1997-08-11 CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES31
MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON AUGUST 11, 1997, AT 7:00 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS.
The meeting was called to order with the following present:
Mayor
Mayor Pro -Tem
Councilmember
Councilmember
Councilmember
City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
Tom Reid
Helen Beckman
William Berger
Richard Tetens
Kevin Cole
Paul Grohman
Amy McCullough
Young Lorfing
Others in attendance: Project Coordinator Alan Mueller; Police Chief Mike Hogg; City
Engineer John Hargrove; Planning and Community Development Director Dennis
Smith; Director of Finance David Castillo; Emergency Management Director David
Smith; Utilities Account Supervisor Missy Miller; and Advanced Intern Ruby Perez.
PURPOSE OF HEARING - 1997-98 BUDGET
To consider the City of Pearland's Budget for Fiscal Year 1997-98.
Mayor read into the record the purpose of the public hearing.
STAFF REVIEW OF PROPOSED BUDGET
Project Coordinator, Alan Mueller, addressed Council and advised that the City
Budget was submitted in accordance with the City Charter on July 25, 1997. He also
stated that there was a Budget Workshop held for the City Council on August 4, 1997
and this Public Hearing tonight is in accordance with the charter.
Mayor Reid stated that they had a very thorough introduction to the budget at the
workshop and appreciate the work, that City Manager, Paul Grohman and the staff
has done. It was a great job of giving a complete run down of all the areas of the
budget.
City Manager, Paul Grohman, stated that in the budget there is no proposed tax
increase. The tax rate will remain at $.6950/100, and the budget has funding for
additional capital outlay for improvements and projects. He also stated that staffing is
increased to a minimum as we do not want to get ahead of the curve and be faced
with layoffs or not have the appropriate funding.
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City Attorney Amy McCullogh stated that there has a copy of the proposed budget for
the public perusal filed in the City Secretary's Office.
Mayor Reid commented that the City has done a great job in taking care of the
infrastructure. Therefore keeping tax rate the same, allowing for the City's growth to
pay for itself.
City Manager, Paul Grohman, stated the capital recovery/ impact fees has been
positive for helping maintain and improve the water and sewer system. He also
discussed the growth of the City and how the crime rate has been lowered over the
past few years. He contributes this success, to proactively planning, and proactively
working towards having a better community.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Charles McMurrey, 5209 Spring Branch Drive, addressed Council regrading property
taxes and the City considering a property tax homestead exemption.
COUNCIL/STAFF DISCUSSION
City Manager, Paul Grohman, stated that most of tax base is from home owners
property tax and by giving an exemption, the taxes would have to be increased to
offset the exemption, therefore, most likely being a wash. Mr. Grohman stated the
City is trying to become more diversified and not be so dependant residential units
paying property taxes.
Councilmember Berger stated that Mr. Grohman addressed in his budget summary
that several years down the road taxes may be lower either by a homestead
exemption or other means. Mr. Grohman said if the industrial tax base and the
commercial base increase more, the City may be able to give a homestead
exemption.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the day of
A.D., 1997.
Tom Reid
Mayor