Minutes  City Council - Special Session Meeting - Budget Workshop #1  CITY OF SIMONTON August 6, 2024  This is a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the City Council - Special Session Meeting - Budget  Workshop #1 held on August 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order at 6:03 p.m.  A quorum was present with the following City Council Members in attendance: Laurie Boudreaux, Kelli Matula, Faith Haley, Justin Boudreau, and Burns Turner  City Council Member Courtney Cox was absent.  City Staff present: City Secretary Nanci Mohr Public Present:  Kristi Smith, Dan McJunkin, JeffNelson and Kevin Malo  2. Invocation and Pledge  Mayor Boudreaux gave thei invocation.  Mayor Boudreaux led the assemblyin thel Pledge ofA Allegiance.  3. Public Comments  In accordance with Texas Open Meetings Act and Texas Government Code 551.007, City Council may not discuss or take action on any item NOT listed on the Agenda. Each member oft the public  wishing to speak must sign-p prior to the meeting andi is limited to. 3 minutes.  There were no speakers to address the City Council. 4. New Business - Review of2024-2025 Proposed Budget  Mayor Boudreaux provided a detailed explanation of each page in each section of the Proposed Budget binder. She then asked the Council Members for their consensus of the materials. Council Member Kelli Matula commended the Mayor on thel binder preparation and] her presentation ofsame, stating that zoning is most important to her. Council Member Burns Turner requested clarification oft the tax valuations, stating that he does not wish to raise taxes and that we should spend thei money from reserves. Council Member Burns' Turner stated that he would like to "give thej people al break" Mayor Boudreaux stated that she is not voting, but believes the reserves should be allocated for emergencies, and that it is not advisable to spend from the reserves without replenishing same. Council Members Faith Haley and Justin Boudreau stated that they have no comments at this time. Mayor Boudreaux requested that Council follow-up with her by Thursday, August 8, 2024 with additional questions or comments. She stated thati ifno additional information was required, that the  and wants to adopt a tax rate of1 less than. .030 per $100.  Budget Workshop scheduled for August 13, 2024 could be canceled.    Council Member Kelli Matula then stated that the Council is present and voting for the people, and asked ifit is permissible to take the public's consensus oft the budget. Mayor Boudreaux confirmed Abbie Ferguson stated that she would like for the reserves to be held for emergencies. Kristi Smith is amenable to the tax increase for zoning purposes. Dan McJunkin stated that roads are important tol him, that ad valorem taxes are meant for the infrastructure, and that some people cannot afford the 5. Thei next City Council Special Session Meeting - Budget Workshop #2 is on August 13, 2024at6:00  same.  tax rate increase. p.m. 6. Adjournment  The Mayor adjourned the City Council Meeting at 7:10 p.m. without objection.  Respectfully submitted,  SlMoi  launi boadrecwo MayorI Laurie Boudreaux wwi  Nanci Mohr, City Secretary  ATE OF C