MINUTES OF CITY OF WHARTON FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING 1201 EAST CANEY STREET WHARTON, TEXAS 77488 Monday, July 22, 2024-5:30 p.m.  City] Manager Joseph R. Pace declared a meeting oft the City Council Finance Committee duly open for  the transaction ofbusiness at 5:30 p.m. Committee Members present: Committee Members absent: City Council Members present: Staffmembers present:  Mayor Tim Barker, Councilmember Larry Pittman, and  Councilmember Russell Machann.  None.  Councilmember Burnell Neal and Councilmember Terry Freese. City Manager Joseph R. Pace, Finance Director Joan Andel, Assistant to the City Manager Brandi Jimenez, City Secretary Paula Favors, HR Generalist Selena Rios, Finance Accountant London Davis, and Director of Planning & Development Gwyn  Teves. None. None.  Staffmembers absent: Visitors:  Public Comments. There were no public comments. Larry Pittman seconded the motion. All voted ini favor.  The first item on the agenda was to review and consider minutes from the meeting held on May 28, 2024. Councilmember Russell Machann made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Councilmember The second item on the agenda was to review and consider Discussion of possible salary increases for the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. The Committee discussed the possible employee salary increases for the 2025 The thirdi item on the agenda was to review and consider Funding requests fort thel Fiscal Year 2025 Budget.  Fiscal Year.  The Committee dirècted the City Stafft to proceed with thei following: 1.Crisis Center-7,000-General Fund 2. Friends of Wharton Animal ControlS1000.Gemeral Fund 3. Wharton County SPOT-S0-General Fund 4.Just Dol ItN Now-510,000-General Fund 5. Wharton Chamber of Commerce-$50,000-Hotel/Mote! Fund.  The fourth item on the agenda was to review and consider al Resolution: A resolution of the Wharton City Council approving an: agreement forr medical, long-term disability, life, accidental death & dismemberment, flexible spending account, health reimbursement account, and voluntary vision plans for çity employees for October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, Fiscal Year for coverage for City employees; authorizing the Mayor oft the City of Wharton to execute all documents relating to said contracts. City Secretary Paula Favors stated to1 the Committee that the City Council approved contracting with HUB International to send out requests for proposals for health insurance premiums since, over the last several years, the City of Wharton had seen large increases inj premiums through the TXI Health Benefits Pool and it was believed that this year would not be an exception. HUB International received proposals from the following:  1. Texas Health, Benéfits 2. Blue Cross Blue Shield ofTexas    3.3 Cigna 4. United Health Care  She stated that the proposal was for the same benefit level the City currently had for its employees. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann made a motion to approve the resolution as presented. The fifth item on the agenda was to review and consider Discussion on possible changes to the City of Wharton's Employee Retirement. City Secretary Paula Favors stated to the Committee that in an effort to stay competitive with other agencies, the City Staff was asking that thel Finance Committee discuss changes to either the employee's contribution to the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) and/or the City's contribution to the employee's account. The Committee discussed the possible changes to the City The sixth item on the agenda was to review and consider al Resolution: A resolution of the Wharton City Councilapproving: the Interlocal Agreement with the Texas MunicipalLeaguel Intergovernmental Risk Pool for CyberI Liability and Data Breach Response and authorizing the City Manager of the City of Wharton to execute all documents relating to said contracts. City Secretary Paula Favors presented to the Committee the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool's Interlocal Agreement for Cyber Liability and Data Breach Response Coverage. She stated that the coverage was being changed to an opt-in coverage which would require a new interlocal agreement. She stated that the cost would be $1,250 for FY 2024- 2025. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann made a motion to approve the resolution The seventh item on the agenda was to review and consider a Resolution: A resolution oft the Wharton City Council authorizing the purchase of an air conditioning unit for the lobby area ofCity Hall and authorizing the City Manager of the City of Wharton. to execute all documents related to said purchase. Finance Director Joan Andel stated to the Committee that the City Staff had obtained quotes for replacing the air conditioning unit in the lobby area of City Hall. She stated that this unit was currently non-operational and had never provided adequate heating capabilities. She stated that the funds to pay for air conditioning improvements had been allocated ini the 2019 Bond Funds. After some discussion, Councilmember Russell Machann made a motion to recommend tot the City Council approving EB Air for the air conditioning unit.  Mayor Tim Barker seconded the motion. All voted in favor.  Employee's Retirement.  as presented. Mayor Tim Barker seconded the motion. All voted in favor.  Mayor Tim Barker seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The eighth item on the agenda was adjournment. The meeting was adjourned. at 6:45 p.m.  GRR