07 City Council Special Budget Session 9-11-06
SPECIAL WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF
PARIS
September 11, 2006
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special work session at 6:00 P. M.
Monday, September 11, 2006, at the City Council Chamber, 107 E. Kaufman, Paris, Texas.
Present:
Mayor:
Richard Manning
Council Members: Tim Ray; Curtis Fendley; Mary Ann
Fisher, Mayor Pro Tem; Kevin Gray; Jesse
James Freelen; and Don Wilson
City Staff: Tony N. Williams, City Manager; John
Lestock, Assistant City Attorney; and
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
1. Open City Council Special Work Session.
Following the regular meeting, Mayor Manning called the special work session to
order at 7: 14 p.m.
2. Budget Workshop - Discuss City Manager's 2006-2007 Budget.
Mayor Manning wanted to know if staff had the information regarding cell phones and
vehicles, as earlier requested. Gene Anderson provided Council with the information. Mayor
Manning wanted to know if the City could save money by using car radios. Council Member
Wilson said it was more efficient to use a cell phone rather than go through a third party. Tony
said cell phones were needed in order for people in the field to communicate with their
supervIsors.
3. Consideration of and action on proposed amendments to the City Manager's proposed
budget.
Council Member Ray made a motion to amend the budget by cutting all car
allowances and providing pool vehicles for the Chief of Police, Fire Chief, and Director of
Emergency Medical Services.
Council Member Wilson said he wanted to explore the cost of the maintenance of the
pool vehicles in comparison to car allowances. Council Member Fendley agreed with
Council Member Wilson. Mayor Manning said they did that last year. Council Member
Fendley said part of the City Manager's packet was a car allowance. Council Member Gray
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September 11, 2006
Page 2
said there were cars owned by the City that could be used for the pool cars. Council
Member Fisher said she had a problem with cutting car allowances for the Fire Chief, Police
Chief, and Emergency Services Director.
Council Member Ray withdrew his motion. Council Member Ray made a Motion to
eliminate all car allowances, with the exception of the Fire Chief, Police Chief and
Emergency Services Directors. Council Member Fisher seconded the Motion. The Motion
carried, 4 ayes - 3 nays, with Council Member Fendley, Council Member Freelen and
Council Member Wilson casting the dissenting votes.
Council Member Fendley made a Motion that the City Manager's car allowance be
added back into the budget and Council Member Wilson seconded it. The Motion failed, 3
ayes - 4 nays. Council Member Ray, Council Member Fisher, Mayor Manning, and Council
Member Gray voted against the item.
Council Member Wilson made a Motion that the Engineer's car allowance be added
back into the budget and Council Member Freelen seconded it. The Motion failed, 3 ayes -
4 nays. Council Member Ray, Council Member Fisher, Mayor Manning, and Council
Member Gray voted against the item.
Council Member Ray made a Motion to eliminate operation of the swimming pool.
Tony informed Council that he believes the City to get a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife
and should they close the pool, there is the possibility that the City would have to reimburse
Texas Parks and Wildlife. Council Member Wilson said the pool provides recreation for
children in our community. Mayor Manning stated it was not always accessible to the public.
Tony advised staff will get information regarding the grant and provide it to Council at the
next meeting.
Council Member Wilson made a Motion to eliminate $15,000.00 from the Council's
travel and Council Member Ray seconded it. The Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays.
Mayor Manning said they needed more firefighters and asked about the funding.
Tony said ifhe was provided with a number, he would bring several options for funding to
Council.
Council Member Gray said they were still short on police officers and that they
needed another person in the water department. Chief Louis said when the grant comes
through, that will give them two more officers. He said he was not asking for additional
officers at this time.
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September 11, 2006
Page 3
Council Member Ray said that Chief Grooms said they needed nine more firefighters,
but would settle for three this year. Mayor Manning said they need to look at hiring three
firefighters, because of the safety issue. Council Member Wilson said he wanted to hear
from the Fire Chief as to what he will do with three additional firefighters. Chief Grooms
said he would distribute them equally among three shifts.
Council Member Ray made a Motion to amend the budget by adding three firefighters
and Council Member Freelen seconded the Motion. The Motion carried, 5 ayes - 2 nays,
with Council Member Fendley and Council Member Wilson casting the dissenting votes.
Council Member Ray inquired about information for tax exemptions for disabled
veterans, disabled persons and citizens over 65 years old. Tony informed Council there were
246 disabled eligible persons for tax exemptions. Tony further informed Council that the
City was giving a $17,000.00 homestead tax exemption for people over the age of 65 years.
He also said that the State requires an exemption for the disabled veterans.
Council Member Ray made a motion to increase the homestead exemption from
$17,000.00 to $20,000.00 for persons over the age of 65 and to include a $20,000.00
homestead exemption for disabled persons who were 100% disabled. Council Member
Wilson seconded the Motion. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays.
Council Member Freelen suggested they get the figure for what it is was going to cost
to operate the pool cars. Council Member Fendley made a motion to add the operating
expenses for the vehicles and Council Member Freelen seconded the Motion. Motion
carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-126: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS
RELA TED TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Ray and seconded by
Council Member Fisher. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays.
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