Powlett TEX A S  CITY OF ROWLETT CITY COUNCIL  SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES  Our Vision: A well-planned lakeside community of quality neighborhoods, distinctive amenities, diverse  employment, and cultural charm, Rowlett: THE place to live, work and play.  Thursday, August 18, 2022  1:00 P.M.  Municipal Building - 4000 Main St.  Present: Mayor Margolis, Mayor Pro Tem Winget, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Shinder, Counciimember  Galuardi, Councilmember Grubisich (arrived 1:05 p.m.), Councilmember Britton and  Councilmember Bell  Mayor Margolis called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.  Public Input  There were noi in person public comments and no Citizen Input Forms received.  1.  Discuss FY2023 Proposed Budget. (240 minutes)  Brian Funderburk, City Manager, outlined the conversation, reviewed budget facts -1 total revenue, expenses and employees in both the General Fund and Utility Fund. He reviewed the list of Council's priorities developed in the spring; concerns and challenges for FY23 regarding the economy. He provided unfunded budget requests received from the various boards and  commissions and community partners.  Page by page review and discussion of the budget memo as follows:  p. 11 - anticipated # reached through City's Facebook page decreased due to previous Police p.1 12 - response times to priority 1 calls, traffic issues, society crimes, decrease in the number of cases filed with the Municipal Court, minimum staffing levels for Police per shift, and technology p.1 13-0 decreased number of shelter intake (public, internal) due to increase ini in-field returns and shelter occupancy level full and unable to take in additional animals; Code Enforcement numbers increase due to previous relaxed enforcement during COVID as well as currently being fully staffed. p. 14 - possibility of adding an additional $25,000 to the Golf Fund to help bolster available funds p.15-E Economic Development Specialist position will be reconfigured toi include responsibilities of p.16-d discuss strategy regarding maintaining pavement condition index (PCI) and finding creative ways to address repairs; federally mandated updates to commercial driving license (CDL) p.17-fil filling the CIP Manager position will continue toi improve project oversight and management.  Department dance challenge video that went viral.  and infrastructure update for Police Communications (Dispatch).  fori mpovemensymanterane at Waterview Golf Club.  Downtown Manager. requirements.  City of Rowlett  11272    p.18 - discussions regarding FY24 upcoming with decisions toi follow. breakdown of one-time costs and ongoing costs for the 4 requested officers. p.20 - discuss possibility ofi increasing homestead exemption amount. After a short break at 2:53 p.m., Council reconvened at 3:02 p.m.  p. 19-F Police Department staffing needs, process for hiring, possible mid-year hiring strategy and  p.21-N Mr. Funderburk provided an explanation of the water/wastewater: rates.  p.22- Mr. Funderburk reviewed City of Rowlett employment statistics: cost of employee turnover, retention of current employees as well as appeal for new hires, the need to be competitive ini the DFW marketplace. He provided various options for employee pay solutions and the recommendation of a proposed hybrid solution that would bring Public Safety salaries above the median comparison average, increase pay for Open Range employees as well as a 4 day 9-hour shift schedule and closure on Fridays for those Duldings/departments that currently operate 8-5 p.m. He outlined the proposed schedule changes, a recommended 10% discount for residential obtained permits to encourage online transactions VS. in person. Review possible online discount for Utility Billing as well. Consensus of Council to move forward with this proposed plan. Mr. Funderburk explained public notification will begin immediately to prepare the City's customers for the upcoming schedule change - press release, social media, website, posted at offices, etc. p.23-Wendy Badgett, Director of Financial Services, provided a description of the requested Debt &Treasury Manager position. Mr. Funderburk stated that in addition to the five positions requested in the proposed budget, need four additional Police officers and will try to accommodate that p.32 - discussion regarding vehicle replacement program and supply chain issues. p.45 - review of Employee Health Benefits Fund and this is the first time in three years that the p.44 - discussion of Hotel/Motel tax revenue increase. Mayor Pro Tem Winget advocated for the Arts and Humanities Commission's request of an additional $1,400 and asked that Council commit The next meeting will be Monday, August 22nd to further review special funds and finalize decision  through these budget discussions.  City has had toi increase employees' premium rates.  toasolution for the SH66 mural wall.  points.  The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m. 2Re Phaes Blake Margolis, Mayor Approved on: September 6, 2022  dmadkOlmatk Laura Hallmark, City Secretary  City of Rowlett  11273