City Manager Chris Whittaker asked for some guidance from the city council Monday as he begins budget preparation and that’s what he got.
It was “no tax increase, but...”
The council worked through a lengthy agenda that included an executive session, four public hearings and two workshops, one each on budget preparations and setting council priorities.
TAXES—Mayor John King outlined possible budget scenarios and noted, because of an increase in taxable values, the current 91.44-cent rate would yield about a five percent general fund increase.
“I’d like to see us not raise the rate,” he said.
Council members were generally in agreement but still wanted to see what city department heads request as they submit their individual budgets to Whittaker.
The city manager said it appears health insurance for city employees won’t take a huge jump in 2018 as it did last year.
PRIORITIES—The council also gave Whittaker some guidance on setting priorities after he presented a suggested list for their consideration.
He suggested priorities as follows:
• Business Friendliness.
• Infrastructure.
• Working with the Texas Water Development Board to try and address water improvements.
• Appearance.
The council declined to rank the list 1-2-3-4 but agreed with Mayor King who said he believed the four were interrelated and essentially equal.
CLOSED SESSION—
The council left their chambers early in the meeting for a one-hour executive session that included City Attorney Michelle Lehmkuhl and Police Chief Thomas Harris.
“Convene into open session and take action, and as deemed appropriate in the City Council’s discretion regarding consultations with attorney” was an agenda item but no motions were made and no action taken.
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