Aug 25, 2025 City Council

[00:00:03]

SO WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. I'M MIKE MCQUISTON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DECATUR.

[CALL TO ORDER]

AND AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK OUR GUESTS FROM FIT-N-WISE TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

IF YOU WOULD FACE THE FLAG.

AND AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO HAVE COUNCIL JOIN ME UP FRONT.

[PRESENTATION(S)]

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAS A BUSINESS EACH MONTH, AND THIS MONTH IS FIT-N-WISE.

AND I'D LIKE OUR GUESTS FROM FIT-N-WISE COME ON UP.

WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING HERE TODAY. I APPRECIATE YOU BEING IN DECATUR, TEXAS.

WELL, I GIVE SOME. Y'ALL JUST GATHER AROUND. GATHER AROUND AND GATHER AROUND.

GATHER AROUND. AWESOME. ALL RIGHT. EXCELLENT.

SO, MY PRIVILEGE TO GIVE A PROCLAMATION OF FIT-N-WISE.

WHEREAS FIT-N-WISE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2000 AS A 25,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY DEDICATED TO PROMOTING HEALTH AND WELLNESS, HAS GROWN INTO A 72,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY FEATURING STATE OF THE ART AMENITIES INCLUDING GROUP EXERCISE ROOMS, A SPACIOUS FREE WEIGHT WAIT FOR A FULL AQUATIC CENTER, DRY AND WET SAUNAS AND INDOOR TRACK, MULTIPLE PURPOSE GYMNASIUM, PHYSICAL THERAPY AND ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES.

AND WHEREAS THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE HAVE REMAINED CORE TO THE MISSION OF FITNESS THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FUND RUNS COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OFFERING PROGRAMS FOR LITERALLY ALL AGES.

FIT-N-WISE HAS CONSISTENTLY WORKED TO INSPIRE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES AND A STRONGER, MORE ACTIVITY ACTIVE COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS THE GUIDING VISION OF FITNESS WISE IS BOTH SIMPLE AND PROFOUND, TO CREATE A HEALTHY COMMUNITY THAT IMPROVES LIVES AND FOSTERS MEASURABLE OUTCOMES IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS. AND WHEREAS FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS, FIT-N-WISE HAS BEEN A TRUSTED AND VALUED MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY, CONTRIBUTING TO THE OVERALL HEALTH, VITALITY, AND WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS WHILE DEMONSTRATING AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EXCELLENCE. NOW, THEREFORE, I'M MIKE MCQUISTON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DECATUR DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH, 2025 AS FIT-N-WISE DAY. CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] SO WE'RE GOING TO LET THE PROFESSIONAL BACK THERE DO IT. ALL RIGHT.

YES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WELL, AND AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK HOLLY BARRY TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT FIT-N-WISE.

I THINK YOU SAID THEM ALL. OH, WELL, THERE'S.

TRY NOT TO REPEAT THAT. SO I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE CLUB, BUT I MUST SAY IT'S A TEAM EFFORT.

AND WE BROUGHT SOME OF OUR TEAM THAT COULD NOT BE HERE TO GET TO STILL OPEN RIGHT NOW.

TO BE THE BACKBONE OF OUR BUSINESS. WE HAVE A FIT-N-WISE FITNESS AND WELLNESS CENTER. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE INDICATOR.

OUR MAYOR, THE CITY COUNCIL, EDUCATOR EDC ON [INAUDIBLE].

IN FIT-N-WISE OUR MISSION IS ALWAYS WELCOME TO PLACES WHERE HEALTH AND WELLNESS [INAUDIBLE] AGAIN.

THIS AWARD IS A REFLECTION NOT ONLY THE HARD WORK OF OUR STAFF, BUT THE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE.

FIT-N-WISE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED 14 FULL TIME, 16 PART TIME AND CONTRACTS WITH 37 GROUP EXERCISE AND PERSONAL TRAINERS.

WE ARE A CENTER THAT WELCOMES CLIENTS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF THEIR LIFE AT TWO MONTHS OLD, WELL INTO THEIR GOLDEN YEARS, AND WE OFFER PROGRAMS ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND WE'RE PROUD OF THAT.

WE FEEL LIKE THAT WE'RE A COMMUNITY CENTER AND WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE ALL THOSE OPTIONS FOR US. WE BELIEVE FITNESS IS MORE THAN [INAUDIBLE].

IT'S ABOUT BUILDING CONNECTIONS, IMPROVING LIVES, AND SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER ON THE JOURNEY FOR BETTER HEALTH.

WE ARE PROUD TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING WISE COUNTY A HEALTHIER AND STRONGER PLACE TO LIVE.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS HONOR. AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO END THIS NIGHT WITHOUT GETTING SOME SWEAT ON THE REMOTE AND EXERCISING.

[00:05:02]

OH, OKAY. I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK. OKAY. AND PLEASE PARTICIPATE IF YOU WANT YOU, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET HURT.

I WAS GOING TO GRAB HIS SHIRT. HE'S GOING TO COME UP HERE ON THE STAGE.

WAY UP THERE SO THEY ALL CAN SEE YOU. OH, WAIT.

EVERYBODY IN THE CITY, PLEASE DON'T FALL OFF.

SO IF YOU'LL SCOOT TO THE FRONT OF YOUR CHAIR, WE'LL GET YOUR BACK OFF THE CHAIR.

WE WANT GOOD POSTURE. SHOULDERS BACK. HEAD UP TOWARDS THE CEILING.

SO WE'VE GOT A COUPLE DIFFERENT VARIATIONS. WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING OUR CORE, WHICH THAT CORE INCLUDES YOUR ABS AND YOUR HIP FLEXORS.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO STICK YOUR FEET STRAIGHT OUT IN FRONT OF YOU.

AND THE FIRST VARIATION IS GOING TO BE JUST LIFTING THE RIGHT FOOT ABOUT SIX INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AND ALTERNATING THOSE.

SO GO AHEAD AND START DOING THAT. THE SECOND VARIATION, YOU'RE GOING TO.

COME ON EDDIE. FOOT AND PULL THAT INTO YOUR CHEST AND BACK OUT AND THEN DOWN ALTERNATING GOES JUST LIKE THAT.

VERY GOOD. AND SO YOU'RE GOING TO FEEL THAT IN YOUR CORE TIGHTENING GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK OF YOUR SPINE.

KEEP THAT GOOD PRESSURE. GOOD. NOW YOU'RE GOING TO HOLD THOSE ARMS OUT WHILE YOU'RE DOING THIS.

OH. [LAUGHTER] VERY GOOD. ALL GOOD. TAYLOR. [APPLAUSE] THANKS, MAN. YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. FIT-N-WISE.

IT'S BEEN GREAT A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE AND LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER 25 YEARS.

I KNOW THAT YOU'VE MADE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN A LOT OF PEOPLE'S LIVES BY HAVING ALL THAT HEALTH AND WELLNESS AVAILABLE TO US.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. MR. MAYOR, CAN I COMMENT ON THAT AS WELL.

YES, SIR. SO BOTH OF MY GIRLS LEARNED TO SWIM WITH MISS KIM AT FIT-N-WISE.

SO ONE IS 19. ONE IS 15. SO THE LONGEVITY, THE COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S AWESOME. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. YES. I WAS JUST KIDDING. OH. ALL RIGHT.

ITEM 1 ON OUR AGENDA. CITIZEN COMMENTS. DO WE HAVE SOMEBODY SIGNED UP FOR CITIZEN COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS?

[1. CITIZENS COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. ]

I'LL TRY TO STICK TO MY THREE MINUTES HERE TOO.

YES, SIR. STOP AT HD. I CAN PUSH IT. THANK YOU.

ANYWAY, ONE OF THE THINGS I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A LITTLE BIT IS OFTEN, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND OTHER THINGS, WE REALLY PUSH UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY TO BE ABLE TO HELP IN OUR JOBS OF WHAT WE DO.

IF YOU REMEMBER, NOT THIS PAST BUDGET YEAR, BUT THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

WE TALKED ABOUT UTILIZING FLOCK CAMERA SYSTEMS AND EVERYBODY THOUGHT, HEY, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA, RIGHT? SO AFTER A LONG AND STRENUOUS PROCESS OF GETTING APPROVAL WITH DPS IN THE STATE THIS PAST WEEK, WE HAD 12 FLOCK CAMERAS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN AND AROUND THE CITY.

SO THIS PAST WEEK, WE HAD ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAD BEEN HIT BY SOME BMV SUSPECTS, UTILIZING SOME HOME RING CAMERAS, WHO GAVE US A PRETTY CLOSE DESCRIPTION OF THE VEHICLE.

WE WERE THEN ABLE TO UTILIZE THE FLOCK CAMERA THAT WAS JUST INSTALLED THAT DAY TO ACTUALLY IDENTIFY THE VEHICLE ON THE LICENSE PLATE. FAST FORWARD WHILE WE'RE INVESTIGATING THAT ON FRIDAY WE HAVE AN ATM SMASH AND GRAB THAT HAPPENED AT LOWE'S MARKETPLACE OVER THE WEEKEND. AGAIN, ALL OF OUR OFFICERS HAVING ACCESS TO FLOCK QUICKLY JUMPED ON THERE, AND WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT VEHICLE IN A MATTER OF SECONDS.

ONE OF OUR OFFICERS UTILIZING THAT TECHNOLOGY.

AND SO WITH THAT, OUR DETECTIVES HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE INDIVIDUALS ON THE ATM THEFT, WHICH IS ALSO THE EXACT SAME, SOME OF THE SAME INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE PART OF OUR BMV AND OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND SO JUST TO GIVE YOU A QUICK, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES THAT TECHNOLOGY AND STUFF, IT'S NOT ALWAYS PUT OUT, BUT WITHIN DAYS OF US HAVING THAT TECHNOLOGY, WE WERE ABLE TO ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO SOLVE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT CRIMINAL OCCURRENCES WITHIN THE CITY. SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS WERE AWARE OF THAT AND HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE FOR THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE GET TO LEVERAGE THROUGH YOU GUYS AND GOING THROUGH THAT STUFF. SO I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW.

YES. GREAT NEWS. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU SIR. ALL RIGHT.

ANYONE ELSE SIGNED UP OR ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CITY? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL OPEN ITEM 2.

[2. CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING AND RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING THE CITY BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026.]

[00:10:04]

IF YOU'RE OKAY WITH IT, I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU A REPEAT OF THE PRESENTATION YOU SAW AT YOUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING, AND I'LL TRY TO CLIP IT ALONG A LITTLE BIT FASTER FOR YOUR FOR FOR YOU AND FOR THOSE THAT MAY BE WATCHING.

IT IS A REPEAT WITH NO CHANGES OTHER THAN A COUPLE OF CLERICAL TOUCH UPS AND DATE CHANGES, BUT THIS PRESENTATION WILL SERVE FOR ITEM 2. ITEM 3.

ITEM 4. ITEM 5. AND THEN ITEM 6 IS A RESOLUTION THAT RATIFIES TAX DOLLARS INSIDE OF THE BUDGET.

SO IF YOU'LL REMEMBER, I ALWAYS LIKE TO START OUR BUDGET TALKS WITH KEY DEFINITIONS.

SO JUST AS A REMINDER, NO-NEW-REVENUE RATE IS LAST YEAR'S LEVY DIVIDED BY THE CURRENT TOTAL EXPECTED TAXABLE VALUE.

NO-NEW-REVENUE IS JUST THAT SAME PIECE OR THAT SAME DEBT, EXCUSE ME, THAT SAME AMOUNT MINUS THE I&S OR INTEREST IN SINKING THE DEBT PIECE. AND THEN THE VOTER-APPROVAL TAX RATE IS YOUR NO-NEW-REVENUE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION TAX RATE, WITH A 3.5% INCREASE ALLOWED BY LEGISLATIVE MANDATE.

AND THAT IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT'S UNDER CLOSE SCRUTINY AT THE MOMENT.

SO IF YOU'RE FOLLOWING SENATE BILL 10, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO TO TUNE IN TO THAT.

AT ANY RATE, THE DE MINIMIS IS A RATE EQUAL TO THE TAX THAT IT TAKES TO GAIN 500 ADDITIONAL THOUSAND DOLLARS, 500,000 ADDITIONAL DOLLARS. AND THAT IS THE RATE THAT WE SOUGHT OUT THIS YEAR DURING OUR LEAN BUDGET PREPARATION.

THE UNUSED PENNIES OR UNUSED INCREMENT RATE, HAD WE NOT GONE ALL THE WAY TO THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE IN PREVIOUS YEARS, WE WOULD HAVE UNUSED PENNIES AVAILABLE TO US.

SOME CITIES ARE IN DIFFERENT SCENARIOS AND THEY MAY HAVE THOSE WE DO NOT.

AND JUST AS A REMINDER, THE ITEMS SOME, ITEMS THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS AND TAX RATE SETTING DO TRIGGER A ELECTION OR PETITION FOR ELECTION. SO IF WE STAY BELOW THE VOTER-APPROVAL RATE, NO ELECTION IS REQUIRED ABOVE THE VOTER-APPROVAL RATE, BUT BELOW DE MINIMIS. THERE MAY BE A PETITION FOR ROLLBACK ELECTION ABOVE THE APPROVAL RATE, AND WE DON'T CALCULATE DE MINIMIS ELECTION IS REQUIRED.

AND THEN ABOVE THE VOTER-APPROVAL RATE AND ABOVE THE DE MINIMIS IT MAY BE OR IT IS REQUIRED BY ELECTION.

SO TONIGHT HERE'S THE THINGS THAT WE'LL WALK THROUGH TOGETHER TO GET OUR BUDGET SET AND OUR TAX RATE ADOPTED.

WE'LL WE'RE HOLDING OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS RIGHT NOW FOR BOTH THE BUDGET AND TAX RATE.

IN A MOMENT, YOU'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE SECOND READING OF A PAIR OF ORDINANCES, ONE FOR YOUR BUDGET, ONE FOR YOUR TAX RATE. AND THOSE WILL BE ACTION ITEMS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER TONIGHT.

AND THEN THERE'S A RESOLUTION TO RATIFY THE PROPERTY TAX INSIDE OF OUR APPROVED BUDGET.

ALL RIGHT. SO YOUR CURRENT FY 25 TOTAL TAXABLE PROPERTY VALUES ARE ON THE LEFT 01,378,121,000.

AND THEN FY 26 IS 1,495,281,000. AND THAT REPRESENTS ABOUT A 7.5% INCREASE IN TAXABLE PROPERTY VALUE AND ABOUT 17.5 MILLION OF THAT WAS CAME IN THE FORM OF A NEW CONSTRUCTION.

SO WE TAKE THE SAME LOOK AT OUR PROPERTY TAX RATE, THE CURRENT TAX RATE WE HAVE, WHICH WOULD BE FY 25 CALENDAR YEAR, 24'S TAX RATE IS 0.577551. AND THIS YEAR WE HAVE PROPOSED A PROPERTY TAX RATE OF 0.565713, WHICH IS JUST OVER ONE PENNY LOWER THAN WHERE WE WERE AT LAST YEAR.

AND YOU'LL ALSO NOTICE THAT FROM 25 TO 26, OUR I&S, OUR DEBT TAX DROPPED A LITTLE BIT AND THEN OUR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION RAISED A LITTLE BIT. AND I DO APOLOGIZE, THE COMPUTER CUT OFF FOR THE LAST NUMBERS HERE ON THE FAR RIGHT.

BUT THIS IS JUST OUR BENCHMARKING SLIDE FOR PROPERTY TAX RATE.

THIS SHOWS YOUR COMBINED TAX RATE SINCE 2019.

IT ALSO SHOWS YOUR CERTIFIED TAXABLE VALUE. AND YOU CAN SEE HISTORICALLY ABSENT OF TAKING ON LARGE NEW DEBT PROJECTS.

HISTORICALLY, THE TAX RATE GENTLY TRENDS DOWN WHILE THE VALUES GENTLY TREND UP, AND THE IDEA IS TO KEEP THE TOTAL TAX RATES FOR THE CITIZENS GENTLY TRENDING DOWN. HERE'S YOUR HOMESTEAD IMPACT FOR THE YEAR.

AGAIN, THE TOTAL TAX RATE PER $100 OF VALUE WENT DOWN BY JUST OVER 2%, WHILE THE AVERAGE HOMESTEAD TAXABLE VALUE

[00:15:04]

AND IF YOU'LL REMEMBER, WE HAVE TO ADVERTISE THAT WE RAISE THE TAX BY -$11.84.

AND THEN JUST A REMINDER. THANKS TO YOUR ACTION AND THE RESEARCH BY STAFF, WE WERE ABLE TO INCREASE THE DISABILITY FROM 25,000 TO 30,000.

SO WE DID HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET THAT WAS PROPOSED AT YOUR LAST COUNCIL.

AND AGAIN, THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SERVED ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. THANK YOU TO STAFF.

DEPARTMENT HEADS, EVERYONE WHO CAME TOGETHER PUT THEIR HEADS TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE CALLING A LEAN BUDGET FOR FY 26.

IT WAS VERY PERSONNEL DRIVEN IN TERMS OF RETAINING THE GOOD TALENT AND PERSONNEL THAT WE HAVE AND SEEKING TO JUST KIND OF HOLD WHERE WE'RE AT UNTIL SOME NEW CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS COME ONLINE AND OUR SALES TAX REVENUES STABILIZE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BUT WE ARE FUNDING OUR MERIT PROGRAM, FUNDING OUR STEP PLAN FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND THEN WE'RE POSTURING OURSELVES FOR A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN HEALTH INSURANCE AT AROUND 25%.

AND AGAIN, JUST A REMINDER, THE IDEA WAS TO HOLD THE EMPLOYEES PORTION AND NOT INCREASE IT SO THAT THEY GOT, THEY TRULY RECEIVED A MERIT RAISE OR A STEP RAISE.

AND THOSE DOLLARS DIDN'T HAVE TO TURN AROUND AND GO TOWARDS HEALTH INSURANCE.

HERE'S YOUR SALES TAX COLLECTION PICTURE. AND AS A REMINDER WE FORECASTED 2.5% INCREASE.

SO THE COMBINED TOTAL FOR FY 26, COUNTING THE CITIES PORTION AND THE EDC PORTION IS JUST OVER 7 MILLION EXPECTED.

AND THEN HERE'S A WHAT WE CALL A BUDGET AND A BRIEF FOR GENERAL FUND.

SO YOUR GENERAL FUND REVENUES 17.765 MILLION.

AND YOUR EXPENSES COMING IN AT 17.764. AND YOU CAN SEE ON THE RIGHT THE BULK OF THOSE NEW DOLLARS WENT TOWARDS YOUR MERIT AND YOUR STEP PLANS, YOUR LONGEVITY CERTIFICATION, AND THEN OF COURSE, ANTICIPATING THOSE HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS TO INCREASE.

AND AS A REMINDER, WE DISCUSSED LAST TIME WE WERE TOGETHER UNEVEN REVENUE HISTORY.

THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE HISTORICALLY, WE'VE TRANSFERRED DOLLARS FROM THE WATER FUND INTO THE GENERAL FUND.

AND AFTER A CONVERSATION WITH MOODY'S AND A CONVERSATION IN-HOUSE BETWEEN GEN AND MYSELF, WE DECIDED THAT IT WAS NO LONGER FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE TO BE TRANSFERRING DOLLARS FROM THE WATER FUND INTO THE GENERAL FUND, SO WE REDUCED THAT.

THAT IMMEDIATELY MADE OUR REVENUE PICTURE LOOK UNEVEN COMING INTO FY 26.

BUT THEN ALSO JUST A GENERAL REMINDER OF THE USE OF AMERICAN RESCUE DOLLARS IS DONE BY THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR.

SO WE HAD TO ACCOUNT FOR THAT AS WELL. AND THEN JUST BALANCING OUR EXPECTATIONS ON REVENUES FELT VERY CRITICAL THIS YEAR TO GET US TO A POINT WHERE OUR FORECASTS WOULD MATCH OUR ACTUALS. WE DID NOT WANT TO KEEP FORECASTING REVENUES HIGHER THAN THEY WERE ACTUALLY COMING IN.

BUT THEN IN CONTRAST TO THAT, ALL THE REVENUES THAT WERE TRENDING DOWN ARE OFFSET BY THOSE THAT SEEM TO BE TRENDING UP.

SO YOUR SALES AND PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION, YOU'RE BUILDING PERMITS UP SUBSTANTIALLY.

AND THEN YOU CAN SEE FRANCHISE TAX, PARK AND REC FUND, CONFERENCE CENTER ACTIVITY AND SO ON.

SO OUR HOPE IS BY THE TIME WE BALANCE FY 25, THAT WE'RE IN A SITUATION THAT THE ONES THAT TREND UP WASH, THE ONES THAT TREND DOWN, AND WE'RE STILL IN A GOOD POSITION.

I'LL BRIEFLY TOUCH ON THE WATER FUND. AS A REMINDER WE HAD, EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS THIS, BUT WE HAD A VERY WET SPRING, WHICH LED TO WATER SALES BEING DOWN SUBSTANTIALLY.

SO YOU CAN SEE THEIR BUDGET DECREASED. ON THE REVENUE SIDE OF THE HOUSE AND ON THE EXPENSE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, QUITE A BIT. BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS NO NEW DEBT PAYMENTS THIS YEAR WERE EXPECTED, AND WE WERE ABLE TO BALANCE THE WATER FUND AT RIGHT AT 6.5 MILLION.

[00:20:04]

AND WE WERE ABLE TO SLIDE SOME OF THOSE DOLLARS OVER INTO M&O AND HELP OFFSET THE M&O BURDEN THIS YEAR.

SO THIS IS WHAT YOUR BUDGET LOOKS LIKE. IN THE BIG PICTURE WE HAVE YOUR GENERAL FUND DOLLARS, YOUR WATER AND SEWER OR FUND TWO, AS WE CALL IT.

AND THEN YOUR DEBT SERVICE. DEBT SERVICE REPRESENTS AROUND EIGHT OR SO PERCENT OF THE TOTAL BUDGET.

AND THEN YOUR GENERAL FUND REPRESENTS AROUND 64, 65% OF YOUR OF YOUR TOTAL CITY BUDGET.

AND I WILL PAUSE RIGHT THERE, MAYOR, AND TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.

I ALSO HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. AND JUST A REMINDER YOU ARE IN A PUBLIC HEARING.

VERY GOOD. I KNOW ONE THING IN YOUR PRESENTATION.

YOU MAY HAVE SAID IT, BUT I DIDN'T HEAR IT. I KNOW THAT YOU MENTIONED THE DISABILITY ON THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, BUT IT ALSO INCLUDES FOR OVER 65. I DID WANT TO CLARIFY THAT YOU MAY HAVE SPOKE TO THAT AS WELL.

I MAY HAVE HEARD PASSED THAT. YES, SIR. MAYOR, THE IT'S THE DISABILITY AND THE I BELIEVE IT'S A MILITARY EXEMPTION THAT WENT FROM 25,000 TO 30,000 OVER 65, AND DISABLED MILITARY VETS, I BELIEVE.

VERY GOOD. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE TO CLARIFY.

THANK YOU. YES, SIR. GOOD CATCH. OTHER. OTHER COMMENTS.

ALL RIGHT. AND AGAIN, ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC WANTING TO MAKE COMMENT ON THIS? ALL RIGHT. WELL, WE WILL THEN CLOSE THIS ITEM AT 6:21 AND WE'RE STILL IN A PUBLIC HEARING. AND WE'LL OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 3 AT 6:21.

[3. CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING AND RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING FISCAL YEAR 2025 2026 AD VALOREM TAX RATE OF $0.565713]

AD VALOREM TAX RATE OF $0.565713. AND NATE YOU DID REVIEW ALL THIS INFORMATION JUST IN THIS LAST PRESENTATION. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING AD VALOREM? ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP FOR ITEM THREE? ALL RIGHT. WELL, HEARING NO OTHER COMMENTS OR HAVE ANYONE ELSE TO SPEAK, WE WILL CLOSE THAT ITEM AT 6:22.

AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC HEARING SECTION.

ITEM 4. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DECATUR ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST,

[4. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DECATUR, TEXAS ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2025, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2026, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY CHARTER AND STATE LAW; PROVIDING FOR THE FILING OF THE BUDGET AS REPRESENTED IN DRAFT FORM; PROVIDING FOR THE INCORPORATION OF PREMISES; PROVIDING A CUMULATIVE REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ORDINANCE 2025-08-26 ]

AS I STATED WHEN I FIRST CAME UP, THE PRESENTATION SHOULD HAVE COVERED ALL THE ITEMS THROUGH ITEM 6.

I'M CERTAINLY HAPPY TO GO BACK TO ANY OF THE INFORMATION FROM THE PRESENTATION IF YOU NEED FURTHER CLARITY.

AND I WOULD JUST ALSO REMIND YOU THAT YOUR BUDGET PACKET IN ITS ENTIRETY BEGINS ON PAGE THREE.

IF THERE'S A QUESTION YOU HAVE, I'M HAPPY TO STEP THROUGH THOSE QUESTIONS WITH YOU AND THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS.

THIS IS AN ACTION ITEM AND I HAVE DRAFTED A LANGUAGE FOR YOU TO CONSIDER.

VERY GOOD. SO IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS, WE'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION.

MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE ORDINANCE 2025-08-26 OF THE CITY OF DECATUR, ADOPTING A BUDGET OF THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2025 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2026, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY CHARTER AND STATE LAW PROVIDING FOR THE FILING OF THE BUDGET AS PRESENTED IN DRAFT FORM. PROVIDING FOR THE INCORPORATION OF PREMISES, PROVIDING AN ACCUMULATIVE REPEALING CLAUSE, PROVIDING SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

MOTION. I'M GOING TO SECOND THAT. SO WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND WE DO HAVE A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION. ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A RECORD VOTE. SO THOSE THAT ARE IN FAVOR, IF YOU WOULD SAY AYE AND IF YOU'RE OPPOSED, SAY NAY. WE'LL BEGIN AT THE END OF THE TABLE WITH MISS JACKSON.

AYE. OH, AND DO WE NEED TO STATE OUR NAME? CITY ATTORNEY? AS LONG AS IT'S CLEAR. OKAY. AS LONG AS IT'S CLEAR.

LIKE IT JUST WAS BECAUSE YOU CALLED ON COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON.

THAT'S FINE. FOR THE RECORD. EVERYONE MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT.

IDENTIFY OURSELVES AND YOUR VOTE. DARLENE HILTON, YES.

MIKE MCQUISTON, AYE. WILL CARPENTER, AYE. EDDIE ALLEN, AYE.

MELINDA REEVES, AYE. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. THAT ITEM PASSES ITEM 5.

[5. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DECATUR, TEXAS APPROVING THE 2025 CERTIFIED APPRAISAL ROLL; LEVYING AD VALOREM TAXES FOR 2025 AT $0.565713 PER ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ASSESSED VALUATION OF ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY TO PROVIDE REVENUES FOR CURRENT EXPENSES AND INTEREST AND SINKING FUND REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING DUE AND DELINQUENT DATES; PROVIDING FOR THE INCORPORATION OF PREMISES; PROVIDING A CUMULATIVE REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ORDINANCE 2025-08-27 ]

[00:25:11]

I HAVE PROVIDED THE CLIP FROM THE PREVIOUS PRESENTATION HERE FOR YOU.

IT IS AN ACTION ITEM AND IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS, I HAVE SOME LANGUAGE FOR YOU TO CONSIDER.

EXCELLENT. SO BE IT. COUNCIL. MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE ORDINANCE 2025-08-27 OF THE CITY OF DECATUR APPROVING THE 2025 CERTIFIED APPRAISAL RULE, LEVYING AD VALOREM TAXES FOR 2025 AT $0.565713 PER $100 ASSESSED VALUATION OF ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY, TO PROVIDE REVENUES FOR CURRENT EXPENSES AND INTEREST IN SINKING FUND REQUIREMENTS.

PROVIDING DUE AND DELINQUENT DATES. PROVIDING FOR THE INCORPORATION OF PREMISES.

PROVIDING A CUMULATIVE REPEALING CLAUSE. PROVIDING SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE A MOTION. SECOND. AND WE HAVE A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION. ALL RIGHT.

AGAIN THIS IS A RECORD VOTE. SO IDENTIFY YOURSELVES AN AI OR AN A DEBORAH JACKSON, AYE.

DARLENE HILTON, AYE. MIKE MCQUISTON, AYE. WILL CARPENTER, AYE.

EDDIE ALLEN, AYE. MELINDA REEVES, AYE. ALL RIGHT.

THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ITEM 6 CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE

[6. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE INCREASE REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 2026. RESOLUTION R2025-08-22 ]

MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THIS ITEM WAS ALSO COVERED VERY BRIEFLY IN THE PRESENTATION, BUT YOUR RESOLUTION TONIGHT JUST RATIFIES THE TAX, THE NEW TAX THAT WAS CREATED AND ADDED TO THE BUDGET IN THE FORM OF A REVENUE.

AND TO PUT A NOTE DOWN THERE ON THE BOTTOM THAT WAS ALSO TAKEN FROM THE ORIGINAL BUDGET PRESENTATION AND IF THERE ARE NO CLARIFYING QUESTIONS.

ITEM SIX ALSO HAS LANGUAGE FOR YOU TO CONSIDER.

ALL RIGHT. COUNCIL. MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION, PLEASE.

I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION R2025-08-22 OF THE CITY OF DECATUR RATIFYING THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE INCREASE REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 25 AND 26. I HAVE A MOTION.

SECOND. AND WE HAVE A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION? ALL RIGHT. AGAIN THIS IS A RECORD VOTE FOR RATIFICATION.

AND WE'LL BEGIN AGAIN AT THE END OF THE TABLE FOR AYES OR NAYS.

DEBORAH JACKSON, AYE. DARLENE HILTON, AYE. MIKE MCQUISTON, AYE.

WILL CARPENTER, AYE. EDDIE ALLEN, AYE. MELINDA REEVES, AYE.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THAT ITEM PASSES. ITEM 7.

CONSIDER TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW A CARPORT THAT IS IN EXCESS OF 24FT IN LENGTH,

[7. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW A CARPORT THAT IS IN EXCESS OF TWENTY-FOUR (24) FEET IN LENGTH, TO ALLOW A CARPORT IN EXCESS OF TWELVE (12) IN HEIGHT, AND TO ALLOW A SECOND CARPORT ON A LEGALLY PLATTED LOT, IN AN SF-2, SINGLE-FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT, ON APPROXIMATELY 0.45 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 1204 JOHN AVENUE, DECATUR, TEXAS. (CHERISSA MCCONNELL) (THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL 6-0) SUP-25-0003. ORDINANCE 2025-08-28]

MAYOR, I HAVE A REQUEST ON ITEM 7, 8, 9, AND 10.

IF THEY ARE SO APPROVED, WOULD THE MAKER OF THE MOTION INCLUDE PENDING FINAL APPROVAL BY LEGAL ON THESE FOUR, THANK YOU. I THANK YOU, COUNCIL. ALL RIGHT. WAYNE.

SO THIS IS A SECOND READING OF THE CARPORT OR SUV THAT WAS PRESENTED TO YOU AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING.

NO CHANGES TO THIS ONE HAVE BEEN MADE. AND JUST LOOKING FOR A SECOND READING.

VERY GOOD COUNCIL. ANY QUESTIONS? IF NONE, WE'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION.

MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE SUP-25-0003, ORDINANCE 2025-08-28.

PENDING LEGAL APPROVAL. SECOND. NICELY WORDED.

WE HAVE A MOTION A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED SAME SIGN.

ALL RIGHT. THAT ITEM PASSES. THANK YOU. ITEM 8.

CONSIDER TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW THE SALE OF ALCOHOL OR MIXED BEVERAGES FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION IN A C-1A

[8. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC OR MIXED BEVERAGES FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION IN A C-1A, DECATUR SQUARE BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICT, ON APPROXIMATELY 0.11 ACRES OF LAND DESCRIBED AS LOT 3, BLOCK 12, ORIGINAL TOWN OF DECATUR, LOCATED AT 109 N STATE STREET, DECATUR, TEXAS. (PAPPY JACKS) (THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL 6-0) SUP-25-0004. ORDINANCE 2025-08-29]

IT IS AN SUP FOR SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES THERE.

NO CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THIS. JUST LOOKING FOR A SECOND READING TO VOTE.

ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS? LOOK FOR A MOTION. MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE SUP-25-0004.

[00:30:03]

COUNCIL MEMBER CARPENTER, COULD YOU ADD, IF YOU SO CHOSE TO PENDING LEGAL APPROVAL? YES. YES, MA'AM. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE SUP-25-0004.

ORDINANCE 2025-08-29 WITH LEGAL APPROVAL. VERY WELL WORDED.

ALL RIGHT. AND WE HAVE A SECOND. THAT'S GOOD.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. AYE. OPPOSED SAME SIGN. ALL RIGHT. THAT ITEM PASSES.

ITEM 9. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ORDINANCE OF NUMBER 2022-10-28,

[9. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2022-10-28, AND APPENDIX B, “ZONING,” OF THE CITY’S CODE OF ORDINANCES AND THE CITY’S OFFICIAL ZONING MAP TO PROVIDE FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE CURRENT ZONING REGULATIONS ON A TRACT OF APPROXIMATELY 166 +/- ACRES, THE PALOMA TRAILS PLANNED DEVELOPMENT, TO UPDATE THE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR THE COMMERCIAL PARCELS. (PALOMA TRAILS) (THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL 6-0) PD-25-0002 ORDINANCE 2025-08-30 ]

CITY OFFICIALS ZONING MAP FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE CURRENT ZONING REGULATIONS.

THE TRACK FOR PALOMA TRAIL PLAN DEVELOPMENT. THIS WAS A REVISION TO THEIR PLANNED PALOMA TRAILS PLAN DEVELOPMENT. THAT WAS BROUGHT TO YOU AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME CLERICAL CLEANUP ON THE ORDINANCE ITSELF.

THIS IS PERTAINING TO MATERIALS USED FOR EXTERIOR FACADES, ACCESSORIES CANOPIES, STOREFRONT AND ROOFING. THERE IS NO CHANGE TO THE ZONING.

NO CHANGE TO THE ANNEXATION WITH THIS ORDINANCE.

THERE IS A SEPARATE ANNEXATION THAT DEALS WITH A DIFFERENT PIECE OF PROPERTY ON THIS THAT WILL BE COMING LATER.

AND NO CHANGE TO THE RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROPERTY, EITHER.

IT'S ONLY PERTAINS TO THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES.

VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL? I KNOW THAT BRADY IS HERE.

IF THERE'S ANY COMMENTS THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE.

SURE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. ALL RIGHT, FAIR ENOUGH.

IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS, WE'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE PD-25-0002 AND ORDINANCE 2025-08-30 WITH LEGAL APPROVAL. SECOND. NICELY WORDED. GOOD. SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED SAME SIGN. ALL RIGHT. THAT ITEM PASSES.

[10. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING APPENDIX “B,” “ZONING,” OF THE CITY OF DECATUR’S CODE OF ORDINANCES, CONTAINING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DECATUR 201 E. Walnut  P.O. Box 1299  Decatur, TX 76234  (940) 393-0200 Voice  (940) 393-0201 Fax (“ZONING ORDINANCE”); TO PROVIDE FOR AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE 3, SUBSECTION 3.2, “DEFINITIONS”; TO PROVIDE FOR AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 7.5, “SCREENING, FENCING, AND BUFFERING REGULATIONS”; TO PROVIDE FOR AMENDMENTS TO SUBSECTION 7.5.2, “SCREENING OF NONRESIDENTIAL AND MULTI-FAMILY AREAS WITH SCREENING WALLS”; AND TO PROVIDE AMENDMENTS TO SUBSECTION 7.5.3, “FENCES IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.” (THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL 6-0) SI-25-0002 ORDINANCE 2025-08-31]

ARTICLE THREE, SECTION 3.2 SCREENING, FENCING AND BUFFERING REGULATIONS.

WAYNE. THIS IS THE SAME ORDERS THAT WAS BROUGHT TO YOU AT THE LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING, REVISING THOSE SECTIONS OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO FENCING AND SCREENING AND BUFFERING. NO CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE YOU'VE SEEN IT.

ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL? LOOK FOR A MOTION.

MR. MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE SI-25-0002, ORDINANCE 2025-08-31, PENDING LEGAL APPROVAL. ALL RIGHT, SO I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. AYE. OPPOSED SAME SIGN. ALL RIGHT. THAT ITEM PASSES.

THANK YOU. VERY GOOD. ITEM 11. DISCUSS SCHOOL ZONE ORDINANCE AND CONSIDER ORDERING A SPEED ZONE STUDY PURSUANT TO STATE LAW.

[11. DISCUSS SCHOOL ZONE ORDINANCE AND CONSIDER ORDERING A SPEED ZONE STUDY PURSUANT TO STATE LAW. ]

IF YOU GIVE ME ACTION TONIGHT, IT JUST BE A SIMPLE VOTE.

OKAY. BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THE BUDGET FOR FY 25.

AND I MEANT TO SAY THAT EARLIER, BUT WAYNE WAS READY TO GET ROLLING.

I THINK YOU WERE TOO. OKAY, SO THIS ITEM CAME TO US FROM MRS. HILTON, WHO ASKED FOR THIS TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA.

WE'VE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE FOLKS AT VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY FOR SOME TIME NOW, ABOUT THE MULBERRY SIDE OF THEIR CAMPUS NEEDING TO BE DESIGNATED AS A SCHOOL ZONE.

AND SO OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS, PAM AND MYSELF AND A HANDFUL OF STAFF MEMBERS HAVE DOVE INTO THE QUESTION HERE ABOUT THE SCHOOL ZONES.

AND SO, BASED ON WHAT WE CAN FIND HISTORICALLY IN OUR ORDINANCES FOR OUR DISD CAMPUSES, WE BELIEVE THEY'RE IN GOOD SHAPE AND MOST ALL OF THEM, AS A MATTER OF FACT, ALL OF THEM HAVE THE CORRECT SIGNAGE.

EITHER THEY HAVE TIMES AND DATES, OR THEY HAVE A FLASHING LIGHT, OR IN SOME SITUATIONS THEY HAVE BOTH.

BUT THE ITEM IN QUESTION HERE IS VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY ON MULBERRY STREET.

AND YOU CAN SEE THERE, AND THIS ISN'T A DATED PHOTO FROM WHEN THEY WERE CONSTRUCTING THEIR ACCESSORY BUILDING DOWN THERE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE EAST SIDE OF THE CAMPUS.

BUT YOU CAN SEE THERE THAT SIGN THAT'S PLACED.

IT IS NOT A FLASHING SIGN, AND IT DOES NOT HAVE TIMES OR DATES ATTACHED TO IT.

[00:35:02]

BUT OUR LEGAL FRAMEWORK HERE, THE TRANSPORTATION CODE CHAPTER 545.357, ALLOWS MUNICIPALITIES TO ALTER SPEED LIMITS, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO SO WITH A SPEED STUDY.

SO IF WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE BASIC STEPS OF THIS, WE WOULD CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.

AND WE CAN DO THAT AT THE WE MUST ACT IF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS TO REQUEST THIS FROM US, BUT WE CAN ACT ANY OTHER TIME.

WE SO CHOOSE BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM COUNCIL OR OTHER ADMIN STAFF.

BUT IF IF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WERE TO BE ASKING FOR THIS TYPE OF STUDY, WE WOULD HAVE TO RESPOND.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLARIFICATION. ONCE WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING, WE WOULD MOVE TO THE ENGINEERING PHASE AND TRAFFIC INVESTIGATION.

SO WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A TRAFFIC STUDY OR AN ENGINEERED TRAFFIC STUDY TO EVALUATE THE SAFETY CONDITIONS AND THEN JUSTIFY THE SPEED THAT WE DESIRE TO ASSIGN IN THAT AREA. SO WE WOULD ESSENTIALLY HAVE A LETTER FROM AN ENGINEER SAYING, HERE'S THE SPEED LIMIT WE WOULD APPLY.

AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING. YOU WORK INTO YOUR ORDINANCE.

THE ISSUE WITH THAT IS IT'S QUITE COSTLY. WE'VE BEEN QUOTED UP TO $20,000 FROM AN ENGINEER FIRM TO HAVE THAT ONE PIECE DONE.

NOW IT WOULD THE COST WOULD COME DOWN IF WE'RE ONLY LOOKING AT THE MULBERRY STREET SCHOOL ZONE.

BUT IF WE WERE TO HAVE TO DO ALL OF THEM OVER, IT CERTAINLY WOULD REACH 20,000, IF NOT A LITTLE MORE.

WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO A PARTNER CITY AND HOPING TO WORK WITH THEIR ENGINEERS TO GET THAT LETTER OF APPROVAL DONE, BUT THAT'S STILL KIND OF A WORK IN PROGRESS. SO I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU THAT CLARITY ON THE ENGINEERING PIECE OF A TRAFFIC STUDY.

AND THEN ONCE WE HAVE A DECISION MADE, WE COULD MOVE FORWARD, AND THEN WE WOULD PUT THE RIGHT SIGNAGE UP.

AND I'LL SWITCH TO SIGNAGE HERE IN JUST A MOMENT.

SO WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT THAT, BUT ONLY AFTER SIGNAGE.

A PROPER SIGNAGE ARRIVES. CAN LAW ENFORCEMENT GO AND ENFORCE THE ORDINANCE BY LAW.

SO THERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS. SOME OF YOU MAY BE AWARE OF THIS.

TXDOT DOES HAVE A COUPLE OF SPEED ZONES ASSIGNED TO SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS.

THE EASIEST ONE TO POINT OUT IS DOWN OFF OF THE SOUTH BUSINESS ROUTE IN FRONT OF CARSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THAT IS A TXDOT APPROVED SPEED ZONE. AND SO THEY HAVE SIGNED THAT APPROPRIATELY.

AND ANOTHER THING TO CONSIDER IS IF WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE PAINS OF UPDATING OUR SCHOOL ZONES ANY.

WE SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER THE SIGNAGE FOR CELL PHONE RESTRICTIONS.

JUST MAKE SURE THAT'S NOTED IN THE RIGHT, IN ALL THE RIGHT SCHOOL ZONES.

SO WE LOOK TO, WHEN WE TALK THROUGH SIGNAGE, WE LOOK TO THE TEXAS MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AS A AS THE STANDARD IN WHICH WE HAVE TO SIGN AREAS BY. AND THIS IS A MASSIVE DOCUMENT BY THE WAY.

BUT WE DID DEFINE SCHOOL ZONE HERE AS A DESIGNATED ROADWAY SEGMENT OR SEGMENT APPROACHING ADJACENT TO AND BEYOND SCHOOL BUILDINGS OR GROUNDS OR ALONG WHICH SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITIES OCCUR. SO THAT'S VERY WIDE OPEN.

BUT THE STUDY WOULD DEFINE THOSE AREAS FURTHER FOR US IF WE SO CHOOSE THAT ROUTE.

AND THEN HERE'S SOME EXAMPLES OF THE SIGNAGE.

AND YOU CAN SEE HERE IF YOU LOOK ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT, MOST OF OUR SCHOOL ZONES HAVE THE CORRECT SIGNS AND OR FLASHING LIGHTS RIGHT NOW AS THE SCHOOL CHANGE STARTS, YOU KNOW, CHANGES THE DIFFERENT START AND STOP TIMES, THAT BECOMES A LITTLE PROBLEMATIC.

BUT WE CAN CURE THAT WITH JUST A SIMPLE SIGN CHANGE TO READ WHEN FLASHING AND THEN IT BECOMES PROGRAMING FROM THERE.

THE POINT OF TONIGHT'S CONVERSATION WITH YOU WAS TO TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE SOME OPTIONS, AND YOU CERTAINLY COULD ORDER US TO DO A SPEED STUDY, BUT I WOULD HUMBLY ASK FOR JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME.

AND I THINK WE CAN FIND A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY TO TAKE CARE OF THE MULBERRY STREET SCHOOL ZONE AT VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, AND I'M CERTAINLY HAPPY TO ATTEMPT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OR DEFER TO LEGAL OR POLICE OR PUBLIC WORKS IF THERE'S ANYTHING POINTED THAT WE HAVEN'T REALLY COVERED.

ALL RIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL OR COMMENTS? I WOULD SAY, YEAH, WHY DON'T GO AHEAD AND PROCEED COLLECTING INFORMATION AND BRING FORWARD AS NECESSARY.

THANK YOU MAYOR, COUNCIL. I WOULD ASK STAFF, CHIEF CAMPBELL, GREG, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT THAT WE MAY HAVE UNINTENTIONALLY MISSED? PAM, LEGAL. OKAY. VERY GOOD. THIS PROJECT IS IN MOTION AND WE HAVE ALL THE DATA WE NEED.

WE JUST NEED TO FIND THE RIGHT AVENUE. PERFECT.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ADDRESSING THAT. APPRECIATE THAT SO MUCH.

[12. CONSENT AGENDA]

[00:40:04]

OTHERWISE WE'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS WRITTEN.

SECOND, SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE, AYE. OPPOSED SAME SIGN.

ALL RIGHT. THAT ITEM PASSES. ITEM 13. COUNCIL MEMBERS REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.

[13. COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. ]

THANK YOU EVERYBODY. NICE WORK.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.