Joshua Wheeler
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Joshua Wheeler
ModeratorDear Council,
My thoughts on Budget Salaries for city manager and part time police chief:
In the hiring process where we initially selected Mr. Gant as the new city manager, his cost to the city would have been $131,680.00 per year for salary and vehicle allowance to be both city manager and Dept head of the police. Now that council has done a flip flop and elected not to hire Mr. Gant, I would be in favor of keeping Mr. Harrison as a part time police chief and contracting with Mr. Ybarra for City Manager at a pay rate equal to the difference of what we would have paid Mr. Gant minus the amount that we wind up paying Mr. Harrison. This would probably be around $30,000.00 per year. Since Mr. Ybarra at one time offered to do the job for free, I think 30k is a fair offer and helps us stay away from having to raise taxes.Speaking of taxes, I am not in favor of doing anything in this budget that requires us to raise taxes.
Thoughts?
ModeratorVery good. As for the name I gave you a couple of days ago, what do I need to do with that one?
ModeratorA few corrections on the items I had questions about.
1. I did not wish to take out employees raises
2. I questioned the Water/Sewer inventory supplies increases
3. I questioned the increases in utilities revenue vs percent of increaseYou guys and gal have been over this countless times, as I have too, but you were there for the workshops and broke it all down together. I was not able to attend those workshops. I do not think it is fair for me to come in at the 11 o’clock hour and want to do this all again. So, I do not wish to present this proposal. Some thought it a good idea to present it but after really thinking it through I have decided not to go through with it. While I may not agree with what council come up with, I do respect council and the work council has put in. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
ModeratorThank you for your reply. I am aware of the tax increase not affecting 65 and older. I also understand needing to operate on a break even at worse budget which is why I brought up the need for both, a tax increase and rate increases across the board. I say that because I believe we should not have anything in this budget that is not an absolute expenditure. My list, line 5, where you say it is 1/2 or the bonus correct? This budget or last year’s payment? I recall budgeting in last year, one of my arguments for not raising taxes last year, was a bonus budgeted in for Troy coming in under budget. Are we budgeting in bonus payments for coming in under budget on this year or are we budgeting it in based on coming in under budget? Same thing with the police car. Do we have an officer for that car, or can we take it out of the budget until we hire the officer? Then Troy can come to council for approval. Also, is it really necessary? I know we have a shop that is performing services on these cars. My point being, don’t budget it in until the time comes to spend it. Trying my best to explain but it seems a bit like rambling. Let me know if I need to clarify. thanks
ModeratorFirst, let me apologize for not being able to attend these meetings. I have taken a new role with my company and this role requires travel throughout Texas and Louisiana. I enjoy the new role, but it has and will require to miss meetings. I will attend via phone whenever possible.
I’ll start by saying I am not in favor of a tax increase of any kind. Folks are hurting, gas is still high and inching higher again. Food is through the roof many believe will only get worse. Now is not the time to raise taxes and increase city services without providing newer or improved services. It has been a long time since I have heard and read the rumblings about our city like I am seeing now. Anything from lack of visibility of our PD or the city turning into an eyesore. To be honest, I wonder the same thing at times. I know we, as a city, has had a tough time with hiring and retention and I hope things are getting better in that respect, but taxing and increasing the citizens of Shoreacres at this time, I believe is wrong.
I believe we have published a 1000k.8% proposed tax increase, which is the highest allowable without a vote. I wish we would put that on the reader board outside of city hall. I know for a fact; a lot of citizens do not know this. I wish folks would show up and take an interest in what’s going on. Here are a few of my concerns:1. Every budget proposal I have seen seem to show the 10.8% increase in Tax Revenue.
2. Revenues such as Water, up over 25%, Sewer up 48% and refuse up over 80%. These in both draft 2. These are serious increases in revenues.
3. Is the $36k in refuse collection for cleanup green up?
4. In the General fund, 6110=10 Wages, for QuickBooks employee? I thought that’s why we hired Bernie. To split the time between Karen and Bernie to allow both to focus and their tasks. It was a cost savings then, correct?
5. I also see that on line 6130-30 that we are projecting coming in under budget by $100k. I Don’t get it.
6. On line 6369-50, What is Outside services for $60K?I was at the Galveston Yacht basin one afternoon and saw this world class fishing boat. I mentioned to my friend, “Good Lord, I wonder how much it costs to put gas in that thing?”. He looked at me and said, “if you gotta ask that question, you can’t afford that boat?”. Truer words were never spoken. I’ve heard the word “crisis” and “scary times” and I have heard the city is broke. We can’t make it even harder and higher to live here. Maybe we can’t afford the boat. I am sorry if these things were already discussed, I just need some clarification and to express my thoughts on no increases.
Moderator*** UPDATED 08/09/22 ***
August 8, 2022: 1st Budget Workshop
August 29, 2022: 2nd Budget Workshop
September 12, 2022: 1st Budget Hearing & 1st Public Hearing for Property Tax Rate
September 19, 2022: 2nd Budget Hearing & 2nd Public Hearing for Property Tax Rate
Moderator*** UPDATED 08/05/22 ***
August 8, 2022: 1st Budget Workshop
August 22, 2022: 2nd Budget Workshop
September 12, 2022: 1st Budget Hearing & 1st Public Hearing for Property Tax Rate
September 19, 2022: 2nd Budget Hearing & 2nd Public Hearing for Property Tax Rate
ModeratorOk, I like this concept. I’ll go look before the meeting tomorrow!
Thanks!
ModeratorCan we please put this topic on the agenda for the October 11 meeting?
I drove that road today and the worst part of the road is from Old 146 to Sunrise. At a minimum we should fix that portion of the Fairfield using the sales tax funds. Of course, I think we should consider all options, including concrete.
ModeratorHaving gone over them again, I would go with 5. Fund the car with no tax increase. As you have pointed out, the money is there, the emergency fund is there and we are preparing for a $72,000 surplus based on the bonuses we budget for. As you pointed out “Property tax increases never really go away because they raise the base level of the No New Revenue tax rate.” I agree. #5!
ModeratorLooks good. Thank you for all of the choices. Sorry I couldn’t get to this sooner I was “cleanin’ up and greenin’ up”. I like 5 because I don’t think we can put the car off another year. I know Troy has begun a maintenance program on the vehicles and that will certainly help in the future. I am also against a tax increase for the sake of having a tax increase. I may consider a slight tax increase increase to cover part of the car but I would have to think about it. Open for discussion.
ModeratorThanks
ModeratorReally curious to see bids. I know concrete will be much more expensive in today’s climate but would certainly withstand the abuse the road is certain to take with Tractors, concrete trucks, skid steerers, grass trucks and other large vehicles. I am all for fixing the street but needs to be able to stand up or have contingency to get street repaired by builders or the subs. We just need to see the bids.
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