CITY OF SANTA FE SPECIAL MEETING SANTA FE CITY COUNCIL JULY25, 2024 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS 12002 HWY.6, SANTA FE, TEXAS  MINUTES  The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Brandon Noto.  Roll Call:  Present:  Mayor Brandon Noto Councilmember Rusty Schroeder, arrived at 6:02 p.m. Councilmember Ryan L. McCamy Councilmember John Dickerson Councilmember Dana Marks Mayor Pro Tem Ronald "Bubba" Jannett  Absent:  Business:  1.Presentation, discussion, and discussion: Further development oft the City's budget for Fiscal Year 2024- Finance Director Rudy Zepeda explained to Council that the proposed tax rate needs to be published by August 8,2024, this rate will not be the final tax rate; rather it is setting the maximum rate that Council will not exceed. Mr. Zepeda presented the Council with a selection of tax rates and showed how the rates would affect the City's fund balance over the next several years. The two largest expenses are the Capital Improvement Plan and personnel. The proposed step and cost of living (COLA) combined, totals 5%, for a total cost of $350,330 for the entire City Mr. Zepeda presented the Council with the remainer of the proposed capital expenses by department, SO that Council could review the expenses and make changes if it SO chose. Mayor Noto would like Council to reconsider adding the Byrnal Launchers backi intot the budget. City! Manager Alun Thomas encouraged the Councilt tor reevaluate the purchase oft the $20,000 lift as it would be very beneficial to the City, especially in the event of al hurricane. The cost to rent al lift orf for at tree removal service is costly, sot the Cityremoves far fewer trees each year thanitotherwise could, simply due to budgetary constraints. Streets Superintendent Billy Creppon agreed with Mr. Thomas and stated that the piece of equipment could be used all year around not only for tree removal but for facility Mayor Noto spoke about the expenses to the City from Hurricane Beryl and explained that the City will only be reimbursed 75% of thet total cost ofi itsi incurred expenses for responding to and recovering from the storm. The cost tot the City consists ofe employees' salaries including overtime, meals, the purchase ofe equipment, equipment rental, damages and any othere expenses associated with the storm. Mayor Noto said that he is never one to unnecessarily raise taxes or place an additional burden on people if was not absolutely necessary but said that the City's very modest fund balance at the time of Hurricane Beryl striking the city significantly limited his options when it came to responding appropriately tot the event. He said that the City Council should carefully consider whether its should keep  2025, including the proposed Capital Improvement Plan  staff.  maintenance.  dipping into the City's cash reserves to help balance annual budgets.    Minutes (cont) 7/25/2024 Page 2of2  Mayor Noto then noted that salaried employees receive their hourly rate fori the overtime hours worked only when the disaster declaration has been proclaimed. Mayor Noto explained his concerns about salaried employees not receiving time and al half for their overtime during this type ofe event, noting that he has witnessed how hard those employees worked during Hurricane Beryl. He would like to see the salaried employees get reimbursed the additional pay (to total time-and-a-half) for those hours worked over during Hurricane Beryl. This change would only Mayor Noto briefed Council on the command structure during these events, as it changes significantly from the normal command structure of the City. Mayor Noto commended the staff for their hard work during this event, and Concluding the meeting, Mr. Zepeda let Council know that staff will be obtaining Request for Qualifications for insurance and benefits as the cost from the current provider (United Healthcare) has increased by 30% despite the Motion by Councilmember Mayor Pro Tem Jannett to adjourn. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at  apply to the employees who are assigned a role in the Emergency Operating Center (EOC).  for being able to adjust to and work within the different command structure SO well.  City's claims being relatively modest.  6:55p p.m. ATTEST:  B2E  City Secretary  LSE  6