2020_08.27 Minutes_CC_SpecialKENNEDALE
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KENNEDALE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE
AUGUST 27, 2020 AT 5:30 PM
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I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Brian Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
A. ROLL CALL
Participating via VideoConference: Mayor Brian Johnson; Josh Altom, Place 1 (disconnected from the
meeting from 5:51 to 6:20 p.m); Chris Pugh, Place 2; Mayor Pro Tem Lee, Place 3; Linda Rhodes, Place 4;
Chad Wandel, Place 5; Absent: None. Staff Participating via VideoConference: City Manager George Campbell,
City Secretary and Communications Coordinator Leslie E Galloway, Finance Director Lakeita Sutton, Public Works Director
Larry Hoover, Acting Fire Chief Brian King, Fire Chief James Brown, Police Chief Tommy Williams, Library Director Amanda
King, Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services Danielle Clarke, Director of Planning and Economic
Development Melissa Dailey, Administrative Assistant Rosie Ericson, Library Clerk Lucy Shonkweiler
II. WORK SESSION
A. Continued discussion regarding the City Manager's Proposed Fiscal Year 2020-2021
Annual Budget (Program of Services)
City Manager George Campbell stated that there was no formal presentation, but that the
Council had been provided with a spreadsheet of potential budget reductions, noting that
there was not much room for cuts without negatively impacting services.
Campbell added that estimates regarding the outsourcing of ambulance service were also
provided, but that he did not believe that the minimal savings would measure up to the
potential loss of service to the community, including increased costs to patients. Following
some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to issue a Request for Proposals
(RFP) to evaluate the options, but to keep ambulance service in the FY20-21 Budget, as
presented. Campbell noted that results of an RFP likely would not be available until midway
through the fiscal year.
Campbell stated that the Council had already approved the bid for employee health
insurance — which came in lower than expected — and would include a savings of about
$20,000; and that the only other recommended savings would be the termination of the
contract with Sixty & Better (the Tarrant County entity currently managing the Senior Center)
so that internal staff could plan and implement carry out the programming for that facility.
At the request of Councilmember Pugh, Campbell briefly outlined each of the other potential
cuts on the spreadsheet provided to the Council, reiterating that he would not recommend
that any of these other cuts be made.
405 Municipal Drive, Kennedale, TX 76060 I Telephone: 817-985-2100 I Fax: 817-478-7169
There was some discussion of the need to identify year -over -year (rather than one-time)
cuts, ambulance response times, reduced control when outsourcing services, the reduction
in spending on programs and events due to COVID-19 restrictions, retail and commercial
development, projected end -of -year fund balance, reducing the City Manager's approved
spending limit, employee retention, impacts of various tax rates, utilization of furloughs or
compensatory time (in place of overtime), and the total tax burden across all entities.
Finance Director Lakeita Sutton noted that the average home value was about $221,000,
which would be an annual increase of '$78 under the 77-cent tax rate; and '$132 at the 80-
cent rate. Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to post the notice of tax
rate increase at a maximum of $0.801026 per $100.00 of valuation so that the Council could
consider a rate up to and including that amount.
City Manager George Campbell asked that the Council continue sending questions to staff
and that, if there were any cuts that a Councilmember would like to see implemented, to
please send those to him as well.
III. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brian Johnson adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.
APPROVED:
BRIAN JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
LESLIE E GALLOWAY, CITY SECRETARY
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES I AUGUST 27, 2020