2017_08.28_CC_Minutes - SpecialKENNEDALE
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KENNEDALE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING 1 August 28, 2017
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 405 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
WORK SESSION - 5:30 PM
REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Brian Johnson; Rockie Gilley, Place 1; Sandra Lee, Place 3; Kelly Turner, Place 4
Absent: Liz Carrington, Place 2; Mayor Pro Tem Jan Joplin, Place 5
Staff: City Manager George Campbell, Finance Director Brady Olsen, HR Director Kelly Cooper, Community Development
Director Rachel Roberts, Police Chief Tommy Williams, Fire Chief Mike McMurray, Public Works Director Larry Ledbetter, Public
Works Superintendent Larry Hoover, Library Director Amanda King, EDC Director Jack Thompson
III. WORK SESSION
A. Continued discussion of the City Manager's FY2017 - -18 budget proposal
City Manager George Campbell stated that staff had provided, via memo, four options within the
various parameters requested by Council at previous meetings, including specific tax rates,
reductions in spending, and departments that should be excluded from cuts. Director of Finance
Brady Olsen provided an overview of each of these scenarios, outlining for each: the tax rate,
general cuts, and any drawdown of the General Fund balance.
Council discussed the effective tax rate, the definition of a 'balanced budget', the Senior Center,
Keep Kennedale Beautiful (KKB), reductions in staffing, and ambulance service options.
City Manager George Campbell summarized Scenario A, reiterating that it aims to maintain the
proposed two -cent tax rate increase, while preventing a drawdown in the General Fund balance.
This scenario would include contracting out ambulance service, which would allow delaying the
purchase of a replacement ambulance and eliminating costs for paramedic training (as the City
would no longer recruit paramedics, which could slow turnover in this department).
Council discussed the potential loss of service quality with a contracted ambulance service and
how this might affect quality of life, including longer response times. Councilmembers Kelly
Turner and Rockie Gilley both expressed serious concerns about contracting ambulance service
to balance the budget, as emergency services affect life -or -death situations.
Council moved on to discuss Scenario D, including specifics about the Economic Development
Corporation (EDC) and the Chamber.
Public Works Superintendent Larry Hoover responded to a question about the landscaping
contract for the TownCenter area by stating that it includes mowing the park and surrounding
405 Municipal Drive, Kennedale, TX 76060 1 Telephone: 817- 985 -2100 1 Fax: 817- 478 -7169
areas, trimming trees, mulching beds, maintaining irrigation, and pest control.
In response to Council questions about the proposed issuance of a $4 million Certificate of
Obligation (CO) Bond, Director of Finance Brady Olsen stated that the projects would be related
to water, stormwater, or wastewater; and that this financing shifts more of the cost obligation to
future users, rather than relying solely on current residents. He went on to state that the bond
proposal does include the purchase of a Vactor truck and the addition of one employee.
Councilmember Kelly Turner suggested that Council needs to establish a philosophy related to
what should be funded by bonds versus cash.
In response to Councilmember Rockie Gilley's questions about Village Creek and Bowman
Springs land acquisition funds (in the Stormwater Fund), Public Works Superintendent Larry
Hoover stated that this was related to a grant program, but the line items had been removed.
In response to questions regarding health insurance, HR Director Kelly Cooper provided the
dollar amount originally proposed in the FY17 -18 Budget and the actual amount (which Council
approved at their August 17, 2017 meeting), which is $447,903.96
In response to Councilmember Sandra Lee concern about increasing property taxes, staff stated
that, assuming no increase in appraisal value, the proposed tax rate increase (of $0.02) would
be approximately $45.00 per year on an average home, valued by TAD at $225,000.
City Manager George Campbell stated that the Public Hearings will include highlights of Council
discussions, and will be an opportunity for the public to express their desires. Mayor Brian
Johnson reminded everyone that the Public Hearings are scheduled for Thursday, September 7,
at 5:30 p.m. (Budget and Tax Rate) and Thursday, September 14, 5:30 p.m. (Tax Rate).
IV. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
APPROVED:
AN JOHNSON, MA OR
ATTEST:
LESLIE GALLOWAY, CITY SECRETARY
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