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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS September 2, 2014 The City Council of the City of Paris met for a workshop meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at the Depot Community Room, 1125 Bonham Street, Paris, Texas. Present: Mayor: Matt Frierson Council Members: Aaron Jenkins; Billie Lancaster; Benny Plata; Richard Grossnickle; Edwin Pickle; and A.J. A.J. Hashmi City Staff: John Godwin, City Manager; Janice Ellis, City Clerk; Gene Anderson, Finance Director; Kent Klinkerman; EMS Director; Jerry McDaniel, Public Works Director; Larry Wright, Fire Chief; Doug Harris, Utilities Director; Bob Hundley, Police Chief; and Priscilla McAnally, Library Director 1. Call meeting to order. Mayor Frierson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. City Manager's proposed Budget for fiscal year 2014 -2015 and provide direction to staff. City Manager John Godwin presented the City Council with the highlights of the 2014- 2015 budget, which included a flat tax rate of 50.195; an increase in water and sewer rates; a new $.070 per month per customer fee to offset the cost of a new sanitation truck every two years; one new employee in the parks department beginning April 1, 2015; an increase of $50 per month per employee and retiree to help offset the increased cost of insurance; a new seniority step in the police department that will result in twenty sworn personnel receiving increased pay effective January 1, 2015; a new system in the fire department like the one in place for the police department resulting in raises for 51 firefighters effective January 1, 2015; a change in the pay system for full -time EMS staff to a 40 -hour work week, resulting in raises for all 21 full -time EMT's and paramedics effective October 1, 2014; creation of an eight step for non -civil service employees, resulting in raises for 34 employees in 2015, and approximately 40 more in 2016; a reserve of $80,000 to be duplicated in 2015 -16 for a restroom building at the fairgrounds; approximately $31,000 for wet -well rehabilitation; one new ambulance and one new defibrillator; one new garbage truck; up to $30,00 to purchase land for a future EMS station in northwest Paris; and one new fire engine with the first payment due October 1, 2015. Council Member Plata said his problem with the budget was that only a few employees were going to get pay increases and everyone should get raises. Council Member Hashmi inquired about giving a raise across the board, because he said he did not want to discourage the junior staff. Mr. Godwin explained if a raise was given across the board it would result in take home pay of about $14.00 per pay period. Council Member Plata and Council Member Hashmi discussed options with Mr. Godwin for employee raises. Mr. Godwin explained the eighth step