Last Night's City Council Meeting/Public Hearing - Part 1

Tuesday, 8/25/09 at 730pm, City Council began their meeting (agenda).

The Executive Session/Workshop began at 530p.

Two items on the agenda were designated "Public Hearing"; Item #12 was the proposed '09-'10 budget and Item #13 was the proposed Property Tax increase for the '09-'10 budget.

The room was a standing room only crowd. There were over 100 people that had to stand and then city employees brought out chairs for the outside of city hall for people to sit.

There were plenty of people that had worn their "No New Taxes" white T-Shirts and all ages, men and women proudly displayed their displeasure with City Council's proposed Property Tax increase.

I would estimate that there were over 200 people at the meeting, but I admit, I didn't get a chance to count all of the chairs at the beginning of the meeting to figure out the seating capacity (could someone from the City email me this number?!).

Before the Public Hearing began, Mayor Peters told the room that there was a 60 minute time limit on Item #12 and Item #13 for citizen's comments. She asked for a motion to extend the one hour time block and no City Council member asked for motion to be passed. Mayor Peters explained that each speaker could have up to 5 minutes, but keeping it to the point and taking less than 5 minutes per speaker would allow for more people to speak.

The Public Hearing began and the first citizen to address City Council was a business owner; 'raise taxes and we lose business'.

After each citizen spoke in opposition to the Property Tax increase, there was applause from the crowd. Mayor Peters, repeatedly requested that the applause be kept to a minimum after the speakers or not applaud as a matter of decorum. It was apparent that the applause was irritating a few City Council members, especially Marsha Tunnell and Billy Faught.

Speaker after speaker, citizen after citizen stories were told to the City Council. Stories of how a downturn in the economy has lead to lost jobs, reduced pay and reduced family expenses. Business owners told stories of how the downturn has lead to reducing their staff and cutting expenses. Some tears were shed with some speakers telling their stories of husband's losing jobs and what sacrifices their families had to make over the past year.

There was a shift in the citizen's comments from personal stories of how the economy has hit them, to more focus on what has the City done to trim and cut expenses like the rest of the citizens have had to. The blue signs that have been erected in the city took more than one hit as poor spending as well as the new lit street signs on the traffic lights.

One resident, dedicated his yesterday to read over the 287 page budget to figure out how the city has trimmed expenses to justify a tax increase. He said he couldn't find them.

As the public hearings came to a close, there was anticipation from the room to hear what the City Council members had to say. It seemed fitting that Councilmember Tunnell moved to close discussion on Item #13 as she repeatedly leaned over to ask Mayor Peters to remind the citizens to stop applauding. The allotted time had expired and now, it was time to hear from our elected officials.

Read the details of last night's meeting at the @concerncoppell Twitter feed

Full pictures on Flickr page

Part 2 to follow soon.

Monday Night's Budget Workshop Meeting

The overwhelming response from Coppell citizens lead to a Monday night Budget Workshop meeting. At 6p, there was a special budget workshop (agenda) for City Council and staff to discuss the proposed property tax increase for the '09-'10 budget.

Coppell's city staff put together 5 different scenarios for discussion, ranging from no taxes raised next year to the full 5 cent increase. Each scenario also proposed different tax increases in year 2 and possibility year 3.

The meeting began around 630p and went to 930p and at the end of the night, there seemed to be a compromise met by at least 4 council members. A 2.5 cent property tax increase next year and 2.5 cent property tax increase the following year.

Marvin Franklin led discussion on how a zero tax increase next year made sense as it was one of the fiscally prudent scenarios presented by city staff and that any tax increases for next year wasn't a good solution. Mr. Franklin spent lots of time relaying the voices of Coppell and that if it didn't make fiscal sense to not raise taxes next year, why would the City Council vote in favor of an increase (?).

Both Marsha Tunnell and Tim Branchaeu both worried that another year of no tax increases for debt service for the Northlake bond issuance would be another year that citizens would forget about the debt. Ms. Tunnell said she was in favor of a compromise of a 2.5/2.5 cent increase over the next two years and wouldn't be a City Council that would back down due to an email, name calling campaign or mass hysteria of citizens.

It is very important that you show up at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night. You will have an opportunity to speak and share your thoughts after signing up for Public Hearing item #13.

I will say that tonight was disappointing because increasing taxes next year, even 2.5 cents doesn't make sense when the money is there to pay the debt service without this increase.

Follow Concerned Citizen Twitter updates

Join the Coppell Concerned Citizen Facebook group

NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND AGENDA, AUGUST 25, 2009

Here is the agenda for Tuesday's night meeting.

If you plan to speak about the proposed Property Tax increase, you will want to sign up for the Public Hearing #13 (see below).

Meeting begins at 730p and you will want to get there a little early to sign up.

NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND AGENDA

AUGUST 25, 2009

JAYNE PETERS,			KAREN HUNT,	Place 7
Mayor			Mayor Pro Tem
TIM BRANCHEAU,	Place 1		MARSHA TUNNELL,	Place 4
BOB MAHALIK,	Place 2		BILLY FAUGHT,	Place 5
BRIANNA HINOJOSA-FLORES,	Place 3		MARVIN FRANKLIN,	Place 6

CLAY PHILLIPS, City Manager

MEETING TIME AND PLACE:

Call to Order	5:30 p.m.	Council Chambers	(Open to the Public)
Executive Session	Immediately Following	1st Fl. Conf. Room	(Closed to the Public)
Work Session	Immediately Following	1st Fl. Conf. Room	(Open to the Public)
Regular Session	7:30 p.m.	Council Chambers	(Open to the Public)

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas will meet in Regular Called Session on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. for Executive Session, Work Session will follow immediately thereafter, and Regular Session will begin at 7:30 p.m., to be held at Town Center, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas.

As authorized by Section 551.071(2) of the Texas Government Code, this meeting may be convened into closed Executive Session for the purpose of seeking confidential legal advice from the City Attorney on any agenda item listed herein.

The City of Coppell reserves the right to reconvene, recess or realign the Work Session or called Executive Session or order of business at any time prior to adjournment.

The purpose of the meeting is to consider the following items:

ITEM # ITEM DESCRIPTION

1. Call to order.

EXECUTIVE SESSION (Closed to the Public)

2. Convene Executive Session

1. Section 551.071, Texas Government Code - Consultation with City Attorney.

1. Discussion regarding the Northlake Settlement.

WORK SESSION (Open to the Public)

3. Convene Work Session

1. Presentation by Michael Morris regarding DART.

2. Discussion regarding the S. H. 121 Sound Walls.

3. Discussion regarding the Oak Fest Celebration and the Facilities Use Policy.

4. Presentation by staff regarding Alternative Fence Materials.

5. Discussion regarding the Noise Ordinance.

6. Presentation of Monument honoring Fallen Police Officers.

7. Discussion of Agenda Items.

Adjourn Work Session.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Public Service Announcements concerning local civic events and no Council action is required or permitted.

REGULAR SESSION (Open to the Public)

4. Convene Regular Session.

5. Invocation.

6. Pledge of Allegiance.

7. Report by the Library Board.

8. Consider approval of a proclamation naming September 7, 2009 as MDA Day, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.

9. Consider approval of a proclamation naming September 6-12, 2009 as National Payroll Week, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.

10. Citizens' Appearances.

CONSENT AGENDA

11. Consider approval of the following consent agenda items:

1. Consider approval of minutes: August 11, 2009.

2. Consider approval of authorizing the City Manager to negotiate an Interlocal Agreement with the North Texas Tollway Authority allowing for the painting of the 121 Sound Walls at no expense to the City of Coppell and authorizing the Mayor to sign the Interlocal Agreement.

3. Consider approval of awarding Bid #Q-0109-01 -Vehicle Exhaust Removal/Filtration System grant to Air Technology Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $106,045.00; and authorizing the City Manager to sign.

4. Consider approval of an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Coppell, Texas, as amended, by amending Article 6-16, Alcoholic Beverages, Section 6-16-4, City Facilities, to add Subsection “C”, to provide for a permit to consume, possess or sell alcoholic beverages in certain city facilities; providing for the City Manager to establish rules and regulations concerning the granting of the permit; and authorizing the Mayor to sign.

5. Consider approval of an ordinance approving a negotiated settlement with Atmos Energy Corp., Mid-Tex Division, regarding the Rate Review Mechanism filing and finding the attached Tariffs implementing new rates within the corporate city limits of the City of Coppell are just and reasonable; and authorizing the Mayor to sign.

END OF CONSENT

12. PUBLIC HEARING:

To receive public comment concerning the proposed 2009-2010 Municipal Budget.

13. PUBLIC HEARING:

To receive public comment concerning the proposed 2009-2010 tax rate of 0.69146.

14. Consider approval of an Ordinance of the City of Coppell, Texas, approving an amendment to Ordinance No. 2008-1205, the budget for the Fiscal Year October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.

15. Consider approval of a resolution authorizing At Your Service Catering and Event Planning as the single vendor for alcohol sales at Oak Fest 2009, implement a $1,000.00 permit fee, authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary permit documents, and authorizing the Mayor to sign the resolution.

16. City Manager's Report.

1. Project Update and Future Agendas.

17. Council Committee Reports.

1. Carrollton/Farmers Branch ISD/Lewisville ISD – Tunnell

2. Coppell ISD – Mahalik and Hinojosa-Flores.

3. Coppell Seniors – Brancheau and Faught.

4. Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition – Peters and Hunt.

5. DFW Airport Board – Peters.

6. International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) – Brancheau

7. Metrocrest Hospital Authority – Tunnell.

8. Metrocrest Medical Foundation – Mahalik.

9. Metrocrest Medical Services – Hinojosa-Flores.

10. Metrocrest Social Services – Franklin.

11. North Texas Council of Governments – Tunnell.

12. NTCOG/Regional Emergency Management – Faught.

13. North Texas Commission – Hunt.

14. Senior Adult Services – Franklin.

18. Necessary action resulting from Work Session.

19. Necessary action resulting from Executive Session.

Adjournment.

____________________________________

Jayne Peters, Mayor

CERTIFICATE

I certify that the above Notice of Meeting was posted on the bulletin board at the City Hall of the City of Coppell, Texas on this 21^st day of August, 2009, at __________________.

____________________________________

Libby Ball, City Secretary

DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING THIS AGENDA IS AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE (www.ci.coppell.tx.us) UNDER PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, COUNCIL PACKETS.

PUBLIC NOTICES

STATEMENT FOR ADA COMPLIANCE

The City of Coppell acknowledges its responsibility to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. Thus, in order to assist individuals with disabilities who require special services (i.e. sign interpretative services, alternative audio/visual devices, and amanuenses) for participation in or access to the City of Coppell sponsored public programs, services and/or meetings, the City requests that individuals make requests for these services forty-eight (48) hours ahead of the scheduled program, service and/or meeting. To make arrangements, contact Vivyon V. Bowman, ADA Coordinator or other designated official at (972) 462-0022, or (TDD 1-800-RELAY, TX 1-800-735-2989).

Proposed Coppell City Tax Increase—Public Input is Part of Process

Editorial: by Lou Duggan

On Aug. 25th the Coppell City Council will meet at City Hall in public hearing for raising city taxes 5 cents. Mayor Jayne Peters has publicly opposed the Council’s proposed tax increase. “In my opinion,” Peters said, “this is not the time for a tax rate increase in the City of Coppell. These are the worst economic conditions that we’ve faced in our entire lifetime. Many families and businesses are struggling. We need to demonstrate a compassion and sensitivity to the plight of our residents and businesses.”

Citizen interest in a public hearing appears to be gaining momentum as a result of the Mayor’s opposition. E-mails are flying across the internet. Citizens are questioning the City’s justification for a tax increase. A lingering recession, some folks living on credit cards to make ends meet, more than 7% unemployment in Coppell, homes in foreclosure, layoffs and fear of job losses rippling throughout North Texas—all these factor into this discussion. Now, combine these factors with some previous issues that have created citizen anger and we have an environment rife with emotion. Contrast the above with the Mayor’s assertion that a no-tax-increase budget could actually cover anticipated and budgeted items and still leave a generous General Fund to cover unexpected shortfalls.

The Mayor is taking the tax rate issue to anyone who will listen. “Between now and the final vote on the budget on September 8,” Peters said, “I make the offer to visit with any group or individual who wants to join the discussion. I want to hear from residents, from business owners, from tax payers. I invite our citizens to join the discussion.”

In their defense, the Council has been seeking public input on the budget process for months. Due to a lack of significant public input, the Mayor has taken the issue to the people. Certainly, now that a budget has been officially presented, the Council will welcome such citizen input. “In this representative form of government,” Peters said, “I welcome the dialog, the discussion, the debate, the deliberation that has to occur when we consider moving forward with a decision of this importance. The debate doesn’t have to be divisive or destructive – I contend that reasonable people can disagree respectfully. However, I do believe that the dialog, discussion, debate, deliberation is an essential element of representative government at its best.”

Keep in mind that public input represents a positive aspect of our government. It is the basis of the democratic process at the grass roots level. And, it is this process that our elected officials are sworn to uphold.

However, contributing to public concern is the belief that the City has not done a good job of demonstrating a real need for a tax increase. The City has officially experienced less than 1% property devaluation compared to last year. Thus, Coppell tax revenues will be close to the same as last year while other cities will experience serious revenue declines. There have been no budget cuts, no perceived cost cutting, no reduction of services, no employee layoffs, and no pay reductions. On the contrary, a no-tax-increase City budget—as affirmed by City staff--would still fund a staff salary increase of 2%. And, the Mayor relates that such a budget—with no tax increase—would also cover debt service, a healthy fund balance, and proposed expenses. Also, such a budget would include funding the Northlake debt service commitment with no anticipated affect on the City’s AAA Bond rating.

So, with citizens cutting back and looking for ways to survive this recessionary time, the Council’s actions don’t create confidence in the need for a tax increase. Therein exists the problem: a real need for a tax increase has not been demonstrated by the City or perceived by the public.

Proposed tax rate increase triggers debate: NeighborsGo Article

Link: http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/40879

story

contributor information

Lindsey Bever

All

more from this contributor

Proposed tax rate increase triggers debate

0 Ratings / 0 Comments

Residents in Coppell could be paying higher property taxes by October.

The City Council recently approved the setting of the proposed tax rate of a 5-cent increase, or 7 percent, which will fund the debt service from the sale of $26.5 million in bonds for land purchase at North Lake, city manager Clay Phillips said.

If the tax rate is adopted by the council Sept. 8, the more-than $2 million property tax revenue garnered in 2009 will go toward paying down a year of the 20-year note, which is $2.8 million a year, said Jennifer Miller, director of finance. The additional funds will come from the city’s debt service fund balance in 2009-10, she said.

That would increase the tax rate to $.69146 per $100 of appraised property value. In a nutshell, homeowners of the average $272,478 home in Coppell would be paying an additional $138.66 in property taxes a year, Miller said.

The city purchased about 468 acres from Oncor after an extended legal battle over the 1,700 acres of North Lake property. The dispute stemmed from Billingsley Co.’s plans for a mixed-use project on more than 500 acres it already owned. A settlement was reached dividing property among the city of Coppell, the Coppell school district, which purchased 122 acres, Billingsley and Oncor.

“We issued the bond, we purchased the land, and now it’s time to pay it back,” Miller said.

Alternative funding options

Mayor Jayne Peters said with so many residents and businesses struggling financially, she doesn’t believe that this is the year to raise Coppell’s tax rate.
Peters would prefer the debt be paid from the general fund balance, which includes tax stabilization funds.

“In that same account, we have $16 million that’s undesignated,” she said. “My suggestion is that we use $1 million from the tax stabilization and another $1.8 million out of the undesignated funds.”

Some Coppell residents have formed a group opposing the proposed tax rate increase.

Barb Schmidt, a former Coppell school board member of seven years, is a member of the group. She said she’s aware of the reserve fund, which can be tapped at times of need. So she is joining other members of the community to educate the public.

“It’s a grassroots effort,” she said. “It’s just a bunch of us who are trying to get the word out to other citizens and make sure they’re aware of it. Most are surprised we’re [raising the tax rate] in this economic climate when we have this [reserve] fund.

“We understand tax increases need to happen. But is this really the best time?”

Phillips said the council does have the option to use the undesignated funds, which are intended to pay for operations, maintenance, services and programs. Essentially, the funds could be used for these city expenses over a longer period of time or used to offset the debt service for a few years, he said.

Phillips said the latter isn’t a wise practice because it would deplete the undesignated funds. Although no one wants to have to raise the tax rate, the final decision hasn’t been made, he said

“The council is trying to decide the best way to service the debt associated with the purchase of the land at North Lake,” he said.

Paying down the debt

Phillips said residents voted to approve the sale of bonds to purchase land at North Lake and knew about the annual debt service payments.

Peters, who does not get to vote on the proposed increase, said some are arguing that it’s now time for residents to help pay off the debt, but she believes they’ve already done so.

“My contention is it that they’ve already paid for it based on the healthy fund balance we have,” she said.

Public hearings
State-mandated public hearings on the proposed tax rate increase are scheduled at the regular city council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25 and 6 p.m. Sept. 1 in the Council Chambers on the first floor of Town Center, 255 Parkway Blvd.
The council will have the option to adopt the proposal Sept. 8, and if the tax rate increase is adopted, residents will start paying the new tax rate Oct. 1, when the new fiscal year begins.

2008 city tax rates from cities bordering Coppell
Addison: 0.4535
Carrollton: 0.617875
Coppell: 0.64146
Farmers Branch: 0.4945
Irving: 0.5406
Lewisville: 0.44021

SOURCE: Dallas County Appraisal District

Lindsey Bever is a reporter with neighborsgo and can be reached at 972-436-5551 ext. 3004 or via e-mail at lbever@neighborsgo.com. If you have a story, photo or video you'd like to share, please post it directly on neighborsgo.com.

Posted by Lindsey Bever Aug 19, 2009 12:27 PM, Comments (0)

Surrounding Cities are not raising taxes

If you spend just a little time looking to gather information about the city budgeting process, it won't take long to see what other city's plans entail.

Yes, every city has their specific challenges and issues, but I believe it is important to recognize those cities that have been working hard to reduce expenses and keep from raising taxes.

A few items of note:

Carrollton:

MatthewMarchant

Matthew Marchant

Tonight Council tentatively agreed on a budget without raising taxes. Kudos to the 'new guys' for hanging in there. Final vote next month.9:56 PM Aug 18th from web
We are within $70k of balancing our ~$80mm general fund budget even though we have 3.7% less revenue this year compared to last year.

10:00 PM Aug 9th from web

Cedar Hill:

WadeEmmert

Wade Emmert

Budget done! No tax increase and no layoffs. Result of fiscal discipline during good years. #goodgovernment5:18 PM Aug 14th from Ping.fm

Plano:

Plano rethinking Property Tax Hike

If you know of any other links that would be informative, please leave a comment!

Follow on Twitter @concerncoppell

Facebook Group

NO NEW TAXES T-Shirt

Would you like to wear how you feel around town?

Email CitizensforCoppell@verizon.net to reserve your shirt. Shirts will be approximately $3 + tax.

Next Tuesday, 8/25 at 7p at the City Council meeting would be a fantastic time to wear your new T-Shirt!

**We will be collecting the information of all citizens that would like a t-shirt and placing an order as needed next week. If City Council and staff decide to listen to the the citizens of Coppell and decide to adopt a new budget with no property tax increases, we won't place the order.

You will receive and email soon as to your order!!

Be sure to stay connected at www.concernedcitizen75019.blogspot.com and email City Council your thoughts at citycouncil@ci.coppell.tx.us