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r-L fi11f1~I(m.t[~ il.~r q'\' ~~ m~f IlA.\ B~I~e{ l ,.1... \L ~.U' I( (U.l.E~ .I?'.1d\W ~ J , 'I' ~ __.".,,- .~......... ~ ~. ......\. ..............--.......,." ;> August 7, 2003 ;. Honorable Mayor Curtis R. Fendley and Members of the City Council City of Paris Paris, Texas 75461 Re: 2003-2004 Operating Budget / Program of Services Honorable Mayor Fendley and City Council Members: In accordance with Article V of the Charter of the City of Paris and all other applicable statutes and ordinances, I submit the proposed program of municipal services to be made available to the citizens of Paris for the 2003-2004 fiscal year. As public servants, we are challenged each year to assemble a budget that will meet the needs of our citizens in maintaining and improving services while holding tax and rate increases to a minimum. This year is no different. In the 2002-2003 budget, the City Council made the decision to proceed with a new Police and Municipal Courts facility and elected to add additional debt in the General Fund to finance the cost of this project. In light of the tax increase last year necessary to fund the improved facilities, I have been asked by this City Council to prepare a budget for presentation with no tax increase that would afford an increase in wages for all of our employees. I am pleased to say that this budget document does just that. Included within the proposed 2003- 2004 municipal budget is a 3.43 % cost ofliving increase for all employees with a proposed tax rate of 69.5 cents. This proposed rate is the same as the present tax rate. The City Council has always been mindful that city government exists to provide services and that our employees are our most important asset. It is a very labor intensive operation and we recognize the importance of providing the wages and benefits that are one ofthe components of employee retention. Indeed, from 1985 through 2002, the employees of the city have received an annual average cost ofliving adjustment of3.26 %, an aggregate change that exceeded the Consumer Price Index for that period. Recognizing that it is important to treat all our employees fairly, I have attempted to budget for a cost ofliving increase each year that is equal to or exceeds the CPI for all employees. Although I proposed an increase of one and o~e-half percent for all employees in the 2002-2003 budget last year, that recommendation did not make the final budget as passed by the City Council. In preparing the budget this year, the finance director has determined that the CPI for our area over the past twenty-four months would be equivalent to an increase of 3.43 %. Each year, if funds are available, an attempt is made to adjust individual positions for changes in the labor market or changes in responsibilities and, as always, the budget P.O. BOX 9037 . PARIS. TEXAS 75461-9037 · (903) 785-7511 · FAX (903) 785-8519