City of Midland City Council met Aug. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council convened in regular session in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Midland, Texas, at 10:00 a.m., August 14, 2024.
Council Members present: Eric Davidson, Amy Stretcher Burkes, Robin Poole, Lori Blong, Scott Dufford, Jack Ladd, John Norman
Council Members absent: None
Staff members present: City Manager Tommy Gonzalez, City Attorney John Ohnemiller, Deputy City Manager Morris Williams Jr., Assistant City Manager Jose Ortiz
The meeting was called to order at 10:04 a.m.
MISCELLANEOUS
1. 2024130 – RESOLUTION RECORDING A VOTE ON A PROPOSAL TO CONSIDER AN AD VALOREM TAX RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 20242025 AND TO ESTABLISH A DATE TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE; ESTABLISHING DATES WHEN THERE WILL BE A RECORD VOTE ON THE TAX RATE; AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO POST ALL APPROPRIATE NOTICES (DISTRICT: NONE) (FINANCE) (PROVIDE SOUND GOVERNANCE & FISCAL MANAGEMENT)
City Manager Tommy Gonzalez presented information on the 20242025 budget. He reviewed the budget timeline, sound fiscal practices and funding our priorities and how everything staff is doing is aligning with the Strategic Plan Goal five to provide Sound Governance and Fiscal Management.
Mr. Gonzalez reviewed the general fund and it’s funding with regard to revenue streams such as property taxes, sales taxes and fines and fees for services.
Mayor Blong made note that the quarter cent on the City of Midland sales tax rate of 1.25% should be clearly marked as Midland Development Corporation and is only used for economic development for the sake of clarity among citizens. Those funds do not go into the General Fund for the City.
Mr. Gonzalez went on to review the Sales Tax Rates by cities, 2025 Proposed Tax Rates, Property Tax Valuation, Property Tax Rate Correction, Property Tax Rate by Entity and Peer Cities. He reviewed roads, parks, water needs and strategic plan funding for all of the City funds.
Finance Director Christy Weakland reported on the expenditure part of the budget and closing the gap in the general fund. Mrs. Weakland briefly reported on roads, parks and water needs and the cost associated with each.
Assistant City Manager Jose Ortiz reported on the 28.8M Certificate of Obligation for Roads and Public Infrastructure.
Each strategic goal was broken down and discussed as follows:
Goal 1: Strong Economy with More Quality Jobs presented by Assistant City Manager Jose Ortiz and Planning & Development Officer Elizabeth Triggs.
Goal 2: Set the Standard for a Safe and Secure City presented by Managing Director Chuck Blumenauer and Interim Police Chief Greg Snow.
Goal 3: Quality of Life and Place presented by Planning & Development Officer Elizabeth Triggs and Assistant City Manager Jose Ortiz.
Goal 4: Transparent and Consistent Communication presented by Chief of Staff Taylor Novak and Chief Information Officer Jennifer Frescaz.
Goal 5: Provide Sound Governance and Fiscal Management presented by Deputy City Manager Morris Williams.
Prior to the goal 6 presentation, City Council discussed proposing to consider the FY 2024 2025 tax rate of 0.350662 per $100 taxable assessed valuation.
Goal 6: Strategic and Sustain our Infrastructure presented by Utilities Director Carl Craigo and Engineering Services Director Gabriel McClelland.
The entire four hour budget presentation may be viewed in it’s entirety online at www.midlandtexas.gov.
Eric Davidson moved to approve Resolution No. 2024130; seconded by Amy Stretcher Burkes.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYE: Davidson, Stretcher Burkes, Poole, Blong, Dufford, Ladd, Norman
NAY: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
All the business at hand having been completed, the meeting adjourned at 2:24 p.m.
https://www.midlandtexas.gov/967/PrimeGov-Meetings