The City Council of the City of Columbus, Texas met in special session on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 6:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 605 Spring Street, Columbus, Texas, with the following present:

 

                                         Mayor                         -                Richard Heffley

                                            Mayor Pro Tem          -                  Curtiss Schonenberg (arrived at 6:35 pm).

                                          Councilman                  -                Charles Richardson

                                          Councilwoman              -                Sandra Frnka

                                          Councilman                  -                Chuck Rankin

                                          Councilman                  -                Milton Wavra

                                           City Manager                -                 David Meisell

                                           City Secretary               -               Patti Glaeser

 

                                          

                                                                              

1.       Call to Order.

Mayor Heffley called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

2.       Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.

Mayor Heffley led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation.

3.       Budget Workshop.            

Mr. Meisell explained that the Summary budget deficit between the Utility Fund and the General Fund, excluding capital projects was $238,000.  He said one capital item that hasn’t been looked at is another water well.

Councilman Schonenberg arrived at 6:35 pm.

Mr. Meisell said additional revenue is needed.  He suggested keeping the gas discounts to the bottom line.  Councilman Rankin said to cut costs.  Mr. Meisell suggested going through the proposed budget to see what changes could be made.  He said that the largest payroll was in the police department. 

Councilman Rankin thinks that the $25,000 budgeted to pay off TMRS unfunded liability should come out of reserves.  Mr. Meisell believes it is part of operations.

Councilman Frnka asked if the increase in wages and the 200% retirement benefit were included in the budget.  Patti Glaeser confirmed this.  Councilman Rankin said we could cut one person in public works and use contractors as much as possible.  Mr. Meisell asked if the Council wanted to reduce recycling or the hours at the Library.  No one responded.  Councilwoman Frnka asked if the City employees should pay part of health insurance.  Mr. Meisell said he did not think so. 

Councilman Frnka asked if the current code person could be cut.  Mr. Meisell said only ½ his salary was in code, the other was in water. 

Councilman Richardson believes there is a public education problem.  He said the public needs to understand that you get what you pay for.  There was a commitment from Council to hire an additional code enforcement employee. 

Councilman Rankin suggested cutting seal coating from the proposed budget amount of $105,000 back to the current budgeted amount of $75,000.   Mr. Meisell reminded the Council that street striping of $5,000 is in the proposed amount.  Mayor Heffley said he would keep the gas discounts of $45,000 instead of passing them on to the customers.  Councilwoman Frnka agreed.  Councilman Schonenberg said he is not sure we don’t need to raise taxes.  Councilman Rankin said the City workers did a good job at Preston and Milam.  He said there is good managerial position. Councilman Schonenberg voiced his concern over being short staffed.  He said it will make it hard cutting a person. 

Mayor Heffley said the City cannot stay at $.19 forever.  Councilman Richardson said if you want progress, you have to spend money.  He said this operation cannot be nickeled and dimed.  Councilman Rankin said positive changes have occurred over the last 2 years. 

Mr. Meisell asked if Council was ok with the changes.  He mentioned that the City would need to purchase a vehicle for $23,000 for the new employee.  Patti Glaeser suggested taking that money from the equipment fund.  Council agreed to this.  Everyone except Councilman Rankin agreed to leave the property tax rate at $.24312.

 

4.       Adjournment.

                   There being no further business, Mayor Heffley declared the meeting adjourned at 8:40p.m.

 

 

 

____________________________

Mayor, Richard Heffley

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

_______________________

Patti Glaeser, City Secretary