CITY OF COOPER CITY COUNCIL MEETING = BUDGET WORK SESSION VIA ZOOM SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 = 5:00 PM COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: DARREN BRADDY; MAYOR, DAVID PHILLIPS, AMANDA L'ESPERANCE, DONNA THOMASON, AND WILLIE "BEAR" WILKINS OTHERS PRESENT: EMILY HOWSE, KIM COX, DIANE STEGALL, AND CONSTITUTIONAL CITIZEN ABSENT: CITY ATTORNEY: JAY GARRETT AND ALLEN FOSTER AGENDA ITEM #1 Mayor Darren Braddy called the meeting to order and Darren also voiced the prayer. AGENDA ITEM #2 Mayor Braddy opéned the budget work session. He stated that the proposed budget was based on the effective rate. He stated that this rate was lower that previous rates. 2019 = 0.917610, 2018 - 0.937222, and 2017 - 1.083595. After much discussion, it was the consensus ofthe council to go with the effective rate to prepare the upcoming 2020-2021 budget and, at Amanda L'Esperance request, try to implement a resolution to the lack of citizen protection and code enforcement into the budget. See Amanda's letter that is attached. AGENDA ITEM #3 David Phillips made the motion to adjourn the work session. Willie "Bear" Wilkins seconded. Donna Thomason could not be heard or seen. Vote to adjourn carried. TIME: 6:15 PM APPROVED: ATTEST: h ev! A Dp DARREN BRADDY, MAYOR EMILY HOWSEN CITY OF COOPER CITY SECRETARY budget hearing letter for record & E.Tawakoni From: Amanda L'Esperance For Cooper, Tx mardaoroperegmaliom To: coperdiylhaleyano.com Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020, 06:23 PM CDT Dear Cooper City Citizens, Mayor & Council, As you know I have, in years past, brought up various ideas, concerns and plans regarding the City's safety with. regards to both our Law Enforcement needs and animal control needs. Asi in previous council meetings and various other formats, have mentioned some of these ideas including various avenues of research that have done and other entities I have spoken with regarding their ways of achieving similar goals. I know you have heard me mention places such a Cumby and the conversations I had with them and the research I have done regarding their Police Department, grants, tax revenue, etc. In the last year I have had many citizens reach out to me for help. They are frustrated, scared, and concerned. They have reported drug problems, dog problems, and other various safety concerns within their areas and want resolutions. Recently was approached with some very disturbing information from multiple sources as to the "why" of some of the uptick in crime within our city. Much like them, am not concerning myself any longer with the WHY. We MUST focus on the SOLUTIONS. SOLVING our problems and moving forward for the best interest of our Citizens - the taxpayers. have picked up my research again and delved even deeper into possible solutions for our City. I have contacted experts in the fields we need addressed - both law enforcement, city officials, and the animal rescue/care communities. believe we can and should address these problems together as they are very intricately linked - both within the community and law & order realms. We have resources we can absolutely tap into. WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO LAUNCH THIS INITIATIVE with the experts - have spoken to that are willing to put plans in motion and hit the ground running! One of my main focuses of research recently is E. Tawakoni city as they are similar to us in many ways, including the way they function as a government. have reached out to them for information and studied their budgets, tax revenues, and community outreach. They are a city of less than 900, they have about of half the revenue (both property tax and sales tax) for budgeting we do and pay 25 cents less per 100$ in property taxes, They have wonderful community engagement and economic development commitment, and a Police Department. We need to adopt a similar approach to start combating the issues that plague our community. With some mindful and creative budgeting, there is plenty of room in our own budget to initiate this effort. On a side note, E. Tawakoni uses a golf cart for their water meter reading. What an incredibly creative way to do this task. Iti is a cost effective and an eco-green way to reduce the expenses of this one task. Simply brilliant. I would like to suggest/request that we meet at city hall in person to discuss this further. Sincerely, Amanda L'Esperance Cooper City Council Amanda L'Esperance Cooper City Council, Texas ADOPTED GENERAL BUDGET 2020 (2).xlsx 25.5kB