04-A City Council Budget Workshop (2)
SPECIAL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF PARIS
September 11, 2007
The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special budget workshop meeting at 5 :00
P. M. Tuesday, September 11, 2007, at the City Council Chamber, Conference Room, 107 E.
Kaufinan, Paris, Texas.
Present:
Mayor:
Jesse James Freelen
Council Members: Will Biard; Mary Ann Fisher; Stephen
Brown; Don Wilson; and Bill Strathem,
Mayor Pro Tern
City Staff: Kevin Carruth, City Manager; Kent
McIlyar, City Attorney; and Janice Ellis,
City Clerk
Absent:
Council Member: Kevin Gray
1. Mayor Freelen called the meeting to order at 5: 13 p.m.
Gene Anderson gave the invocation.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Wilson led the pledge.
3. Budget workshop - Discuss Proposed 2007-2008 Budget.
Council discussed purchasing equipment as opposed to leasing equipment. Council Member
Wilson suggested removing money allocated in the budget for the two Felony Crimes Unit officers,
because the City had applied for a grant. Council further discussed other grants, as well as the Debt
Service Fund and Capital Projects Fund. Council Member Strathem inquired if the City was going
to be over or under Tony Williams' projected budget. Gene Anderson told Council it appeared the
City would underspend what was budgeted and that he would have to calculate the amount. Council
Member Strathem said the City needed to reduce the taxes for citizens and businesses. Mayor
Freelen asked if it would be possible to cut the tax rate and still give employees a 3% raise. Council
Member Strathem said his figures indicated taxes could be reduced and employees could get a raise.
Council Member Strathem suggested a policy be implemented prior to initiating the car allowances.
It was a consensus of the Council to reduce the tax rate to 56.019 and cut the budget by
$436,000.00. Kevin Carruth stated if Council was comfortable in going into the reserves on a one
time deal, that he could reduce the budget. Mayor Freelen asked Council if they were comfortable
going into the reserves. It was a consensus to do so. After additional discussion, Kevin stated it was
Special Meeting
September 11,2007
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his understanding he was being authorized to take the one-time capital expenditures and the existing
lease agreements out ofthe reserves. Council instructed Kevin to bring the information back to them
on September 12th.
4. Adjournment.
Mayor Freelen acknowledged the service of Judge Townsend's service to the city from 1948
-1985, and the passing of his wife.
There being no further business, Council Member Fisher made a Motion to adjourn and
Council Member Strathern seconded the Motion. Motion carried, 6 ayes - 0 nays. The meeting was
adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
JESSE JAMES FREELEN, MAYOR
JANICE ELLIS, CITY CLERK