CITY OF SCHULENBURG SCHULENBURG, TX July 27, 2023  The City Council oft the City of Schulenburg met in a Budget Workshop on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 4:00 P.M. in the City Hall Multi-Purpose Room located at 535 N. Main, Schulenburg, Texas. The elected officials present included Mayor, Connie Koopmann, Aldermen, Greg Thomas, Frank Wick III, Larry' Veselka, Scott Stoner, and Clarence Ahlschlager. City Staff present were City Administrator, Tami Walker, Operations Manager, Darryl Moeller, Police  Chief, Troy Brenek, and City Secretary, Mason Florus.  Mayor Koopmann called role.  Mrs. Walker announced that the current budget that she will hand out tonight is at $21 Million. Last year's was $14 Million. Inflation, 18 % increase in health insurance and 18.16% increase in property and liability insurance contributed to the increase. Mrs. Walker stated that she didn't have the Ad' Valorem Tax numbers yet, we will only discuss expenditures tonight. Mrs. Walker then handed a list of Capital Projects and major items were discussed by  department.  Under Civic Center, Mrs. Walker informed Council that Cutright and Prihoda gave a rough quote of $2 Million for a completely renovated building with new fixtures and new furniture. Mayor Koopmann stated that Council should move on and come back to the Civic Center after other Accounts Payablel Municipal Court Clerk, Julie Cernosek, entered the Multi-Purpose Room at Under Street Department, the main project will be Herder Ave. from 901 to Simpson for $1.345 Alderman Stoner stated that he didn't think the City needed any new pickup trucks. Council  cuts were made. 4:26.  Million. Other street projects and the maintainer were cut.  came to a general consensus to take a truck out of Sports Complex. Nothing was cut from Water, Sewer, or Electric Departments. Under Garbage Department, a DFA container was cut from the budget.  Under Warehouse, the ice maker was cut because the City will purchase one this budget year  for around $8,000.    Under Sports Complex, Mrs. Walker stated that the fitness court will be puti in with aid from a grant ranging between $30,000 and $50,000. Mrs. Walker also announced that she is planning to add new playground equipment and a pickleball court with aid of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Under Wolters Park, alderman Stoner questioned if the City could buy fewer trees at a bigger size sO they'd be more established. Council generally agreed. The six handicap spots for the American Legion Hall were discussed. Six spots would cost $140,000. Aldermen Ahlschlager and Veselka said they would have more information after their next American Legion Meeting. Under Expo Center, there was discussion about extending the fence. More research is going to be done to see the price of extending the current fence and presented at the next workshop. Under Pool, there was a general consensus to keep the pool open for Swim Team and then shut down to the public after the season. Mrs. Walker stated that hopefully the City can secure a Under Office and Management, there was a general consensus to budget $1,000 for a donation Under Police Department, Chief stated that he is taking out the additional School Resource Officer. Council asked Chief to look into possibly financing the Police Station. He will provide Mrs. Walker mentioned to Council the increases in insurance and that she figured in a 5% Cost of Living Adjustment for employees' salaries. Mayor Koopmann asked city staff to step out of the  Grant. Ar new bunker rake and a new truck were cut.  grant next year and reopen to the public after a re-model.  to Senior Connections.  Council with an update at the next budget workshop.  room.  City staff returned about an hour and a half later. was cut. The total now stands at $19,416,587.  Totals were run and as of the end of the current budget workshop, approximately $1.6 Million Mayor Koopmann asked Mrs. Walker to look into financing options for the Civic Center. Alderman Veselka made a motion, seconded by Alderman Wick, to adjourn the workshop at  8:43. The motion passed unanimously.