By Holly Green
Staff Reporter
July 01, 2008 11:28 pm
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The Huntsville City Council received its first draft of the fiscal year 2008-09 budget on Tuesday night during a regular session at City Hall.
Interim city manager Gene Pipes presented the loose leaf document to the council on behalf of himself and the city staff.
Their goal, according to the letter of transmittal, was to “produce a workable plan at the lowest possible cost that will achieve the goals and objectives previously established in the comprehensive plan and strategic implementation plan.”
Pipes said the budget is “balance in respect to the total of estimated revenues, income and funds available being equal to or in excess of budgeted appropriations.”
According to the general fund summary, the projected beginning fund balance as of Oct. 1, 2008, is $4,700,000.
The total sources of funds — including revenues, operating transfers in and administrative reimbursements — is $16,177,747, making the total available resources $20,877,747.
The summary reports the total uses of resources at $16,328,948 — including operating and administrative reimbursement expenditures, operating transfers out and transfer to capital improvements.
The projected ending fund balance for Sept. 30, 2009, is $4,548,799, just under the original beginning fund balance.
The general summary also reports an inventory cash reservation of $90,000.
Pipes, reading the letter of transmittal, said “some basic assumptions that were considered while preparing this proposed budget.”
“Given the extreme rise in fuel costs which have affected every aspect of our collective economic lives, a 2 percent adjustment to the pay and classification system has been built in the proposed budget,” he said.
Due to lateness of the hour, the mayor and council decided to wait for further discussion of the budget at the next work session scheduled next Tuesday night.
The council begins a series of important sessions and workshops, regarding both adoption of the budget and selection of a new city manager.
“I want to thank our city manager and the staff for presenting us with this draft budget,” Turner said. “Like Mr. Pipes said, ‘It’s a start.’ ”
During the regular session, Pipes also provided several reports to the council, including the Ravenwood development.
Several councilmembers raised concerns on the multi-million dollar project and its progress, which has not been presented with clarity to the residents of Huntsville or — to a certain degree — the council.
Councilmember Wayne Barrett said he feels there is a “fundamental problem” in communication regarding the timeline, progress and compliance of the project that was approved in November.
Other councilmembers, including Lanny Ray, Melissa Mahaffey and Charles Forbus, had similar concerns.
Councilmember Tom Cole suggested that the council conduct an in-depth work session so that questions can be answered and concerns can be addressed.
During the meeting, councilmembers unanimously approved a letter of request from Joiner Partnership Inc. regarding architectural services for the new fire station on the northeast side of town.
According to the letter, Joiner Partnership will provide a “program and schematic site plan and schematic floor plan which will describe the scope of the project” at no cost to the city.
Prior to the regular session, the council heard a presentation from the Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter, where a request was made for an additional $12,000 to be funded by the city for operations.
The city currently supports the shelter with $30,000 per year.
Councilmembers viewed a PowerPoint presentation prepared by Rita B. Huff representatives, provided information to support reasoning for a new shelter in the near future.
Rita B. Huff representatives asked for the city’s support on the issue in future meetings with the Walker County Commissioners Court.
During the regular session, the council also discussed and/or approved:
• Minutes of City Council meetings held on May 20, June 3, 17 and 24, 2008,
• Annual maintenance agreement in the amount of $25,000 for Bently software licensing and support,
• Bid for various concrete products through an annual contract with Service Ready Mix and Transit Mix Concrete,
• Bid for CRS2 product through an annual contract with Cleveland Asphalt at the amount of $1.9543 per gallon,
• Bid for flexible base products through an annual contract with Pavers Supply for the purchase of all stabilized flexible base products and flexible base picked up by the City only and to allow the continuance of the contract for Service Ready Mix for delivered flexible base,
• Ordinance 2008-27, to consider budget amendments to the FY 2007-08 budget,
• Appointment of members to the City Council committees — councilmembers Mac Woodward, Dalene Zender and Barrett to finance; councilmembers Mahaffey, Ray and Cole to personnel; and councilmembers Zender and Forbus to communications and service,
• Program updates on septic tank waste pilot program and Robinson Creek/Texas Commission on Environmental Quality agreed order,
• Letter of request from United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth (U.M. Army) for a waiver of certain permits.
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