09162008 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Darrell Piersol, 100 E. Laurel Lane, asked Council if they could defer part of this expense and study this. We are going into very difficult times locally. It would be prudent to find a way to defer this until the time we can see ourselves a little further ahead. Jim Spencer, 100 E. Mimosa, said we pay the highest rates in Texas. He presented information showing historical and projected rate increases for the water and wastewater. When combined both compounded increases are 97% and over a 12-year period our combined rates will nearly double. He asked why is an increase necessary now when we have 38% in reserves. He observed that over an eight year period, we have averaged over $13 million a year on CIP projects. He asked why we are proposing an additional $14 million on unidentified projects that aren't part of the CIP. He noted that the department is growing at a faster rate than revenues even with the rate increase. This is the wrong direction and not necessary, especially in light of today's economy. Ollie Giles, 524 Valley, asked Council what are they doing to homeowners. Everything is going up. Her meter is filled up with junk, and she wants to know who reads it. She lives by herself, and her water bill is over $100. She asked what is a recovery charge? She asked Council to leave the water alone and to leave the existing citizens alone. Mary Bishop, 1117 Perkins, expressed her concern with increases in water/wastewater. She has seen an increase every year. She asked Council to please look at alternatives. • Loraine Burleson, 1109 N. Barbara Dr., stated that she is a senior citizen and lives on a fixed income. She remarked that we work very hard to enable seniors to live in their homes with home health care and meals on wheels. These increases will give them reason to leave their homes. Lisa Spencer, 100 E. Mimosa, stated that no one wants an increase in water/wastewater rates. We obviously pay the most in the state. She noted that operational costs went up 7% in 2005-2206. The next year they were up 9%. This year they were up 11%. This year's budget proposes a 13% increase in operational costs. The City needs to learn to live within their means. 20. Consider adoption of Ordinance 2008-35, adopting a budget for the Fiscal Year beginning on October 1, 2008 and ending on September 30, 2009, authorizing certain adiustments to the budget with the approval of the City Manager; approving Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Capital Improvements Program Projects; including procedural provisions; and declaring an emergency. MOTION: Upon a motion made by Councilmember Couch and a second by Councilmember Jones, the City Council voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to approve Ordinance 2008-35, as previously captioned, on emergency, and amended to remove the water/wastewater rate increase; to use the reserve fund of $912,412 to fund the one time expenses and the compensation plan. The motion carried unanimously.