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Regular Council Meeting September 8, 2014 Page 7 was tabled. Mayor Frierson asked Council Member Lancaster what she wanted to do and she said she would withdraw it with stipulation. A Motion to table this item until September 18 was made by Council Member Hashmi and seconded by Council Member Lancaster. Motion carried, 6 ayes — 0 nays. 15. Conduct the first public hearing on the City's proposal to increase tax revenues from the preceding tax year and to set the tax rate for 2014. City Manager John Godwin explained that two public hearings were required, because the ad valorem tax rate would remain the same as the current year ($0.50195/$100 valuation) and there were increased valuations. Mr. Godwin said the second public hearing was scheduled for Thursday, September 18. Mayor Frierson opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to speak about this item, to please come forward. With no one speaking, Mayor Frierson closed the public hearing. 16. Conduct a public hearing on the City Manager's proposed Budget for fiscal year 2014- 2015. Mr. Godwin reviewed with the City Council highlights of the proposed budget as follows: a flat tax rate (50.195) that results in an increase of $189,690 from the current year's budget; an increase in water & sewer rates consistent with the annually required rate study analysis; a new $0.70 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 01/01/15; a new system in the fire department like the one that has been in place in the police department for many years, resulting in raises for 51 firefighters receiving increased pay, effective January 1, 2015; a new system in the fire department like the one that has been in place in the police department for many years, resulting in raises for 51 firefighters receiving increased pay, 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 EMTs and paramedics, effective October 1, 2014; creation of an eighth 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 $30,000 to purchase land for a future EMS station in northwest Paris; and order a new fire engine, with the first payment due October 1, 2015 (2015 -16 budget year). Council Member Plata and Council Member Hashmi said their preference was to give all employees a raise. Council Member Plata said he would like to see a flat rate, because that