City Council Meeting

City of La Vernia CITY COUNCIL MEETING 102 E. Chihuahua St., La Vernia, Texas 78121 September 11, 2025 6:30 PM MINUTES 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order @ 6:30 PM Mayor Poore, and Council members Recker, Evans, Rabel, Oates, Gilbert were present. 2. Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance Pastor Bobby Nixon lead the prayer and Mayor Poore lead the pledges. 3. Citizens to Be Heard (At this time, citizens who have filled out a registration form prior to the start of the meeting may speak on any topic they wish to bring to the attention of the governing body so long as that topic is not on the agenda for this meeting. Citizens may speak on specific agenda items when that item is called for discussion. During the Citizens to Be Heard section, no council action may take place, and no council discussion or response is required to the speaker. A time limit of three minutes per speaker is permitted; the council may extend this time at their discretion.) Erik Doyle spoke on taxes and pay raises- he stated he was not for the 5% COLA, or the detective position. He also stated how we should write a grant for the drone, Sargent Johnson stated we are working on one. Jerry Pruski spoke on behalf of Don Rackler- He gave Council images and a map that their engineering firm created. Mayor Poore states it is currently being looked and by the Public works director and our engineer, they had a meeting with them this week as well. 4. Consent Agenda (All consent agenda items are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Councilmember requests an item be removed and considered separately.) A. Approve the Wilson County Appraisal District 2026 Budget and Reappraisal Plan B. Financials for the month of July and August C. Minutes from the 08-14 -25 City Council Meeting D. Minutes from the 08-21-25 City Council Meeting E. Minutes from the 08-28-25 Joint City Council and MDD budget workshop and public hearing Motion made by Oates, seconded by Rabel to approve as listed, all in favor. 5. Presentations A. LVPD officers- recognition for their response to Kerr County floods  Sargent Johnson presented awards to our officers for responding to the Kerr County floods. Awards were given to John Goodwin, CJ Markgraf, Manuel Perez, Richard Nicolas, Shawn Goolsby, and Toby Garcia. B. American Tower proposal to amend the lease Finance Administrator Jennifer Mair spoke on the American Tower proposal. She presented on the two options that American Tower proposed. Mayor Poore states they need to add a red light beacon to the top. Council agrees to option one with the beacon added before agreeing to the lease. 6. Proclamations A. Proclamation declaring September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Mayor Poore read the Proclamation out load for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month B. Proclamation for World Teachers Day Mayor Poore read the Proclamation out load for World Teachers Day C. Proclamation for National Night Out Mayor Poore read the Proclamation out load for National Night Out 7. Public Hearing A. The City of La Vernia City Council will hold a Public hearing regarding Ordinance No. 091125-01 adopting the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget A.1 Open Public Hearing A.2 Staff Presentation A.3 Receive Public Comments A.4 Close Public Hearing A.5 Discuss and consider action on Ordinance No. 091125-01 adopting the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget A.1 Open Public Hearing The Public hearing was opened @7:03PM A.2 Staff Presentation City Administrator Lindsey Wheeler- gave staff presentation on the budget and tax rate together. She shared the balanced budget, the different between this year and last years items. She presented on our proposed tax rate, compared the tax rate overtime from 2009-2024, explained the M&O rate as well as the I&S rate. A.3 Receive Public Comments Several questions were asked by the public-  Why is a detective position proposed? Sargent Johnson explain the position is necessary for the PD. Is the water and sewer rate that's being paid enough? It was explain that it is not enough, the infrastructure is old, and the utility fund can not support it. What is the long term plan for the I&S tax rate? This rate is perfect for the two bonds for the next years. Why was the rate originally proposed at 0.44? That is the highest amount we could adopt without going to election, we have had a Council meeting and workshop to discuss the rate and have changed the proposed rate to 0.27. Do you pay city taxes if you are not in the city limits? No if you do not live in the city limits you do not pay city taxes. Does the city have a rainy day fund? Yes the city has a contingency fund. The new wells being put in, is it because its running out or because of the development? Its because of both. A.4 Close Public Hearing The Public hearing was closed @8:20PM A.5 Discuss and consider action on Ordinance No. 091125-01 adopting the 2025- 2026 Fiscal Year Budget Motion made by Recker, seconded by Oates to approve Ordinance No. 091125-01 adopting the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget, all in favor. City Secretary Madison Farrow took a roll call vote Mayor Poore- For Justin Oates- For Gary Gilbert- For Katherine Evans- For Dianell Recker- For Garrett Rabel - For B. The City of La Vernia City Council will hold a Public hearing regarding Resolution No 091125-01 a resolution to ratify an increase in property tax revenues from last year's operating budget as reflected in the FY 25-26 budget B.1 Open Public Hearing B.3 Receive Public Comments B.4 Close Public Hearing B.5 Discuss and consider action on Resolution No 091125-01 a resolution to ratify an increase in property tax revenues from last year's operating budget as reflected in the FY 25-26 budget B.1 Open Public Hearing The Public hearing was opened @8:22PM.  B.3 Receive Public Comments There were no public comments. B.4 Close Public Hearing The public hearing was closed @@8:23PM. B.5 Discuss and consider action on Resolution No 091125-01 a resolution to ratify an increase in property tax revenues from last year's operating budget as reflected in the FY 25-26 budget Motion made by Oates, seconded by Recker to approve Resolution No. 091125-01 a resolution to ratify an increase in property tax revenues from last year's operating budget as reflected in the FY 25-26 budget, all in favor. C. The City of La Vernia City Council will hold a Public hearing regarding Ordinance No. 091125-02 adopting the 2025 Ad Valorem Tax Rate, consisting of Operation and Maintenance and Interest and sinking (Debt Service) Tax Rate. C.1 Open Public Hearing C.2 Staff Presentation C.3 Receive Public Comments C.4 Close Public Hearing C.5 Discuss and consider action on Ordinance No. 091125-02 adopting the 2025 Ad Valorem Tax Rate, consisting of Operation and Maintenance and Interest and sinking (Debt Service) Tax Rate. C.1 Open Public Hearing The Public hearing was opened @8:23PM. C.2 Staff Presentation City Administrator Lindsey Wheeler gave the staff presentation in above A.3 C.3 Receive Public Comments There were no public comments. C.4 Close Public Hearing The Public Hearing was closed @8:24PM C.5 Discuss and consider action on Ordinance No. 091125-02 adopting the 2025 Ad Valorem Tax Rate, consisting of Operation and Maintenance and Interest and sinking (Debt Service) Tax Rate. Motion made by Recker, seconded by Gilbert to approve Ordinance No. 091125-02 adopting the 2025 Ad Valorem Tax Rate, consisting of Operation and Maintenance and Interest and sinking (Debt Service) Tax Rate. City Secretary Madison Farrow took a roll call vote  Mayor Poore- (M&O) For (I&S) For (Total Tax Rate) For Justin Oates- (M&O) For (I&S) For (Total Tax Rate) For Gary Gilbert- (M&O) For (I&S) For (Total Tax Rate) For Katherine Evans- (M&O) For (I&S) For (Total Tax Rate) For Dianell Recker- (M&O) For (I&S) For (Total Tax Rate) For Garrett Rabel - (M&O) For (I&S) For (Total Tax Rate) For 8. Discussion Only A. Compliance with the provisions of the Fund Balance and Budget Policies shall be reviewed as a part of the annual operating budget adoption and subsequent review will be included in the annual audit and financial statement preparation procedures City Administrator Lindsey Wheeler suggested no changes. B. Monthly meter replacement report (Dept of Public Works) Public works director Josh De La Zerda presented on the monthly meter replacement report. He compared how much it it would be for contractors to finishes installing the meters to the city finishing installing the meters. He suggest having the City finish the installs, Council agrees. C. Update on street maintenance project (Dept of Public Works) Public works director Josh De La Zerda presented on the street maintenance project. He went over the status of the projects, the completion of the job on Kingsdale as well as the clean up of the jobsite. He let Council know the corner of Silverado and Jessica needs to be repaved. He also mentioned that the corner of hwy 87 and San Antonio will need to be repaved again as it has been damaged. D. Update on the TXDOT Hwy 87 project Public works director Josh De La Zerda presented on the TXDOT Hwy 87 project. He let Council know about the widening of the road that TXDOT is doing, we are having to relocate our waterlines. 9. Resolutions A. Discuss and consider action on Resolution No. 091125-02 regarding the personnel pay scale There are no proposed changes. Motion made by Oates, seconded by Evans to approve Resolution No. 091125-02 regarding the personnel pay scale, all in favor. B. Discuss and consider action on Resolution No.091125-03 regarding the fee schedule for FY 25-26 Only updates made were to the water. Motion made by Recker, seconded by Evans to approve Resolution No. 091125-03 regarding the fee schedule for FY 25-26, all in favor. C. Discuss and consider action on Resolution No. 091125-04 regarding Texas Film Commission Resolution Felicia Carvajal presented on inviting filming companies to film in La Vernia. Motion made by Recker, seconded by Evans to approve Resolution No. 091125-04 regarding Texas Film Commission, all in favor. D. Discuss and consider action on Resolution No. 091125-05 regarding the Veterans Memorial Maintenance  Walter Scull presented on behalf of the La Vernia Veterans Memorial Board under the La Vernia Historical Association. Motion made by Rabel, seconded by Recker to approve Resolution No. 091125-05 regarding the Veterans Memorial Maintenance, all in favor. E. Discuss and consider action on Resolution No. 091125-06 regarding designating methods for receiving public information requests Motion made by Recker, seconded by Rabel to approve Resolution No. 91125-06 regarding designating methods for receiving public information requests, all in favor. F. Discuss and consider action on Resolution No. R091125-07 regarding appointing an interim City Administrator Motion made by Gilbert, seconded by Evans to approve Resolution No. R091125-07 regarding appointing an interim City Administrator, all in favor. 10. Items Specific to Future Line Items on the Agenda - Nueces River Authority Desalination Project 11. Adjourn Motion made by Oates to adjourn at 9:13PM, seconded by Rabel, all in favor. DECORUM REQUIRED Any disruptive behavior, including shouting or derogatory statements or comments may be ruled out of order by the Presiding Officer. Continuation of this type of behavior could result in a request by the Presiding Officer that the individual leave the meeting, and if refused, an order of removal. The City Council for the City of La Vernia reserves the right to adjourn into executive session at any time during the course of this meeting to discuss any of the matters listed above, as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Governmental Code §551.071 (Consultation with Attorney), §551.072 (Deliberations about Real Property), §551.073 (Deliberations about Gifts and Donations), §551.074 (Personnel Matters), §551.076 (Deliberations about Security Devices), and §551.087 (Economic Development), and any other provisions under Texas law that permit a governmental body to discuss a matter in closed executive session. The City of La Vernia Council meetings are available to all persons regardless of disability. The facility is wheelchair accessible and parking spaces are available. Request for accommodations, should you require special assistance, must be made 48 hours prior to this meeting. Braille is not available. Please contact the City Secretary at (830) 779-4541 or email mfarrow@lavernia-tx.gov City Council went into Executive Session at 8:52PM and came out at 9:05PM as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Governmental Code §551.074 (Personnel Matters). No public action was taken. I, the undersigned authority, do hereby certify that the above Notice of Meeting of the governing body of the above named La Vernia City Council is a true and correct copy of said Notice and that I posted true and correct copy of said Notice on the bulletin boards of the City Hall of said La Vernia, Texas, a place convenient and readily accessible to the general public at all times, and said Notice was posted on September 05, 2025 at 5:30 PM and remained so posted continuously for at least 72 Hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting. _________________________________ Madison Farrow, City Secretary