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71 Regular Meeting August 25, 1986 Page 3 Mayor Younger advised another public hearing would be held on this Ordinance at the Regular Meeting of the City Council on September 8, 1986. Mr. Parr moved to table first reading of this Ordinance until September 8, 1986 and Mr. Brown seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Mayor Younger introduced for consideration a formal public hearing on the proposed 1986-1987 budgets, including General Funds, Debt Ser- vice Funds, General Capital Projects, Enterprise Funds, Trust and Agency Funds, Internal Services Funds and amended uses of Revenue Sharing Funds. Mayor Younger opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak in regard to the proposed budgets. Larry Dupont requested the Council consider certain proposals in the budget that he felt the City needs, and they are snorkel truck, full-time narcotics investigator and adequate protection for fire, police and EMT employees in the way of protective gear in case of a toxic chemical spill from railroad cars. Jane Wilson stated she is in favor of keeping the Planning and Legal staffs as they presently are. Roy Jacks stated he was concerned with personnel cuts in the police and fire departments and cuts in overtime funds. He stated he was interested in maintaining services at least at the current level. Jack Lindstrom stated he approves of the advancements that have been made in the Planning and Legal staffs. Henry Kyle stated he was concerned with the City's high taxes and "fat" in administration, police and fire. He stated funds need to be accounted for in a clearer manner. He stated the City needs to use surplus funds to keep the taxes down and that the City needs to be concerned for the citizens. Cherry Price stated she was concerned with the closing of the Holland Street fire station, the need for more personnel and equipment in the fire department and a need for drug control. She asked why there is a shortage of funds, to which the Council and Mr. Gonzalez responded the lack of revenue sharing funds and expenditures of the fund balance that have recurring expenses. She stated the City's legal expenses are excessive. Duke Johnson stated the City's budget has in- creased 300% in five years. He stated now is a time of caution and recommends the Council decrease the City's budget by 5%. He does not want to see a decrease in pay but for the City to put a freeze on posi- tions when it is possible. Shirley Wickersham said we are in a decreased economy. She said she is not in favor of salary reductions but wants the City to look at options where slow-downs are occurring in certain departments. Jeff Hill spoke on behalf of the Government Affairs Commit- tee and Budget Committee of the Chamber of Commerce and wanted the City to set a goal of not increasing the taxes and not cutting the level of services. He stated he was not in favor of cuts in the fire, police and street paving departments but said to make cuts in administration before services if it became necessary. Joe Cox stated he wanted to see the City retain the level of services in the police, fire, legal and planning departments. R. G. Phillips stated he agrees with the comments of Jane Wilson and Joe Cox. Suzanne Rubio stated she did not find that the City has budgeted for the City's match of grant funds, to which Mr.Gonzalez replied she is correct but that funds are available from fund balance if the grant is approved. The Council directed $150,000 for grant funds match be placed in the budget if the grant is funded. Ms. Rubio wants the City to obtain GO Bonds if necessary for the street improvements to be made. Roxanne McKimmey stated she was in favor of the City pursuing Ms. Kissler's recommendation to fund the social service agencies with sales tax dollars and recommended the Council not consider funding any agencies during the year but require all agencies to request funding during the budget process. Ms. Kissler clarified her recommendation that the City set aside 2 cents of ad valor- em tax dollars for social services. Sam Salazar stated he wants to see