September 10, 2020 – Special Called Budget Workshop Minutes

Sep 22, 2020

CITY OF SEYMOUR CITY COUNCIL

SPECIAL CALLED/BUDGET WORKSHOP

MEETING MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

A Special Called/ Budget Workshop was held on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at 6:00 p.m., at the Seymour City Hall, Conference Room, 301 N. Washington Street, Seymour Texas, 76380.

Call to Order, Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Jon Hrncirik at 6:02 p.m.

Council present: Mayor Jon Hrncirik, MPT Monty Glass, Lan Winn, Brenda Miller, and Mary K. Fair.

Council absent: Brian Broome (Dr. appointment)

City Staff present: City Administrator Steve Biedermann, City Secretary Conchita Torrez, Finance Director Mary Griffin, AP/Payroll Specialist Suzanne Shumate, ED Director Lauren Bush, Water/Sewer Supervisor Robert Torrez.

Guest(s): Baylor Co. Judge Rusty Stafford, County Attorney Cody Robinette, Grant and Sarah Elliott, Fire Chief Kenneth Hons, Police Officer Neal Lott, and Charlie Rose.

1. Conduct a draft of the City of Seymour Budget Fiscal Year 2020-2021, as proposed by City Staff. City Council may direct modifications to proposed budget document.  Departments presenting their budgets are as follows:

Seymour Volunteer Fire Department and re-visit Economic Development Department.   

City Council had requested that Judge Rusty Stafford and County Attorney Cody Robinette, attend the meeting and discuss with the council the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Shared Governance Communications and Dispatch Service System, that had been previously presented to the City of Seymour.

County Attorney Robinette explained that this was an Interlocal Agreement for the City of Seymour dispatch usage. According to their records, the City including Police Department, Animal Control, Electric, Water/Sewer, and Street have used 53%, from September 2019 – June 2020.  These figures were done for a reference point and payment per contract will be based on percentage of calls for service against actual cost of dispatch for a specified time frame (Quarterly) These are ACTUAL calls, they are not based on number of radio transmissions. Each entity will pay a percentage if they agree to sign agreement. To our understanding, if an agreement is not signed, the entity will need to provide their own dispatch services. The Seymour Hospital, City of Seymour and Seymour ISD each received an agreement to sign. Due to questions that Council felt they needed more clarification, Mary K. Fair stated she would attend the September 14, 2020, Commissioners Court Meeting and try to get some answers. This agreement will be placed on the October 1, 2020, Special Called meeting.

Fire Chief Kenneth Hons submitted his budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 and ED Director Lauren Bush re-visited with City Council as her budget was cut by 15K. 

During the meeting Mayor Hrncirik felt it was important for City Council to enter an Executive Session, due to receiving a two week notice from Electric Supervisor, Jay Barrington, the day before this meeting.  This would impact the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year Budget and he felt Council would need to  figure out their options for the electric department’s future. 

An Executive Session to discuss Personnel, Section 551.074 was presented to the table after citizens were dismissed.

Executive Session begins at 9:17 p.m. and ends at 9:44 p.m.

Discuss, consider, and take action regarding deliberations from Executive Session.

Direction was given to City Administrator, Steve Biedermann to get with Water/Supervisor Robert Torrez, and let him know that the Electric Supervisor Position would be offered to Anthony Arjes, who was to start with the Water/Department in a few days.  Steve was to visit with Anthony Arjes and allow him to make his own decision on whether he would start at the Water/Sewer Department or transfer to the Electric Department. A consultant would also be considered if the Electric Department needed help. 

2. Adjournment  closes at 9:55 p.m.

PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS THE 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2020.

_____________________________________

Mayor Jon Hrncirik

Attest:

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City Secretary, Conchita Torrez, TRMC