2017_09.14_CC_Minutes - SpecialKENNEDALE
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KENNEDALE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING 1 September 14, 2017
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 405 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
SPECIAL SESSION - 5:30 PM
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Brian Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Brian Johnson; Mayor Pro Tem Jan Joplin, Place 5; Rockie Gilley, Place 1; and
Sandra Lee, Place 3; Absent: Liz Carrington, Place 2; and Kelly Turner, Place 4
Staff: City Manager George Campbell, City Secretary and Communications Coordinator Leslie Galloway, Director of Finance
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, and Police Captain Darrel Hull
III. REGULAR SESSION
A. Public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2017 -2018 Tax Rate
1. Staff Presentation
Director of Finance Brady Olsen offered an overview of the Proposed FY17 -18 Tax Rate:
■ Current Tax Rate: $.767500/$100
■ Proposed Tax Rate: $.787500/$100
• Maximum Rate Council Can Adopt: $.802718/$100
• Rollback Tax Rate: $.802719/$100
■ Effective Tax Rate: $.726967/$100
2. Public Hearing
• Andrew Schaeffer, 3409 Woodside Dr., Arlington, spoke in favor of the tax rate increase
and new housing development in the southwest portion of the city.
• Kenneth Johnson, 1056 Estates Dr., spoke in favor of the tax rate increase, adding that
he was against increases to the water bill.
Hollis Matthews, 1252 Elmbrook Dr., spoke against the tax rate increase, adding that he
wished to see EDC momentum slowed and discretionary spending and bonds minimized.
Bob Gruenhagen, 913 Shady Vale Dr., stated that he hopes Council and staff can
compromise to find a balanced budget, and he would like to see a unanimous vote.
• Kayla Hughes, 1208 Hunters Haven Dr., spoke in support of the tax rate increase, adding
that the city should take advantage of the opportunity for growth, rather than stagnating.
• Sandra Childers, 121 W. Mansfield Ave., spoke against the tax rate increase, adding that
Old Town residents were being priced out of the city.
• Loree Boyd, 321 W. 3rd St., spoke against the tax rate increase, adding that older
residents on fixed incomes need to be taken into account.
• Eric Elam, 349 Kennedale Sublett Rd., spoke in favor of the tax rate increase because of
the added revenue, especially from commercial properties
• James Whitt, 126 W Mansfield Ave., spoke against the tax rate increase.
405 Municipal Drive, Kennedale, TX 76060 1 Telephone: 817 - 985 -2100 1 Fax: 817 - 478 -7169
• Mark Babina, 1056 Falcon Nest Dr., spoke in favor of the tax rate increase, stating that
the added cost was worth the services that it provides.
• Sheryl Pond, 606 Hilltop Ct., spoke against the tax increase, noting that it was in addition
to the increase in the utility bill.
• Chris Pugh, 715 Timberline, spoke in favor of the tax rate increase, stating that the added
cost was worth the services that it provides.
• Vinita Thomas, 412 W 3rd Street, spoke against the tax rate increase, adding that
development was not necessary and that she would like to see drainage issues addressed.
• John Clark, 100 Meadowlake Ct., spoke in favor of the tax rate increase, noting that the
staff had made clear what cuts would result without it. He asked that Council publicly define
policy to justify cuts to services they have deemed as non - vital. He concluded by saying
that a budget should be based on public policy, rather than personal ideology.
• Ann Fonteneau, 1043 Fox Wood Dr., spoke in favor of the tax rate increase, stating that
water rates in smaller cities are higher as there are fewer homes to share in the cost of the
system, and asked that Council not lower residents' standard of living in the name of
campaign promises. She concluded by saying that our city should take advantage of our
location in a large metropolitan area by capitalizing on growth opportunity.
• April Coltharp, 1040 Falcon Creek Dr.; Terry Twomey, 1042 Falcon Nest; Linda Twomey,
1042 Falcon Nest; Donna Herbster, 1154 Falcon Ridge Dr.; Donald Herbster, 1154 Falcon
Ridge Dr.; Mark Perkins, 1042 Falcon Creek Dr.; and John Stockton, 1162 Hunters Haven
Dr. registered written opinions in favor of the tax rate increase. Martha Elrod, 213 W 5th St.
registered a written opinion against the tax rate increase.
3. Staff Response and Summary
There was no additional discussion at this time.
4. Announcement of Date of Vote on Tax Rate
Mayor Brian Johnson announced that the vote on the Fiscal Year 2017 -2018 tax rate would be
held Monday, September 18, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., in these Council Chambers, in City Hall,
located at 405 Municipal Drive, in Kennedale, TX, 76060.
Councilmember Gilley stated that increased valuations must be taken into account, but that an
increase is needed to address stagnant salaries, rising health care costs, and maintenance.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
Motion To adjourn. Action Adjourn, Moved By Mayor Pro Tem Jan Joplin, Seconded By Rockie
Gilley. Motion passed Unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
APPROVED:
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LESLIE GALLOWAY, CITY SECRETA
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