The City of Brownwood has proposed a budget for their 2011-2012 fiscal year which includes no increases in taxes, fees or water rates, according to city officials. The proposed budget for the next fiscal year which starts October 1st for the City of Brownwood is $29,932,811 which is a 1.06% increase over the previous year.
The city is proposing to maintain the same property tax rate as the current fiscal year of $0.7452 per $100, although property values have increased overall in the city. Brownwood is also proposing no increase in the water rates for the next fiscal year. Although the wholesale cost of water to the city is increasing by 0.46%, the city is going to absorb that increase into the regular budget and consider incorporating it into the following fiscal year.
A public hearing regarding the proposed budget was held during which many expressed thanks to the city and employees for the efforts they have made to help balance the budget without increasing city taxes, fees or water rates.
Former city councilman Dave Fair expressed that he understands the difficult task in putting together the city budget. He wanted to speak on behalf of the many citizens who have come to the budget functions.
“You are all to be commended for a job well done. We all know the asset we have in Walter, Bobby and Pat, and the large support staff that contributes to making up the budget, the fine department heads that work tirelessly at trying to keep numbers in tow,” Fair said. “And the councilmen who make the ultimate hard decisions, I want to thank you on behalf of the citizens of Brownwood.”
Not intending to take credit from the council, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes pointed out that the city staff and administration have worked hard to get a balanced budget without any cuts or increases in cost to the citizens of Brownwood.
“I don’t know that the council can take as much credit as the administration; Bobby, Walter and the department heads have done an excellent job,” Haynes said. “We have lived in a very tough economic times for the last three years and throughout that time we have had no reduction in services, no layoffs, no increases in fees or taxes and I think that is a credit to our city and our staff for all the hard work they have done.”
City Finance Director Walter Middleton made a presentation at the city council meeting Tuesday outlining proposed budget factors which include:
- No increase in property tax rates
- No increase in the water rate despite an increase in the wholesale water rate from Brown County Water Improvement District
- No increase in any other rate or fee charged by the city
- Revenue for the current fiscal year is projected to increase by 3% over the current year, which would add $184,385 to revenue projections.
- Revenue from the Aquatic Center is projected to increase by $100,000 over revenue levels at the old pool.
- A 6% pay raise is proposed for Police and Fire Civil Service personnel to meet the third year commitment in the city’s Meet & Confer agreement. This will add $223,874 to the budget.
- A 3% pay raise is proposed for all other city employees. This will add $228,678.
- Medical insurance costs are projected to increase by 8% or $100,611.
- Landfill cells 12 & 13 construction will be delayed for six months due to lower waste volumes. This will delay debt service on a new tax note into the next fiscal year saving $320,850 in the current fiscal year.
- Fuel costs are projected to increase by 20% adding $125,410 to the budget.
Council set a date for formal adoption of the budget ordinance on first reading on September 20, 2011 (special called meeting) and on second and third readings on September 27, 2011 (regular council meeting).
In other matters on the agenda:
*Council approved an ordinance on second and third/final readings approving a negotiated resolution between the Atmos Cities Steering Committee regarding the company’s fourth Rate Review Mechanism filing in all cities exercising original jurisdiction.
*Council passed a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with TxDOT for temporary closure of portions of FM 2524 (Austin Avenue) between Center Avenue and Fisk Street and FM 3254 (Bluffview Drive) intersection at Cordell Street during the Brownwood Reunion Celebration 2011.
*Council passed a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an interlocal governmental cooperation contract with the West Central Texas Council of Governments (WCTCOG) for administrative services on a Texas Community Development Block Grant.
*Approval was given by the council to amend resolution R-05-15 Drought Contingency Plan. The amendment would change the current Stage 3 to include:
(1) reducing hours for outside watering by two hours, changing the watering times from 7pm-9am and allowing drip systems and hand held watering of trees and shrubs in park and school areas on designated days
(2) in order to ease programming of automated systems, addresses ending in an odd number will be permitted to water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Even numbered addresses will be permitted to water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. No outdoor watering will be permitted on Monday.
In an effort to reduce confusion, the City of Early administration is recommending the same changes to their Drought Contingency Plan to its council.
City Manager Bobby Rountree stressed that this is only a change to the drought contingency plan; however it is not enacting stage 3 at this time, stage 2 restrictions remain in effect currently.
*Reports:
City Manager Rountree reported that the Texas A&M students are starting back to school and that their study of the city of Brownwood’s master plan should be completed by the end of the year. Mayor Haynes will be speaking to their class next week.
The Retail Coach presented an initial report to the Retail Advisory Committee and will be the guest speaker at the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon on October 21st. A question and answer session for local businesses will be held immediately following the luncheon. Mayor Haynes suggested that due to anticipated high attendance of the luncheon, those interested in the presentation should book their reservations early.
