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City Council Meeting Minutes August 12, 2021 <br />Ad Valorem tax exemptions <br />Council direction is'also requested regarding rate increases in our Enterprise <br />Funds. <br />Mayor Hughson opened the floor to questions from Council. <br />Council Member Baker inquired about personnel additions related to Peace <br />Officers and Traffic Officers and why there is not discussion for a social <br />worker? Ms. Reyes noted that the peace officer additional positions should <br />have been shown as park rangers. Chief Standridge noted that there has been a <br />large increase in the number of violent crimes in San Marcos in the last ten <br />years. At this time we need more traffic officers due to the number of <br />accidents in San Marcos. Currently, our officers are focused on investigations <br />and other needs. Regarding the question about social workers, he thinks a <br />mental health clinician <br />could be funded with federal grant funds without affecting the general fund. <br />Chief Stapp noted that, using federal grants, we are one of the first cities in <br />Texas to have mental health officers. This includes working with our local <br />mental health authority and home visits to avert future issues. Council <br />Member Baker inquired if matching funds were required for this position in <br />Abilene? Chief Standridge stated there was a small match, a <br />percentage. <br />Council Member Gonzales asked about total cost to homeowners related to the <br />Enterprise Funds increase. Ms. Kalka stated this would be about is a total of <br />$10.00 per month. <br />Council Member Baker expressed his concern with merit increases and would <br />like these go only to the lower wage-earning employees. This has been <br />addressed the last two years and a higher percentage of the funding allocates to <br />annual increases has gone to lower paid employees. <br />Council Member Scott would like to look at alternative options and finding <br />better ways to run the City. He made a comment referring cities should be run <br />more like corporate America. He is also concerned about the proposed rate <br />increases. He is also concerned about the percent of our budget that is used for <br />staffing. He suggested automation might help. Mr. Lumbreras addressed the <br />comments and noted that the general fund is a high percent of employee <br />salaries/benefits due to the nature of services we offer. Mr. Lumbreras stated <br />he will look at numbers and noted the general fund will be labor intensive by <br />City of San Marcos Page 7 <br />