't have a
question. I just wanted. To, uh. Let sandra. And the team know that. 72 promotions to.
date is phenomenal. >> I think again. >> it speaks. To your.
professional development. >> of the team and I think that's. That's awesome. So
encouraged by that. Thank you I mean it's it's also the supervisors and the experts in
every department that are willing to share that knowledge you know with with their team
members. So you know our questions or. Comments over here. Yeah I just want to say
thank you for all that y'all do and all the work you put in. And uh, as councilmember
fleming said, just it's important for the health of the organization. So great job.
>> to. All of you and your team. Thank you so much. Yep. >> good night. I wanted to say
that by the way round rock have a good night. All right. Consent agenda items. Listed on
the consent agenda are considered. >> to be routine by the city.
council and be enacted by one motion will be no separate. Discussion of these items
unless. Requested by a council member. >> in. Which event the item
will be removed from the consent agenda. >> and. Considered separately.
are there any. Items or questions there? I'll read the. Consent f1 consider approval.
minutes from the august 13th, 2026 city council meeting f2 consider a resolution.
authorizing murders to an agreement with paradigm traffic systems inc. For the purchase
of traffic signal systems. >> and safety. Barrier products f3 consider a resolution.
authorizing mayor. Desk quantity adjustment change. Order number three with austin.
engineering company. Inc. For the. Green line. Boulevard project. And that. Is all the
consent. So I'll entertain a motion to adopt. The consent agenda. So moved. Second.
>> motion made by councilman pegues and by the mayor. >> pro tem. Any other
discussion and please pull the council. Council member lee. Yes.
>> council member flores. Yes. Council member fleming. Yes. >> council member.
>> ortega. Yes. Council member stevens. Yes. >> mayor pro tem montgomery.
yes. >> mayor. >> morgan.
>> yes. Resolutions g1 cancer. >> a resolution authorizing execution of an engagement.
>> letter with rare law and associates. Plc for the appeal to district court of the
project. Final order impact docket number 48836. You doing. >> that one?
>> yes. >> this is an engagement letter um, with the law firm. That has
represented us throughout the course of this case. This is the. Break case. Uh, with the
mud regarding the city's wholesale water rates. This has gone through. The puc process
and it was found that the city's rates were just unreasonable. The mud districts
are now. Appealing this case. >> they're appealing to district court. Um, the city is
not a party directly to this case but because we have an interest in it we are an
intervener. So this engagement letter, um, will see the city um, well, to handle the
legal fees through the appeal process of this case, it's the same firm they. Handled it.
okay. >> questions and. A motion adopt the resolution.
>> so moved. Second. Motion made by. Councilmember fleming. Second by councilmember ortega
.any other discussion and please follow the council. Council member flores. Yes.
>> council member fleming. Yes. Council member. Ortega. >> yes.
>> council member stevens. Yes. Mayor pro tem montgomery. Yes. >> council member. Lake. Yes.
>> mayor. Morgan. >> yes. >> to consider a. Resolution
authorizing mayor dispute. Conti. Adjustment change order number. One with ap gulf states
inc. Doing. Business as. A dawson. >> and. Peterson construction.
>> for the public. Safety training center phase two project. Good evening.
>> mayor and council. This is, uh. Change order number. One for. Adolf and peterson. Uh.
>> construction for public safety and. Training center. >> phase two. Um, the amount.
>> is for 923,988. And $0.25. Um talked. >> about it. On um. Tuesday but
we'll just. Reiterate the drivers to this cost or mother nature didn't do us any favors.
good for the lakes bad bad for construction. So the truck had to be regraded completely. It
was just a mess out there. We had some, uh, existing tilt wall refinishing that we have
to do out there and then we have to install some master meters to monitor the usage on
fire on the, uh, training side of the house. Um, be happy to report that we are at probably
60% completion and we're still tracking to be completed at the end of march of 2027. So with
that I'd be happy. >> to answer any questions. Questions.
>> councilman fleming. I just had a question since I wasn't here tuesday morning. Um so
this is in addition to what the original. Budget was. Or are we still going to be coming in
within budget and looking at the total project? Great question. Uh, council member so
what we're doing this is going to replenish my own or betterment that's inside the
contract. And so we have a strategic reserve outside of the contract still within
budget that will replenish the owner betterment. Okay thank you. Any other questions every
time most of the resolution. So moved. Second. >> motion made by councilmember
ortega same by councilmember stevens. Any other discussion. And please by the council.
council member fleming. Yes. Council member. Ortega. Yes. >> council member stevens. Yes.
mayor pro tem montgomery. Yes. >> council member. >> lee. Yes.
>> council member flores. Yes. >> mayor. >> morgan.
>> yes. >> thank you. >> officer g3 consider a
resolution approving and adopting. Financial policies related to the budget. For
fiscal year 2627. Good evening. Good evening again. Item g three. Is the resolution
approving. >> and adopting our. Financial policies for.
>> the. Upcoming fiscal year? Our financial. Policies are. >> reviewed and adopted
annually. By the city council in. Conjunction with the annual operating budget. As I
mentioned. Tuesday morning, just. One minor change is proposed for this year and I do
have a. Presentation we will I'll briefly. >> walk. Through the policies
just as a reminder. Of um. What is contained within our. Financial policies at least at
a high level. So the purpose of our financial policies is really.
>> to. Demonstrate our commitment to sound financial management, provide guidance on
financial goals, demonstrate compliance with all state statutes, the city charter and
follow good business practices and recommended and best practices in all the different
aspects of finance that we. Do this chart and I'm going to read it to you shows just some
of the topics covered by our financial policies which again are attached in the agenda
packet for this evening's meeting. One of the topics covered is the annual budget.
since the budget is on this item on this agenda for future consideration when I go ahead
and talk about these guiding principles that the budget should address the council
goals and strategic plans we consider long term financial impacts so we don't look at
just what we can't afford but of looking at long term um, financial sustainability for
decisions made. Current revenues have to meet or exceed current expenditures. Um also
have some policies regarding administrative locations and personnel um which the fte
schedule is set as part of the budget and is adopted um in accordance with it as well. We
have a budget contingency plan laid out in our financial policies that will lay out um,
if we do get to a point where we need correct corrective action, we laid out exactly
what steps we will take and in what order we will take them. Um, hopefully this is a
contingency plan we won't ever need but did want to highlight we do um, have it thoughtfully
laid out in the financial policies as adopted annually by the city council looking at
revenues. We have revenues. Um, the financial policies are designed to promote a diverse
and stable revenue base to protect the city from revenue shortfalls. Looking at sales
tax, we have policies that limit our dependency on any single sales tax payer um, any
additional sales tax revenues that do exceed our limits set forth by policy will our
deposited into our gsfc or general cell finance capital where they can be used in
future fiscal years to fund one time capital needs? We have some policies on expenditures
looking at appropriations and transfers, procurement policies, making sure that we
follow all federal, state and local laws on how we buy things. Um the formal approval
any item over $100,000 goes to the city council per our code of ordinances except for a
specific pre-approved set on our authorized purchases list. I'll be bringing this to
council next council meeting on september the 10th. These are just certain routine planned
purchases that staff does recommend the council for the authorize purchase list. Um
items could always get pulled off if needed and those items don't exceed $350,000 per
policy. We have financial policies looking at debt defining our debt options. Long
term debt can only be used for long term capital improvements. We monitor and manage debt to
maintain our um highest credit rating triple-a credit rating both for the general obligation
as well as utility debt. Again, one minor change is on page 11 of the red line agreement
attached to the packet. Um staff is proposing to decrease the capital replacement reserve
in the sport center fund from $3 million to 1 million. That again we have a minimum fund
balance requirement that we're maintaining the sports in our fund. So after that we've been
holding $3 million for capital replacements. Looking at our potential liability staff is
recommending to drop that to $1 million the 27 proposed. But it.
>> does still. Leave that that excess fund balance sitting there in case something
happens. Just really changing the um the designation of that and that's the only proposed
change that we answer any questions? Questions. >> councilmember flores. You
know kevin thank you. Just a comment mostly I appreciate um, the update and certainly this
document has served us well for the last many years and kept us. Yes or pretty um. Very
viable and very sound solid foundation. So so thanks for the continued work on it. Any
other questions over here? Questions over here. Entertain a motion up the resolution. So
moved. >> second. >> motion made by councilmember
ortega. Second by councilmember stevens. Any other. Discussion and please pull the council.
council member ortega. Yes. Council member stevens. Yes. >> mayor pro tem montgomery.
yes. >> council member. Lee. Yes. >> council member flores. Yes.
>> council member fleming. Yes. >> mayor. Morgan. Yes g4 consider a resolution.
authorizing brush creek regional utility authority to execute. Financing agreement.
>> with. The texas water development board. Mayor and council um, last night at the
meeting of the brushy creek regional utility authority or area way board that considered
this item and passed it um back in april 2023, the city council authorized bsr to submit an
application for funding through the texas water development board funding to the state
infrastructure implementation fund of texas or swift funding this agreement in particular on
tonight's agenda for the third of four phases of financing from the texas water
development board. These proceeds will be used to fund round rock share the phase two
deep water intake project currently underway. Again this is a partnership of which round
rock is a partner. This will be issuing $12.2 million again third of four plan phases this
debt issuance has been in our long range financial plans, has been in our debt plan and the
expenses associated with the capital outlay are included in the proposed. Budget.
>> which will be under consideration later on this evening. I have to answer any
questions you may have. Questions you're talking most of.
>> the resolution. So moved. >> second. >> motion made by councilmember
ortega's second by councilmember fleming. Any other discussion and please
public council. Council member. Stevens yes. Mayor pro tem montgomery.
>> yes. In council member lee. Yes. >> council member flores. Yes.
council member fleming. Yes. Council member. Ortega. Yes. Mayor morgan. Yes.
>> thank you. Gh5 consider a resolution authorizing our disputed real. Estate contract
with atv ranch company lte. >> for the purchase of an 8.085 acre. Parcel required for.
construction of the. >> proposed kenny fort. Boulevard segment five. Roadway
project. Good evening, mayor and council. Good evening. This is for our segment five of
kenny fort boulevard. Uh, the project is under design right now. Uh, this project will, uh,
extend kenny fort which currently as you see right here heads north at a dead end that
all centers we will take segment five from old sellers boulevard will head north like
this and then it will turn in right at 112. Uh, the item before you is right of way
acquisition for the area in turquoise right here. It's a little bit over uh, eight
acres. Total cost is $2.8 million. There's still. >> a few more parcels that we
need to acquire as part of kenny for segment five. Uh, but like I said, we're under design
and we'll continue with that. And then once we get through the design and all the right of
way acquisition, uh, then we'll look ahead for construction but recommend approval of this
right away acquisition uh, from a ranch company, uh, for the kenny for segment five roadway.
we're happy to answer any questions. Questions. Any time most.
>> of the resolution so moved. Second. >> motion made by councilman
flores and by councilmember lee. Any other discussion and please by the council. Mayor
pro tem montgomery. Yes. Council member lee. Yes. Council member flores. Yes.
>> council member. Fleming. Yes .council member. Ortega. Yes. Council member. Stevens. Yes.
mayor morgan. Yes g6. Consider a resolution approving the action of the round rock
transportation economic. Development corporation and amending the transportation.
capital improvement program. Earlier tonight the type b board approved this item. Uh,
this is for additional right of way, uh, acquisition that we need for two projects. Uh,
there's two projects that are part of our master plan. About every five years we update our
transportation master plan that identifies which roadways we need to prepare for. Uh, it's
based on where the growth is occurring in the city. It's based on land use assumptions
and that's how we determine the size of the road. So here's a copy of our master plan uh,
that we've done the two projects that we need additional right away for are
shown right here uh kenny fort boulevard segment five and six and wyoming springs here's
kenny fort boulevard five and six similar to the previous item I just talked about. Uh,
segment five starts at on sellers boulevard, comes up here and stops at 112 kenny
fort segment six will start at 112 and head through this field here and hit stop at
university. There's a future segment seven of kenny fort that will be built with
developments as you head north of university. The type b board previously approved $2 million
for right of way for this project. We are asking for an additional 10 million uh to be
allocated for future right away .uh, the cost had increased when we allocated the 2 million
originally. Uh, we did not know how much right away we were going to need so we allocated
to me and to get started with we've gone through the design. That's where we're at now. Uh
we know our right away with it's about 120 to 150ft wide. Uh and now we've gone out to
get appraisals and those cost are coming in so we need that additional money so we don't
want to uh we want to make sure we put enough money in there but not too much. So that's why
we come back to the type b board several times for design right of way and then
construction. >> as. We move through the project. The second project
wyoming springs extension we're on the west side of town. Uh this map is actually uh wyoming
springs comes up here to sand base and then it already is built through baron's ranch
right here. So the project stop starts at the north end of bands ranch and we'll head
north through. Texas crest stolen property and stopped in town here at 1431. Uh, we
already have 2 million allocated for right away. We're asking for 5.5 million more for
7.5 total. There's just one property that we need to acquire right away here it's
about 24 acres that we're going to need. Uh, we are currently in the appraisal phase of this
before we start negotiations, the total for the uh type b amendment uh 56 is for 15.5
million that you see there. Uh ,yesterday we looked at our capital program and there's a
few projects that we were able to move out a little bit uh, another year so we we actually
saved about 15 million for next year. So by allocating this we're really about the same
amount of money being allocated to our type b road program for fy 27. So uh the type b board
approve this item and I recommend approval as well. So any questions I'll be happy to
answer. Any questions entertain motion up. >> the resolution. So moved.
second. >> motion made by. Councilmember ortega. Same by
councilmember fleming. Any other discussion. And please pull.
>> the council. Council member lee. Yes. >> council member flores. Yes.
>> council member fleming. Yes. Council member. Ortega. Yes. Council member stevens. Yes.
mayor pro tem montgomery. Yes. Mayor. Morgan. Yes. >> uh, michael, let's skip down
to age five. Where we get. Uh mr.. Down here and all of them that's what they're on here.
right age. Five oh I'm sorry, I just. I thought I was you didn't come on down kevin. Just
sit there for. >> just a quick second. To h5 h5. Consider approval the sixth
the supplemental ordinance to the. Matter consider approval the sixth supplemental
ordinance to the master ordinance establishing the city of round rock, texas
utility system revenue financing program. First reading. Second reading.
>> not required. Mayor and council. This ordinance is a um sixth or supplemental ordinance
.the master ordinance establishing what you just read. This dates back to 2006.
the city council adopted a master ordinance establishing the city round rock texas
utility system revenue financing program in order for the city to provide for the
financing of our utility system projects. Um, this is another debt instrument. The one we
considered earlier this evening was for the best way to brush regional utility authority on
the water side. This is for the bcr s the brushy creek regional wastewater system. Um this
these bonds authorized um under this ordinance will be for $60 million for the purposes of our
east wastewater treatment plant expansion project. This funding is also coming from the texas
water development board um their clean water funding program. Um this debt issuance
like the one considered earlier has been in our long range financial plans for a long time
span identified in our long range debt plan. The expenses the capital expenses associated
with are included in the proposed budget also on this evening's agenda um this these
bonds are planned if approved to be a close in september funds coming in again to fund
the city's um portion of the water treatment wastewater treatment plant expansion
project. We have richard donahue, who serves as the city's bond counsel with mccall
parker horton here in the audience should there be any questions for him? We also have
cole gilmore here for specialized public finance. Um, also here if there's any
questions I'm happy to answer any questions as well. All right.
>> any questions. On this item ?all right I will. Entertain a motion to adopt ordinance.. So
moved. Second. >> motion made by councilmember ortega second by councilmember
lee. Any other. >> discussion and please by the council. Council member flores.
yes. Council member. Fleming. Yes. >> council member. Ortega. Yes.
council member stevens. Yes. Mayor pro tem montgomery. Yes. >> council member lee. Yes.
mayor. Morgan. Yes. >> all right. >> michael, come on up. Each
one. Consider an ordinance amending chapter 44 article six sections 40 4-1. 49 and. 44 151
code of ordinances 2018. Additions regarding environmental service fees.
first reading requires two readings. As you know, the city of round rock has its own
environmental laboratory uh, for water and wastewater. We're one of very few cities in
central texas that has a laboratory. Uh, city of austin has one lcra has one uh, button
up here in williamson county. Uh, we have a lab and it's a very good lab that makes money
for the city of round rock. Uh, a lot of the other cities around us and the utilities in
the region, uh, bring their water and wastewater samples to our laboratory for analysis. It
is a knee lac certified laboratory. Uh, so we're able to do that before you in the
ordinance, we want to make some changes to our rate schedule. Uh, there's just a few changes.
uh, one is when samples come into the laboratory in a bottle, you're supposed to have
some airspace in there if there's not, uh, we have a chance to reject it, but that's
not good customer service. So we want to be able to transfer that to another sample bottle.
and so it's just adding $10 per sample for that fee. Uh, to do that that's one item there's
once uh also constituent that we're not analyzing anymore we want to take that out of the
ordinance. And then the third item is for our surcharge program we used to sample once
every six months and then divide that cost over the next six months on the utility bill.
uh we want to sample once a year now and divided over 12 months. So it's not a lot of
money it's $100 for the entire year. So you divide that by 12 months. It's about $8.33 per
month added to their their bill. That's for surcharges. That's for restaurants and
folks around town that discharge higher uh body and total suspended solids into the
wastewater system uh, because they're discharging higher concentrations into the
wastewater system. Uh, we charge them that fee so that we have to treat the wastewater to
that higher level. Uh, and we do that for restaurants different than the pretreatment
program which is different constituents where we require industries to treat the
wastewater on site before they discharged into the wastewater collection system. So that's
the two different differentiates differentiations there. Uh, these items we'd
like to amend the ordinance and I'll be happy to answer any questions that you have.
questions on each. Questions on each one. Uh entertain a motion adopt the ordinance. So moved.
>> second. >> motion made by councilmember flores. Second by councilman
ortega. Any other discussion and please by the council. Council member fleming. Yes.
council member. Ortega. Yes. Council member stevens. Yes. Mayor pro tem montgomery. Yes.
council member. Lee. Yes. >> council member flores. Yes. Mayor morgan. Yes.
>> to consider an. Ordinance amending chapter. 44 article two section sections 44, 32,
4433 and 443 for code of ordinances. 2018 edition and growing water rates. Reuse
water rates and sewer rates. First reading. Requires to. Mayor and council I have a
presentation here on our utility rates every three years we update our rates based on
our cost of service uh our utility as a cost of service utility. What that means is
whatever it takes for us to run the water utility, the wastewater utility and the
stormwater utility what all those expenses are we need to set our rates so that we
recover the revenue to to run the utility. We're we're a nonprofit but we make money to
run the operations and then pay for capital improvements. So uh we do that every three years
and I want to give you the results of those uh those rates. Uh, we do not like one
year rate shock. So that's why we do it. We do the model and it's based on the expenses that
we're projecting over the next five and ten years. So we're building into it uh, and many
times we've been doing in the past we bring to you a rate recommendation and it's for the
next three years so that we're stepping in there and that's what we're recommending
recommending tonight. Uh, there's different classes so there's retail versus wholesale
retail or connections and businesses and the citizens that live in the city around
rock wholesale is a lot of the municipal utility districts. We have 13 I'm sorry, 12 uh
wholesale customers they have a different rate structure than the retail that's in the city.
and I'll explain or go through some of those rates that we're recommending uh, residential
versus commercial the way they uh, impact our water systems different uh, commercial is
using it to run a business. A lot of times it's a uniform usage more so than a
residential residential you'll see a peaking in that summer a lot of discretionary water, um,
you know, outside watering irrigation uh, as well. So we look at all those things and
our rate structure impervious cover versus uh pervious that's more of a stormwater item.
we're not recommending any changes to our stormwater utility tonight. Uh, for water
you're dealing with, uh, weather. It rains a lot or it's dry a lot. So we have to take
averages over the last three years to get a feel for what the demand has been and then we
project up from that. So we want to make sure we recover our cost and our base fee are
the fixed fee and not the volumetric fee as much because if you have a very rainy year,
uh, people are not going to be watering as much and that will affect the revenue that we need
to to balance our budget. Uh, and then I mentioned every three years we look at that uh
the background uh I mentioned ten years the background the last time we did our rates that
it was in the spring of 2024 and you're going to say oh and I say every three years but
that's only two years ago. And the reason I said that we were in the middle of a rate case
the wholesale customers uh, were challenging our rates. So because we were in the middle
of that process in the spring of 2024, we only made changes to the retail side at that
time. That's when we adopted a fifth tier for our water rate structure. Uh and I'll show you
how that's been impacting our ratepayers. And then also uh we had retail rate increases but
we did not have any wholesale rate increases at that time in 2024 because of the rate case
that we were in the middle of uh, that rate case has been uh resolved as stephanie had
mentioned earlier, the case is over pvc said that our rates are just in reasonable we
follow the state. Laws just like we're supposed to and we did that in the ruling came out
in our favor because that happened in 2025. We wanted to come back in 2026 and update
our model because for the last two years only retail had that increase. Our retail to some
degree is subsidizing a portion of those wholesale customers because they still have that
same rate they've had a few years ago. So this uh recommendations today even
though y'all approved back then a 25 fy 25, fy 26 and fy 27 rate we're not going to
implement the fy 27 rate y'all approved. We're going to reset them and I'm going to have
tonight a recommendation for fy 2728 and 29. Are going forward. I mentioned there's difference
between residential customers and commercial customers residential uh higher peaking
factor in the summer. Why is that important to us? Uh that cost us capital projects that
we have to build for that month of august when when that use is really high we have to build
infrastructure to be able to meet that demand, uh, that we don't get to use very much of
the year. So conservation programs and things like that if we can get people to shave
off that peak those high demand days and weeks uh, that helps our entire capital program
which at the end of the day helps our rates, uh, as you'll see here as we talk about uh,
commercial side is more of a uniform. They're running a business and a lot of times
their monthly water usage is very similar uh, because they're building a product or
making something they're manufacturing and things like that. So we treat commercial
and residential different when we talk about tiers and things like that. So we've completed
our rate model here's here's the results as you'll see here at the beginning uh retail
rates for the next three years we need to uh revenue increase of $4.6 million over the next
three years. So we will walk into that over the next three years for the wastewater side
we need another 2.3 million uh, in the three year window and you'll see the percent
increases that I'll show you what are the cost drivers of this rate change? Uh,
operations and maintenance. Right. Salary increases the raw water cost uh, has increased
that we buy from brazos river authority and lower colorado river authority. They have
rates that go up and we buy water from those entities by the acre feet. So every year we
pay per acre feet to them for the water that we have under contract uh, chemical costs
have increased our electrical contract uh, is expiring uh, we had a very good kilowatt per
hour uh, rate and that contracts expiring and the electricity has gone up. So all
that's plugged into the model, the next item aging system, our rehabilitation we spent a lot
of money rehabbing so we probably about 5050 when you talk about new construction
with new capacity versus maintaining and rehabbing our existing infrastructure, uh we
feel very important about that. The city around rock is going to be here for many, many more
years and we need to invest in our infrastructure so that we keep it good. We do that in
transportation with our streets same concept make sure we take care of our assets uh for our
citizens to enjoy large infrastructure. We've talked about these a lot. We have some
regional projects that we are building into the future that's setting up round rock very well
for our future. When you talk about economic development and being prepared for the growth
of our city, having treatment plant capacity whether it's water or wastewater, having
infrastructure in the ground ready for new developments to come puts round rock in a good
light when they come to town. Uh that's what we're doing here. We're spending money and
investing in our future with these big regional projects. But that comes with a cost,
right? We're having the issue that we had two items before me tonight that were issuing debt
for these projects. That's all rolled into our rate model that we recovers through our rates.
or through impact fees that the new developments pay. Uh let's see wholesale rate increases to
also recover cost of service and I've already mentioned that. Okay recommendations
here's our annual increases I'm going to skip this because I'm going to go. So let me talk
about this one a little bit in this in this proposal uh we are making no changes to the tiers
.uh that's going to stay the same. But one thing we're not going to adjust is that first
tier on the residential side that volumetric charge is going to stay the same. Those folks
are already conserving. They're doing a great job. So really the increases are more in that
second, third, fourth and fifth tier and I'll show you how that's going to be. We're going
to lake stay with the one rate for commercial it's a uniform rate for all the water they use
at a commercial property because we don't want to impact their businesses because that's
just part of. Running their business. And then we'll have wholesale rate increases over
the next three years as well. And those rates will range on the water side from 9.3 to
15.1% per year, uh, for those wholesale customers and then wastewater is about 4.8% per
year for all the wholesale customers. This chart. >> right here I wanted to show
you uh because in so you got. Summer 2023 it's basically august of 2023. If we had a
fifth tier in august of 2023, here's how the customer number of customers would have used
water. We didn't have that fifth tier there. But I want to show you because in summer of
24 is when we adopted that fifth tier. But let's just assume in 23 we had that one.
so 8% of our customers use 27% of our residential water. In august of 2023 we implemented
the fifth tier and in summer 25 only uh 4% went into that fifth tier and they used 17% of the
water. So we're shaving off that high usage is what's this whole plan is to be it's a
conservation tool. Mayor, you've mentioned our peak days in the summer versus 2011 to
now. Uh I looked at it this morning we use 32 million gallons yesterday in the city.
that is a low number for august 25th or whatever we're at. Uh, that's a low number. Uh, last
summer we peaked at around 36 million on our highest day. Uh, we had 43,000,000 in 2011. So
our citizens are conserving they're being smart with their water. Uh, the landscape
ordinance you guys passed all that plays into it. Our reuse program is playing into it and
it's really setting us up really well for our future because we've reserved water
for the future and that water is going to be there and it's going to last. Longer forest.
as we conserve and be smart with our water supply and our citizens should get a lot of
credit for being conscientious and conserving water in our community. But I wanted to show
you that this rate structure is working. Uh, as far as how much total water we use in our city.
okay, here's our recommendations. Uh, mentioned some of the percentages, but
let me just show you some of the numbers for a residential house this is a five inch
meter. Almost every house in the city has a five eighth inch meter right here. Currently you
pay $18.21 a month. So if you use zero water for that month and say you're out of town for
the whole month, your bill will be $18.21 for that month. I mentioned this column here
because y'all have previously adopted these but we're not going to we're going to avoid
those now and here's our three year recommendation. So 1821 is going to go up to 19.60 in the
first year 20.58 21.61 that's your base charge that's on every bill. The volumetric
tiers are right here. So the first tier is 0 to 10,000 gallons. Uh most folks stay
within that 10,000 gallons on a given month $2.57 per thousand gallons. We're going to keep it
there in 2027. Then we'll go to 5% at 5% for this next two years. But this first year
you'll see some of the percentages are going to be more significant this first
year as you get into the higher tiers and then the second and third year will be 5% at 5%.
what does that do to your bill? So today let's just say at. >> your. House you use 10,000
gallons for a given month. Your bill today is $43.91 for that month's water. With these
changes here's your new numbers 45, 30, 47 and 49 for the next three years. How does that
compare to other cities in the state and around our region? Uh currently for 10,000 gallons at
your house, here's round rock right here at 43.91. If council approves these, uh. Proposal
for next year, we would go to 45.30 uh, with this increase. I do know several of these cities
are currently looking at their rates as well. So if you see us at the bottom end here today
could get even more pronounced if these other cities approve uh increases when you look at
these charts is a reflection of how we run our utility. We plan for the future. We make new
growth, pay for itself. Uh, we try to be as efficient as we can. We keep our assets
maintained. All that reflects in rates that are really attractive for our community.
uh, and we're really proud of that. That means we're we're delivering good, good service.
another example say you're a these are 45,000 gallons a month. Uh what would it look
like? So your bill today is $254. Then it would go up to these three numbers because of
those tiers right. You're using a lot of water. How do you stack up to our neighboring
cities for this amount? Uh right here round rocks right here 254 we go to 285 next year
sugarland I didn't check but I think they don't have as many significant tiers because they
weren't on the bottom in on 10,000 but they're down there with us on the 45,000. So
they're probably more of a probably more of a uniform rate instead of a tiered structure.
but still we have very competitive rates there. So commercial that was
residential. This is commercial. We do not have tiers. We have a single uniform
rate that I mentioned uh most commercial consumption is non-discretionary. It's used
for their operations of their business. We do encourage commercial properties to have a
second meter for irrigation. Only because. >> we do winter water.
averaging to determine your wastewater bill. So if. They use just one.
>> meter then that's going to affect their water wastewater bill uh going forward to the
next year. So if they have a separate irrigation meter it takes that water off that that
main meter where we calculate the wastewater most commercial properties that are larger have
a second irrigation meter. >> the smaller. Ones don't necessarily have it because
they don't have a lot of irrigation. I think I just said everything that was on that
slide before I even got to it. We'll skip it. Uh commercial rates. So here we go. It's a
uniform uh, rate. Uh so right now it's $3.02 is our current rate. That's your volumetric
rate. And then here's the base charges. It's based on the size of the meter you have. It's
your commercial property as well uh and then we'll have some slight increase going
forward uh, in the ten to the future. This was the adopt this is the one that was previously
adopted that we're not going to adopt. So next year will be $3.21 per thousand gallons then
337 354. For commercial. Give you an example of a commercial property in round rock if
you're using 40,000 gallons what does that look like if you live in another city? Here's
your difference in your water usage in round rock versus surrounding cities for
commercial businesses. Just to give you an idea all right that was the water talk. Let's talk
about wastewater now uh wastewater is a little bit different. So the base charge
today is 1491 for a house with a58 inch water meter. We're proposing to go up 8.7% here to
1612 and then another 5% at 5% for your base charge and then your volumetric charge today
you pay $3.21. It's what it's wastewater winter averaging. So we take december january
february those three months your water usage we take the average. Per month. And that's
what we assume you're going to use wastewater for the next year round. So we just set that
once a year every year. And then there's your increases on the wastewater side. I show.
>> you my next. Chart here's wastewater. How does round rock stack up with wastewater? 6000
gallons is a pretty typical average house. Uh bill. Uh is about 6000 gallons a month.
here's round rock's current 3417 proposal for next year will go to 3588. Yeah, those.
>> two together you had the water 10,000 gallons and the wastewater 6000 gallons. That's
the combined for round rock versus surrounding cities. This slide here shows the entire
utility bill. So if you're a citizen today you get a utility bill from the city of round
rock. It's going to have water wastewater stormwater garbage and recycling. Sales tax is
only on the garbage and recycling piece and then your total monthly bill. So let's
just go back to that average of 10,000 gallons of water 6000 gallons of wastewater, your
total bills $109.55 today with these proposed changes these are the next three years if all
things are equal, this is the total change in your monthly bill for a normal or just a
residential house. The garbage recycling we were estimating here because that's based on
cpi so we kind of estimated uh right now it's about a 3.8 uh percent cpi that we're looking
at for next year for our garbage and recycling rates. Okay that was all the retail.
so now we're going to have a slide or two here just about the wholesale we have 12
wholesale customers uh because they're not all water wastewater we have ten on the
water side and ten on the wastewater side for example. See the mud is just a
wastewater wholesale customer. They're not a water customer because they get water from
jonah on the on the other side of that we have uh farm bill off and aqua texas these top
two they're just water wholesale customers. They're not wastewater wholesale
customers. Foreign bluff has an owner in the regional wastewater system aqua texas.
there's toccoa springs over here. They have septic systems just this look at the last two
lines here. So over the next three year period uh here's the increases we are expecting for
the wholesale customers on the water side. Split that out of our three year period and
you're looking at that around a 10% increase on water. Uh for those wholesale customers. This
looks higher. But you remember they did not have an increase those last two years. It's all
about cost of service and we want to make sure all of our customers are paying the cost
that it to us that it is to deliver the service. Wholesale water is different because we
basically deliver water to a meter. Let's just say it's a municipal utility district..
>> we give. >> them. At the. >> meter, then the piping and
the billing and the meters within the mud are a separate asset that they have to take
care of. So they take that and they add that to their bill. So that's why it's not apples to
apples when you're talking wholesale versus retail. But I will assure you if our rates
are as low as they're showing here wholesale customers are getting a good price for the
quality what we're giving them. Absolutely wastewater same concept here I mentioned
earlier 4.8% increase per year and here's the wholesale rate. All wholesale customers will
have the same rate for their wastewater $3.56 a thousand and then it'll trend up just like
that on the horizon. Uh, stephanie already mentioned that the wholesale customers
filed an appeal with the public utility commission that's going on. Uh, debt payments will be,
uh, increasing due to the expansions we've been talking about that so that debt payment
that will be making is all rolled into the rates that I just showed you guys, uh, going
forward, city of georgetown's wholesale water contract it was a ten year contract. It is set
to expire in fy 31. Uh, we bring in about $3 million a year. If we do not renew that,
that could be a revenue hit to us. Uh, but we'll see. You know, georgetown may want to do
it. Uh, but round rock will make that determination and we want to make sure we always
protect our system and be able to meet our needs. Uh, but if we can help our surrounding
cities, we always look at that as well. We believe that if we help cities around us and they
do well, it helps around us to do well as as well. And then I mentioned the chemical I mean
the uh electrical contract we had a 3.8 cents per kilowatt hour contract. It's expiring uh
next year and we're looking at about a 6.3 cents per kilowatt hour. I point that out because
one of our biggest users in our cost is electrical power. We're pumping water several times to
move it around the system. So electricity plays a big part uh, in our rates. Here's our
schedule. Uh, we did meet with the individually on july 21st and 22 with all those wholesale
customers. Uh, just go back all the way to january. We had a kickoff meeting with all those
wholesale customers saying we're going to be looking at rates and then we brought them
in individually on these in july to show them their rates and uh, very good meeting. They
were positive uh they they've seen the rates and we didn't have really much pushback. I
mean it was it was a good story to tell and they understand that there's going to be
increases at the budget retreat we talked briefly about the rates and then tonight we're
august 27th we had our first reading for the rate ordinance. We'll come back september 10th
with our second reading and if approved by council these new rates will be effective
starting november 1st and they'll be november 1st each year for the next three years
for the rates that I just proposed. So uh that's my presentation. That's our rates.
uh, we're really proud of our utility. We feel really good about our rates and uh, we're
going to continue to try to have the best rates in central. Texas and be that be the most
efficient utility. So, uh, be happy to answer any questions that you have. Questions mayor
brought to uh. Michael on. The utility. On the power the. Rate for the. Power utility. You
have an. Estimated increase of six. Plus percent. Is that. Negotiable or is that a. Fixed
increase or. Could it be more. Could it be less? Well we signed a we just recently
signed the 6.3 and brooks may want to add on 6.3 and that covers a lot of the city. Uh we
did have a separate contract just for the water plant that we were able to sign a five
point uh, a cheaper percentage. So uh, all the rates in the utility industry are going up.
uh, we just happened to sign that contract back earlier at that 3.6%. So uh, we we do look
at rates and we try to find the best rate possible and that 6.3 still still a pretty good rate
overall okay. Council member de. In reference to georgetown the contract if that doesn't
come through we do have. >> a backup to take care of that. Or well when we sign that
contract in 2021 with georgetown for ten years it was not part of our plan okay
right. We we had this going on. We have our our plan how we're going to build infrastructure
to meet our demands. Georgetown approached us uh, in a lot of times with our infrastructure
and our water we're always ahead of the game right? We're expanding treatment plant
capacity well in advance or when we need it. So it was a time where we have extra
capacity. So when georgetown approached us we looked at that and the first thing we look at
it is to make sure round rock's covered on the worst day of the year. Uh, we looked at the
extra capacity we had. We were able to look ahead and forecast and we agreed to do that for
them. Uh, the benefit to us which it was not in our rate model the benefit was if we're
paying for water in lake travis already. Uh, so signing this deal there covering that cost
for us, uh, we have debt on bcr way bringing that water to georgetown. That's a debt
payment we have to pay, uh, their rates. That's all in that rate. So by us signing that it
helped our whole rate model with this $3 million in revenue I'm talking about but we didn't
plan on that. That's just kind of extra money that kind of we're able to to to receive
revenue for. So if it goes away in 2031 it's not the end of the world uh because it's not a
guarantee. All right. Thank you. You know, councilmember fleming. Um.
>> if you if. You will just help me with the logic. So when.
>> I was looking at the residential water 45,000 gallons that would be really
high end because I think you were saying like the average is 10,000, that's what you were
showing. But when you showed the. 45,000 it was like $254. If I'm remembering I was
looking at that correctly and I think is before that um there you go. So 285 sorry. Okay so
then but if I look at commercial and they're doing 40,000 gallons then it's more
like $145 if I was looking at that. So I was wondering why residential would be paying
more for their water bill. I think if you go forward to commercial it'll show 40,000.
yes. >> let me show you something. So I was just trying to
understand the logic to why I guess in essence I mean if the average person is 10,000 I
understand but it seems like commercial get a little bit more leniency. So I was
wondering that like so. So 45,000 gallons for residential home right. You're going to
fall into these tiers. Okay so your your first two years $2.57 you're going to get all the way
into that fifth tier because the fifth tier starts at 34,000 gallons you're paying today
$7.96 per thousand gallons for that water. Right on the commercial it's different. It's
not a tiered structure. It's a it's a one rate okay. Right here $3.02 for all 40,000
gallons. So residential you go into that fifth tier in the per thousand gallon and rate goes
up. That's why the residential bill is higher than the commercial bill for similar
water usage because you're paying on commercial business $3.02 for that 40,000 gallon
you're still paying $3.02 per thousand. That makes sense. It makes sense. I was just
wondering why they would get a lower rate. Like what's the logic behind having a lower
rate for the commercial versus residential? I think the logic we're a pro business community,
right? We want to be we want to make sure we recover our calls fairly, but we also want to
know how many businesses use that to run their business. We don't want to be uh on the
residential side that is throughout water in their yard. You don't have to water that
you choose to do it business. We want to make sure we don't overcharge them and that's why
there's $3.02 right here is is between the first and second tier rate of residential. Okay
no I understand thank you. When I think some of that to councilmember foreman's point
is is why I mean just go back to 2011 what. >> you were talking. About
there was 44 million gallons of water use that. Day and the next you know, the next day
when. >> all the restrictions. Went in it. Dropped to. 11 or 12
million. >> and what that told us is that you're. The higher.
heavier users on. >> the system. Our residential properties. Um I mean
unfortunate I mean that's that's the reality. Of it. >> and um. I think that's
where. Some of that. >> comes is. That it? You know, there's.
>> a. Much more non-discretionary use. Versus you know what. We uh. We have
in. You know, the thing is is. That we've grown by 30,000. People since 2011. Um, and uh.
businesses that have come. And uh, they um and we haven't. >> hit. That 44 million gallons
since. So if we were if there were just crazy water. Use by everybody. Then you know, we
would have burst through that. 44 million gallons. But we haven't done it since 2011. I
mean so that's you know, that says a lot and a. >> lot of that. Changes the.
>> the tier rates because. >> we were you know as he showed the 23 health uh the
bigger. Users were. You know. >> a small percentage but it. Was impact in. A lot. Greater
deal. And so. I think. >> that some some. Of it um. On that do you. Do you.
>> have a. >> breakdown of like when you know a. Daily use what
percentage is that commercial versus what percentage is residential? I can get that I
don't have it at my fingertips. We I mean do you just. Have a. >> rough idea. What it usually
is? Um. >> I'd have to calculate in my head a little bit because I
know how many houses and I know about the average house. That's right.
>> I just. >> I was just. Curious I can I can get that real easy. I just
don't know off the top of my head. Yeah. >> and then yeah. I think the
other thing is is can you explain when you say. You know we're. We're we're um
increasing the rate but we're having new growth. Helps pay for itself. Uh, where does that
come from and where does. >> it go toward. When you say, you know, a business comes in
and what happens? So we run the utility. There's two ways money comes into the utility to to
run the utility through the rates and through capital recovery fees impact fees uh
what that is so businesses come to town, residential homes come to town, uh, we charge them a
connection feed into our system .uh, and that fee is based on new capital.
>> that we have. >> to spend to be able to meet the demands of the new growth
and that's figured into that impact fee that people pay. So when businesses come, uh, they
pay their share when they come to town to help us so that we can have a water plant
expansion when you water plant expansion the person living here for 50 years is not having
it should not have to pay for having a water plant expansion right? The business coming here
should help pay for that because they're the reason that we have to expand the. Plant
and so our impact fees in the year 2000 we had about the highest impact fees in the
state of texas in round rock, texas. And they said your fees are. So high. Growth is going
to stop. Ground rock has grown consistently. So uh and other utilities and cities have
caught on to that now their impact fees have gone up really high. So uh we want to make
sure our rates are set for the service and then we make sure capital recovery fees are set
right so that that new growth coming in pays for their portion to run our utility. Uh.
>> so michael, you talked. About commercial. Having a separate irrigation meter. Can
you talk about how that's billed? Yes. >> so on a commercial property
let's just say you have a commercial property and you have your first meter that's
using running into your business for just your normal domestic water use uh to run
your business you have a second meter for irrigation, uh, for that commercial business and
that's based on tiers just like a residential house. So your irrigating your yard is going
through that irrigation meter you will pay tiers uh and that you'll pay that separately so
that water separated from the meter that sends water into the business to run the business.
so there are two separate deals uh and then the wastewater fee is connected off of that. Okay.
>> any other questions? Okay. Entertain motion up the. Ordinance some. Second motion
made by. Councilman flores everybody. Council member. >> stevens any other questions
discussion and please public council. Council member ortega yes. Council member stevens
yes. Mayor pro tem montgomery. Yes. Council member. Lee. Council member flores. Yes.
council member fleming. Yes. Mayor morgan. Yes. >> I think. We're going to.
>> take a quick five. Just for the next two. Items all right. We'll reconvene.
>> at 730. I'll read the next. Item. H3 considered public testimony regarding it
regarding an an ordinance adopting the fiscal. Year 2027. Annual budget for the
city of round rock. First reading requires two readings. Mayor and council that time of
the year we have the public hearing for the proposed budget and the proposed property tax
rate. The total budget is $684.1 million. This is made up of $189.4 million for the
general fund, which funds most of the city's main operating functions includes public
safety, parks and recreation, transportation, round rock public library, etc. New staff
proposed for upcoming fiscal year 52.5 um fte or full time equivalents that's 48 positions
in the general fund mostly public safety maintenance and operations of bond project bond
funded. Facilities scheduled. >> to open in fiscal year 2027 and a few positions for
transportation a four and a half years and some other major operating funds including the
hotel occupancy tax fund multi-purpose complex and our utility fund. The proposed tax
rate which will have more information on forthcoming 22.3 cents and the proposed budget
includes $141.8 million for the utility fund, which accounts for the water and wastewater
service provided to our customers. Um one of the add this slide in for tonight's
presentation. Ah again you see the total $189.4 million is a proposed budget for the general
fund. This includes our base budget. Um, the base budget does include some, uh some
increases such as uh for our public safety contract and step increases our $3.9 million
those are included in the base budget. Then we take on from the base budget. We have our
new spending, our new programs totaling $6.2 million proposed again bringing in the total
general fund proposed budget $199.4 million. Zooming out again to the citywide view,
this chart shows the $684.1 million of the proposed budget by use of funds, so $298
million is for our community investment program. These are large capital expansions of the
roadway utility trail systems um, also completion of our wastewater treatment plant
expansion and uh facilities approved in our 2023. >> voter approved.
>> an obligation bonds proposed budget includes $50 million to operate our parks and rec
department, sports tourism department and the round rock public library. Kind of those
recreation and culture items includes $99 million for public safety for the round rock
police department and the round rock fire department, and it includes $46 million for
operations of the water and wastewater services, stormwater, solid waste and
recycling. Looking at our five year community investment plan. So again this is five years
fiscal year 2027 and um for consecutive years thereafter we have planned expenses of $927.7
million. You can see in the chart kind of by um by use of funds water and wastewater is
the largest one transportations uh second um again expansions for the city's roadway water
and wastewater systems 54% of these planned expenses are to be cash funded um 41% is
planned to be debt funded with the balance coming from the city's partner on that brushy
creek regional wastewater treatment plant expansion project. Our proposed tax rate
again is 42.3 cents. This table here shows the various components. One of the point
out because we saw a decrease in our overall assessed value on tax rate are no new revenue
tax rate. They're the second line from the bottom has increased to 38.5 cents. That
kind of forms the starting point for our tax rate calculations. The proposed rate
of 42.3 cents is an increase of 3.8 cents, or 9.8% above that no new revenue tax rate. The
purpose of this increase is shown there in the blue rectangle the bottom of the
screen we have 9/10 of a cent for public safety that's seven new police officers um one new
civilian position the police department, 15 new firefighters and one new civilian position
in the fire department. Um half a cent of the increase is for operating and maintenance costs
of those um facilities scheduled to open in fiscal 2027 that are funded by our
voter approved an obligation bonds largest of those planned for 26 fiscal year 2027 is our
athletic performance center um new rec center open at old settlers park that'll have
2017 and parks and recreation for kind of operating the facility in three in general
services facility maintenance and custodial services at the facility in 2.4 cents of the
tax increase is for debt for the additional debt service for those voter approved bond
projects. The median valued home in round rock for this upcoming tax year is $370,288.
the owner of this valued home, based on the proposed rate of 42.3 cents, would have a
property tax bill of $1,566 a year or that breaks down to $131 a month. The increase over
that no new revenue tax rate is $11.64 per month. Single family homes make up 92% of the
parcels in the city, but only make up 48% of the taxable value for this upcoming fiscal
year. Um commercial properties on their hand make up 8% of the number of parcels but
contribute 52% of the property tax revenues. Um again the commercial properties help
reduce the burden on our residential property tax payers. In that note on the
bottom single family homes pay only 18% of general fund revenues needed for
city services. I wanted to point out that there are a lot of different requirements under
state law for the how we have to um, calculate and present calculations related to the
budget and the property tax rate. Um, the top line this is specific motion language uh.
that is required for council to use. >> should you.
>> wish to adopt the property tax rate and item each for this evening. Um again that 9.8% is
the increase of our proposed tax rate over that no new revenue rate. Um won't read
through all of these but just again wanted to talk through these are all required by state
law. They are all calculated accurately and they all end up being very confusing because
they seem different and they're published in different places. But we are in compliance with
state law throughout on all of them. This chart I presented tuesday morning hasn't changed
since then but again this is subject to change as our various benchmark communities
are also having city council meetings considering proposed tax rates this time of year so
my team will continue to update this will present this again on september the 10th at our next
city council meeting again subject to change. Every city has different regards to
services provided in the phase of the bond cycle there in um again much of our increase this
year is really due to our continued um investment in the community through those bond
projects approved by the voters back in 2023. At the time um 6.9 cents was communicated as a
total tax rate increase for those bonds um up to the current fiscal year we kind of
used $0.03 of that um 2.9 cents is being used in the proposed tax rate again that is for the
maintenance and operation cost as well as a debt service on those bonds as we continue to
deliver those projects to the community. Reminder where we are in the budget timeline, we
have the first reading and public hearing for the budget and tax rate on tonight and is
scheduled to. >> be a final. Adoption of the budget tax rate next council
meeting september the 10th. Are we've had budget information on our city website. We've had
budget information put out on social media by communications and marketing team with little
over 100,000 impressions on social media, a little over 10,000 engagements and uh
almost 3000. Budget related website page views um through this year's budget process the
taxpayer websites williamson property texas.org and travis texas.com these are required
databases um required by the state that the um county tax offices put out where residents
can go out enter their address and see the overlapping taxing entities along with the
proposed tax rates um, as they track through the process. We've had information out on
our public access television channel available in hard copy at the round rock public
library and again put some information out on social media. Um, we have the debut
tonight of our fiscal 2027 budget video this has been put together by our communications
and marketing department and I. >> believe. They're going to. >> show it at this time. I see
it. Everywhere growth. Change. ,communities trying to keep up but not here. It doesn't. Make
sense. How does. Brown rock do it? The roads. The parks, the. Events.
>> public safety investments the donuts they must be hiding something. And I'm going to
find. >> out what it is. Signs everywhere.
>> I turn there are signs planning behind the scenes, plotting. Pouring, working.
building all this progress. But where does it lead?
how long has this been going on? How many. People are involved? How do they mow all
this grass? It can't be a coincidence everything is connected somehow somewhere.
the more I look the more questions I find who plans these things? Who build stuff,
how many restrooms are there? Where are your parents? We're going to. Oh, here's the
school. Hey, sir. Um. >> you're. Scaring people. >> can you please just get out
of here? Everything seemed to be running so smoothly there had to be a secret and I was
going. To need. >> some help. What I need are answers. Uh, well, good luck
with that.
I guess this is where it all began. >> this round. Ish rock started
it. >> I must be getting close. What does.
>> it. All mean? And what does that. I am definitely close.
yeah, yeah.
round rock city hall of course. .wrapping up investments, talking about.
>> projections. About this year's budget. I need. >> to. Know. How it all comes
together. I can answer that. It's all the budget. City leadership develops.
distributed plan and decides how. Funding needs to be allocated to. Meet the. Needs
and desires. >> of our growing community. This year's proposed. Budget
prioritizes public. Safety with 24 new positions. >> between the fire and. Police
department. We're investing millions. In road. >> expansion in our long.
>> term. Water supply and delivering on voter. Approved bond projects. This year's.
proposed property tax. >> rate. Is 42.3 cents, which is about $131 a. Month for the
typical homeowner. And thanks to. >> round rock's half cent
sales. Tax dedicated. >> to. Property tax reduction. That homeowner saves. About
$470 a year. It's not a secret. It's sound fiscal plan all the facilities. Roads, services,
staffing. >> they're all planned for through. The budget.
>> we do it every year. The budget for you guessed I don't think I brush my teeth this
morning. Also we're not only from car weight who changes the colors on the traffic segments?
discover the truth behind the truth visit round rock texas.gov/budget.
all right any any. Questions on this for. Uh kevin uh council. Member stevenson. First of all.
>> good job. Sarah good job neil I'm. Worried that we might lose him to a career in acting.
but nice job. >> on that. Um two questions. Can you go back to. The second.
I think it was the second slide. One more. I think it was the new maybe. Keep going.
>> I was the. New one. That. You. Added I. Think this one right here. So if I'm reading
it correctly. On our base. Budget the. Highest one is the fire. Department correct. With
the new. We aren't showing in this table the the breakdown of the department make up of the
base budget. When we look at the new ad the new spending by department the highest dollar
amount is fire department. Um they have 16 fte 15 firefighters and one civilian
position. Correct okay perfect. I just want. >> to make sure I was. Reading
it right. >> yes, ma'am. >> and second, if you don't
have this. Answer it's. Okay because. It's a kind of an on the. Spot question. But I know
property values are down. Um, the. Appraisal district. >> has. Said that..
>> do you know how many? Just a rough estimate. >> how many properties in.
round rock had a. Decrease in their appraised. Value versus increase?
>> I don't have that number. I know that um the the median value decreased a little over
6% but I don't have with me um tonight the number that decreased. Okay.
>> I was just curious. Thank you. >> any other questions on this
one? Questions councilmember fleming. Just keeping on the same page the total new
spending 6.2 million that would be equivalent to the point $0.09 increase for me. No
that's where you're getting this point $0.09 when we look at. Property tax or. Not this.
would be um both for the public safety and the ima. No from the tax rate side of the the
increase of the tax rate, this new spending would correspond to um both the maintenance and
operations of those new bond facilities. You see that especially in parks and
recreation general services and then the public safety investments in fire. So it's
kind of combined the admin bond versus just the maintenance okay. Thank you for clarifying.
your questions. Uh I. Have a couple. Real quick on um. You mentioned on the bond you know,
that we had when we uh uh asked the. Voters to. Pass that. That we said it would be 6.9 cents.
you said we're right around $0.03. Uh, it doesn't mean that we. Might ever get to
the six nine, right? I mean, with sales tax, general sale finance we pay off one time
expenditures and stuff, right? Yes. >> since 2023 up to the current
fiscal year 2026 we've used $0.03 of that and then we're using 2.9 cents this year. So
that'll bring us to 5.9 cents. We'll have $0.01 left. Whether or not we use it will probably
depend on market rates. Um this. Is the big year of opening new bond projects and
having those kind of maintenance costs, those maintenance and operating costs
are hitting big this year. We still do have some phased it planned issuances of those
voter approved and on vacation bonds over the 2028 and 2029, but those are smaller dollar
amounts as we finish those projects and deliver them to the community. Okay.
>> um and then the you know, you you showed a slide on here where. About 18. You know, the.
the residential property owner pays about 18% of the general fund revenue. So if I mean. If
it's. 48% of. It's where. The uh, revenue comes from. Uh, so we're only doing 18 but we.
make up the rest of that through sales tax and other fees and stuff. Right?
>> it's through sales tax through their property taxes that our commercial properties
pay. Right. >> so if we didn't have if we didn't have the sales. Tax it
would be a much higher price. Uh and if we didn't have commercial it'd be much higher.
yes, sir. >> okay. >> all right.
>> any other questions comments .all right I'll entertain a. Motion to adopt what? Uh,
sorry. Obviously is a public. Hearing open the public hearing on. Item h three. Anybody
wishing to speak on. >> this item? All right. Seeing none of the is closed.
entertain a motion. Adopt the ordinance. So moved. >> oh sorry. He one that's okay
.so moved second. Motion made by councilmember stevens. Second by councilmember ortega.
any other discussion and please pull the council. Council member stevens yes. Mayor pro
tem montgomery. Yes. Council member lee. Yes. Council member flores. Yes.
>> council member fleming. Yes. Council member. Ortega. Yes. >> mayor morgan. Yes.
>> all right. Age for consider public testimony regarding in an ordinance adopting the 2026
property tax rate for the city of rome like first reading requires.
>> two readings. No additional presentation. >> mayor and I have a I have a
question on this. So going back to your slide we're talking. >> about new revenue and you.
know where it shows the where you had it on where it went toward. So you know you hear.
>> you. Hear a lot. You know about adopting the no new revenue rate right. So if we
adopted the no new revenue rate that would. Generate from our new. Growth about $1.9 million
right? Yes sir. >> that's correct. So somewhere in that 6.2 would have to be
cut. Yes okay. And talking. About base budget and stair step pay raises that are
already. Done by. Agreement with the police and fire they're. Scheduled to get a
rough low. >> over. 2 million and raises next year. The combined cost
for the fire and police department they're both their step increases that they get by
contract as well as the contract increases. Those are $3.9 million so. 3.9 million so
so it doesn't the new the the no new revenue no the in enr doesn't even cover the the pay
stair step increases. We're not even talking about the new stuff. It doesn't even pay the
the enough to pay our police. >> and. Fire what we've agreed to. Correct okay. Right that's
all I have right now. Anybody have any questions on this for. All right. This is a public
hearing. I will. >> call I've got two cards. Um I'll just call the ones I.
>> have. Justin tankersley. Let her. >> do the speaking to. Sure.
you guys see. >> me again? Um. >> justin tankersley 2252.
>> on the crossing trail. Um. I feel. Like last. Time we spoke it was.
>> over data centers. Um, and that was supposed to. Be, uh. The save all for us so that. We
didn't have to increase our property taxes. Um, that was what was. Promised, right?
>> we're going to get so much money off of property tax money from these guys that you.
>> know, we get to have. Low property taxes. Uh, obviously we knew that wasn't going to be
the. >> case. And here we. >> are six months later talking
about property property tax increase uh so disappointed to say the least. Um and the water
damage that we were talking about that previously as well uh, in our last meeting and I
knew that this was going to increase uh, and with data centers right.
>> we're going to. Have more water usage. That price is going to continue to increase.
um, and then we're talking about how the water utility energy rate is going up. And so
I mean these data centers are going to bring in use way more electricity. And that's.
>> just. Going to continue to increase. And not only is that affecting the businesses but
it's also affecting us right. And I feel like the residents are kind of always getting the
flat end of the uh uh the deal. Um and so it's not. Doesn't seem fair. Um, that we always
have to foot the bill. Um I mean the guy was talking about the water. It's a choice for us
to water our grass, right? To use water at our own homes. But it's an absolutely right for
the businesses to use water. It's just it just seems really convoluted to me. So that's
what I got and I obviously don't think that we need to increase our taxes. Um I feel
like we pay enough uh um we're going to have all these businesses come in these data
centers that are going to be paying $600,000 in property every year plus. Right? So my.
questions anybody have any questions? Uh all right thank. >> you justin thanks guys. All
right gary oldham. Good evening gary. Oldham 2928. Clinton place. Round rock. Beckoned me.
>> when property was on the. >> ballot. We were. Warned threatened. That if property
passed. We'd see. >> a. Tax increase. Well property failed. For a lot of
reasons. And yet here we are with. >> a. Nearly 14% property tax
rate. Increase on the table. Let's be clear. >> the city's. Touting 15.
>> new firefighter positions. That's a. >> good thing. But in reality.
those positions are to. Staff a new fire station. Those additional positions do nothing
.to change the fact that. 73% of. >> our current. Fire apparatus
are. Staffed below. The national. Minimum standard. That's not changing. With this.
>> and it's. >> worth. Noting as well. >> that parks and rec is
getting more new. Positions than either. Police or fire. Mr. Tankersley just. Spoke on.
the promise. >> of data centers. Being the. >> magical tax. Revenue cash
cow. >> that's. Going to keep our property taxes low. It's
shocking that we're not seeing that. Despite the. >> city having.
>> an ordinance. Section 16.1 90. >> or dash 190. It says the
city shall. Not may. Shall invoice those. Responsible for. >> a. Hazmat incident in order
to recover cost. 2024 the cb. >> data. Center had a battery. Storage system fire. That
caused city. >> fire department. Equipment to. Sustain a quarter. Million
dollars in damage. According to the. Response from my open records request, cb.
>> was never. Invoiced for nor paid that or any other amount to reimburse the city. The
city's failure. To heed their own. Ordinance in invoicing cb. And having.
>> the taxpayers eat that quarter million dollars in damage. Is tantamount to a gift
of. Taxpayer funds. And it's not responsible. Fiscal management. It old settlers
park where. >> some. $230 million in general. Obligation bonds
passed by. >> the. Few voters who voted in 2023. Apparently just. Isn't
enough to. Finish those. Projects between. >> 2026. And. 2027.
city council plans to issue. Another $42.3. >> million in certificates of
obligation to fund additional. Work at old settlers park. Those certificates of
obligation are just. >> like bonds. Taxpayers will be.
>> paying that debt. Service for the next. 20 years. Except certificates of obligation. The
voters have no say. Those decisions are made by a simple majority.
>> of city. Council round is already around a half billion dollars in debt and that figure
keeps going. Up. >> and debt repayment. Is a big. Component of why we're
seeing. A property. Tax rate on the table. I think. >> a lot of citizens would like
to know is. When will. Enough actually. Be enough? Thank you gary. All right. Anybody else.
wishing to speak? All not seeing the public hearing is closed. Entertain a motion up
the ordinance. So moved. >> I'm oh I'm sorry. I move that the. Property tax rate. Be
increased by. The adoption of the tax. Rate of. 0.423000. >> which is effectively a. 9.8%
increase in the tax rate. I have a second second I have a. Motion made by the mayor pro
tem second by councilman ortega. Any other discussion. And please public council.
mayor pro tem montgomery yes. Council member lee. Yes. >> council member flores. Yes.
>> council member. Fleming. Yes. Council member. Ortega. Yes. Council member. Stevens.
yes. Mayor morgan. Yes. >> all right. >> council comments..
>> growing items of community interest. Councilmember lee. Good night. I'm not.
councilmember floors. Good night, round rock. Councilmember fleming. Good
night round rock. Councilmember ortega good night roll. Rock councilmember stevens good.
night round rock. Mayor pro tem. Good night round. Rock and I'll say good night.
>> we're adjourned some 58.