Joint City Council and MDD budget workshop and public hearing

City of La Vernia JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND MDD BUDGET WORKSHOP AND PUBLIC HEARING 102 E. Chihuahua St., La Vernia, Texas 78121 September 05, 2024 6:30 PM MINUTES 1. OR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Call to Order Meeting was called to order by Mayor Poore @6:30 Mayor Poore, Council members Recker, Oates, Rabel, Gilbert, Evans, as well as MDD member Hyland were present. Farmer was absent. 2. 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.) There were no Citizens to be heard 3. Public Hearing A. Discusssion Regarding the Proposed FY 2025 Budget and Tax Rate A.1 Open Public Hearing A.2 Staff Presentation A.3 Receive Public Comments A.4 Close Public Hearing A.5 Discussion Regarding the Proposed FY 2025 Budget and Tax Rate -Mayor Poore opened the Public Hearing @6:31. -Staff Presentation was given by City Administrator Lindsey Wheeler and Jenny Begole. To start the discussion City Administrator Wheeler gave a presentation regarding budget and tax rate FAQs, as well as tax rate reduction ideas, the current  balances of our respective outstanding bonds, and the current struggles surrounding city accounting practices. -Lindsey read email from Randy and Terri Leonard as Public comments. -Public hearing was closed @8:08PM by Mayor Poore. -Followed by discussion from the council and board members and a review of the draft line-item budget. The council and board would like the city finance department to move forward with preparing water and sewer rate increases of roughly 25% each, but will allow the City Administrator to use discretion if these percentages need to be slightly increased. In addition, the council and board members would like the finance department to prepare the budget to reflect the payoff of the 2017 series bond in full via the use of the fund balance. The council and board members additionally would like to move forward with an I&S tax rate set at 0.04 cents per $100.00 value of appraisal. The Council and board members have instructed the City Administrator to email these updates to the budget prior to the adoption night on Sept 19th for any final feedback comments. Otherwise, these notes indicate the intentions of the council and board members regarding the FY 2025 budget and tax rate. 4. Discussion Only A. Discussion surrounding upcoming fee schedule amendment Fee schedule was reviewed, edits are still being made and will be adopted on September 19th. 5. Discussion/Action A. Discuss and consider action on partnering with Alamo Regional Transit - MDD Motion made by Oates, Seconded by Hyland to table Voting Yea: Recker, Gilbert B. Discuss and consider action on obtaining Placer AI - MDD Motion made by Oates, Seconded by Hyland Voting Yea: Recker, Gilbert 6. Items Specific to Future Line Items on the Agenda A. Final budget and tax rate adoption on Sept 19th Will happen roll call vote on September 19th 7. Adjourn Motion made by Oates, Seconded by Rabel to adjourn @10:45PM Voting Yea: Recker, Gilbert, Hyland, Evans 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 before this meeting. Braille is not available. Please contact the City Secretary at (830) 779-4541 or email Mfarrow@lavernia-tx.gov. 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 AUG 30, 2024 at 5:00 PM and remained so posted continuously for at least 72 Hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting. _________________________________ Madison Farrow, City Secretary