Title
Consider Minutes of Special City Council Meeting of August 1, 2023.
Summary
City of Killeen
Special City Council Meeting
Killeen City Hall
August 1, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
Presiding: Mayor Debbie Nash-King
Attending: Mayor Protem Nina Cobb, Councilmembers Ramon Alvarez, Michael Boyd, Jessica Gonzalez, Jose Segarra, Joseph Solomon and Riakos Adams
Also attending were City Manager Kent Cagle, City Attorney Holli Clements, City Secretary Laura Calcote, and Sergeant-at-Arms Officer Baskett
Approval of Agenda
Motion was made by Councilmember Boyd to approve the agenda. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Alvarez. The motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Citizen Comments
Mellisa Brown spoke regarding RS-23-120.
Michael Fornino spoke regarding RS-23-120.
Public Hearings
PH-23-043 HOLD a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Annual
Budget.
Staff Comments: Miranda Drake, Assistant Director of Finance
Ms. Drake presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Budget and provided an overview of the City’s funds.
Mayor Nash-King opened the public hearing.
Mellisa Brown spoke in opposition of the proposed budget.
Michael Fornino spoke in opposition of the proposed budget.
With no one else appearing, the public hearing was closed.
Motion was made by Mayor Protem Cobb to set the date of September 12, 2023 to consider adoption of the budget. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Solomon. The motion carried unanimously (7-0).
An amendment to the motion was made by Councilmember Adams for staff to determine a date to hold a townhall meeting prior to September 12, 2023 for citizen comment on the budget. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Boyd. The motion carried 6-1, with Mayor Protem Cobb in opposition.
Resolutions
RS-23-120 Consider a memorandum/resolution setting the preliminary tax rate for the FY 2024 Annual Budget and setting the date to hold a public hearing.
Staff Comments: Miranda Drake, Assistant Director of Finance
Ms. Drake presented City Council a historic view of property tax rates identifying changes to the rate being made in 2011, 2015, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Ms. Drake further explained the different rates: the current tax rate being $0.6233; the budgeted rate used to prepare the FY 2024 proposed budget of $0.6208; the no-new-revenue rate of $0.5473 and the voter-approval rate of $0.7075. Staff recommended that City Council set the preliminary tax rate at $0.6208.
Motion was made by Mayor Protem Cobb who stated, “I move to set the preliminary tax rate at $0.6208 and to set the date of September 12, 2023 to a hold public hearing on the tax rate with the meeting being held at 5:00 p.m. at 101 N. College Street, Killeen, Texas.” Motion was seconded by Councilmember Alvarez.
The City Secretary called for a record vote:
Councilmember Alvarez - aye
Councilmember Gonzalez - aye
Councilmember Solomon - aye
Councilmember Cobb - aye
Councilmember Segarra - aye
Councilmember Boyd - aye
Councilmember Adams - aye
Motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Adjournment
With no further business, upon motion being made by Councilmember Alvarez, seconded by Councilmember Gonzalez, and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:37 p.m.