[1. Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance;] [00:00:15] NEW MAT THIS MORNING DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS WILL READ THE INVOCATION. DIRECTOR NELSON IT WILL LEAD US IN OUR PLEDGE TO OUR COUNTRY AND OUR STATE. >> PLEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYER. BUSTED ARE YOU, O LORD , OUR GOD. CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, WHO MADE ALL PEOPLE IN YOUR HOLY IMAGE. YOU GAVE US LIFE FROM CONCEPTION UNTIL OUR NATURAL DEATH AND WE RESPECT AND HONOR YOU AND PRAISE YOUR GLORY. PLEASE CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR NATION WITH FREEDOM AND LIBERTY . WE ASK YOUR PROTECTION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUR MILITARY , FOR OUR VETERANS WHO HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH FOR OUR SAFETY. AND WE ASK YOU TO BLESS OUR WORK , THE INFORMATION THAT WE RECEIVE. HELP US TO DIGEST IT AND BE PRUDENT WITH IT. WE ASKED FOR PROTECTION ON THE FAMILIES HERE IN THE WOODLANDS AS THEY GO ABOUT THEIR DAY AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT ON THEIR BEHALF. IN THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS WE ASK ALL OF THIS, AMEN. >> MR. NELSON. >> 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 INDIVISIBLE. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR [2. Call meeting to order;] SEKULA-GIBBS AND DIRECTOR NELSON BUT I NOW CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER IT IS A: 35 . I DECLARE THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW THAT THIS MEETING WAS POSTED 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING . AT THIS POSTING OCCURRED INSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE TOWNSHIP . STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT AT LEAST FOUR OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD BE IN ATTENDANCE TO ESTABLISH A QUORUM FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS. I ASKED EACH BOARD MEMBER TO INDICATE HIS OR HER PRESENCE BY RESPONDING WITH SOME AUDIBLE SOUND OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT AS I CALL ROLE. DIRECTOR BAILEY. DIRECTOR FRANKS DIRECTOR HEISER . DIRECTOR NELSON. DIRECTOR WATSON. DIRECTOR SNYDER, I AM >> I AM HERE . >> DID I NOT SAY? >> SEKULA-GIBBS . IT IS DETERMINED A SUFFICIENT NUMBER [3. Receive, consider and act upon adoption of the meeting agenda;] OF MEMBERS TO DECLARE WE HAVE A QUORUM. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM C TO CONSIDER AND ACT UPON ADOPTION OF THE MEETING AGENDA. WE HAVE ALL HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THIS FOR THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS. I CALL FOR MOTION AND SECOND TO ADOPT THE AGENDA. >> SO MOVED >> SECOND >> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED BY THE DIRECTORS FRANKS AND GIBBS. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE . OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THERE ARE NO PUBLIC OFFICIALS. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEMS. NO ONE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM SIX. WE HAVE ALREADY COVERED THAT ON MONDAY. [7. Receive, consider and act upon Budget Initiatives related to the 2025 Preliminary Budget and Five-Year Plan;] IT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM SEVEN , WHICH ARE PRESENT CEO, WHO IS HERE UNTIL LATE LAST NIGHT WITH HER TEAM WILL -- >> MAKE IT HAPPEN . >> THAT IS THE CORRECT WAY TO PUT IT. REVIEW AND ACT UPON BUDGET INITIATIVES OR MAKE IT HAPPEN AS DIRECTOR WATSON SAID. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I WANTED TO START OFF TODAY SHOWING A SUMMARY OF THE DECISIONS AND THE IMPACTS OF THOSE DECISIONS ON THE BUDGET THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE BOARD OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. WE CAN SEE WHERE WE ARE BEFORE WE START OTHER DISCUSSIONS. THE I'VE ITEMS HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN ARE THE BUDGETED INITIATIVES THAT WERE PRELIMINARY APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR US TO LOAD INTO THE BUDGET MODEL LAST NIGHT TO COME UP WITH REVISED [00:05:02] NUMBERS. I AM NOT GOING TO READ THROUGH ALL OF THESE BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THEM , PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND WE CAN GO BACK AND DISCUSS. RIGHT NOW, THIS IS WHAT WE LOADED INTO THE BUDGET. THIS IS ALL OF THE PARK PROJECTS. THE ONES IN GREEN IS THE ONES THAT WERE APPROVED TO MOVE FORWARD. THERE IS SOME IN REGARDS TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT THESE WERE SOME OF THE TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES THAT WERE APPROVED. AND A FEW OF THE WHAT I AM CALLING THE OTHER CATEGORIES. ANY QUESTION ON THOSE? >> I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT SOUTH GOSLING PARK , MIME 12. >> OKAY . >> MISSES AN INCREDIBLE PARK. IT IS EXCITING. I THINK THERE IS SOME DUE DILIGENCE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE WILL DO WITH THAT IN THE FUTURE AND HAVING $500,000 DEDICATED THIS YEAR TO IT, AS BOUTIQUE -- THEY HAVE BEEN A GREAT JOB AND GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR MONEY. WE WILL HAVE MONEY IN THE FUTURE. I WANT THE BOARD TO GET THEIR ARMS AROUND WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO DO THEIR IN THE LONG-TERM. I WOULD LIKE TO PULL THAT ON THIS YEAR. WE ARE IN GOOD FINANCIAL SHAPE THAT WE CAN LOOK AT THAT ONCE WE HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO ON THAT AND WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE. INSTEAD OF $500,000 RIGHT OFF THE BAT. >> MY ONLY QUESTION WOULD BE IN I DO NOT DISAGREE WITH YOU BUT I AM WONDERING TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT TO THE BOARD WHAT OPTIONS AND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO, I WOULD SUSPECT -- >> I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET AVAILABLE. >> THIS THURSDAY'S BOARD MEETING WILL BRING AN ITEM TO YOU. WE HAVE SOME MONEY THAT WAS SET AS I PREVIOUSLY TO DO THE SECOND PHASE, WHICH IS TO START GETTING SOME MASTER-PLANNED CONCEPT IDEAS. AND MAYBE EVEN UP PROBABLE COST OF CONSTRUCTION. THAT GETS US TO THE NEXT PHASE AND THEN AFTER THAT WE WOULD NEED MORE FUNDING FROM SOMEWHERE TO BE ABLE TO START DEVELOPING THOSE PROJECTS. >> HOW MUCH MONEY IS THAT? >> DO YOU KNOW? >> ABOUT HUNDRED $80-$200,000. >> SORRY? >> $180-$200,000. THAT GETS US TO THAT PHASE. AFTER THAT, WE ARE GOING TO NEED FUNDS TO DO ANY TYPE OF APPROVALS THAT THE BOARD WANTS TO MOVE BOARD. >> WOULD THAT BE COMING BACK TO THE BOARD AT THAT POINT AND THINK WE NEED ADDITIONAL MONIES? >> ABSOLUTELY HATED >> HOW LONG YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE TO GO THROUGH THAT PHASE TWO ? >> YOU PROBABLY HAVE ANOTHER SIX MONTHS. WHATEVER PUBLIC PROCESS TAKES SOME TIME. AS WELL AS TRYING TO MODEL , IT IS A PART OF THE FACE TOO. DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU DO DOWN YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM IMPACTS. THIS IS HARRIS COUNTY, NOT MONTGOMERY COUNTY. THINGS YOU TAKE A LITTLE LONGER. >> IS THIS THE MILLION-DOLLAR REQUEST, WAS THAT BASED ON? >> THE REQUEST ALLOWS YOU , WHEN YOU HAVE THIS MASTER PLAN TO START WORKING TOWARDS DEVELOPING CONSTRUCTION . WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN INTO THAT PHASE. THIS MILLION DOLLARS WOULD NOT GET YOU INTO WHERE WE ARE TURNING DIRT YET. THERE IS A LONG WAY TO GET TO THIS. >> IT IS NOT EVEN A DECISION ON HOW TO DEVELOP YET. >> THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO BE PUT FORWARD TOMORROW NIGHT IS A DO YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD. >> AND WE WANT TO GET RESIDENT INPUT ON THIS AND THAT WILL TAKE TIME FOR US TO DO. I THINK THAT IS CRITICAL . >> IN TERMS OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNT , IS JUST MAKING SURE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS NEEDED VERSUS IF IT IS INEVITABLE THAT THERE WILL BE AN ASK LATER IN A BUDGET AMENDMENT. DO WE NEED TO DO THIS NOW RATHER THAN LATER? WHAT DOLLARS DO YOU NEED NOW? >> WE DO NOT KNOW. THAT IS PART OF YOUR CONCERN AND RIGHTFULLY SO . WE HAVE TO GET THROUGH THIS PHASE. THIS WAS JUST A PLACEHOLDER FOR SOMETHING IN [00:10:03] THE FUTURE. IF THE BOARD GETS EXCITED ABOUT HERE IS PHASE ONE AND WE START MOVING ON THAT IN 2025. >> I WOULD BE AGREEABLE TO A REDUCTION OF THAT NUMBER. HOWEVER, I UNDERSTAND HIS POINT TO THE EXTENT THEY NEED TO GO AND ENGAGE SOMEONE IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE MONEY READY TO DO THAT ALREADY. IF THEY HAVE TO ASK FOR MORE MONEY, FINE. I DON'T THINK 500 IS NECESSARY BASED ON WHAT I AM HEARING. >> YESTERDAY IN ADDITION -- >> I THINK I HAD TO TAKE A CALL FOR WORK DURING THE SPRING >> THAT MIGHT BE A BETTER NUMBER. >> >> AGAIN, IT IS JUST A PLACEHOLDER . WE WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL MONIES AND UNDESIGNATED . >> BEFORE WE CONTINUE IT IS ALWAYS PRUDENT TO LOOK WHAT IS RECOMMENDED AS FAR AS A FUND BALANCE RESERVE. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ADDRESS THAT . IF WE ARE WHERE WE NEED TO BE . >> WE JUST INCREASED IT. >> GOING ON WHAT THE BOARD APPROVED -- >> WE ARE WHERE WE NEED TO BE. >> BASED ON WHAT THE BOARD APPROVED YESTERDAY, THIS IS WHERE WE WERE IN OUR UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCES. I HAVE ALREADY WORKED THROUGH THE BUDGET AND THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, THE -500 FOR SALES TAX. WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO WHAT THE BOARD WILL END UP ADOPTING. IN THE UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE FOR 2024, WHICH CAN BE USED FOR THE ONE-TIME PURPOSES, WE ARE AT $1.4 MILLION AND THAT INCLUDES THE $500,000 THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT. THAT INCLUDES THE $500,000. WE WOULD STILL HAVE $1.4 MILLION LEFT EVEN IF WE RESERVE $500,000 FOR GOSLING WE ARE AT $1.3 MILLION FOR ONGOING EXPENSES. >> SO, FOR THE FUND BALANCE , 2024, IF THE 250 THAT WAS TAKEN OUT OF ITEM 12 AS SUGGESTED BY DIRECTOR BAILEY, THAT 250 COULD BE USED SOMEWHERE ELSE AND YOU WOULD STILL FEEL COMFORTABLE? >> INSTEAD OF $1.4 MILLION WE WOULD HAVE $1,650,000. >> THANK YOU. >> WE JUST THEN APPROVED 250 FOR THAT PROJECT? >> THERE MIGHT BE OTHER CHANGES BUT WE WILL KEEP THAT AND COME BACK. THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT DIRECTOR FRANKS. >> MY NEXT ONE IS THE FOUNTAIN. IT IS HARD TO GET MY ARMS AROUND THAT BIG OF A PRICE. THAT IS ONE OF THESE THINGS WE INHERITED AND THE PARKS DEPARTMENT IS NOT AT FAULT FOR THIS. SOMETHING WE INHERITED . $3.5 MILLION, THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR A FOUNTAIN. I THINK THE STORY ABOUT CENTRAL PARK ICE RINK THAT THE CITY OF NEW YORK WAS GOING TO BUILD WAS GOING TO BE $100 MILLION AND TAKE TWO YEARS TO DO AND DONALD TRUMP DID IT FOR $10 MILLION AND GOT IT OPEN REALLY QUICK. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AND HOW $3.5 MILLION HAS BEEN LOOKED AT FOR THAT. I DON'T KNOW. I JUST THINK THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT -- I DON'T KNOW I HAVE A HARD TIME. >> THE NESTED ATTACHMENT THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND EXPECTING A DIFFERENT OUTCOME. >> LET ME ADDRESS THAT. YOU ARE RIGHT DR. SHELLEY. THE DIFFERENT WITH THIS QUOTE AND WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST, IN THE PAST WE HAVE TAKEN THE CHEAPER ROUTE. WE HAVE SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SEVERAL TIMES ON CHEAPER ROUTES THINKING THAT WE ARE GOING TO PATCH IT UP ENOUGH THAT IT IS GOING TO WORK AND IT DOESN'T. [00:15:04] IT IS A LOT OF BAND-AIDS. WE ARE HAVING A STRUCTURAL FAILURE AND WE CALLED IN A CONSULTANT, NOT JUST SOMEBODY LOCAL. WE CALLED IT A CONSULTANT WHO SPECIALIZES IN THESE TYPES OF FOUNTAINS . ONCE THAT YOU SEE IN LAS VEGAS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS TO TELL US WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE THIS THING BECOMES OPERATIONAL AND THAT IS WHY YOU HAVE THE HIGH PRICE TAG. >> WILL WE RECEIVE ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND? >> YES , ON THE WORK. THIS IS JUST THE CONSULTANT WE HAVE NOT BEDDED OUT MAYBE THIS COMES IN LOWER AND WE CAN FIND WAYS TO DO IT. THAT IS HOW THE THREE POINT MILLION DOLLARS WAS DERIVED. >> AND WINDOW THE FINAL BID COME BACK TO THE BOARD? >> OF COURSE. IT IS TAKEN OUT OF THE HOTEL TAX RESERVE IT IS AN AREA THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IF YOU GO BY THERE OR ANYTIME , THE SPRAY GROUNDS, THE FOUNTAINS ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL. TO ME, IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ADDITION TO THE ENTIRE ENVIRONMENT WITH THE WATER SQUARE AND TOWN CENTER. IT NEEDS TO BE DONE. >> THAT AMOUNT DOES GIVE ME HEARTBURN TOO . IT IS A HUGE DOLLAR AMOUNT. I WOULD LIKE TO REALLY -- IF WE APPROVE THIS, LET US LOOK AT THE WARRANTIES AND PICK IT APART AND I KNOW YOU WILL DO THAT AND BE DILIGENT ABOUT THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW , IS IT A FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY OR A SIX MONTH WARRANTY? THAT WILL HELP US MAKE A DECISION ON THIS. >> THAT WILL BE PART OF THE BID ANALYSIS. BELIEVE ME, I UNDERSTAND. WHEN WE OPEN THAT EMAIL, WE HAD THE SAME REACTION. I WILL BE GLAD TO SHARE THE CONSULTANT'S QUOTE WITH ALL OF YOU THAT YOU CAN SEE IN THE DETAIL AS IT GETS DOWN THE PIPE. >> WE HAVE SEEN SOME PRETTY ELABORATE POOLS FOR MANY ZEROS LESS THAN THIS. >> EXACTLY. WE COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND AND HOPEFULLY IN THE BID PROCESS WE CAN ASK FOR ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS AND SEE WHAT WE GET . >> THAT IS WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. WHAT ARE ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS TO THAT? DIRECTOR NELSON AND THEN DIRECTOR FRANKS. >> I'M THINKING BRING IN SOME KIND OF DESIGNER AND SAY THIS IS THE AREA. WE HAVE THE WEST AND RIGHT THERE AND ALL THE RESTAURANTS RIGHT THERE. WHAT OTHER OPTIONS DO WE HAVE IN THE SPOT BEFORE WE SPEND THIS KIND OF MONEY? IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY IT IS OVER A YEAR UNTIL IT WILL BE READY. >> DO WE KNOW WHAT THE ORIGINAL FOUNTAIN COST WAS? >> ABOUT $5 MILLION . AS A MATTER FACT HERE AND CAME INTO MY OFFICE YESTERDAY WITH A THOUGHT. INSTEAD OF MAKING THE UPPER LEVEL AND RESTORING THE FEATURE TO USE THAT AS LANDSCAPING. AND THEN YOU CAN HAVE TRAILING THINGS THAT LOOK LIKE WATERFALLS. WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A REALLY INTERESTING IDEA. THERE IS DEFINITELY OTHER IDEAS WE CAN START LOOKING AT. >> DIRECTOR FRANKS. >> THIS IS THE CENTER OF A LOT OF ACTIVITIES. LABOR DAY CELEBRATION IS GOING ON THERE. HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO INTO THE HEART OF THIS THING BUT YOU CAN SEE WHAT IT IS SUCH A PROJECT WE ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT SHOULD WE JUST TEAR IT OUT? THAT IN AND OF ITSELF IS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO RESTORE THE AREA TO SOMETHING. RIGHT NOW, IT IS AN EMBARRASSMENT. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS NOT A FULL RESTORATION BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS WITH DANCING, MUSIC AND CHANGING COLOR BITES. BASICALLY BRIGHT LIGHT AND THE WATER SQUIRTING OUT THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO AGAIN. IT IS NOT A TOTAL RESTORATION BY ANY STRETCH, AS I UNDERSTAND IT. >> THAT IS CORRECT. THIS IS A MAJOR STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES RIGHT NOW. THAT IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THERE IS A LEAKS. >> IT IS QUITE SOMETHING. >> IT IS. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOWN TO NOW. WE HAVE PATCHED IT AND REPAIRED IT ALL THAT WE CAN. >> THE WATERWAY BRIDGE TOWER , THAT WAS PART OF THE WATERWAY CONVEYANCE. DOES THE DEVELOPER -- DO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY GAVE US? IS THERE ANY WE ARE SORRY [00:20:09] WE DID NOT TAKE CARE OF YOU FOR LAST 10 YEARS? INSTRUCTION HAVING PROBLEMS? HAS ANYONE GONE BACK TO SEE IF WE CAN GET A REBATE? >> WE HAVE NOT ON THAT WHAT WE HAVE ON OTHER THINGS WITH ELEVATORS AND DIFFERENT THINGS IN THE WATERWAY. EVEN WHEN WE CONVEYED IT, WE DID NOT FULLY REALIZE THE STENTING THAT WAS INVOLVED BUT WE THOUGHT POWER WASHING WOULD DO THE TRICK. THE SOLUTIONS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR LOW-COST LASER CLEANING, $15,000. THERE IS NOTHING STRUCTURALLY WRONG WITH IT BUT IF THERE WERE WE WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER THAT. >> WHAT ABOUT THE TOP? DOES THAT NEED TO BE SANDBLASTED? THE REST IS RUNNING DOWN I REMEMBER SEEING IT BEFORE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU PAINTED IT. >> WE PAINTED WHAT I WOULD CALL THE MANILA COLOR ON TOP OF THE TOWERS. THAT WAS EIGHT MONTHS AGO, PLUS OR MINUS . WE WILL PROBABLY GO THROUGH THAT SAME PROCESS, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE BASE BUDGET. THE GREEN METAL AND THE LIGHTS ARE YOUR BASE BUDGET TO BE ADDRESSED. THAT METAL WILL MOST LIKELY BE SANDED DOWN AND GRIND IT DOWN IF THERE ARE ROUGH SPOTS AND THEN PAINTED AND THE NEW LIGHT SYSTEM WILL COME IN AS WELL. >> THANK YOU, DR. NOONS. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE INITIATIVES THAT WERE APPROVED? >> I HAVE ONE THING I WANTED TO GIVE THE BOARD FIRST. THIS IS MAINLY IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE IN TERMS OF EXPECTATIONS. THAT IS ON PARK MAINTENANCE AND THE COMPARISONS YESTERDAY TO WATERCOLOR. I DO NOT BELIEVE WAS A DIRECT ONE TO ONE COMPARISON. >> TELL US ABOUT WATERCOLOR. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF IT. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALL AWARE THIS THAT YOU APPROVED YES IT WILL NOT GET US ANYWHERE CLOSE TO A WATERCOLOR LEVEL. I WANT TO BE HONEST ABOUT THAT. YOU WILL SEE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS. IT WILL ALLOW US TO BE PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF REACTIVE. IT IS IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM GIVES AT A WATERCOLOR LEVEL. I WANT TO BE CLEAR. IF THAT IS THE EXPECTATION, WE NEED TO HAVE A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION. >> HOW MANY EMPLOYEES WOULD YOU NEED TO OBTAIN THE DESIRES OF ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS? >> I DON'T KNOW. WE HAVE TO ANALYZE THAT. I DON'T THINK IT WAS MEANT TO BE A DIRECT COMPARISON. WHEN I WENT BACK AND WATCH THE VIDEO, THERE WAS VERY HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND WE WANT TO HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND WE DO BUT IT IS JUST NOT AT THAT LEVEL. >> I AM THE GUILTY BOARD MEMBER. I JUST REALLY WANT TO UP OUR GAME ON MAINTENANCE. A LOT. IT IS SOMETHING THAT I SENT YOU AND CHRIS PICTURES ALL THE TIME. I THINK EVERYONE ON THIS BOARD HAS SEEN , WE HAD A CONVERSATION LAST NIGHT WITH A DEVELOPER, WOODED FOREST. THEY SAID IT IS SHOWING ITS AGE. WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT AND LOOK AT HOW WE GO ABOUT IT. I UNDERSTAND WE CANNOT DO IT ALL AT ONE TIME. WE CAN START HOLDING SOME OF OUR CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE , EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE DRIVING BEHIND THEM TO A CLIP THIS AND ECLIPSE THAT. WE HAVE A LEVEL OF EXPECTATIONS THAT I BELIEVE IS IMPORTANT TO MEET AND TO ADDRESS. AS WE GROW AND BUILD NEW PARKS AND NEW SPLASH PADS, NEW $3.5 MILLION FOUNTAIN, BASALTIC RESOURCES. IT TAKES PEOPLE TO DO THAT. WE HAVE TO START LOOKING AT , IF WE WILL HOLD OUR RESIDENTS ACCOUNTABLE FOR KEEPING THEIR HOMES UP AND HAVING A CERTAIN LEVEL , THEN WE HAVE TO FOLLOW SUIT AND MAINTENANCE OF OUR STREETSCAPES AND PARKS AND ALL OF THAT. WE DO A GREAT JOB IN SO MANY AREAS. WE DO A GREAT JOB ADDING 70 THINGS. PLEASE DO NOT THINK THIS IS A DIG AT STAFF. >> WE ARE NOT AGAIN PERSONALLY AT ALL. I JUST WANT TO SET EXPECTATIONS. INTERESTINGLY, RIGHT VIEW IS ALSO THE CONTRACTOR FOR WATERCOLOR. THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE IN WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH THE HOME LIKE $30 MILLION. >> PARKS AND RECREATION HAS REQUESTED ADDITIONAL PEOPLE AND ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR [00:25:01] ENHANCED SERVICES. I THINK THE ENTIRE STAFF HAS HEARD THAT OUR FOCUS IS ON MAINTENANCE AND LOOKING AT THINGS THAT HAVE AGED. WE HAVE ADDRESSED THAT IN THE -- >> WITH THOSE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO A LOT OF THINGS . WE WILL FINALLY BE ABLE TO GET TO PROACTIVE STATUS. >> IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THE REQUEST YOU HAVE IN IS DESIGNED TO DO EXACTLY THINGS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. >> YES. THE THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THAT JOHN DID. I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO BE DISAPPOINTED. >> CONTINUE, MONIQUE. I ALSO WANTED TO SUMMARIZE WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW. IF I HAD TO DO AN OVERVIEW RIGHT NOW OF WHERE WE STAND BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE, WE DO HAVE PROPERTY TAX REVENUES OF $48.3 MILLION, WHICH IS EQUAL TO WHERE WE WERE FIVE YEARS AGO WITH TAX COLLECTIONS IN 2020. IF YOU THINK ABOUT DURING THAT FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, ALL THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURE AND ALL THE ENHANCED SERVICES THAT WE HAVE HAD IN COMMUNITY MAINTENANCE ALREADY AND IN PUBLIC SAFETY . IT IS PRETTY REMARKABLE THAT WE ARE STILL AT THE SAME LEVEL IN TERMS OF PROPERTY TAX REVENUE. PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IN THE 2025 BUDGET, THE WAY IT STANDS RIGHT NOW COMPRISED ONLY 29% OF THE TOTAL REVENUE SOURCES WHICH IS THE SAME PERCENTAGE AS THE CURRENT YEAR . SIMILAR TO WHAT IS HAPPENING REGIONALLY AROUND THE STATE, THE TOWNSHIPS SALE TAX GROWTH. IN 2024 IT HAS NOT BEEN AS HIGH IN THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS. WE ARE NOT DECLINING, WE ARE IN A VERY STRONG POSITION. WE ARE NOT SEEING THE RATE OF GROWTH. IN THE PAST , TWO OUT OF THE LAST THREE YEARS WE HAVE BEEN IN DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH. THAT IS NOT WHERE WE ARE NOW. EVEN WITH THAT LIMITED GROWTH AND PROJECTED SALES TAX REVENUE, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO, IN THIS BUDGET, MAINTAIN A LOW CURRENT TAX RATE OF 0.1714 WHILE CONTINUING TO PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL OF SERVICES AND AMENITIES AND NOT ONLY CONTINUING TO PROVIDE THE SAME LEVEL BUT ASK YOU TO ENHANCE SERVICE LEVELS. A GREAT POSITION TO BE IN. SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF THAT, THE PROPOSED BUDGET DOES PROVIDE RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN THE TOWNSHIP'S EXCELLENT FINANCIAL POSITION IN OUR DOUBLE A+ RATING. WE ARE ABLE TO ENHANCE SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF COMMUNITY MAINTENANCE, AS WE JUST TALKED ABOUT. PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS AND OTHER . ALSO, UNLIKE MANY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WE ARE ABLE TO FULLY FUND OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS THROUGH RESERVES. THAT INCLUDES THE EMERGENCY TRAINING CENTER, THE FIRE STATION FIVE, THE RENOVATIONS WERE DOING TO THIS BUILDING, PARKS AND RECREATION CAMPUS, WATERWAY FOUNTAIN AND DEPENDING ON WHAT EVER THAT AMOUNT ENDS UP BEING, SOUTH GOSLING PARK, AS WE JUST TALKED ABOUT AND NUMEROUS PARKING PATHWAY AMENITIES. A LOT OF WORK HAS GONE INTO THIS BUDGET TO GET US WHERE WE ARE AT THE STAFF LEVEL, THE BUDGET TASK FORCE LEVEL AND NOW THE BOARD LEVEL WITH THESE WORKSHOPS. I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A ONE-PAGE OVERVIEW OF WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT THE BOARD HAS BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH. >> THANK YOU, MONIQUE. OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? I KNOW THERE WAS ONE ON INITIATIVE 12, SOUTH GOSLING PARK. CONSIDERING THAT WE DO 250. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ? READY TO VOTE? >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THESE INITIATIVES? >> I WANT DISCUSS WHAT MONIQUE JUST PRESENTED ON HERE, IF I MAY. >> YES. >> MONIQUE, I AM GRATEFUL THAT YOU'RE HELPING US BALANCE BUDGETS AND I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH. I WANT TO REITERATE THAT WE HAVE NOT ACHIEVED THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE. I KNOW THAT HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME. WE HAVE DIED, I THINK, LOOKED AT THIS BUDGET IN A WAY THAT ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF OUR TAXPAYERS. I AM GOING TO REPRESENT THE TAXPAYERS FOR A MINUTE HERE. TAXPAYERS, IF I MAY, TAXPAYERS ARE FACING A CRISIS OF HIGH INFLATION , GROWING UNEMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC RECESSION. I VOTED AGAINST RAISING THE TAXES IN 2025 AND I OFFERED A MOTION TO MAINTAIN THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE BUT NO BOARD MEMBER HAS BEEN WILLING TO SECOND IT OR TAKE A VOTE ON IT. IN HARD TIMES, IT IS OUR JOB TO REDUCE EXPENSES AND CUT UNDERPERFORMING PROJECTS. BETTER DAYS WILL ARRIVE SOONER [00:30:03] IF WE ACT PRUDENTLY TODAY. I SAY THAT BECAUSE I SUPPORT WHAT BRAD BELIEVES IN PRINT I BELIEVE IN EXCELLENCE AND I BELIEVE IN MAKING SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS AT THE HIGHEST STANDARD POSSIBLE . BUT THERE WILL BE BETTER DAYS AHEAD WHEN WE HAVE MORE REVENUE COMING IN AND OUR SALES TAX HAS REBOUNDED, WHICH IT ALMOST INEVITABLY WILL. I SAY IT IS TIME FOR A LITTLE BELT-TIGHTENING NOW AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE BETTER DAYS AHEAD. >> SINCE YOU WERE ON THE BUDGET TASK FORCE, DID YOU BRING UP THIS DURING THAT DISCUSSION ABOUT THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE TWO >> I SAID I WOULD NOT SUPPORT IT . >> SHE DISCUSSED IN THE BUDGET TASK FORCE? >> WE DID. >> I AM AT A LOSS FOR WORDS. >> I WOULD NOT DO -- SORRY, I SPOKEN CORRECTLY . >> WE HAVE 26 BUDGET INITIATIVES. I CAN THINK OF A HANDFUL YOU VOTED AGAINST. SAY IT IS FIVE, HE VOTED FOR 21 BUDGET INITIATIVES. THIS BELT-TIGHTENING , IS AN ELASTIC BELT? >> I THINK THE EXTRA EMPLOYEES WITHIN THE PARKS DEPARTMENT , THERE WILL BE A TIME FOR THAT BUT IT IS NOT THIS YEAR. THEY ARE READY GETTING FOUR EMPLOYEES THAT THEY PERSONALLY REQUESTED. I TAKE THAT MORE SERIOUSLY. AND THEN YOUR ADDITIONAL SIX, THAT IS $500,000 MORE. WE CAN CUT ALPHA AND OMEGA. THAT IS $2 MILLION RIGHT THERE. WE COULD REACH THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE. >> I WANTED TO MAKE THE COMMENT THAT WE DID HAVE DISCUSSIONS ON THIS. BASICALLY, WHAT I CAME AWAY WITH AND MAYBE I CAME AWAY WITH THE WRONG MESSAGE BUT THERE IS SEVEN OF US. THERE IS A LOT OF OPINIONS. THERE IS A LOT OF IDEAS ABOUT WHERE TO CUT AND NOT TO CUT. WE DID NOT MAKE A DECISION ON WHERE THE TAX RATE SHOULD BE . WE ARE OPEN TO WHAT THE BOARD THINKS ON THAT. IF THERE ARE PLACES WE CAN CUT , LET US DO THAT THAT EVERYONE AGREES ON. WE DID NOT MAKE A DETERMINATION IN THAT. >> I AM UP HERE VERY HAPPY WITH WHERE WE ARE IN A TIME WHERE EVERYTHING IS COSTING CONSIDERABLY MORE FROM PEOPLE TO PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. WE ARE NOT RAISING OUR TAX RATE AND WE ARE PROVIDING THE SAME AND HIGHER WITH THE INITIATIVE LEVEL OF SERVICE. I AM PROUD OF THAT. >> I WILL ECHO THAT. I TOO AM VERY, VERY PROUD AFTER GOING OVER THIS LAST EVENING AND HAVING SOME QUESTIONS THAT ALL SEVEN BOARD MEMBERS , I WILL ALSO SHARE WITH YOU THAT HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY REACH OUT AND SHARE IT IS THE MOST ACTIVE , ACTIVE DISCUSSION AMONG NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT ALL SEVEN BOARD MEMBERS THROUGHOUT MONDAY AND TUESDAY'S BUDGET MEETINGS. I THINK THE BOARD SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF THAT. >> MONIQUE, JUST FOR PEOPLE IN THIS AUDIENCE, PEOPLE LISTENING , HOW MUCH WOULD IT -- HOW MANY CUPS WOULD IT TAKE TO GET TO KNOW NEW REVENUE? >> $2.8 MILLION. >> A FOUNTAIN. >> WITH THAT -- >> LET ME CLARIFY THAT. $2.8 MILLION IN ONGOING OPERATING EXPENSES, NOT CAPITAL EXPENSES. WE REALLY WOULD HAVE TO CUT SERVICES IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THAT. >> MONIQUE, EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO ME. I KNOW THERE IS OTHER INITIATIVES WE NEED TO DISCUSS BUT WE HAVE SOME FROM THE CONSTABLES OFFICE, DO WE START DOING THAT TODAY? >> WE DO. WE HAVE THE CONTROL DISCUSSION YESTERDAY BUT THE BOARD IS WELCOME TO REVISIT ANY OF THOSE AND YOU DO HAVE A REVISED REQUEST FROM THE CONSTABLE . >> WHAT WAS THE DECISION FOR THE MOUNTAIN PATROL? I DO NOT SEE ANY MONIES PUT ASIDE FOR IT. >> TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT LEVEL OF DOLLARS. >> AND I VOTED AGAINST IT. >> I WAS ONLY VOTE AGAINST IT. WE VOTED . >> I SUPPORTED REVISITING IT AND ISSUING ANOTHER RFP AND I [00:35:01] VOTED FOR THAT. >> WE NEVER DISCUSSED ABOUT AN RFP. WE HAVE THE INITIATIVE TO KEEP OFTEN AND OMEGA -- WHO HAS BEEN AN ICON IN THE WOODLANDS SINCE THEY FIRST CAME ON BOARD. IT WAS A 6-1 VOTE TO KEEP ALPHA AND OMEGA. DIRECTOR NELSON -- AND THAT DID NOT PASS. THERE WAS NOT A SECOND FOR THAT. CONTINUE, MONIQUE. >> MY PART IS DONE. I AM JUST ANSWERING QUESTIONS. WE JUST NEED TO GET TO -- >> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION WHEN YOU AND YOUR TEAM GO THROUGH THIS VERY EXHAUSTIVE PROCESS AND YOU COME UP WITH A RATE THAT IS USED FOR A JUMPING OFF POINT OF ALL OF THIS DISCUSSION, YOU ARE GOING TO GET TO THE VERY BOTTOM RATE THAT YOU POSSIBLY CAN TO THINK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN CONTINUE WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF SERVICE AND PROVIDING THE SAME AMOUNT TO THE TAXPAYER, RIGHT? >> IT IS ONE OF MY MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES. >> THAT WAS SOMEWHAT OF A RHETORICAL QUESTION BUT IT IS NOT AS IF YOU ARE HOLDING BACK. THAT GENERALLY IS GOING TO BE THE ABSOLUTE BOTTOM RIGHT WE CAN GO TO, BASED ON YOUR OPINION AND YOUR STATS >> BASED ON MAINTAINING THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICES. WE RESPOND TO A LOT OF THESE BUDGETED INITIATIVES AND WE ARE RESPONDING DIRECTLY TO RESIDENTS. THAT IS WHY WE PRESENT THEM. >> THROUGHOUT YOUR TENURE DOING THIS, 30 PLUS YEARS, WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE AND HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP TO HAVE A WELL-BALANCED BUDGET. >> YES, ABSOLUTELY. THE CREDITING AGENCY AND OUR BONDHOLDERS AND ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE, IT IS NOT MEET SAYING IT, WE HAVE THE THIRD-PARTY PEOPLE THAT ARE SAYING THAT WE ARE IN EXCELLENT FINANCIAL CONDITION BECAUSE OF THESE TYPES OF DECISIONS. >> I BELIEVE THERE IS ONE OTHER -- >> I HAVE ONE REAL QUICK QUESTION THAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER. THE AVERAGE HOME IN THE WOODLANDS , BETWEEN 0.1714 AND THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, WHAT IS THAT TAX IMPLICATION? >> I THINK WE HAD A SLIDE . >> ROUGHLY. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA? >> I THINK IT WAS $45. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> WE ARE MAINTAINING, MONIQUE, THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW. FIRST TIME WE EVER DID IT WAS LAST YEAR. DIRECTOR SEKULA-GIBBS I BELIEVE VOTED AGAINST THAT. >> THE 3%, I VOTED FOR IT. DR. SNYDER AND I . >> IT WAS A 7-0 VOTE. I SUPPORT YOU . >> I APPRECIATE THAT. HOMEOWNERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE GETTING THIS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW. >> INITIATIVES , WE WILL TURN OVER TO DIRECTOR NELSON. SHE HAS A POINT THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS. >> YESTERDAY WE ARE GOING TO THE INITIATIVES WITH THE CONSTABLES OFFICE, WE DID NOT GIVE ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR ANYTHING YOU CAPTAIN ADAM ACOSTA HAS RESUBMITTED SOME INFORMATION THAT WE RECEIVED AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO READ IT OR GO OVER IT, MONIQUE >> I CAN SUMMARIZE IT. THE REQUEST, THE ORIGINAL REQUEST FROM THE CONSTABLES OFFICE WAS FOR TWO NEW POSITIONS WITH VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT. THOSE TWO POSITIONS WERE FOR A SERGEANT TO PROVIDE A SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES DUE TO THE INCREASE THAT THE BOARD AUTHORIZED LAST YEAR FROM THREE DETECTIVES TO SIX DETECTIVES. THEY ARE NOW REQUESTING THE SUPERVISORY COMPONENT OF THAT. AND THE OTHER ONE WAS FOR A DETECTIVE THAT WOULD BE MORE OF A FORENSIC TYPE THING. THAT WAS ONE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT WOULD BE HOUSED IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND WORK IN A FORENSIC LAB ON A REGIONAL STANDPOINT . THE REVISED REQUEST IS ONLY FOR THE SERGEANT POSITION. >> IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING AND CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG BUT [00:40:02] FOR CLARIFICATION , THAT WE, AS AN ENTITY, DO NOT FUND THAT POSITION. THE COUNTY FUNDS A SERGEANT. >> THAT IS THAT METHODOLOGY WE USED WITH THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT. WE FIND BOOTS ON THE GROUND, IF YOU WILL. WE DO NOT FUND MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OR SUPPORT STAFF. >> THIS IS A POSITION , IN THE PAST, THAT WE HAVE NOT FUNDED. >> WE HAVE ONLY FUNDED DETECTIVES IN THE CONSTABLES OFFICE. THAT IS CORRECT. >> I STRUGGLE WITH -- I ALMOST THINK WE ARE ON A SLIPPERY SLOPE HERE. WE DO PAY FOR ENHANCED SERVICE WITH THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT AND THESE THINGS. I HAVE SEEN IN MY TWO YEARS HERE, AT TIMES , AND THE COUNTY JUST RELIES ON US TO GO AHEAD AND PAY FOR IT INSTEAD OF OFFERING SERVICES ACROSS THE COUNTY AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. THE CONSTABLES OFFICE WORKS FOR THE COUNTY. THEY WENT THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS LAST WEEK AND WEEK BEFORE THAT. WE GAVE SIX DEPUTIES LAST YEAR ? WHAT WE DO LAST YEAR? >> WE INCREASED IT 100% FROM THREE DETECTIVES TO SIX DETECTIVES NEW MAGAZINES LIKE THE COUNTY COULD COME IN AND PUT A SERGEANT OVER THERE WITH THAT GROUP. IF WE GO AHEAD AND DO THAT. I FEEL LIKE WE ARE GETTING , AT TIMES WE ARE NOT BEING TREATED LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNTY AND HOPEFULLY THAT CHANGES WITH OUR NEW COMMISSIONER. >> WAS THIS MADE TO THE COUNTY? WE DON'T KNOW. >> I DON'T KNOW. >> IN THIS LETTER, IT ALSO SAYS THAT THIS WILL BE A WORKING POSITION. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT CHANGES THE FACT THAT IT IS SUPERVISORY VERSUS THE OTHER WE ARE BURSTING AT THE SEAMS WITH CHILDREN IN THIS AREA. THERE ARE MORE KIDS THAN WE HAVE EVER HAD BEFORE. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TAKE A SECOND VOTE ON THAT. >> I WAS TOLD THE CONSTABLES OFFICE DID RECEIVE A SERGEANT FROM ACCOUNTING THIS YEAR IN THE BUDGET PROCESS >> SAY THAT AGAIN. >> THE CONSTABLES OFFICE DID RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL SERGEANT FROM THE COUNTY IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR. IS IT A SERGEANT FOR DIFFERENT DIVISION? I DON'T KNOW. WE PUT SIX OFFICERS ON THIS TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF IT. WE ARE GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND ON THAT. HOPEFULLY THE COUNTY CAN PARTNER A BIT MORE AND BE ABLE TO GIVE THE DEPUTIES THE RESOURCES THAT WE NEED . >> CONCUR. ARE THERE ANY OTHER INITIATIVES TO BE ADDRESSED ? IF NOT, THEN I CALL UPON A MOTION AND A SECOND. MISSES AGENDA ITEM SEVEN. IT IS NOT TO ACT UPON THE PROPOSED SERVICE TAX RATE , IT IS A MOTION TO ACT UPON AND RECEIVE THE BUDGET INITIATIVES RELATED TO 2025 PRELIMINARY BUDGET FIVE-YEAR PLAN. IS THERE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED . >> THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND? I WILL SECOND IT. IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING , AYE >> AYE >> OPPOSED? >> NO. [8. Receive, consider and act upon the proposed 2024 debt service tax rate and maintenance and operations tax rate;] >> MOTION PASSES, 6-1. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM EIGHT. RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACTUPON THE PROPOSED 2020 FOR DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE AND M&O TAX RATE. PRESIDENT SHARP . >> THE PROPOSED RATE IS NOT BE ADOPTED RATE. ALL THE BOARD IS DOING TODAY IS SETTING PROPOSED RATE, WHICH WIND DETERMINES THE NEED FOR THE NEED FOR PUBLIC NOTICES AND THE NEED FOR PUBLIC HEARING. THE RATE OF 0.1714 SENSE, WE WOULD NEED TO TAKE A TWO SEPARATE BOATS . ONE ON THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS PEACE AND ONE ON THE DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE. WHEN YOU COME BACK , THE NEXT ITEM IS WE WILL SET SEPTEMBER 5TH AS THE PUBLIC HEARING DATE. THE DEBT SERVICE RATE IS SET. YOU CANNOT CHANGE [00:45:04] THAT DEBT SERVICE RATE THE M&O RATE, YOU CAN GO LOWER AT YOUR BUDGET MEETING BUT YOU CANNOT GO HIGHER THAN THAT OR IT TRIGGERS A WHOLE NEW ROUND OF NOTICES AND HEARINGS AND ALL OF THAT. I CAN READ OUT , WHATEVER YOU ARE READY TO TAKE THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS RATE, IT IS 0.1603 PER $100 OF VALUE. >> IS OUR MOTION TO PROPOSE. I WILL MAKE THE MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? >> I'M NOT SURE -- KNEW THAT THE PROPOSED TAX RATES. >> I AM ASSUMING, BASED ON WHAT I'VE HEARD, THAT THE BOARD WANTS TO GO WITH A PROPOSED TAX RATE OF 0.1714 , WHICH IS THE CURRENT RATE IT IS MAINTAINING THE CURRENT RATE WE HAVE TO DO THAT IN TWO SEPARATE COMPONENTS. THE FIRST ONE IS THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS, WHICH IS AT 0.1603. THE RATE IS .0111. THE COMBINATION OF THOSE TWO GET YOU TO 0.1714. SORRY, I SHOULD HAVE EXPLAINED THAT BETTER. >> ARE WE GOING THROUGH THE REST OF THE BUDGET THAT IS IN THIS BIG OLD BINDER THAT WAS PRESENTED TO US OR WE DOING BUDGET INITIATIVES? I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT A COUPLE ITEMS . >> THEN WE ARE NOT DONE. >> THAT WE JUST DID BUDGET INITIATIVES. >> IF WE ARE NOT READY -- IF WE ARE NOT READY, I WILL CONCEDE MY MOTION AND I'M SURE DIRECTOR FRANKS IS A SECOND. WE ALL NEED TO BE WHERE WE ARE AND THAT WE HAVE COVERED EVERYTHING THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO DRESS -- ADDRESS ABOUT THE BASE BUDGET BUT I THINK MONIQUE AND HER TEAM AGREE SO THERE IS NOT CONFUSION BUT IF THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS OR OTHER BOARD MEMBERS IN THE BASE BUDGET? >> SHE IS SAYING SHE WILL WITHDRAW THE MOTION AND YOU CAN POINT OUT THE ISSUES. >> I WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE COST OF LIVING INCREASE THAT WE HAVE AT 4%. I WORK FOR A VERY LARGE COMPANY. I CHECKED WITH MY GROUP WE ARE ABOUT 2.9% COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE IN PRIVATE BUSINESS . I BELIEVE LINDA FOUND OUT HERS. I WANT TO UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT 4% AND HOW MUCH WE GAVE LAST YEAR. IT IS GETTING CONFUSING TO ME ON WHEN WE DID THE COMP STUDY. WE DID A RAISE AT ONE POINT. I JUST NEED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT AND HOW WE GET AT THAT NUMBER. >> WOULD BE GLAD TO, THANK YOU. >> ANGELA BRANCH, WHO IS OUR DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES. MS. BRANCH. >> I AM HAPPY TO TALK THROUGH WHERE WE ARE, WHERE WE HAVE BEEN SINCE THE STUDY AND REVIEW WHY WE HAVE COME UP WITH 4% JUST OFF THE TOP, YOU MENTIONED COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE. WE DO NOT HAVE A COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE. WE HAVE A GENERAL INCREASE, WHICH INCLUDES COST-OF-LIVING PLUS MARKET ADJUSTMENTS. WHEN YOU ARE COMPARING OTHER AGENCIES OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ON COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE , OUR INCREASE ENCOMPASSES MORE THAN THAT. THAT IS WHY WE CALL IT THE GENERAL INCREASE. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS CLEAR. WE ARE NOT SAYING 4% IS A COST-OF-LIVING ONLY INCREASE. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? BACK TO OUR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY. THIS IS WHAT YOU ALL DESIGNATED AS OUR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY BACK IN 2023 WHEN WE WENT TO OUR COMPENSATION STUDY. WE STRIVE TO ALIGN OUR COMP AND BENEFITS WITH MARKET PEERS WHO ARE IDENTIFIED AS LEADERS IN PROVIDING MUNICIPAL SERVICES OF SIMILAR SCOPE AND STANDARDS TO THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP. WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE PRIVATE SECTOR BUT WE DO NOT TRY TO MATCH THE PRIVATE SECTOR. WE KNOW THAT IS A DIFFERENT PLAYING FIELD. WE DO CONSIDER THAT BECAUSE QUITE A FEW OF OUR POSITIONS , WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT OTHER CITIES FOR [00:50:05] CANDIDATES. WE ARE LOOKING AT THE PRIVATE SECTOR RIGHT HERE IN THE WOODLANDS . THE GRAPH YOU SEE HERE, WE STRIVE TO BE IN THE MIDDLE , AT THE AVERAGE OF THE MARKET. HALF OF OUR PEER CITIES WILL PAY MORE AND HALF OF OUR PEER CITIES WILL PAY LESS. THAT IS THE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY THAT WE ALL CAME TO AGREEMENT ON DURING THE COMP STUDY. THAT IS WHAT WE USED TO DETERMINE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS ON PAY. THIS QUESTION CAME UP YESTERDAY , WHO ARE WE COMPARING TO? WATERCOLOR IS NOT ON THERE. YOU CAN SEE 27 OTHER CITIES ARE ON THERE. AND THAT WAS THE GROUP THAT WE USE DURING THE COMPENSATION STUDY , WHERE OUR CONSULTANTS CAME IN AND COLLECTED DATA FROM THESE GROUPS TO DETERMINE WHERE OUR RATES FALL RELATIVE TO THEIRS. THAT IS A PRETTY LARGE GROUP . THEY RECOMMENDED THAT WE LOOK AT A SMALLER GROUP ON AN ONGOING BASIS. YOU KNOW, 27 CITIES IS A LOT. THESE 13 CITIES ARE THE CITIES THAT WE LOOK AT THAT MAXAR, NOT JUST CITIES. MONTGOMERY COUNTY IS ALSO IN THEIR THEY ARE ONGOING GROUP OF PEERS THAT WE LOOK AT. WE PICKED THESE OR THE CONSULTANT PICK THESE FOR US, RECOMMENDED THESE TO US, BASED ON SIMILAR STANDARDS AND SCOPE. SIMILAR BENCHMARK POSITIONS, MEANING WE HAVE POSITIONS THAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR CITIES THAT WE CAN COMPARE TELFORD THE BROAD MARKET RANGE, WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT THE TOP PAYERS OF THOSE 27. WE ARE LOOKING ACROSS THE RANGE, TOP TO BOTTOM, FOR OUR SUBSET COST-OF-LIVING DIFFERENTIATION . WE LIKE TO LOOK AT THE SUBURBS OF DALLAS A LOT. AND THAT COST-OF-LIVING IS DIFFERENT THAN THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP THAT WE HAVE OTHERS IN THERE TO CROSS ALL OF THE RANGE. AND THEN SOME THAT ARE PROXIMITY TO THE WOODLANDS . IN TERMS OF THE MARKET OVERVIEW , WE DID THE COMPENSATION STUDY BACK IN AUGUST 2023 . WE ADJUSTED OUR RATES TO ALIGN WITH THE MARKET AVERAGE. JUST THE MARKET AVERAGE. THAT WAS A RESET BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN BEHIND. WE KNEW THAT BECAUSE WE LOOKED AT TURNOVER. WE KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON. THAT RESET US AND IN THE COMP STUDY, OUR CONSULTANTS TOLD US THAT WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT A 4 TO 5% MARKET MOVEMENT FOR 2024 AND WE SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THAT ON TOP OF THE RESET. THEY WERE RIGHT. THE PREDICTION WAS CORRECT BUT WHEN HE LOOKED AT THE AVERAGE OF THE CITIES AND WHAT THEY DID IN 2024, IT WAS 5%. WE GAVE A 3.5% AT THE TOWNSHIP IN 2024. THIS IS KIND OF HOW WE GET TO THE COMP STUDY STAGE BUT WHEN THEY SAY YOU ARE BEHIND AND YOU PUT IN THE MONEY TO GET US BACK TO MARKET. THAT IS HOW WE GET THERE. WHEN WE ADOPT A GENERAL INCREASE, THAT IS BELOW WHERE THE MARKET IS PAYING WE SEE THAT IN RESIGNATIONS. WE SEE THAT IN PEOPLE NOT WANTING TO TAKE JOBS OF US BECAUSE THEY HAVE HIGHER STARTING SALARIES IN THEIR OTHER OFFERS. FOR 2025, WEEPERS POSE 4%. THAT IS BASED ON WHAT OTHER CITIES HAVE SAID, SO FAR, AND THEIR PROPOSED BUDGETS , IN OUR HR NETWORKS. WE HAVE TO GATHER THIS INFORMATION. WHAT IS DIFFICULT ABOUT IS IS COMPARING APPLES TO APPLES. WE HAVE A FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD SYSTEM FOR OUR COMPENSATION BUT WE HAVE AN OPEN RANGE PLAN FOR THE GENERAL PLACE AND A STEP PLAN FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. OTHER CITIES HAVE MANY OTHER COMPONENTS TO HAVE THAT THEY DO MARKET ADJUSTMENT THEY CAN SAY 3.3% FOR 2025 IS WHAT THEY ARE PROPOSING . THEY ARE ALSO DOING OTHER THINGS. THEY ARE ADJUSTING DIFFERENT POSITIONS IN DIFFERENT WAYS THAT DOES NOT CONNECT ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCREASE OF 3.3% DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE WE ARE LOSING PEOPLE TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY FOR 2 TO 3 DOLLARS MORE AN HOUR. THERE IS ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS WITH MANY CITIES IN 2023 AND 2024 HAVE DONE COMP STUDIES. AND THEY HAVE DONE SIGNIFICANT ADJUSTMENTS BY POSITION, JUST LIKE WE DID , TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PAYING AT MARKET. THE PROJECTIONS THAT WE HAVE SO FAR RECEIVED FROM OUR PEER CITIES IS 4.3% AND WE ARE SUGGESTING 4%. WE ALREADY FEEL LIKE WE'RE ABOUT A POINT IN HALF BEHIND FROM LAST YEAR . POTENTIALLY, A LITTLE MORE BEHIND THIS YEAR. WE ARE BEING VERY CONSERVATIVE AND HOPEFUL BUT 4% IS GOING TO HELP US WITH RETENTION AND RECRUITING. [00:55:01] >> IT IS NOT COST-OF-LIVING. I DID NOT REALIZE IT WAS A GENERAL . I THOUGHT WHICH IS COST-OF-LIVING BUT I STAND CORRECTED, YOU ARE ALL GOOD. I APOLOGIZE. >> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> THIS IS GOOD TO SEE THOUGH. TO SEE THE BACKGROUND. >> JUST SO YOU KNOW IN TERMS OF TURNOVER, WE ARE -- A LOT OF COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS COMING OUT OF COVID ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO GET BACK TO PRE-COVID LEVELS IN TERMS OF TURNOVER. WE HAD A HUGE SPIKE IN 2022. OUR COMP STUDY AND THE 6% INCREASE THAT WE DID IN 2023 WERE VERY HELPFUL. YOU CAN SEE THE DOWNTURN IN TURNOVER. I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE LESS THAN 19% IN 2024. IT IS HARD TO PREDICT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE ARE ONLY IN AUGUST AND A LOT OF IT HAPPENS THIS TIME OF YEAR. IT IS REALLY HOT AND A LOT OF OUR FOLKS WORK OUTDOORS. WE DO SEE AN UPTICK EVERY YEAR AND ATTRITION ABOUT THIS TIMEFRAME. THE TOP REASON FOR RESIGNATION IS PAY THE TOP REASON CANDIDATES DON'T CHOOSE TO WORK FOR THE TOWNSHIP AND WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE BECAUSE OF PAY . OUR GENERAL INCREASE IS NOT ONLY TIED TO RETENTION BUT IT IS ALSO TIED TO STARTING SALARY . WE NEED TO MAINTAIN COMPETITIVE STARTING SALARIES IN ORDER TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN THE PEOPLE THAT WE NEED TO GET TO THE STANDARDS THAT YOU HAVE VOICE THAT YOU WANT TO BE AT. >> OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? DIRECTOR FRANKS. >> WHEN WE FIGURE THE INCREASED COST OF BENEFITS, DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA ? >> YES, WE HAD A SLIDE ON COMPENSATION -- ON THE BENEFITS PORTION. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE THAT READILY AVAILABLE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 7% INCREASE IN BENEFITS. THAT IS INCORPORATED INTO THE BASE BUDGET. THAT IS REALLY GREAT, HONESTLY . THE INDUSTRY AVERAGE , GALLAGHER, OUR CONSULTANT IS THINK THE AVERAGE IS ABOUT 7.5. WE WILL GET DOWN TO ABOUT SEVEN, WHICH IS INCREDIBLE. LAST YEAR WE HAD AS AN INCREASE IN BENEFITS. THIS YEAR SOME THE NEGOTIATIONS WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO DO, WE BID OUT OUR ANCILLARY BENEFITS. I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL GET IN EVEN BELOW SEVEN. >> YOU DID A GREAT JOB AT THAT. OTHER QUESTIONS? DIRECTOR NELSON. >> WE ARE MAINTAINING THE BENEFIT OF 32%. THERE IS NOT AN INCREASE IN PERCENTAGE OF OUR BENEFIT LOAD? >> IS IN A SPECIFIC GROUP THAT YOU ARE SEEING THE TURNOVER IS MOSTLY IN? >> WE SEE TURN OVER ACROSS-THE-BOARD BUT MOST OF OUR TURNOVER OCCURS IN THE STARTING ENTRY-LEVEL POSITIONS, SPECIFICALLY IN PARKS. >> >> PLAN. >> DUE KNOW THE OTHER AREAS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SURVEYING , WHAT THEIR TURNOVER IS? I'M JUST WONDERING IF 16.9 IS A NORMAL TURNOVER WITH A LOT OF LOWER-LEVEL AND HOURLY SALARIES . >> I THINK IT A LITTLE HIGH RELATIVE TO WHAT I HEAR FROM MY COUNTERPARTS AT OTHER CITIES. EVERYBODY HAS SEEN HIGHER THAN NORMAL TURNOVER SENSE COVID. OTHER CITIES HAVE DONE SOME VERY CREATIVE THINGS BUT THEY HAVE DONE RETENTION BONUSES. THEY HAVE DONE HIRING BONUSES. THEY HAVE DONE LONGEVITY PAY THAT IS A BIG ONE. WE HAVE ALSO SEEN CITIES GO TOWARDS WHAT THEY CALL A LIVING WAGE. MEANING THEY HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW, THE BASE RATE THAT ANYONE WILL MAKE IT A CITY JOB IS GOING TO BE $19 AN HOUR. OURS IS $15. CITIES HAVE DONE SOME DIFFERENT THINGS TO TRY TO CURB THIS BECAUSE WE ARE ALL FEELING IT. WE ARE ALL FEELING IT AT THOSE ENTRY-LEVEL POSITIONS. INFLATION HAS REALLY HIT EVERYBODY AND HIT IN THAT CATEGORY THE HIGHEST , THE MOST. >> THANK YOU, MS. BRANCH. IF THERE IS NO OTHER QUESTIONS AND NO OTHER DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO THE BASE BUDGET, THEN WE ARE ON AGENDA ITEM EIGHT TO RECEIVE , CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE PROPOSED 2020 FOR DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE AND PROPOSED MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS TAX RATE. THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE A PROPOSED 2020 FOR DEBT SERVICE RATE OF 0.011 FOR $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE . I MADE THE MOTION, DIRECTOR FRANKS SECONDED . ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING, AYE [01:00:05] >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES. THEN IT BRINGS US TO OUR SECOND MOTION TO APPROVE A PROPOSED 2024 M&O RATE OF 0.1603 FOR $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE. IS THERE A MOTION? XO MOVED FROM ROOM . >> SECOND. >> IT HAS BEEN MOOD BY DIRECTOR FRANKS AND SECONDED BY WATSON BUT ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE >> OPPOSED? [9. Receive, consider and act upon the date and time for a public hearing on the proposed 2024 property tax rate, if necessary;] >> NO. >> MOTION PASSES, 6-1. THAT BRINGS US -- THANK YOU, MONIQUE -- TO AGENDA ITEM NINE TO RECEIVE, CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE DATE AND TIME ON A PUBLIC FOR THE PROPOSED 2024 PROPERTY TAX RATE. I CAN CALL ON MONIQUE SHARP OR IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED AND WAS IN OUR CALENDAR THAT THIS IS ON SEPTEMBER 5TH , 2024. IT IS A THURSDAY AT 4:30 P.M. >> CORRECT. >> THURSDAY , SEPTEMBER 5TH . 4:30 . THIS IS WHERE WE APPROVE OR NOT APPROVE THE PROPOSED 2024 , PROPOSED TAX RATE. >> THE PUBLIC HEARING I AGREE WITH AND I CAN ATTEND. IS THERE A REASON IT IS AN HOUR AND A HALF LONG? >> IT IS NOT AN HOUR AND A HALF LONG? >> WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER MEETING AFTER THAT? >> WE DO. I THINK THERE IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND THEN THERE IS A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING RIGHT AFTER THAT TO ADOPT THE BUDGET AND RATE. >> PERFECT. CAN WE PUSH THAT A LITTLE LATER TO START AT 5:00? FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING IN MIGHT BE EASIER OR 5:30. >> 5:00? >> I CAN DO 5:00. >> IS THERE A MOTION? IS THAT I MOTION, DIRECTOR NELSON? >> YES. I MOTION THAT THE MEETING -- >> SECONDED. >> THE DATE AND TIME FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 2024 PROPERTY TAX RATE IS 5:00 ON SEPTEMBER 5TH , 2024. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE . >> OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES BUT THAT BRINGS US TO 10, CLOSE SESSION. THERE IS NONE. WE DO NOT RECONVENE. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR NEXT MONTH'S , I.E. SEPTEMBER TO PLACE ON THE AGENDA. IF THERE ARE NONE, ANY BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS? NOT AT THIS TIME. I WILL ASK FOR A MOTION AND SECOND TO ADJOURN THE MEETING >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> DIRECTOR WATSON AND GIBBS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE . >> AYE. >> * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.