[00:00:09]
WELCOME WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS BUDGET WORKSHOP.
WE'LL TAKE A MINUTE -- I THINK RATHER THAN DOING AN INVOCATION
[1. Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance;]
-- -- WELL, I'LL GO AHEAD AND DO ONE.GOD, I PRAY FOR ALL THOSE FOLKS IN HAITI, ALSO PRAY FOR THE COUNTRY OF AFGHANISTAN AND OUR COUNTRY MEN THAT ARE CURRENTLY STUCK. WE PRAY FOR YOUR INTERVENTION IN THE MADNESS THAT IS SURROUNDING AFGHANISTAN AND PRAY FOR THE HEALING AND RESCUE OF THOSE THAT ARE STILL LOST IN HAITI.
AND WE ESPECIALLY PRAY FOR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE THROUGH TODAY'S COMPROMISINGS, AS WE -- PROCEEDINGS AS WE WORK TO HELP THE CITY. WE PRAY THIS IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND
[2. Call meeting to order;]
ACCORDING TO THE STATE LAW, THE MEETING WAS POSTED 27 HOURS IN ADVANCE. STATE LAW REQUIRES FOUR DIRECTORS BE IN ATTENDANCE. DIRECTOR BROWN.>> HERE. >> DIRECTION SEKULA-GIBBS.
>> DIRECTION MILNER IS AN EDUCATOR AT SAM HOUSTON STATE.
THEY CHANGED HIS CLASS TO A MORNING CLASS SO HE'S NOT HERE
[3. Receive, consider and act upon adoption of the meeting agenda;]
>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? WE HAVE AN AGENDA.
WE WILL NOW TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. I DON'T HAVE THE PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN-UP SHEET. IT'S ONE OF THESE MANY PIECES OF PAPER IN FRONT OF ME. IN A FOLDER.
WE HAVE NO ONE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THAT'S BECAUSE CINDY WAS HIDING THE SIGN-UP SHEET.
>> IF YOU DIDN'T SEE THE SIGN-UP SHEET IN THE FOLDER, I DIDN'T NOTICE, YOU CAN RAISE YOUR HAND AND WE'LL TAKE YOU NOW.
IF NOT, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
THERE ARE NO PUBLIC OFFICIALS EITHER.
[6. Receive, consider and act upon the 2022 Preliminary Budget for The Woodlands Township;]
SO WE WILL RESUME WHERE WE LEFT OFF YESTERDAY, WHICH I BELIEVE IS AGENDA ITEM 6. MONIQUE SHARP.>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
>> GOOD MORNING. >> ITEM NUMBER NUMBER 6 IS A TRADITIONALLY BUDGET WORKSHOPS. WHEN THE BOARD WAS COMFORTABLE WITH THE BASE BUDGET. SO THIS IS BEFORE WE DISCUSS ANY BUDGET INITIATIVES THAT WOULD CHANGE THE BASE BUDGET.
YOU'VE TAKEN ACTION JUST TO ACCEPT IT, BUT YOU'RE NOT APPROVING THE BUDGET. THIS IS NOT A NECESSARY ACTION.
THIS IS WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST.
IF YOU WANT TO JUST SAY THAT THAT'S THE BASE BUDGET, THAT YOU'RE SATISFIED WITH THAT, AND THEN AFTER THAT WE'LL MOVE INTO
THE BUDGET INITIATIVES. >> OKAY.
I THINK THAT'S THE CONSENSUS. >> MOVE TO ACCEPT THE BASE
>> ALL RIGHT. DO YOU WANT TO HAVE A MOTION?
>> DO WE NEED A MOTION AND SECOND?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> DO WE HAVE A SECOND IN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
I WAS SIGNING ORDERS. TOO MANY FOLDERS THIS MORNING.
>> GOT MY EARS ON THIS MORNING, GORDY.
I'M NOT MISSING ANYTHING. >> ALL RIGHT.
>> OKAY. WE HAVE A BASE BUDGET.
I THINK WE HAD ALREADY APPROVED IT IN OUR GENERAL WORKSHOPS THAT
WE HAD TWO WEEKS AGO. >> BASICALLY.
YES. >> BASICALLY THE BASE WAS APPROVED. I LIKE THAT.
>> ALL RIGHT. >> SO THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS A
[7. Receive and consider Budget Initiatives related to the 2022 Preliminary Budget and Five-Year Plan;]
REVIEW OF THE DISCUSSION YESTERDAY THAT THE BOARD HELD ON THE VARIOUS BUDGET INITIATIVES. AND WHAT THE IMPACT OF THOSE ARE. SO THIS SHEET, AND YOU HAVE A HARD COPY SHEET IN FRONT OF YOU, AND THEN I HAVE IT ALSO APPEAR ON THE SCREEN. SO I TOOK THE GENERAL CONSENSUS YESTERDAY OF THE BOARD ON THESE DIFFERENT NETWORKS.AND I HAVE BUILT THEM INTO THE SPREADSHEET.
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SO UP AT THE TOP THERE ARE THE DIFFERENT RESERVES.THE CAPITAL REPLACEMENT RESERVE. THE CAPITAL CONTINGENCY.
THE 2022 UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE.
AND TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES. AND THOSE ARE THE RESERVE OR FUND BALANCES THAT WE HAVE EXISTING RIGHT NOW.
STREET SCAPE SERVICES IS NOT AN INITIATIVE?
>> YOU'RE CORRECT. >> THAT'S PART OF THE BASE
WE'LL SHOW THE IMPACT OF THAT HERE IN JUST A SECOND.
YES. THAT'S A GOOD POINT, THOUGH.
>> SO AGAIN GOING DOWN THE BUDGET INITIATIVES THAT WERE DISCUSSED BY THE BOARD YESTERDAY.
THIS IS WHAT I HEARD. AND IF I HEARD INCORRECTLY, PLEASE CORRECT ME AND WE CAN UPDATE THIS SCHEDULE.
WE SAID ON THE ADDITIONAL PATROL VEHICLES, WE DID NOT ANY -- WE DID NOT MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT FOR THAT OR THE SKYWATCH TOWER.
WE DID MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT. AND THIS IS COMING OUT OF YOUR 2022 GENERAL FUND UNDESIGNATED BALANCE.
SO THE THIRD COLUMN OVER, THAT'S WHERE WE'RE TAKING OUT MOST OF THE ADJUSTMENTS AND REDUCING THE $3.3 MILLION BALANCE AVAILABLE.
THE BOARD DISCUSSIONED 15 LICENSE PLATE READERS TO GO WITH THE 15 NEW VEHICLES. AND THE COST OF THAT IS $22,562.
SO WE HAVE THAT REFLECTED THERE. THE PARKS AND REC NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF $200,000, SO THAT IS BEING TAKEN FROM THAT BALANCE. THE DIGITAL WAY FINDING SIGNAGE IS $57,000. SOW SEE THAT REFLECTED THERE, DEDICATED PICKEL BALL COURTS ON OPTION C.
$405,000. THE MALL RING ROAD SWAN BOATS, THE $35,000 IS THE CAPITAL COSTS.
WE DID NOT INCLUDE THE SHADE STRUCTURE AT WITH WILD CREEK PARK, BECAUSE THE BOARD WANTS TO LOOK AT THAT ON A MORE SYSTEMWIDE BASIS. AT THIS POINT NOT A COST ADJUSTMENT FOR THAT. 400 $10,000 FOR THE GENERATORS AT THE PARKS AND REC FACILITY AND BOTH REC CENTERS.
WE TALKED ABOUT WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET PROCESS AND LOOK AT THE CAP BEAR BRANCH RECYCLING CENTER, POTENTIAL M -- MODIFICATIONS. IT WOULD BE A FAVORABLE ADJUSTMENT BASED ON WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING NOW.
SO IT WOULDN'T BE ADDING EXPENSES, IT WOULD BE DECREASING EXPENSES IN THE FUTURE CREEKSIDE PARK RECYCLE CENTER WE DID NOT INCLUDE AS AN ADJUSTMENT. TO THE DIRECTOR'S POINT, IN THE STREET SCAPE SERVICES, EVEN THOUGH THE BOARD APPROVED THAT, WE'LL SEE THE EFFECT OF THAT IN A MINUTE.
THAT WAS ANNUAL AWARD OF BID. THAT'S NOT A BUDGET INITIATIVE.
WE HAVE INCLUDED $125,000 FOR THE UPDATE OF THE TOWNSHIP WEBSITE. WE DON'T HAVE A FIRM COST FOR THAT. YESTERDAY WE WERE TALKING ABOUT 50 TO 100. THERE ARE SO DISCUSSIONS IT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH. WE PUMPED THAT UP TO 125 AND WE WOULD HAVE RESOURCES IF WHEN WE GET THE FINAL ESTIMATE, THAT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE. WE APPROVED THE AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT FOR $115,000. SO THAT ADJUSTMENT HAS BEEN MADE. THE CREEKSIDE PARK VILLAGE ASSOCIATION, THERE WERE A VARIETY OF INITIATIVES OR REQUESTS I SHOULD SAY INCLUDED IN THAT.
MANY OF WHICH CAN BE ADDRESSED WITHIN OUR LOCAL -- WITHIN OUR EXISTING BUDGET. AND THEN QUITE A FEW OTHERS THAT WERE DISCUSSED WOULD BE TALKED ABOUT BEING PICKED UP IN THE PARKS NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO ADDRESS THOSE.
THE STERLING RIDGE PARKING PAVERS, THAT'S $300,000 TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR EXISTING BUDGETER.
SO WE DID NOT PUT THAT DOWN AS A SPECIFIC ADJUSTMENT.
THE MONUMENT SIGNS IN STERLING REMINDER WE DID NOT PICK UP AS AN ADJUSTMENT. THE STERLING RIDGE GRANITE LOOP ANOTHER ONE WHERE THE BOARD SAYS IN THE PARKS NEEDS SETTLEMENT, THAT THAT COULD BE A DETERMINATION TO COME BACK LATER. AND THEN FINALLY THE LAST ONE HERE IS THE SPRING CREEK GREENWAY TRAILS.
SO WE DID GET THE -- COMMISSIONER KAGEL'S OFFICE STILL DOESN'T HAVE AN ESTIMATE. THEY WERE ABLE TO HAVE AN EMAIL CONVERSATION WITH THEM YESTERDAY AND THEIR ESTIMATE IS $5 MILLION, AS A ROUGH ESTIMATE. AND SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT WE'RE DOING THERE IN ORDER TO COME UP WITH THE $5 MILLION, IS WE ARE USING UP THE CAPITAL CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT.
BECAUSE AS THE BOARD DISCUSSED IN THEIR STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION, RATHER THAN HAVING A CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT, WE WOULD
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HAVE A CAPITAL REPLACEMENT ACCOUNT, PUTTING THE FUNDS INTO THE CAPITAL REPLACEMENT RESERVES.SO I JUST WENT AHEAD AND USED THAT UP FIRST.
ON THE FINAL -- ON THE LAST COLUMN, YOU HAVE $2.2 MILLION IN YOUR TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES FUND BALANCE RIGHT NOW THAT WE COULD USE TOWARDS THAT AND IT WOULD REQUIRE $600,000 FROM THE FEDERAL UNDERUNDESIGNATED BALANCE.
SO THE BOARD IS FREE TO CHOOSE OTHER FUNDING OPTION FOR THOSE, BUT THAT WAS MY ATTEMPT TO GET US AT THE $5 MILLION.
SO THAT ENDS THE BUDGET INITIATIVES.
AND AGAIN IF THERE ARE ADJUSTMENTS FROM THE SHEET IN TERMS OF FUNDING SOURCES OR IN TERMS OF PROJECTS THAT THE BOARD WANTS TO DISCUSS, THIS WOULD BE THE GOOD TIME.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, IF I MAY. I THINK YESTERDAY AND DIRECTION MILNER SAID ABOUT THE 3% SALARY THAT YOU WOULD BRING BACK INFORMATION. AND THE OTHER WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT. I KNOW THAT OUR BUDGET IS BASED ON THE CURRENT TAX RATE. I THINK IN PERHAPS THE PAST FIVE YEARS. WE'VE ADOPTEDDED THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE. AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THAT
WOULD DO TO OUR BASE BUDGET. >> BEFORE WE GO OFF OF THIS PAGE, IF YOU BACK UP MONIQUE TO 16.
THAT WAS THE BOTTOM, SORRY. >> THAT WAS THE BOTTOM.
>> I WANTED TO EXPAND ON THE AGREEMENT WITH COMMISSIONER KAGEL SINCE THAT WAS ON THE SCREEN.
OUR COMMITMENTS UP TO $5 MILLION.
THEIR COMMITMENT AND HARD COSTS, LIKE STRAIGHT-UP DOLLARS WAS ANOTHER $2.5 MILLION TO $3 MILLION.
AND THAT DID NOT INCLUDE THEIR INTERNAL COSTS.
SO IT'S ABOUT A 50/50 PROJECT. >> YES, SIR.
>> BECAUSE HE'D BE USING HIS OWN EQUIPMENT AND CREWS FOR THE CLEARINGS AND THE PAVING. AND SO I DIDN'T WANT TO -- BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO THE DOLLAR AND CENTS OF IT, HE MAY HAVE A SMALLER DOLLAR AMOUNT. BUT THAT'S EXTERNAL EXPENSE.
HE'S NOT TRYING TO RECAPTURE HIS INTERNAL COSTS.
>> SO THIS IS -- THIS IS, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN A PROJECT THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR YEARS.
I KNOW THE WOODLANDS FOLKS THAT ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A CYCLING AMENITY TO BE EXPANDED, THIS CREATES THE SAFEST POSSIBLE CYCLING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES ALONG SPRING CREEK FOR THE COMMUNITY. BUT I DID WANT TO COMMENT TO COMMISSIONER KAGEL'S FINANCIAL COMMITMENT.
HE WAS USING INTERNAL RESOURCES AND THE INTERNAL BUDGET TO COVER
OTHER EXPENSES. >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> AND IT WAS OUR UNDERSTANDING, TOO, THAT HE'S AGREED TO COVER ANY OVERRUNS. SO WE'LL HAVE A COST-CERTAIN AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION THROUGH THE WOODLANDS PORTION.
I THINK THOSE WERE SOME PRETTY CRITICAL POINTS AND I WANTED TO THANK HIM AND HIS OFFICE FOR BEING WILLING TO ADVANCE OUR SEGMENT OF THE SPRING CREEK GREENWAY.
>> ALL RIGHT. >> I'D LIKE TO DITTO THAT, CHAIRMAN. IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO NOT ONLY HAVE MORE BICYCLE ACTIVITY, BUT ALSO PEOPLE CAN WALK DOWN THERE AND JUST ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF SPRING CREEK, REALLY FOR MOST OF US ANYWAY IS NOT AVAILABLE. IT'S ONE OF THOSE MYSTERIOUS BODIES OF WATER THAT WE KNOW EXISTS, BECAUSE WE DRIVE OVER IT. AND WE SEE IT -- ON MAPS.
NEVER OF US HAD THE PLEASURE OF WALKING IT OR SEEING IT OR HAVING A CANOE IN IT. I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT FOR FAMILIES, BESIDES BICYCLISTS. IT'S A GREAT WAY TO BROADEN OUR REACH TO BRING MORE NATURE INTO THE WOODLANDS, ESPECIALLY FOR CREEKSIDE. I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SUPREMELY BENEFITING FROM THIS.
IT'S A WONDERFUL IDEA. AND I'M THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO
BE HERE TO APPROVE IT. >> THANK YOU.
>> AND THE STAFF. >> ALL RIGHT.
SO IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE CONSENSUS ON THE CAPITAL ALLOCATIONS. THEN WE CAN GO TO DIRECTION SNIDE -- DIRECTOR SNYDER'S REQUEST.
>> DO WE NEED TO APPROVE THESE? >> WE JUST GAVE HER THE BASIC
CONSENSUS. >> WE DON'T HAVE TO VOTE?
>> THERE YOU GO. >> THE WORKSHEET THAT I JUST
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HADN'TED OUT SHOW -- HANDED OUT SHOWS THE IMPACT ON A SALARY ADJUSTMENT. WHAT THIS IS ASSUMING IS IF THE BOARD DECIDED -- THERE'S 3% INCREASE IN THE BUDGET IN 2022.THAT 3% -- IF YOU COMPARE BUDGET TO BUDGET, IT'S 2.25%.
BECAUSE WE HAVE MAINTAINED A .75% BONUS POOL IN THE BUDGET, AT THE DIRECTION OF THE BOARD SEVERAL YEARS AGO SO IT WOULD BE A 3% AND NOT DIVIDED INTO 2.2% INCREASE TO THE BASE AND A .75% BONUS POOL, WHICH IS JUST A ONE-TIME ADJUSTMENT.
IF THE DECISION IS MADE IN ADDRESSING DIRECTOR SNYDER'S REMARKS FROM YESTERDAY TO DO THAT, BUT THEN WANTING TO GO BACK IN 2023 AND RESTORE THAT .75%.
SO WE DID NOT ASSUME THAT IT WOULD BE 3% YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR. IT WOULD JUST BE FOR THE 2022 BUDGET. THEN IF THE BOARD CHOSE TO GO BACK AND RESTORE THE. 75% BONUS POOL IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE $313,000 IN 2023 WOULD BE THE COST.
SO THERE'S NO IMPACT IN 2022. THEN TO GET BACK TO WHERE THE POLICY THAT WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING, WHICH WAS BASED ON THE PREVIOUS COMPENSATION STUDY, IT WOULD REQUIRE A $303,000 ADJUSTMENT BACK IN 2023. AND THEN YOU CAN SEE -- IT'S THE $313,577 LISTED BELOW. A MARGIN IMPACT AFTER THAT AS YOU INCREASED -- AS THE DIFFERENT BENEFITS WERE ADDED BACK IN. SO THAT'S WHERE WE WERE.
NOW IF YOU -- IF WE SAID IT WAS 3% AND THEN WE WERE MAINTAINING 3%, IT WOULD BE 300,000 IN 2023 AND THEN IT WOULD GO $600,000 IN 2024. $900,000 IN 2025.
$1.2 MILLION IN 2026. SO I DIDN'T EVEN -- I DIDN'T EVEN PRESENT THAT. BUT IT'S BASICALLY $300,000 A
I'M ASSUMING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE EVERY YEAR USING UP THE
>> OKAY. ESSENTIALLY WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT --. 75% WAS A BONUS POOL. DID NOT IMPACTED LONG-TERM PENSIONS? OR WAS IT JUST ADDED TO BASE
SALARY. >> THE .75% WAS ADDED TO BASE SALARY. IT'S ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT
>> WE DON'T HAVE PENSION. JUST TO CLARIFY.
>> GENERAL EMPLOYEES DON'T. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS UNDER A
DIFFERENT SYSTEM. >> JUST TO CLARIFY.
>> BUT ESSENTIALLY WE'RE USING 3%.
WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ESSENTIALLY BAKED IN FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE. THE TOTAL COMPENSATION AT 2.25.
>> FOR THE EMPLOYEES AS A WHOLE, NOT EVERY EMPLOYEE WOULD RECEIVE
3%. >> IT'S 2.25% FOR EVERYBODY AND
.75% FOR -- >> AND THE OTHER QUESTION THAT YOU ASKED YESTERDAY WAS THE STEP-UPS.
>> YEAH. I MEAN, I -- AS I SAID, I'VE HAD HEARTBURN ABOUT A FLAT-RATE INCREASE EVERY YEAR THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TIED FOR ANYTHING, FOR AS LONG AS WE'VE BEEN
TALKING ABOUT THIS. >> I UNDERSTAND.
>> I DON'T MIND DOING SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, ONE TIME EXTRAORDINARY PAYOUT. I REALLY DO WANT TO HAVE A SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW AND I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE
>> BECAUSE FRANKLY I'M ALL FOR, YOU KNOW, SOME SORT OF INFLATIONARY COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT TO SALARY.
DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO LOSE MONEY EVERY YEAR WHEN THEY'RE WORKING
>> I GET THAT. UP UNTIL NOW, NOBODY HAS PROVEN TO ME ANYTHING OTHER THAN WE PICKED A NUMBER AND WE PLUG IT IN A FORMULA AND I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT AT ALL.
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>> IT'S BEEN USED FOR GENERAL EMPLOYEES.
THE FIREFIGHTERS, BECAUSE OF THEIR STEP INCREASES AND SOME OTHER DIFFERENT TYPES OF BASE THAT THEY HAVE, EVEN THOUGH THE .75% IS SORT OF BUILT INTO THAT YOU ARE BUDGET, IT'S NOT FOR ONE-TIME BONUS POOLS. IT'S FOR OTHER THINGS.
>> YOU USE THE .75% OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PAY FOR
QUALIFICATION. >> THAT'S CORRECT.
CERTIFICATIONS. THAT IS CORRECT.
>> WHICH IS ANOTHER ACTUALLY POINT THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE, YOU KNOW, REVISITED AS WELL.
>> AND I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT PRESIDENT JONES WAS TALKING ABOUT YESTERDAY IN TERMS OF HAVING A COMPENSATION STUDY LAST YEAR, THE FUNDS IS INCLUDED IN YOUR BASE BUDGET, IN ORDER TO
ADDRESS THAT COMPREHENSIVELY. >> MONIQUE, DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU PRESENTED HERE. IF WE DO THE 3% ACROSS THE BOARD, THAT MAKES UP THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, ALL EMPLOYEES?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> IF WE KEPT THE .75% BONUS POOL, WHICH STILL WOULD BENEFIT EVERYBODY, WELL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD BE USED FOR THEIR TRAINING AND OTHER STUFF.
WHAT'S THE COST OF THAT EXTRA .75?
>> YES. >> SO IF WE DID THAT THIS YEAR FOR 2022'S BUDGET, INCLUDING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GETS THE 3% AND WE STILL HAVE THE. 75%, YOU KNOW, DEALING WITH WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH THE LAST 18 MONTHS, EVERYBODY HAS BEEN FRANTIC, A
ONE-TIME $300,000? >> THAT IS CORRECT.
SO THE $300,000 IS ALREADY IN THE BUDGET.
THAT'S GOOD. WE COULD DO THAT ACROSS THE BOARD. THE POINT IF WE WANTED TO ADD THE BONUS POOL ON TOP OF THAT, WHICH I BELIEVE YOU'RE SUGGESTING, THAT WOULD BE AROUND $300,000.
>> AND THAT GIVES US TIME TO GET A MORE THOROUGH COMPENSATION PLAN, YOU KNOW, MORE POSITIONAL, MORE DEPARTMENT-ORIENTED.
I THINK THAT'S KIND OF WHERE I'M LEANING.
>> WELL, IT MAKES THE MOST SENSE TO ME.
YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS.
SO, I MEAN, I -- I MEAN, THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS COME UP. AND THE LAST TIME WE DISCUSSED THIS, YOU KNOW, I MADE THE COMMENT AND I'LL MAKE IT AGAIN THAT I AM INCREDIBLY APPRECIATIVE OF EVERYBODY'S EFFORTS IN THE TOWNSHIP. BUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS SPENDING SOMEBODY ELSE'S MONEY.
AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HURT REALLY BADLY BY WHAT'S GONE ON THE LAST YEAR WITH SHUTDOWNS AND LOSING BUSINESSES.
AND I THINK WE NEED TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE FACT THAT -- OF WHAT WE'RE DOING. AND I THINK THAT I CAN JUSTIFY, YOU KNOW, A ONE-TIME THANK YOU FOR -- IT'S BEEN A YEAR TO REMEMBER. BECAUSE WE WON'T BE ABLE TO FORGET IT. WE WON'T BE ABLE TO.
I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THAT. BUT I DON'T THINK I WANT TO CREATE A -- AN ONGOING EXPENSE, WITHOUT DOING SOME DUE
>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE.
I KNOW THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A SPIN FROM WHAT YOU PRESENTED AND MAYBE WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY ASKED. MIGHT AS WELL ASK THE BOARD HOW
THEY FEEL ABOUT WHAT I PROPOSED. >> YES.
I'LL MAKE THE MOTION AS TO WHAT DIRECTOR RIESER HAS JUST STATED.
>> OKAY. SO I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE A FORMAL POSITION ON THIS. IT WILL BE PART OF OUR BUDGET
>> THAT IS CORRECT. WHEN YOU ADOPT YOUR BUDGET,
THAT'S IN THAT. >> WE TOOK $300,000 FROM THE ENDING FUND BALANCE, EFFECTIVELY?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING THE FIRE SERVICE, WILL HAVE A 3%.
AND WE'LL STILL HAVE THE .75 THAT 4 BENEFIT EVERYBODY AND FIRE SERVICE YOU GET IT FOR TRAINING AND OTHER THINGS.
>> RIGHT. >> WE DO APPRECIATE ALL 400 PLUS EMPLOYEES AND WHAT THEY DO TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY, MAINTAIN OUR COMMUNITY, MAKE US ALL LOOK BETTER THAN WE ARE.
AND WE KNOW THAT WE DO NEED TO HAVE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE COMPENSATION STUDY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE COMPETITIVE IN THE
I'LL MAKE THAT ADJUSTMENT. >> OKAY.
THE ONLY OTHER THING I WANTED TO SHOW HERE.
SO THIS IS GOING TO CHANGE A LITTLE BIT BASED ON WHAT WE JUST DISCUSSED THAT I CAN WALK US THROUGH IT.
SO WHAT THIS IS SHOWING AGAIN, WE ALWAYS GET DOWN TO OUR UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE, BECAUSE THAT'S LEFT OVER AFTER ALL OF THE OTHER DECISIONS ARE MADE.
SO WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS AFTER WE MADE THE ADJUSTMENT YESTERDAY,
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AFTER THE BOARD AWARDED THE BID ON THE STREET SCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES, THAT RESULTED IN A SAVINGS OF 462 YOU THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR. WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE ON THE BROWN BARS ARE WHAT THE FUND BALANCE IS AFTER THAT ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE. WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN 2025 IS THE BLUE LINE IS WHAT WE HAD BEFORE IN WHAT WE NEEDED FOR INCORPORATION INITIATIVES. FROM THAT $6.6 MILLION AND WE HAVE ADDED THAT SAVINGS ON TOP OF THAT.AND WHAT WE DISCUSSED AT THE FRIDAY MEETING IS THE ADDITIONAL SAVINGS, IF YOU WILL, THE AMOUNT THAT'S AVAILABLE ABOVE THE BLUE LINE, COULD BE LEVERAGED FOR DEBT SERVICE ON A POLICE, MUNICIPAL COURT FACILITY OR FIRE STATION 5 OR WHATEVER IS DETERMINED DOWN THE ROAD. SO WHAT I'M SHOWING IS WE'RE STILL GOOD IN TERMS OF YOUR DECISION THAT YOU MADE ON INCORPORATION GOING OUT INTO THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN.
FOR 2022, THE BALANCE THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE INITIATIVES ON THE LONG SHEET, THAT WOULD BRING THE BALANCE DOWN TO THE 1 $1.1 MILLION, THAS WHAT YOU SEE ON YOUR SHEET.
THE DECISION THAT YOU JUST MADE NOW, WOULD LOWER THAT BY APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER $300,000. SO YOU WOULD BE AROUND $900,000.
THE IMPACT OF GOING TO THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE IS $1,086,344. SO $1,086,000.
SO AT THIS POINT, WITH THE ADJUSTMENT THAT YOU JUST MADE, WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK -- WE WOULD NOT HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET. GOING TO THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE TAKES IT DOWN BELOW WHAT IS STILL AVAILABLE.
SO THAT'S NOT TO SAY WE CAN'T MAKE OTHER ADJUSTMENTS, BUT
THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD BE. >> OKAY.
AND WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. >> UNLESS WE WANT TO TAKE SOMETHING OUT. ALL RIGHT.
IS THAT REALLY WHAT'S LEFT FOR US TO GO THROUGH AS FAR AS THIS
>> OKAY. SO THEN WE NEED YOU TO TELL US WHAT YOU NEED FROM OKAY. LET'S SEE.
[8. Receive, consider and act upon approval of proposed amendments to the 2022 Preliminary Budget and Five-Year Plan;]
AGENDA ITEM 8 IS TO ACT UPON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BASE BUDGET. SO THOSE WOULD BE EVERYTHING THAT IS LISTED ON THIS SHEET, PLUS THE -->> PLUS THE PAYROLL ADJUSTMENT. >> PLUS THE PAYROLL ADJUSTMENT.
SO THAT WOULD BE -- THAT WOULD BE THE AGENDA ITEM 8, YES.
>> ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THOSE CHANGES TO THE BASE FIVE-YEAR PLAN?
>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED. THAT WILL CARRY.
[9. Receive, consider and act upon the proposed 2021 debt service tax rate and maintenance and operations tax rate;]
>> THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM 9 IS SETTING THE PROPOSED TAX RATE.
SO AGAIN THIS IS NOT ADOPTING YOUR TAX RATE, THIS IS SIMPLY THE PROPOSED RATE. AND THIS DETERMINES IF YOU -- THE POSTING REQUIREMENTS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PUBLIC HEARING. IF THE BOARD PROPOSES A TAX RATE THAT IS ABOVE THE NO NEW -- I KEEP CALLING IT THE EFFECTIVE RATE. I'M BACK TWO YEARS AGO.
THEN ONE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE REQUIRED.
ACCORDING TO YOUR CALENDAR, THAT WOULD BE HELD AT 5:00 ON AUGUST 25TH, WHICH IS RIGHT BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED 6:00 MEETING ON AUGUST 25TH. WE WOULD HAVE THAT PUBLIC HEARING. AND THEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING, YOU WOULD ADOPT YOUR RATE AND YOUR -- AND THE BUDGET.
SO RIGHT NOW ALL OF OUR PROJECTIONS ARE BASED OFF THE .2231 TOTAL, WHICH ON AGENDA ITEM 9 YOU HAVE IT BROKEN DOWN
INTO TWO DIFFERENT BUCKETS. >> YES, SIR.
AND WE NEED THAT MOTION. WE NEED TO HAVE THE DEBT SERVICE RATE, ONCE YOU SET -- LET ME BE REAL CLEAR.
ONCE YOU SET THE DEBT SERVICE RATE TODAY, THAT CANNOT CHANGE.
AND YOU WOULDN'T WANT IT TO CHANGE.
THAT'S WHAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO PAY DEBT SERVICE ON OUR G.O.
BONDS. THE M&O RATE YOU CAN LOWER, YOU CAN'T INCREASE IT WITHOUT TRIGGERING A NEW ROUND OF PUBLICATIONS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS.
>> OKAY. DO YOU HAVE THE BREAKDOWNS SO WE COULD HAVE SOMEONE TRY TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE IT. THIS IS -- I'M GOING TO READ OUT
[00:30:03]
WHAT I SUGGEST THE MOTION WOULD BE.APPROVE PROPOSAL A 2021 PROPERTY TAX RATE OF 22.31 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE, CONSISTING OF A DEBT SERVICE RATE OF 1.46 CENTS AND A MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS RATE OF 20.85 CENTS.
>> ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MONIQUE.
[10. Receive, consider and act upon the date and time for a public hearing on the proposed 2021 property tax rate, if necessary;]
SO THAT WILL CREATE A HEARING ON AUGUST 25TH AT 5:00 P.M.>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> ALL RIGHT.
>> WE NEED A SPECIFIC MOTION TO ANNOUNCE THAT.
>> SEPARATE. >> I CAN READ ONE OUT FOR YOU,
IF YOU'D LIKE. >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
>> SET THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25TH, 2021 AT 5:00 P.M. AT THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD CHAMBERS AT 2801 TECHNOLOGY FOREST BOULEVARD, WOODLANDS,
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THAT WILL CARRY.
NOW WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. AGENDA ITEM 10.
THAT WAS THE ONE. >> THAT'S IT.
>> ALL RIGHT. >> THAT HAS BEEN DONE.
THERE'S NO EXECUTIVE SESSION NEEDED TODAY.
[14. Board announcements; and]
AND BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS. WE HAVE A BOARD MEETING THIS WEEK AT -- THIS IS THURSDAY, 6:00 P.M.AND WITH NOTHING ELSE LEFT ON THIS AGENDA, WE NEED A MOTION --
OKAY. >> ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA.
[13. Consideration of items to be placed on the agenda for next month's meeting;]
>> YEAH. >> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN.
THE PARADE COMMITTEE MET LAST NIGHT.
AND PRESIDENT STEWART SCHRADER AND JEREMY HALL, ONE OF THE VICE PRESIDENTS, WOULD BE HONORED TO COME TO ONE OF THE NEXT BEST BOARD MEETINGS, WHICH WORKS WITH YOUR SCHEDULE.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE'LL WORK WITH STAFF ON ADDING THE PARADE COMMITTEE UPDATE AND CHANGES TO THEIR PROTOCOLS.
>> CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON THE VARIOUS MONUMENT SIGNS THAT ARE
STILL OUTSTANDING. >> THAT ARE NOT FULLY -- THE
ONES WE'VE APPROVED FOR -- >> DOES THAT MAKE SENSE, JOHN? YEP. OKAY.
UPDATE ON THE ENTRANCE SIGN IN THE WOODLANDS FOREST.
>> ONE ON RESEARCH. AND PROBABLY THE STATUS OF THE
ONE JUST DESTROYED. >> AND I'LL PUSH THIS ONE OUT MAYBE FURTHER. BUT CAN WE GET -- I KNOW THERE'S BEEN DIALOGUE ALREADY WITH COMMISSIONER KAGEL, TOM, LONE STAR COLLEGE ON THE INTERSECTION IN CREEKSIDE PARK.
WE HAVEN'T HAD AN ACTUAL FORMAL PRESENTATION OR CONVERSATION
WITH THOSE PARTIES. >> BUT WE DID HAVE SOMETHING --
WE HAD MISS LOU. >> SOUNDED LIKE THEY MADE SOME
PROGRESS SINCE THEN. >> YES, THEY PROBABLY HAVE.
I'M NOT SURE WHO IS READY TO COME AND SPEAK ON IT.
>> LIKE I SAID IT MIGHT BE PREMATURE.
IF WE CAN KEEP TABS ON PROGRESS THERE.
BECAUSE THAT QUESTION -- >> YOU MAY BE ABLE TO SAY SOMETHING, MR. POWERS RIGHT NOW. NO?
>> WE ALL KNOW. WE CAN'T DIRECTLY DO ANYTHING ON THAT. WE CAN JUST MARSHALL THE
INFORMATION AT THIS POINT. >> YOU CAN MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
>> NOTHING HAS BEEN DECIDED. ALL RIGHT.
WE CAN JUST KEEP AN EYE ON THAT. I KNOW IT'S EXTREME INTEREST TO OUR CREEKSIDE PARK RESIDENTS. ANY BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS? I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE, AS A BOARD ANNOUNCEMENT, DR. GIBBS AND DR. SNYDER ON EFFECTIVELY BEING RE-ELECTED.
>> YES. >> CURRENTLY NOT HAVING AN OPPONENT. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU. LOOK FORWARD TO AT LEAST THE
NEXT YEAR. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> AND IF THERE ARE NO OTHER BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS, WE'LL TAKE
A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE'RE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.