Min 08/09/2022 City of Wichita Falls ,.IkoA
NI
City Council Meeting � :
.�.� Minutes , .; }
]'1 .La
August 9, 2022 "
4 5
TEXAS 6 '
$/ $frfeS.4e/de Oppportem ie5.
Item 1 - Call to Order
The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met in regular session at 8:30 a.m.
on the above date in the Council Chambers at Memorial Auditorium with the following
members present.
Stephen Santellana - Mayor
Bobby Whiteley - Mayor Pro Tem/At-Large
Tim Brewer - Councilors
Jeff Browning -
Steve Jackson -
Larry Nelson -
Michael Smith -
Darron Leiker - City Manager
Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney
Marie Balthrop - City Clerk
Mayor Santellana called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Item 2a — Invocation
Scott Franks, Minister, Edgemere Church of Christ gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3 —Work Session to Consider Proposed FY 2022-2023 Budget
8:32 a.m.
Jessica Williams, Director of Finance/CFO, presented an overview of the General Fund,
Water Fund, Sanitation Fund, and other funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year Proposed
Budget. Ms. Williams noted that the City was awarded the Distinguished Budget
Presentation Award from GFOA for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, and she reviewed the
budget calendar noting the additional time built in for Council review. The proposed
budget is a balanced budget that continues current service levels despite record high
inflation; reduces the property tax rate from $0.7609 to $0.6943; increases employee pay
by 5%; increases the contribution to the Firefighter's Pension Fund to 16.18%; invests
$17.9 million of surplus reserves for one-time expenditures; and proposes a water/sewer
rate increase of 9%. Ms. Williams discussed operating revenues, consolidated revenues,
and the list of proposed one-time expenditures.
Blake Jurecek, Assistant City Manager, discussed the one-time projects associated with
the Golf Course, Castaway Cove Waterpark, Parks Master Plan, Library, Recreations,
and highway mowing.
Lindsay Barker, Director of Communications, Marketing and MPEC, discussed a one-time
expenditure at the MPEC for a Co-Promotional Show Fund.
Mr. Jurecek discussed one-time expenditures for MPEC facilities that include Venue Tax
funds, bond funds, and one-time funding of $2 million. Ms. Barker stated that these
projects work in tandem with the new hotel project, and increase the ability to attract more
artists and events.
Chief Borrego, discussed one-time expenditures to upgrade the in car video system,
which will integrate all video systems, and add Automated License Plate Recognition. He
is pursuing a grant for body cameras that will integrate with the new system, and is
considering moving to cloud storage. This will enable one search in one database and
reduce staff time to produce videos for cases and public information requests. Chief
Borrego discussed the one-time expense to replace the armored vehicle, and the various
uses of this vehicle.
Lou Kreidler, Director of Health, discussed a one-time expenditure to renovate the front
lobby of the Health District building, which will address ADA, ergonomic, and safety
issues.
Mr. Jurecek discussed a one-time expenditure for a Public Safety needs assessment for
the Police Department, Central Fire, and other older Fire Stations. Councilor Whiteley
discussed whether there is a need for an assessment or not.
Ms. Williams reviewed the list of one-time expenditures, and discussed Street
Improvements, contingency funds, and one-time projects in other various funds.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 9, 2022
PAGE 2 OF 4
Ms. Williams discussed above current requests, increases in personnel services, capital
projects, and the impact of inflation.
Mayor Santellana recessed the meeting at 10:16 for a break and reconvened at 10:31
a.m.
Fund balance policies were reviewed and increases to the Water/Sewer Fund and
Sanitation Fund were recommended. Ms. Williams gave an overview of property tax rates
and tax levies in comparison with other comparable cities and noted that although our tax
rate is higher, the tax levy is lower due to lower assessed values, and Mr. Leiker reiterated
this point.
Councilor Smith discussed his desire to increase funding amounts to the Art's community,
as that amount has stayed static for many years. Mr. Leiker stated that increases to the
Art's community would decrease funds for the MPEC.
Mr. Leiker discussed the timeline to approve the budget and encouraged the Mayor and
Councilors to reach out to staff as soon as possible to discuss any ideas or changes they
would like to implement.
Item 4 — Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
11:52 a.m.
Councilor Jackson stated that we have lost 2% in our lakes and are fixing to hit 65% lake
levels. He asked Russell Schreiber to discuss the impact of this. Mr. Schreiber stated
that he anticipates entering Stage 1 of the drought plan in late September, and the big
impact will be twice a week watering based on addresses.
Item 5 — Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning
Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda
11:54 a.m.
There were no comments from citizens.
Item 6 — Executive Session
City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 11:54 a.m. in accordance with Texas
Government Code §551.074.
City Council reconvened at 3:11 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 9, 2022
PAGE 3 OF 4
Mayor Santellana reconvened in open session and announced that no votes or polls were
taken.
Item 7 —Adjourn
Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 3:11 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 16th day of August 2022.
e en P Santellana Ma or, Y
ATTEST:
cam,B
Mari Balthrop, TRM , MMC
City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 9, 2022
PAGE 4 OF 4