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Item 1 - Call to Order
The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met in a special 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
Father Elmer Miguel, Church of the Good Shepard, gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Santellana led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3 — Work Session to Consider Proposed FY 2023-2024 Budget
8:31 a.m.
Jessica Williams, Director of Finance/CFO, presented an overview of the Water Fund,
Sanitation Fund, and other funds for the 2023-2024 fiscal year Proposed Budget. Ms.
Williams noted that the City was awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
from GFOA for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, and discussed the City's stewardship and
financial transparency. The proposed budget is a balanced budget that continues current
service levels; reduces the property tax rate from $0.694321 to $0.680000 per $100
assessed value; increases employee pay for Civil Service up to 6.5%, and all other
employees up to 6%; increases stability pay for employees with five or more years of
service; increases contributions to TMRS and the Firefighter's Pension Fund; proposes
increases in sanitation fees; and includes a 5% increase in water rates which was
approved last year. $30 million is included for infrastructure projects and $10 million from
the 2022-2023 fund balance will be set aside for future capital improvement projects. Ms.
Williams suggested tying utility rates to the Municipal Cost Index to keep up with inflation.
The proposed budget includes the addition of 13.5 full-time equivalent positions and staff
provided justification for the additional positions. There was a brief discussion regarding
the dedicated bike advocate position that was requested by the bicycle community and
how those duties will be included in other positions in various departments.
Chief Borrego gave an update on the new in-car and body-worn camera project. He
anticipates state grant funding to be lower than expected and has not received a response
regarding federal grant funds.
Mayor Santellana recessed the meeting at 10:13 a.m. for a short break and reconvened
at 10:27 a.m.
Ms. Williams provided an overview of the General Fund, Water/Sewer Fund, and other
funds revenue and expenditures. She discussed the small change in property tax
revenues due to certified tax rolls being released after the proposed budget was
completed. Increases in property valuations will increase property tax revenues by
approximately 7.59%. It was noted that appraisal values are set by the appraisal district
under state-mandated formulas. Ms. Williams provided an in-depth overview of the two
portions of the tax rate (I&S and M&O), the voter approval rate, the no new revenue rate,
and the proposed rate.
The next steps include the budget public hearing and the approval of the Resolution
regarding the intent to vote on a tax rate on August 15, 2023. The tax rate public hearing
notice will be published on August 25, 2023, and the tax rate and budget will be approved
on September 5, 2023.
Councilor Whiteley discussed concerns with employee pay being below average and
issues with losing trained employees to other cities.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 8, 2023
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Item 4 — Announcements concerning items of community interest from members
of the City Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
11 :59 a.m.
Councilor Jackson encouraged everyone to be careful with cigarettes, and keep up with
maintenance on vehicles to prevent fires during the drought. Over 500 acres recently
burned, and he expressed he appreciation to our Firefighters for the homes saved.
Councilor Brewer thanked Jessica and her staff for the presentation today and for their
hard work.
Councilor Browning reminded everyone that school will be starting soon and to pay
attention to school zones.
Councilor Nelson visited the Junior Police Academy with Councilor Brewer and he would
like to raise awareness of that program.
Mayor Santellana thanked Jessica and her staff for their informative presentation and he
noted this presentation is a vast improvement from when he first started on Council. He
encouraged Councilors to reach out to staff with any questions.
Item 5 — Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning
Items That Are Not on the City Council Agenda
12:04 a.m.
There were no comments from citizens.
Item 6 — Executive Sessions
City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 12:05 a.m. in accordance with Texas
Government Code §551 .074.
City Council reconvened at 5:50 p.m.
Mayor Santellana reconvened in open session and announced that no votes or polls were
taken.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 8, 2023
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Item 7 —Adjourn
Mayor Santellana adjourned the meeting at 5:51 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 15th day of August 2023.
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'Stephen Santellana, Mayor
ATTEST:
Marie Balthrop, TRM , MMC
City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 8, 2023
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