City Council Special Session

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION Monday, August 22, 2022 – 6:00 PM 109 North Kaufman Street, Mount Vernon, Texas 75457 Our mission: to provide effective and fiscally responsible municipal services in a manner which promotes our high standard of community life. Vision Statement Mount Vernon is a caring community committed to excellence and quality of life, aspiring to be the community of choice for ourselves, our children, and future generations – beautiful, clean, vibrant, and safe. We will strive to preserve our heritage, our friendly hometown atmosphere, and celebrate the diversity of all our citizens. MINUTES 1,080 Mayor Hyman called the meeting or order at 6:00 p.m. and announced a quorum present. PRESENT Mayor Brad Hym Mayor Pro Tem Mark Huddleston Councilwoman Sherelyn Roberson Councilman Harold Cason Councilwoman Rebecca Bailey Councilwoman Mary Keys City Administrator Tina Rose City Secretary Kathy Lovier VISITORS Jack Carlson, Mark Sachse, Larkin Jumper, Ricky Jones, Leah Thomas, Colin Clasby, Roger Gekiere, J Martin Sanchez, Lanny Buck (KSA Engineers) Councilwoman Bailey lead the invocation and Mayor Hyman lead the pledges. No one asked to speak in Citizen Participation. Public Hearing The purpose of this hearing is to hear evidence for or against the 2022 proposed tax rate of $0.58044 and the 2022-2023 proposed budget At 6:02 p.m. Mayor Hyman closed the Regular Session and opened the Public Hearing. No one spoke for or against the 2022 proposed tax rate of $0.58044 and the 2022-2023 proposed budget. Mayor Hyman closed the Public Hearing and re-opened the Regular Session at 6:04 p.m. Discussion- City Administrator Rose tried to explain cuts that she made in the budget and which departments. She did get through taking out $40k for lights on the park walking trail, the police car (as directed by Sheriff Jones at the 8/8/22 meeting) the new police officer will be cut at this time but may be looked at in six months, she added 80k to the as valorem budget due to how much has been collected so far this year, the MVFD generator was cut (17k) and a sliding gate at the WTP. Councilwoman Bailey moved the discussion to the utility fund skipping a couple departments to discuss the $1mil being taken from EDC funds, the Mayor Pro Tem Huddleston said he wanted to find somewhere else to get the funds from. At this time Mark Sachse, EDC Board President asked to address the Council. He stated the EDC Board is in the middle of closing on property and will need this money that is being taken away and that there had been Executive Sessions for approval of the project. He further stated the Council was being disrespectful to him and his board. Mayor Hyman stated that here have been no public hearings or board decisions on any projects and that nothing had been approved by the Council. Martin Sanchez, EDC Consultant reiterated Mr Sachse's testimony and that property is being purchased and placed in a trust with his company where it will be held until EDC Board and Council approval of the project then the property will be transferred. He further stated this is a private/public partnership. Much discussion ensued, City Secretary Lovier remined everyone all they are discussing has only taken place in Executive Session and should not be discussed in open forum. Mayor Pro Tem Huddleston wants $500k to be taken from EDC and the rest will have to come from the City coffers. The only way to manage this at this point is to run the budget into the red and then move money from CDs. Remaining Council members agreed this could be the way through. City Administrator Rose continued with questions of the Council regarding raising the water minimum rate $2 as per instruction from the 8/8/22 meeting. All agreed to this, with all other fees staying the same. Mrs. Rose further stated the old Burger King building is being opened as a Golden Chick, the old Brookshire's building is going to be a farm and ranch store. The maintenance department worked on four separate water leaks within a 24 hour period, as a result on one of them she has hired a company to clear the 12 inch water line easement by removing trees, shredding and mulching what is left. Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Huddleston at 7:40 p.m. to close the meeting, Seconded by Councilwoman Roberson. Voting Yea: Mayor Pro Tem Huddleston, Councilwoman Roberson, Councilman Cason, Councilwoman Bailey, Councilwoman Keys /s/ Brad Hyman Brad Hyman – Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Kathy Lovier Kathy Lovier – City Secretary