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<br />SPECIAL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING <br />OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF PARIS <br />September 11, 2007 <br /> <br />The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special budget workshop meeting at 5 :00 <br />P. M. Tuesday, September 11, 2007, at the City Council Chamber, Conference Room, 107 E. <br />Kaufinan, Paris, Texas. <br /> <br />Present: <br /> <br />Mayor: <br /> <br />Jesse James Freelen <br /> <br />Council Members: Will Biard; Mary Ann Fisher; Stephen <br />Brown; Don Wilson; and Bill Strathem, <br />Mayor Pro Tern <br /> <br />City Staff: Kevin Carruth, City Manager; Kent <br />McIlyar, City Attorney; and Janice Ellis, <br />City Clerk <br /> <br />Absent: <br /> <br />Council Member: Kevin Gray <br /> <br />1. Mayor Freelen called the meeting to order at 5: 13 p.m. <br /> <br />Gene Anderson gave the invocation. <br /> <br />2. Pledge of Allegiance. <br /> <br />Council Member Wilson led the pledge. <br /> <br />3. Budget workshop - Discuss Proposed 2007-2008 Budget. <br /> <br />Council discussed purchasing equipment as opposed to leasing equipment. Council Member <br />Wilson suggested removing money allocated in the budget for the two Felony Crimes Unit officers, <br />because the City had applied for a grant. Council further discussed other grants, as well as the Debt <br />Service Fund and Capital Projects Fund. Council Member Strathem inquired if the City was going <br />to be over or under Tony Williams' projected budget. Gene Anderson told Council it appeared the <br />City would underspend what was budgeted and that he would have to calculate the amount. Council <br />Member Strathem said the City needed to reduce the taxes for citizens and businesses. Mayor <br />Freelen asked if it would be possible to cut the tax rate and still give employees a 3% raise. Council <br />Member Strathem said his figures indicated taxes could be reduced and employees could get a raise. <br />Council Member Strathem suggested a policy be implemented prior to initiating the car allowances. <br /> <br />It was a consensus of the Council to reduce the tax rate to 56.019 and cut the budget by <br />$436,000.00. Kevin Carruth stated if Council was comfortable in going into the reserves on a one <br />time deal, that he could reduce the budget. Mayor Freelen asked Council if they were comfortable <br />going into the reserves. It was a consensus to do so. After additional discussion, Kevin stated it was <br />