City Council Budget Workshop

MINUTES RICHWOOD CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP Monday, August 28, 2023 at 6:00 PM BE IT KNOWN THAT a City of Richwood City Council will meet Monday, August 28, 2023, beginning at 6:00 PM at Richwood City Hall, located at 1800 Brazosport Blvd. N., Richwood, Texas 77531 with the following agenda: I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. II. INVOCATION Tricia Ditto, Finance Director, led the invocation. III. PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Durham led the pledges. IV. ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT Michael Durham, Mayor: Present Mike Johnson, Position 1: Present Mike Challenger, Position 2: Present Amanda Reynolds, Position 3: Present Rory Escalante, Position 4: Present Jeremy Fountain, Position 5: Present Others present: Eric Foerster, City Manager; Kirsten Garcia, City Secretary; Tricia Ditto, Finance Director; Clif Custer, Public Works Director. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was no public comment. VI. FY 2024 BUDGET WORKSHOP A. Discussion regarding Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024 proposed budget. Tricia Ditto, Finance Director, presented. Discussion held on how residents can sign up for EFT payments, online or in person. Discussion held on where else the ambulance expense could go. Discussion held on possible revenues from ambulance fees. Discussion held on how to gain revenues through ambulance billing. Discussion held on fees and rates being optional versus mandatory. Discussion held on contingency fund. Discussion held on fund balance versus contingency fund. Discussion held on public works equipment.  Discussion held on costs of water sewer line items. Discussion held on proposed raises. Discussion held on retention of employees. Discussion held on revenues. Discussion held on budget adoption. Discussion held on individual line items. Mayor Durham called the meeting recess for 5 minutes at 8:18 p.m. Mayor Durham called the meeting back to order at 8:21 p.m. Discussion held on possible expenditure changes. VII. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Eric Foerster, City Manager, reported his upcoming scheduled vacation. VIII. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS & REPORTS Mike Johnson expressed appreciation for the staff’s hard work, stating they have made vast improvements. Mike Challenger spoke regarding property tax relief, and it is his opinion that the Council doesn’t let the legislature’s efforts go without cause. Rory Escalante spoke regarding tonight’s conversation with staff and council, his request for future budgets moving forward incorporate services into one tax rate. He spoke on the state of the city since he came into office. He also spoke regarding the learning curve of new council members. He expressed appreciation to Tricia for the budget and to Clif for his hard work and dedication to the city. Lastly, he requested the council be presented with the big picture budget, so that they don’t get too much into the weeds of line items. Jeremy Fountain expressed appreciation for everyone for holding the additional meeting, since there is a learning curve for new members. He also spoke regarding economic uncertainties in the next year. IX. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Durham stated he was happy to see Mike Johnson back, told Mike Challenger to always ask his questions. He also stated he never sees staff not busy. Mayor spoke regarding the want unite everyone and he isn’t seeing that. X. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discuss cap on contingency fund. Discuss Park and recreation capital improvements. One way school zone ordinance. Board of Adjustments / Variance request XI. ADJOURNMENT Being there no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m. These minutes were read and approved on this 11th day of September 2023. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________________ City Secretary