Min 09/08/2015
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
September 8, 2015
Page 1
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Wichita Falls, Texas
Memorial Auditorium Building
September 8, 2015
Item 1 - Call to Order
The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas met in special session on the above
date in the Council Chambers of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 8:30 o’clock a.m., with
the following members present.
Glenn Barham - Ma yor
DeAndra Chenault - Councilors
Tim Ingle -
Tom Quintero -
Brian Hooker -
Stephen Santellana -
Michael Smith - Absent
Darron Leiker - City Manager
Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney
Tracy Norr - City Clerk
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Mayor Barham called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
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Item 2a - Invocation
Councilor Hooker gave the invocation.
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Item 2b - Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Barham led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Item 3a – Employee of the Month – David Byers, Fire Department
8:30:33 AM
Chief Jon Reese recognized David Byers, Fire Department, as the Employee of the
Month. Mayor Barham presented a plaque, a letter of appreciation, restaurant tickets, and a
check to Mr. Byers and thanked him for his service.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
September 8, 2015
Page 2
Item 4 - Comments from the Public to Members of the City Council Concerning Items
That Are Not on the City Council Agenda.
There were no comments given.
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Item 5 – Public Hearing on Proposed Property Tax Rate for the 2015 -16 Fiscal Year
Ma yor Barham opened the public hearing at 8:34:28 AM.
Jim Dockery said this is the second public hearing. He reviewed the feedback from the
first public hearing. He reminded the council of the market survey and the increased insurance
costs. He discussed the possible tax rates and the additional revenue that would be generated.
He reviewed scenarios for pay increases and health care costs based on the published tax rate.
He said the council needs to choose the top two options so the budget can be adjusted for
adoption at the next meeting.
The process of rollback elections was discussed. Kinley Hegglund noted that the council
cannot exceed the rollback rate because it has already adopted a maximum rate below the
rollback rate.
Councilor Ingle asked about the insurance costs. He commented on the lower sales tax
revenue and noted that the school district has fewer students.
James W. Robinson, 6188 Reilly Road, said every citizen in the United States pays 40 to
60 percent of their income in taxes yet every year the governmental agencies need more
money. He said the council needs to work for the citizens, not the city. He said his business
has depreciated and his personal property tax has increased. He said we cannot keep raising
taxes.
Tammy Rice, 610 Holliday, used a PowerPoint presentation to discuss the police pay
study. She reviewed salary comparisons with 21 cities as well as the turnover history in the
Wichita Falls Police Department. She discussed training costs and the loss to the city when
officers leave. She urged adoption of a nine percent increase for the police department, a
seven percent increase for the fire department, and additional health care costs. She asked
why the increased health care costs were not noticed before the budget presentation.
Steve Ginger, 1656 Speedway, said he learned in a background inv estigator school
about generational gaps and the effect on the work force. He said people are not interested in
becoming law enforcement officers, and he thinks there will be a shortage soon. The
perspective has shifted from wanting to work for the depa rtment to what the department can do
for the new officer. His concern is that if the pay is not raised, those who want to be officers
won’t be attracted to the department and more will leave the department.
Mayor Barham said he was likes Scenario 7, which gives a nine percent increase to
police, a seven percent increase to fire, a one percent increase for non-civil service employees,
and some health care funding.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
September 8, 2015
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Jim Dockery pointed out some of the numbers referenced by Ms. Rice are not two years
old. He added that all pay plans have step increases that recognize longevity. The surveys
show beginning and ending salary ranges. He also said that the health care increases were
expected when the budget process began, but the amount was not known. The actual claims
have to be taken into account. An increase of eight percent was included in the preliminary
budget, but that amount was still $1 million short.
Councilor Quintero asked for clarification about health care participation. He asked if all
employees had the right to participate in the health care without pre-screening and they could
remain in the system after prescreening. He was told yes for both questions.
There were no other comments and the public hearing was closed at 9:17:45 AM.
Darron Leiker asked for input on the scenarios. Councilor s Hooker, Santellana, and
Chenault each said they like Scenario 7.
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Item 6a – Staff Reports
There were no staff reports.
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Item 6b – Items of Concern to Members of the City Council
9:18:51 AM
Members of the City Council presented the following matters:
Councilor Ingle thanked Mr. Dockery for helping a citizen with a water issue.
Councilor Santellana said he has had several calls that citizens are happy with
improvements on Taft.
Mayor Barham said he had received calls about a pothole at Happy Hollow and Mill er
Court.
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Item 7 – Executive Session
City Council went into Executive Session at 9:20:00 AM in accordance with Texas
Government Code §551.074.
City Council reconvened at 11:48:17 AM.
.
Mayor Barham announced that no polls or votes were taken during Executive Session.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
September 8, 2015
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Item 8 - Adjourn
City Council adjourned at 11:48:23 AM .
PASSED AND APPROVED this 15th day of September, 2015.
__________________________________
Glenn Barham, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tracy B. Norr, TRMC/MMC
City Clerk