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183 Special Meeting August 5, 1987 Page 2 the City needs to provide good streets, water, wastewater, fire and police protection and that the City needs to establish what is essen- tial. Henry Kyle stated the City has indicated it has a bare bones budget, and that he does not think so. He stated the budget does not follow the Charter requirements of columns for last year's bud- get, what actually spent and what is proposed. He asked about the cost of bonds in the new budget. Mayor Younger stated he hopes that the 56 cent tax rate will be reduced to 51 cents if the sales tax elec- tion passes this Saturday, August 8. Mr. Kyle stated we are in hard times, and that if it is necessary, cut the budget 10% across the board to reduce it. L. E. Dupont commended City Manager Gonzalez' budget in trying times and the dedication of the City Council. He stated immediate action should be taken to purchase the aerial truck for the Fire Depart- ment, and that the City has a responsibility to protect the citizens. It is his opinion that the truck is an essential necessity now. Rusty O'Bryant stated there was too much inefficiency in the street depart- ment and gave examples of the patchwork being done during rain, the City paving a 450' street in his neighborhood that they started last December, a waste of concrete when curbs are made and a waste of employees standing around at projects. Vicky Harton stated the Public Library pro- vides a vital service to the community and should be a top priority. She stated she would like to see the Council make an exception to the Library for replacement of employees who leave. E. Johnson stated he thought significant increases are being made in the budget all at one time. He stated he wants to be a progressive city but wants rt to also be economi- cal. fie has done a comparison of the City's budgets for the past five years and that the budget has increased by 50%. He stated the City needs to hold the line even if it means less government. Paul Gower stated he owns several houses in San Marcos, and his paYments on his houses have increased because of City government, but the same repairs are needed to the streets that were needed when he moved here. He advised Council he plans to sell his property and move. He said the taxes go up but that nothing gets done. Rosemary Davis stated there is a need for more animal control in her neighborhood. She stated the animal control personnel are fine people but there is a need for more staff. She requested the Council not makes cuts in this area and suggested animal tags and innoculations be enforced. Nina Pryatel stated she and her husband moved to San Marcos because of its library, river and university (for many resources). She stated she is in favor of a tax increase if it is needed to provide city services. She thinks the Council cares about people who are most in need and has faith that the Council and Staff will do the best they can. Aart Millecam stated it is important for the City to fulfill the CIP projects. He stated no one wants tax increases but it is important to continue planning as the City is doing now. George Vonderlippe stated the City has a professional planning staff and that it is important to maintain this professionalism to facilitate growth. He stated the Planning and Zon- ing Commissions need to receive accurate and sound staff reports and to keep the City's Master Plan updated. He stated the Master Plan is due for revisions this year. He stated he wants the City to implement the "green" sheets in the Master Plan. He stated some recent accomplish- ments of the Planning Department are the River Corridor Ordinance and the Sign Ordinance. He stated as a Member of the Heritage Neighbor- hood Association he would like to see the implementation of the Public Works Maintenance Management System for improvements, traffic control and safety, signàlization, a traffic hazard survey, law enforcement for violations, litter control, cleaning of vacant lots, more street clean- ing, more animal control and better water pressure. No one else wished to speak in the public hearing, so Mayor Younger closed the public hearing.