SM City Council Looking To Borrow 4.4 Million To Buy More Undeveloped Land; New Budget Raises Taxes, Fees, Surcharges

“Filing of an application for a loan in the amount not to exceed $4,400,000 with the Texas Water Development Board to be used for the acquisition of undeveloped land over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone…”

The San Marcos City Council has several items on their Tuesday agenda that should be of interest to the residents.

First up is council’s executive session where they will be discussing the borrowing of up to 4.4 million to purchase property; they plan on borrowing the money from the Texas Water Development Board. It is Item 1.8 on council’s Consent Agenda below, which all items in this section are normally voted on in one large package.

Despite their current budget being short or in the red or for us regular folks, overdrawn by 2.4 million (according to the city’s website.)

The council can also pull any or all items on the Consent Agenda for further discussion or to bring it back at a later city council meeting.

Next up are the Public Hearing Items, which include their Fiscal Year 18 Budget for roughly $214 million; the proposed budget is 26.9 million more than the FY 2017 budget, which is an increase of 10.4 percent.

Every year the City Council, Staff and City Manager release a full “Proposed Budget,” but this year they have only released about 1/3 of what the normal proposed budget covers. The proposed FY 2018 budget shows payroll increases for several city departments but doesn’t show the current full-time and part-time employees and how many new positions they plan on adding.

However, it does show what the city is giving away in “car allowances” and “fuel” for those car allowances.

Car allowances handed out for FY 2017 was $114,311, and the proposed car allowances for FY 18 are $110,764.

Why such a drop?

Former City Manager, Jared Miller, was receiving $15,600 per year for a car allowance, and current City Manager, Bert Lumbreras, will only be receiving $8,400. FIND THE PARTIAL PROPOSED FY 2018 BUDGET HERE.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

“In accordance with Section §551.072: Real Property – Real Property –  to receive an update and deliberate regarding the purchase of undeveloped property over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone to mitigate nonpoint source pollution to the Edwards Aquifer and the San Marcos Springs and River.”

SEE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 1.8. BELOW FOR VOTE

CONSENT AGENDA

THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND OTHER ITEMS MAY BE ACTED UPON BY ONE MOTION. NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OR ACTION ON ANY OF THE ITEMS IS NECESSARY UNLESS DESIRED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER OR A CITIZEN, IN WHICH EVENT THE ITEM SHALL BE CONSIDERED IN ITS NORMAL SEQUENCE AFTER THE ITEMS NOT REQUIRING SEPARATE DISCUSSION HAVE BEEN ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION.

1.8. Consider approval of Resolution 2017-132R, approving the filing of an application for a loan in the amount not to exceed $4,400,000 with the Texas Water Development Board to be used for the acquisition of undeveloped land over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone to mitigate nonpoint source pollution in the Edwards Aquifer and the San Marcos Springs and River; designating an authorized representative to act on behalf of the City for the purpose of furnishing information and executing documents that may be required in connection with the preparation and filing of the application; designating firms and individuals authorized and directed to aid and assist the City in the preparation and submission of the application for financial assistance and to appear on behalf of and represent the City in any hearing held by the Texas Water Development Board on the application; and declaring an effective date. READ FULL DETAILS HERE.

PUBLIC HEARINGS – 7:00 PM

1.13. 7:00 PM Receive a Staff presentation and hold a Public Hearing to receive comments for or against the approval of Ordinance 2017-48, adopting a Budget in the amount of $213,968,615 for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2017 and ending September 30, 2018; authorizing certain adjustments to the Budget with the approval of the City Manager; approving fiscal year 2017-2018 Capital Improvements Program Projects; and consider approval of Ordinance 2017-48, on the first of two readings. READ FULL DETAILS HERE.

1.14. 7:00 PM Receive a Staff presentation and hold a Public Hearing to receive comments for or against Ordinance 2017-49, setting the Property Tax Rate for the 2017 Tax Year at 61.39 cents on each $100 of taxable value of property that is not exempt from taxation; levying taxes for the use and support of the Municipal Government of the City for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2017 and ending September 30, 2018; the 8.37 cent increase was approved by voters during the May 2017 Bond Election for debt retirement of and operational expenses for public safety and library projects; providing a Sinking Fund for the retirement of the bonded debt of the City; and consider approval of Ordinance 2017-49, on the first of two readings. READ FULL DETAILS HERE.

1.15. 7:00 PM Receive a Staff presentation and hold a Public Hearing to receive comments for or against Ordinance 2017-50, increasing drainage utility rates as authorized by Section 86.505 of the San Marcos City Code; including procedural provisions; and consider approval of Ordinance 2017-50, on the first of two readings. READ FULL DETAILS HERE.

1.16. 7:00 PM Receive a Staff presentation and hold a Public Hearing to receive comments for or against Ordinance 2017-51, increasing rates established for Water, Wholesale Water, Reclaimed Water, Wastewater Treatment, and Sewer Surcharges; and including procedural provisions; and consider approval of Ordinance 2017-51, on the first of two readings. READ FULL DETAILS HERE.

1.17. 7:00 PM Receive a Staff presentation and hold a Public Hearing to receive comments for or against Ordinance 2017-52, amending the rates for both Residential and Multifamily Customers of Municipal Solid Waste Programs in accordance with Section 66.028 of the San Marcos Code of Ordinances; including procedural provisions; and declaring an effective date; and consider approval of Ordinance 2017- 52, on the first of two readings. READ FULL DETAILS HERE.

NON-CONSENT AGENDA

1.21. Consider approval of Resolution 2017-137R, recognizing the uncanvassed returns and declaring results of the General Election, held on November 8, 2016, for the purpose of electing a Mayor, City Council Member, Place One, City Council Member, Place Two, and a Special Election to fill a vacancy for the one year remainder of the unexpired term of City Council Member Place Three which was conducted concurrently with the General Election. READ FULL DETAILS HERE.

View standard Agenda HERE.

San Marcos City Council Regular Meeting Agenda – Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 4:00 PM