City Council

EXHIBIT "A" GOLF CARTS A S A C R I M E P R E V E N T I O N TO O L  TTC 551.404 AND HB 1548 • Golf Cart: “means a motor vehicle designed by the manufacturer primarily for use on a golf course” TTC 551.401 • HB 1548 – added a provision for license plates for golf carts and off-highway vehicles – Cities can still regulate where they can be used. • SB 206 (87th) removed license plate requirement in master planned communities. • TTC 551.404 – Operation on Highway Authorized by Municipality – Inside the corporate boundaries of municipality; and – Has a posted speed limit of not more than 35 mph • TTC 551.4041 – Equipment – Headlights, taillights, reflectors, parking brake, and mirrors WHY ALLOW IN BELTON? • Promotes a sense of community • Efficient means of local transportation • Reduced parking needs in our parks • Crime Prevention Tool PROPOSED BELTON LIMITATIONS • Only licensed drivers (State Issued Driver’s License) • Daytime Use Only (dusk to dawn) • CITY streets only (includes retail adjacent to residential) • Streets with speed limit of 35 mph or less • No FM roads or state highways (317, 439, 436, 121, 93, 1670, 2271, etc.) • May cross an FM/State Highway at traffic-controlled intersection only • Allowed on trail system but must yield ROW to pedestrians and bicycles • Must move to the right and yield ROW to faster moving vehicles on streets EQUIPMENT • Headlights • Taillights • Reflectors • Mirrors • Parking Brake • Slow moving vehicle sign • Horn • If gas, exhaust system in good working condition • License plate issued by TxDMV (SB 206)  OTHER CONDITIONS • Must comply with traffic laws • All passengers must be seated • May not be operated in a negligent manner – “the use or operation of a golf cart in such a manner as to endanger any person or property; or to obstruct, hinder or impede the lawful course of travel of any motor vehicle or the lawful use by any pedestrian of public streets, sidewalks, paths, trails, walkways, or parks.”  OTHER TEXAS CITIES ALLOWING GOLF CARTS • Port Aransas • Aransas Pass • Highland Village • Nederland • Granbury • El Paso • Fairview • Albany • League City • Little Elm • Trophy Club • Melissa • Fulshear • Crawford • Crowell • Tiki Island • Nassau Bay • Pasadena • Galveston • Salado QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FY 2022 – 2026 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS EXHIBIT "B" PROGRAM 1 Presented on July 13, 2021 WHAT IS A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM (CIP)?  A Capital Improvements Program represents the City’s plan for infrastructure development over a specific period – here, five years.  Plan is reviewed annually to reflect changing priorities and to provide a framework for identifying capital requirements.  The CIP consists of three sections:  Project name and cost estimate  Possible sources of funding  Effect upon future operations and maintenance costs 2 WHY CREATE A CIP?  Capital planning ensures that essential government services can be provided in the future.  It helps ensure the continued financial health of the City and represents a government “Best Practice.”  It implements capital components of the Strategic Plan. 3 HOW IS A CIP DEVELOPED?  Management assembles projects anticipated for the next five years.  Costs are estimated and possible funding sources are recognized.  Changes to operations and maintenance costs are projected. 4 ADVANCING PROJECTS WITH CASH FUNDING  The City’s Financial Advisor recommends maintaining fund balance above 30% based upon Standard & Poor’s rationale for assigning its ‘AA-’ long-term rating in 2019.  “Belton’s budgetary flexibility is very strong, in our view, with an available fund balance in fiscal 2018 of 41% of operating expenditures. We expect the available fund balance to remain above 30% of expenditures for the current and next fiscal years, which we view as a positive credit factor.”  “The city’s very strong reserve position is primarily derived from Belton’s history of balancing revenues and expenditures after building up the reserve to the current level. We believe the general fund balance will continue to exceed $5 million, consistent with the historical trend and officials stated goal to maintain it at this level.” 5 ADVANCING PROJECTS WITH CASH FUNDING  The General Fund may end FY21 with $7,000,000 of spendable reserves.  41% of budgeted expenditures  $2,800,000 greater than the 25% minimum fund balance that is required by policy  $1,972,000 greater than the 30% recommended level  If the 30% level is used, approximately $2,000,000 could be utilized to fund projects instead of issuing debt. 6 ADVANCING PROJECTS WITH CASH FUNDING  Management recommends using $1,889,000 in General Fund cash reserves to advance these projects:  W. 13th Avenue and N. College Reconstruction ($1,350,000)  Police Department Roof Replacement ($325,000)  Exercise and Playground Equipment for Parks ($88,000)  Splash Pad Improvements ($90,000)  Nolan Creek Hike & Bike Trail Replacement ($36,000) 7 GENERAL GOVERNMENT PROJECTS 8 ADVANCING PROJECTS WITH CASH FUNDING  The Water & Sewer Fund may end FY21 with $7,300,000 (81%) of spendable reserves.  $3,500,000 greater than the minimum fund balance policy of 25% plus one year of debt service.  $3,000,000 greater than the recommended balance of 30% plus one year of debt service.  If the 30% level is used, approximately $3,000,000 could be utilized to fund projects instead of issuing debt. 9 ADVANCING PROJECTS WITH CASH FUNDING  Management recommends using $3,000,000 in Water & Sewer Fund cash reserves to advance the North Belton Elevated Storage Tank project ($3,000,000).  An additional $1,900,000 is proposed in the Water & Sewer Fund operating budget for a total of $4,900,000. 10 UTILITY PROJECTS 11 CONCLUSION  Capital projects have been identified for the next five years  At least 30% of operating reserves are recommended in all funds, especially General Fund and Water & Sewer Fund.  $4,972,000 of project-designated cash funding may be available at the end of FY21 to eliminate or reduce the amount of debt that would otherwise be issued from 2022 to 2024.  $11,244,000 of projects may be funded with cash over the five-year period. 12