HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-11-2004 Regular Meeting
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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
OF THE LA PORTE AUDIT COMMITTEE
October 11, 2004
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Chuck Engelken at 5 :05 p.m.
Members of Committee Present: Chairperson Chuck Engelken and Mayor Pro Tern Barry
Beasley.
Members of Committee Absent: Howard Ebow was absent due to being called into work.
Members of City Council Present: Councilmember Louis Rigby.
Members of City Executive Staff and City Employees Present: City Manager Debra Feazelle,
Assistant City Manager Cynthia Alexander, Assistant Finance Director Michael Dolby, and
City Secretary Martha Gillett. Lorie Doughty, Kathy Powell, Lee Ann Williams, Shelley
W olny and Lorie Langelier were present from the Finance Department.
Others Present: Auditor Tom Pederson of Null Lairson.
2. Discussion Items
~ Council to receive a presentation from the auditors.
Tom Pederson provided the Audit Committee with an overview of the recent audit and future
changes due to new legal requirements.
Many changes will be implemented in auditing practices due to SAS 99. The auditors will be
on site testing various areas and interviewing staff at all levels.
There were no changes in the laws regarding to fraud.
SAS 99 is being implemented due to situations such as Enron.
Future audits will be stricter. Mr. Pederson noted the audit performed last year contained many
management comments as a result of knowing SAS 99 was going to be implemented.
Mr. Pederson requested the Committee and City Council comment on items to be included in
the audit process and make suggestions areas to be covered in the audit. It was suggested that
the auditing firm visit the City to provide reports and answer questions on a quarterly basis.
3. Committee Comments
4. Adjournment
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There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
-
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City Secretary
Approved this !2~ day ofCe-loW, 2004.
~ (:" _ /Jd~_A
Chairperson Chuck E~
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CITY OF LA PORTE
POLICIES/PROCEDURES MANUAL
Date:
Revised:
Approved:
Subject:
Integrity Policies and Fraud Policies
Responsible Agency:
Policy Objective:
To help the city reduce fraud
Authority:
Policy:
City Manager's Office
1. When conducting a fraud investigation, you will cooperate or you will be
terminated.
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Fraud Happens!
Gulf Coast Government Finance Officers Association
September 16,2004
Presented by
Charles C. "Chuck" Cummings, Jr., CFE, CPA
Cummings & Houston, L.L.P.
650 Lyric Centre; 440 Louisiana
Houston, Texas
713/224-8890
Chuck@CummingsHouston.com
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The Size of the .Problem in America
According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examirters (1):
Loss in Gross Revenue per Year
6.000/0
Loss based on Gross Domestic Product
$600,000,000,000
Loss per Employee per Day in the U.S.
$
12.33
Loss per Employee per Year in the U.S. (365 days)
$.
4,500
Loss for 100 Employees per Year
$ 450,000
Increase since. 1996 Report ($400 to $600 Billion)
50.000/0
Classification of Fraudulent Schemes:
Share of Total ( 2)
Asset Misappropriation 85.70/0
Median Loss
$ 80,000
. Financial Statements
5.10/0
$ 530,000
$ 4,250,000
Corruption
12.80/0
Extrapolated by this author frOm the 2002 Report to the Nation on Occupational FraUd and Abuse, also known as
The 2002 Wells Report, published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Increase computed
from reported estimates in the Report to the Nation on Frauii and Abuse, also known as The Wells Report,
published in 1996. This author as well as the each report cautions you that these are only estimates and no
one knows the total fraud in America. These numbers also do not recognize the trillions of dollars of losses
in the market value of listed securities due to the loss of investor confidence resulting from alleged false
financial statements of severa11arge companies. Both reports can be found in their entirety on the
Association's website atwww.cfenet.com
Percentages exceed 100% because some cases in the study involved more than type of fraud.
@ Copyright 1995 - 2002 Charles C. Cummings, Jr.
Chuck@CummingsHouston.com
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Attitudes .that Foster Fraud
.. The "Sleaze" Factor
. The "Microwave" Effect
. The "Dirty Harry" Syndrome
. The "Everyone Is Doing It" Deception
. The "World Owes Me A Living" Belief
. The "I Am Underpaid" Compensation Plan
. The "I Am Only Borrowing It" Financing Plan
. The "They Will Never Miss It" Lie
. The "It Is Easier Than Facing Reality" Myth
. The "I Will Never Be Caught" Conviction
. The "No One Treats Me Like This" Military Invasion Plan
The "Because It Is There" Challenge
tC Copyright 1995 - 2002 Charles C. cum.nlings, Jr.
Chuck@CummingsHouston.com
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Principles to Remember
There i~ no such thing as a small fraud.
Fraudsters are stupid.
CPAs don't audit for fraud, they. audit for fair presentation.(will change in the future).
People commit fraud for all kinds of reasons
Cl Love
Cl Financial and health problems
Greed
Bad habits (drugs, alcohol, gambling, lust)
Anger or to get even
Injustice to someone else
Because it is there
Because they are evil
. Most fraudsters are caught by an informant or by pure accident.
. Internal controls defmitely help, but cannot replace diligence.
Controls are overridden.
Collusion can destroy any system.
Controls often present a challenge. to fraudsters.
. "Integrity Po~cies"and "Fraud Policies" help . companies reduce fraud.
. Some. fraudsters want to be caught because they cannot stop.
. Fraudsters rarely have any of your money when you catch them.
. "The best deterrence to fraud is to create the perception that if they commit fraud, they
will be caught." Joe Wells, Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Association of
Certified Fraud Examiners.
@ Copyright 1995 - 2002 Charles C. Cummings, Jr.
Chuck@CummingsHouston.com
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Danger Signs of Fraud Encouraged by the Boss
. A boss or owner that lacks integrity.
"As a leader goes, so goes the organization."
A. Pat MacMillan
. A boss or owner who mistreats employees.
. A boss or owner who steals from hislher own company.
. A boss or owner who has problems with drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc.
A boss or owner involved in illicit relationships.
. A boss or owner who pays no attention to the fmancial aspects of the business.
. A boss or owner who is functionally illiterate when it comes to accounting.
. A boss who frequently lies to customers, vendors or employees.
. An absentee boss or owner.
@Copyright 1995 - 2002 Charles C. Cummings, Jr.
Chuck@CummingsHouston.com
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Danger Signs of Fraud by an Employee
. Overall issues with the employee work habits and attitudes:
lJ Has been with the organization many years, is completely trusted and never
checked.
CI Rarely takes extended time off for vacations.
lJ Works late at night and on weekends for no apparent reasons.
CI Has bad attitudes about the organization or the boss.
lJ Regularly circumvents internal controls.
. lJ Won't allow others or won't train others to do their job tasks.
. Issues with other people:
lJ Close relationship with a contractor or vendor.
lJ Frequent meetings with contractor or vendor outside of company.
lJ Has a business on the side either alone or with others.
Tends to withdraw or not call attention to themselves.
Issues with lifestyle:
Lifestyle is much greater than apparent fmancial resources.
lJ Drive a better car than the owner or boss of the organization.
Known for ha~g problems with gambling, drugs or alcohol.
lJ Know for marital infidelity.
CI Rumors the employee is "on the take."
lJ Severe personal or family health or fmancial problems.
@ Copyright 1995 - 2002 Charles C. Cummings, Jr.
Chuck@CummingsHouston.com
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Danger Signs of Fraud with the System
Key sign of fraud - false docurnents:
CI Lack of original documents and/or only copies of documents.
CI Invoices without addresses or phone numbers.
CI Use of facsimile stamp.
. Signs in the accounting system:
CI The books are always a mess despite strenuous efforts to straighten them out.
The profits are very good, but there are severe cash flow problems.
CI Large sudden losses are happening. ,.
CI Large adjustments to inventory of supplies or goods.
CI Numerous write-offs or credit memos to accounts receivable.
CI Numerous journal entries to the books.
CI Subsidiary ledgers that are never in balance with the general ledger.
CI Numerous outstanding and old reconciling items on the bank reconciliations.
Cl Even w:orse - no bank re,conciliations.
CI Unexplained accruals for income or expenses.
. Signs of issues with third parties.:
CI Excessive complaints from people about their accounts.
CI Contractors or vendors who insist on dealing only with one employee.
Purchases or sales concentrated in one company.
CI An employee who has a relationship with a contractor or vendor.
Some General Types of Fraud
On-Book Schemes
Just write a check to yourself.
Pay your personal credit card statements.
Lap those accounts receivable.
Issue double paychecks for those really good employees like you or your close friends.
Write checks to those dummy employees.
Steal or fabricate receipts for reimbursement of travel.
Set up a monthly payment for your vehicle in the accounts payable system.
Buy more inventory or supplies than the organization needs.
Inflate the value of that inventory.
Set up a phony company to sell non-existent goods or goods at twice the price.
Off-Book Schemes
Take the coke machine money.
Become a partner with that vendor.
Get a little kickback for selling those goods at low prices or shipping twice the quantity.
Start a new business with your company's assets, inventory or supplies.
Collect those bad debts.
. Other Schemes
(Q Copyright 1995 - 2002 Charles C. Cummings, Jr.
Chuck@CummingsHouston.com
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Recommendation to Audit Committee
HCAD Account #
006-114-000-0051
Resale P143
Taxes + Costs
$31,611.87
$27,800
Adjudged Value
Offer Name:
Bid Amount:
Anna Jay Felscher
$10,000.00
Recommendation: Approve
Reason:
x I
Bid is higher than the average lot value.
Will need to be approved by all three taxing autho
~
Reject
Reason:
Reviewed By:
Kathy Powell
At any time any jurisdiction that was party to the original tax suit can sell the property being held in trust
for the lesser of: the taxes + costs or the adjudged value set out in the tax suit.
10/18/2004
HCAD ACCOUNT NO:
CAUSE NO:
PLAINTIFF(S):
JUDGMENT AGAINST:
JUDGMENT DATE:
ORDER OF SALE:
DEED RECORDED DATE:
CONSTABLE:
PROPERTY ADDRESS:
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
e SUMMARY OF FORECLOSURE ACTIVITYe
006-114-000-0051
2000-17540
City of La Porte & La Porte Independent School District
Sandra Mann, Anthony Paul Mann, David Mann & Paul George Mann
September 26, 2001 STRUCK OFF DATE: March 5, 2002
November 30, 2001
March 26, 2002 STRUCK OFF TO: City of La Porte
Bill Bailey, Constable Precinct No 8
716 S Blackwell
Lots 51 & 52 Block 24 Bayfront to La Porte
ADJUDGED VALUE ( IN JUDGMENT):
SQUARE FOOTAGE:
$27,800.00
6,250
SUMMARY OF SALE ACTIVITY
BIDDER: Anna Jay Felscher
AMOUNT OF BID:
AMOUNT OF DEPOSIT:
AMOUNT DUE:
BIDDER'S ADDRESS:
726 S Blackwell
La Porte, TX 77571
$10,000.00
$1,000.00
$9,000.00
281-471-2403
BIDDER'S PHONE NO:
PRORATED PERCENTAGED OF TAXES DUE TO EACH JURISDICTION BASED UPON JUDGMENT
COUNTY, ET
JUDGMENT TO AL. % SCHOOL % CITY % TOTAL
AMOUNT DUE $5,597.59 " 23.68% $11,921.71 50.43% $6,121.57 25.89% $23,640.87
ASSOCIATED COSTS ON ORIGINAL AND SEALED BID SALES
ESTIMATED AMOUNT
AMOUNT OF COURT CONSTABLElPUBLlCATI AD LITEM RESEARCH FEE & TO BE PRORATED TO
BID COST ON FEE CTISD) FEE DEED RECORDING FEE TAXES
$10,000.00 $1,396.00 $2,625.00 $3,700.00 $250.00 $2,029.00
PRORATED"TAX AMOUNTS TO EACH JURISDICTION
OWED TO COUNTY "% SCHOOL % CITY % TOTAL
PRORATED
AMOUNT $480.42 23.68% $1,023.19 50.43%" $525.39 25.89% $2,029.00
Amount of Bid:
Costs:
-District Clerk
-Tax Master
-Costs
-Publication
-Abstract Fee
-Ad Litem Fee
Taxing
Jurisdictions:
City of La Porte
La Porte ISO
Harris County
San Jacinto CCD
State ofTexas
Costs + Taxes $31,611.87
Adjudged Value $ 27,800.00
$10,000.00
Total:
$1,346.00
$50.00 Chris Stacey
$2,450.00 Demolition of House 3/12/04
$175.00
$250.00
$3,700.00 Luaine L Quast
$2,029.00
Amount in Judgment:
$6,121.57
$11,921.71
$4,785.49
$812.10
$0.00
$23,640.87
%
25.89%
50.43%
20.24%
3.44%
0.00%
100.00%
Amount Received
$525.39
$1,023.19
$410.72
$69.70
$0.00
$2,029.00
P143
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BUILDING EVALUATION REPORT
DATE OF INSPECTION:
7/28/2003
PREVIOUS OWNER:
CURRENT OWNER: CITY OF LA PORTE
PROPERTY: 716 S. BLACKWELL ST. 50'X125'RESIDENCE
LOTS 51-52 BLOCK 24, BA YFRONT TO LA PORTE
006-114-000-0051
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: INSPECTIONS: JAMES V. LENOIR JR.
I. FRONT
DOORS: NEED MAJOR ADJUSTMENT r (
WINDOWS: GLASS MISSING-SOME Y2 WINDOWS MISSING i
,
TREES- LIMBS DOWN ONTO ROOF NEED CUTTING
II. OUTSIDE & INSIDE
DEBRIS: CLEAN UP TRASH AND FURNITURE
DRAINAGE: DRAIN LOT FROM REAR TO FRONT
ROOF: NEEDS WORK-LEAKING ON FRONT PORCH, NEEDS
FLASHING, BEAMS, EDGE AND DECKING ABOVE
LEFT FRONT WINDOW.
III: WALLS
E. SIDE WALL FRONT LEFT OF PORCH BAD, ALSO FRONT WALL
S. SIDE WALL HEAVY DAMAGE ALL ALONG WALL INCLUDING
ROOF AND SPOTS.
W. SIDE WALL MANY HOLES, LEANING, ROOF GONE, TREE
GROWING INTO ROOF
N. SIDE WALL ,. BAD ASBESTOS SHINGLES
IV: WINDOWS
N. SIDE WINDOW NOT SIZE OF OPENING. LIVING ROOM
WINDOW BUSTED, EXTERIOR WASHING MACHING
HOOKUP, NO WINDOW TO KITCHEN.
V: LIVING ROOM
PANES OF GLASS MISSING FROM WINDOWS, HOLES
IN WALLS NO INSULATION, FLOOR NOT LEVEL,
CEILING- WATER SPOTS.
VI: FRONT BEDROOM
BAD WINDOWS, CEILING MOLD, HOLES IN W ALLS-
NO INSULATION
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BUILDING EVALUATION REPORT
716 S. BLACKWELL
VII: KITCHEN
WINDOWS MISSING, MISSING GLASS, HOLES IN
WALLS, NO INSULATION
VllI: POWDER ROOM
LARGE HOLE IN CEILING (1/2 :I: ROOM)? WATER
HEATER?
VIllI BACK PORCH
ROOF GONE-MOST OF RAFTORS GONE. DOORS
MISSING (PLYWOOD) WATER AND TERMITES NO
INSULATION.
X: BACK BEDROOM
ROOF GONE, HOLES IN WALLS, NO INSULATION
XI: BACK BATH
ROOF GONE, HOLES IN WALLS, NO INSULATION
XII: MIDDLE BED ROOM
BAD CEILING, BAD WINDOWS, HOLES IN WALLS, NO
INSULATION
Xli: MIDDLE BATH
HOLES IN WALLS, TUB SURROUND BAD, NO
INSULATION
XIIII: GENERAL INFORMATION
NO WATER, MAJOR PIPING REPAIR AND FIXTURES.
NO ELECTRICITY, TOTAL REWIRE BUILDING. GAS,
ELECTRICAL METER, GLASS BROKEN, RING CLAMP
OFF. IF ANY ELECTRICAL WORK DONE, RELOCATE
METER TO SIDE OF HOUSE.
S:\CPShare\INSPECTION DIVISION\lnspections\716 S. BLACKWELL.doc
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Memo
To:
Melissa Saavedra, Financial Services Technician
Kathy Powell, JIDL Manager
~~
Debbie S. Wilmore, Chief Building Official
Nick Finan, Interim Planning Director
Demolition File
From:
cc:
Date:
Re:
3/12/2004
Dangerous Building Demolition
The city recently completed demolition of three (3) condemned structures. Please utilize this
memo for billing purposes as well as the deletion of improvements from the property in
question. Thank you.
1) 217 N. Broadway St. (Blk. 61; Lots 25-28; La Porte)
(HCAD #023-194-000-0025)
Felix Vigier- 1438 MacClesby Ln. - Channelview, Tx 77530-2288 (Owner)
Timothy & Rotina Wells - 211 S. S. 4th Street - La Porte, Tx 77571 (New Buyer)
Demolition Date:
Demolition Cost:
03-09-04
$2,044.00
2) 506 Circle Dr. (Blk. 30; Lot 17 & E. ~ of 18; Beach Park)
(HCAD #007-002-000-0017)
Myra Berryhill % Audrey Bell- 113 Hudman Dr. - Livingston, Tx 77351-2486
Demolition Date:
03-09-04
$1,750.00
Demolition Cost:
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03/12/04 Demolition Billing Memo
3) 716 So. Blackwell (Blk. 24; Lots 51,52; Bayfront)
(HCAD #006-114-000-0051)
City of La Porte
Demolition Date:
Demolition Cost:
o Page 2
03-09-04
$2,450.00
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ber Address Owner Name Advanced
Address Owner Name Advanc
Real Property Account
Preliminary Values
HCAD Account # : 0061140000051
Tax Year: 12002111
Owner Name : MANN F
Ownership
History...
Owner Address: 716 S BLACKWELL ST
LA PORTE TX 77571-5827
Property Address: 716 S BLACKWELL ST
LA PORTE TX 77571
Legal Description: LTS 51 &. 52 BLK 24
BAY FRONT TO LAPORTE
State Class Code : A1 -- Real, Residential, Single-Family
.Homestead Exemption : --
Special Exemption : --.
Jurisdiction Codes: 020 040 047 071
Overlapping/Shared CAD : No
Capped Account: No
Notice Date: 04/26/02
ARB Approved :
Value Status : Noticed, Not
Certified
Your taxes will be based on Appraised Value, less applicable exemptions, if any.
Use market value for comparison with your neighbors.
The appraised value below will reflect the homestead cap if applicable.
Valuation : TY2002
Land:
Improvement:
Ag!Tmbr/Spc :
Total Value :
Previous
7,800
26,200
o
34,000
Change
o
1,500
o
1,500
Appraised Value
7,800
27,700
o
35,500
Market Value
35,500
5-Year Value History...
Note:
Year 2002 (current year) values are still preliminary and not all values are
available. They are subject to change as a result of protests, corrections, and ARB
review. Values should be final by late summer. Also, if a preliminary value has yet
to be determined, values for the current year will be blank.
For any problems or questions with any account, please email us with the account number
(if you have it) and the nature of the problem or question.
'1
ber Address Owner Name Advanced
Number Address Owner Name
Improved Residential Property Data
Account Number: 0061140000051
Location: 716 S BLACKWELL ST
Tax Year: 2002
View Main Screen
IT]
Parcel ID : 20 - 00921.4 - 29.0 - 032.0 - 0/ 000 - 001 6
Land Use: 101 -- Residential 1 Family Land Area: 6,250 sq. ft.
CAMA RIl -- Residential
Class : Improved
Total Living Units : 1
Year Built: 1950
Map Facet: 6253B
Style : Traditional
Stories : 1
Living Area.: 1,074 sq. ft.
Bed / Bath : 4 / 1 full~ 1 half
Rec / Total Rooms: 0 / 6
Wood Fireplace : 0
Metal Fireplace : 0
Other : Shed
Key Map : 540Z
Neighborhood: 2145
. Shake /
Exterior Wall : Shingle
Foundation : Crawl Space
Heating / Air: None
Attic : None
Physical Fa'
Condition: Ir
Grade : D
Status : Dwelling
For any problems or questions with any account, please email us with the account number
(if you have it) and the nature of the problem or question.
Home
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Maps
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HeAD Info
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Harris
County
Appraisal
District
m Scale '" = 200'
~ PUBLICATION DATE:
W May D3, 2D02
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FACET
62538
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CITY OF LA PORTE
Interoffice Memorandum
TO:
Barry Beasley, Councilman
Howard Ebow, Councilman
Chuck Engelken, Councilman
Peter Griffiths, Councilman
Debra Brooks Feazelle, City Manager
FROM:
Cynthia Alexander, Assistant City Manager
Shelley Wolny, Investment Officer5t,J
~
DATE:
October 18, 2004
SUBJECT:
Quarterly Investment Report
For the fourth quarter of the 2004 fiscal year, the City's investment portfolio yield has been between
1.46% and 1.84%. The average return on the portfolio for the third quarter of the fiscal year was 1.64%,
which is 1 basis point above the average yield of our benchmark, which was 1.63% (see graph below).
The current year to date interest earned for the 2004 fiscal year is $471,012.
City vs. Benchmark
1.50%
3.00%
2.50%
2.00%
1.00%
~"') ~"') ~"') ~~:ct ~IJ- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
o~ ~,,;~ <:)",1;; ,'tJ.~ v..'" ~~ ~~~ ~~ ,# ,~ ~~ e,"'~
- Portfolio Yield - Benchmark
At September 30th the City's portfolio consisted of 37% in Agency Notes, 40% in Texpool, 10% in
TexSTAR and 13% in Logic (see pie chart below).
By Investment Type
13%
10%
I ClTexpool .TexSTAR IJLogic IJAgencyNotes I
Yields are slowly rising on the short end, but have remained steady around the 2 year range. With that in
mind, our main focus continues to be the laddering of our portfolio.
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At the end of the fourth quarter, the City's portfolio consisted of 63% of the portfolio maturing overnight
(see graph below). 37% of the City's portfolio matures in 12-24 months.
By Investment Maturity
[] Overnight
1112-24 Months
Currently, the 3-month T-Bill is a 1.68%; 2 year, a 2.53%; 5 year, a 3.36%; and, the 20-year is a 4.89%
(see yield curve below).
Yield Curve
5.50%
4.50%
3.50%
2.50%
1.50%
0.50%
0 5 10 15 20
---3Mon~Ago---Currem
The overnight rate is currently at 1.75%. Another tightening of25 basis points is expected in November,
which will bring the overnight rate to 2%. We will continue to focus on laddering the portfolio to
maintain a constant cash flow and a liquid position.
2 Year T-Note
14.00%
12.00%
10.00%
8.00%
6.00%
4.00%
2.00%
0.00%
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
c,Q. c,~~ c,"~ c,"~ c,"~ c,"~ c,"~ c,"~ c,"~ c,Q. c,"~
In summary, we will continue to invest the City's funds in conservative investments, as authorized by the
Public Funds Investment Act, always keeping in mind Safety first, and then Liquidity and lastly Yield.
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Portfolio Composition and Value
as of September 3D, 2004 100.00%
Par Book Market Days to
Value Value Value Maturity
Investment Pools 18,456,886 18,456,886 18.456,886 I
Agencies 10,985,243 10,985,243 10,985,310 595
Total 29,442.128 29.442.128 29,442,196 223
Book
Value Percent
0-3 months 18,456,886 62.69%
9-12 months 0.00%
1-2~an 10.985,243 37.31%
20rmore~ 0.00%
Total 29,442,128 100.00%
Pooled Funds
Bond Funds
Portfulio
Yield
1.84%
1.54%
Benchmark
Yield.
1.91%
1.68%
Total
1.69%
1.80%
Investment Maturity Sehedule
as of September 3D, 2004
Portfolio Performanee
for the month of September 2004
Weighted
Avenge
Maturity
7.92 months
I day
6.95 months
.The pooled funds benchmark is based on the avenge monthly yield ofa 6-month Treasury.
The bond funds benchmark yield is based on the average monthly yield of a 3-month Treasury.
The tota1 is based on weighted average monthly benchmark yields.
Portfolio Earnings
for months ended September 3D, 2004
250.000
BudRCl Estimated Percent
General 226,770 170.774 75.31%
Enterprise 61.400 33,399 54.40%
Intemal Service 56,950 53,350 93.68%
Total 345,120 257,523 74.62%
Yield Curve
4.00%
3.80%
3.00%
2.50')(,
2.00%
1.50')(,
1.00%
0.80%
0.00%
3rno
Smo
2yr
5yr
1yr
I__Jul-04 ~Aug..04 .....Sep-041
WAM . Pooled Funds
B
7
B
5
4
3
2
1
Ju~4
Aug-(l4
Sep.04
3
80.00%
60.00%
40.00%
20.00%
0.00%
Investment Pools
62.69%
IIEUep-04 _Mar-04
Agencies
37.31%
,""*-Sep-03
Pooled Funds
Tola1
Bend Funds
C Portfolio Yield . Benchmark Yield.
200.000
150,000
100.000
50.000
General
Enterprise
_1 Service
.l!stima1ed
CBudpt
% of funds invested in:
Securities & Pools
Bank Depository
Total % of funds invested
Average for September
2004 2003
98.04% 98.09%
1.96% 1.91%
100.00% 100.00%
Operating Account Balance
S 589,137 S 643,110
e
e
RESULTS OF CASH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY
FOR SEPTEMBER 2004
Monthly Summary Report of Cash Management for September 2004
2. Calculation of Pure/lasing Effectiveness
1. Purehases and Associated Interest Rates
ADJ
T-BILL
0.004%
0.089%
0.058%
0.058%
0.058%
0.116%
0.057%
0.058%_
6 MONTH
T-BILL
1.990%
1.880%
1.790%
1.790%
1.790%
1.790%
.790%
.790%
ADJ
RATE
0.007%
0.144%
0.098%
0.087%
0.086%
0.158%
0.076%
0.075%
RATE
3.050%
3.020%
3.020%
2.680%
2.640"10
2.435%
2.375%
2.300%
RATIO OF
TOTAL
0.216%
4.755%
3.242%
3.230%
3.242%
6.483%
3.205%
3.242%
DAYS
* COST
2,000,000.00
44,000,000.00
30,000,000.00
29,895,000.30
30,000,000.00
60,000,000.00
29,662,287.90
30,000,000.00
INVESTMENT
COST
2,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
996,500.01
1,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
988,742.93
,000,000.00
DAYS
HELD
1
22
30
30
30
30
30
30
RATE
3.050"10
3.020"10
3.020"10
2.680%
2.640%
2.435%
2.375%
2.300"10
INVESTMENT
COST
2,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
996,500.01
1,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
988,742.93
1,000,000.00
04
04
04
04
04
04
04
04
END
DATE
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
04
04
04
04
04
04
04
04
START
DATE
29
8
1
1
1
1
1
1
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
TYPE
AGY.
AGY.
AGY.
AGY.
AGY.
AGY.
AGY.
AGY.
0.170%
0.007%
1.790%
2.000%
0.146%
0.006%
.540"10
.721%
9.470%
0.327%
87,633,295.33
3,025,675.56
3,021,837.77
3,025,675.56
29
.540%
.721%
3,021,837.77
3,025,675.56
04
04
30
30
9
9
04
04
1
30
9
9
TEXSTAR
TEXST AR
0.070%
0.178%
0.159%
0.032%
0.062%
0.210%
0.184%
0.025%
0.025%
.790%
1.870%
1.880%
1.890%
1.880%
1.870%
1.950%
1.990%
2.000%
0.058%
0.141%
0.126%
0.026%
0.050%
0.174%
0.154%
0.021 %
0.021 %
1.487%
1.479%
.491%
.498%
.499%
.548%
.626%
.643%
.715%
3.922%
9.534%
8.453%
1.714%
3.320%
\.243%
9.442%
\.250%
.252%
36,290,601.60
88,226,504.00
78,226,504.00
15,863,381.57
30,726,763.14
04,043,670.99
87,380,289.42
11,563,381.57
11,582,913.72
18,145,300.80
17,645,300.80
15,645,300.80
15,863,38 \.57
15,363,381.57
14,863,38 \.57
14,563,38 \.57
11,563,381.57
11,582,913.72
2
5
5
1
2
7
6
1
1
1.487%
1.479%
1.491%
1.498%
1.499%
1.548%
1.626%
1.643%
.715%
18,145,300.80
17,645,300.80
15,645,300.80
15,863,381.57
15,363,381.57
14,863,381.57
14,563,381.57
11,563,381.57
11,582,913.72
04
04
04
04
04
04
04
04
04
3
8
13
14
16
23
29
30
30
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
04
04
04
04
04
04
04
04
04
1
3
8
13
14
16
23
29
30
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
TEXPOOL
TEXPOOL
TEXPOOL
TEXPOOL
TEXPOOL
TEXPOOL
TEXPOOL
TEXPOOL
TEXPOOL
0.2160/'"
0.008%_
1.790%
2.000%
0.187%
0.007%
.553%
.707%
2.044%
0.416%
1,457,772.34
3,848,296.24
3,843,371.46
3,848,296.24
29
.553%
.707%
3,843,371.46
3,848,296.24
04
04
30
30
9
9
04
04
30
9
9
LOGIC
LOGIC
.85%
T-BILL = U.S. TREASURY BILL; T-NOTE = U.S. TREASURY NOTE; T-BOND = U.S. TREASURY BOND; CMO = COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATION; TEXPOOL = TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT
INVESTMENT POOL; AGY = U.s. GOVERNMENT AGENCY; LOGIC = LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT COOPERATIVE. INVESTMENTS MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK (*) REPRESENT LONG TERM
INVESTMENTS AND ARE BROKEN INTO ONE MONTH SEGMENTS FOR CALCULATION OF PURCHASING EFFECTIVENESS.
2
.84%
00.00%
925,426,337.68
59,960,147.94
TOTALS
59,960,147.94
TOTALS
Continued
Monthly Summary Report of Cash Management,
7. DiversiJ!ctIIlon oLlnvesllnents
A. By Investment Type
2 YearT-Bi
1.84%
1.85%
0.03%
-0.04%
3. ComJ1flrlson to Pertormance Indicator
This Months Adjusted Rate
- Measurement Rate
+/- Adjustment for Past Perfonnance History
= Perfonnance Rate for the Month (Basis Points)
e
Logic
13%
Agency Notes
37%
(758.20)
This Months Performance Rate Applied
to Interest Earned Formula to arrive
at Impact for the Month
Texpool
40"10
TexSTAR
10"10
(201,858.19)
(758.20)
(202,616.39)
4. Effectiveness to Date (Since October 1, 2003)
Interest:
Summation Through Beginning of Month
+/- impact of Investment Purchases
Summation Through End of Month
B. By Stated Maturity
0.00
0.00
0.00
Gain (Loss) on Investments:
Summation Through Beginning of Month
+/- impact of Investment Purchases
Summation Through End of Month
e
2-24 Months
37%
(202,616.39)
46,435
581,160
471,012
110,148
Total Impact Through End of Month
Gain or (Loss)
this Month plus
Date
Total budgeted
Interest Earned Year to Date
Yet to be earned
5. Interest Earnings to
Interest Earned
Overnight
63%
81.05%
Percentage Earned
6. Market Value and Weighted Average Matu~ Summary
4.6
7.9
(10,640.00)
67.06
100.0"10
Beginning Weighted Average Maturity (Mths)
Ending Weighted Average Maturity (Mths)
Change in Market Value from Prior Month
Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Portfolio
Net Asset Value
35,995,085.99
36,006,460.03
28.46
95.52
29,442,
29,442,
Beginning Book Value
Beginning Market Value
Ending Book Value
Ending Market Value
TOTAL RETURN CALCULATION REPORT
FOR SEPTEMBER, A 30 DAY MONTH
e
e
DAYS
COST
-
2,000,000.00
44,000,000.00
21,000,000.00
30,891,500.31
31,000,000.00
62,000,000.00
30,651,030.83
31,000,000.00
87,633,295.33
3,025,675.56
36,290,60 1.60
88,226,504.00
78,226,504.00
15,863,381.57
30,726,763.14
104,043,670.99
87,380,289.42
11,563,381.57
11,582,913.72
111,457,772.34
3,848,296.24
922,411,580.62
546,730.74
29,755,212.28
INTEREST
EARNED
INTEREST
RATE
INVESTMENT
COST
DAYS
HELD
MATURITY
DATE
PURCHASE
DATE
67.12
3,640.55
1,737.53
2,268.20
2,242.19
4,136.16
1,994.42
1,953.42
3.050%
3.020%
3.020%
2.680%
2.640%
2.435%
2.375%
2.300%
2,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
996,500.01
1,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
988,742.93
1,000,000.00
22
21
31
31
31
31
31
09/29/06
09/08/06
08/1 0/06
06/29/06
OS/26/06
04/28/06
08/15/06
01/20/06
09/29/04
09/08/04
08/10/04
07/08/04
OS/26/04
04/28/04
07/02/04
01/20/04
3,698.13
142.65
.540%
.721%
3,021,837.77
3,025,675.56
29
09/30/04
09/30/04
09/01/04
09/30/04
1,477.97
3,575.47
3,195.93
651.05
1,262.24
4,412.02
3,893.33
520.61
544.30
.487%
.479%
.491%
.498%
.499%
1.548%
.626%
.643%
.715%
18,145,300.80
17,645,300.80
15,645,300.80
15,863,381.57
15,363,381.57
14,863,381.57
14,563,381.57
11,563,381.57
11,582,913.72
2
5
5
1
2
7
6
1
1
09/03/04
09/08/04
09/13/04
09/14/04
09/16/04
09/23/04
09/29/04
09/30/04
09/30/04
09/01/04
09/03/04
09/08/04
09/13/04
09/14/04
09/16/04
09/23/04
09/29/04
09/30/04
4,741.38
79.98
46,434.67
0.00
46,434.67
.553%
.707%
3,843,371.46
3,848,296.24
29
INTEREST EARNED
GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT ACTIVITY
TOTAL RETURN
09/30/04
09/30/04
TOTALS:
09/01/04
09/30/04
1.84%
TOTAL RETURN ON AVERAGE DAILY INVESTED BALANCE
4
INVENTORY REPORT
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO AT SEPTEMBER 30,2004
FUND
MONTHS TO INVESTMENT ACCRUED
MATURITY PAR/FACE INTEREST
CHANGE IN
MARKET VALUE
BEGINNING ENDING ENDING
MARKET VALUE BOOK VALUE MARKET VALUE
BEGINNING
BOOK VALUE
INTEREST
RATE
MATURITY
DATE
PURCHASE
DATE
338.89 POOLED
3,858.89 POOLED
2,516.67 POOLED
2,233.33 POOLED
2,200.00 POOLED
4,058.33 POOLED
1,979.17 POOLED
1,916.67 POOLED
2,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
24
23
22
21
20
19
22
16
3,125.00
625.00
(940.00)
(1,870.00)
(2,190.00)
(4,380.00)
(2,820.00)
(2,190.00)
2,003,125.00
2,000,625.00
1,000,310.00
999,380.00
998,750.00
1,993,120.00
992,810.00
997,190.00
2,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
996,500.01
1,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
988,742.93
1,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
1,001,250.00
1,001,250.00
1,000,940.00
1,997,500.00
995,630.00
999,380.00
2,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
1,000,000.00
996,333.34
1,000,000.00
2,000,000.00
988,242.62
1,000,000.00
3.050%
3.020%
3.020%
2.680%
2.640%
2.435%
2.375%
2.300%
09/29/06
09/08/06
08/10/06
06129/06
OS/26/06
04/28/06
08115/06
01/20/06
TYPE
AGENCIES
FHLB 09/29/04
FHLB 09/08104
FHLB 08110/04
FNMA 07/08/04
FHLB OS/26/04
FHLB 04/28/04
FHLB 07/02/04
FNMA 01/20/04
POOLED
POOLED
POOLED
01.95
19
,000,000.00
11,582,913.72
3,025,675.56
3,848,296.24
8,456,885.52
o
o
o
00,640.00)
0.00
0.00
0.00
10,985,310.00
11,582,913.72
3,025,675.56
3,848,296.24
0,985,242.94
11,582,913.72
3,025,675.56
3,848,296.24
0,995,950.00
18,145,300.80
3,021,837.77
3,843,371.46
10,984,575.96
18,145,300.80
3,021,837.77
3,843,371.46
.542%
.546%
.558%
09130/04
09/30/04
09130/04
POOLS
TEXPOOL
TEXSTAR
LOGIC
e
0.00
9,101.95
29,456,885.52
8
0.00
( 10,640.00)
18,456,885.52
29,442,195.52
8.456,885.52
29,442,128.46
5
25,010,510.03
36,006,460.03
25,010,510.03
35,995,085.99
TOTAL:
e
e
PURCHASES
TYPE PAR COUPON YIELD MATURITY PRICE PRINCIPAL PREM/(DISC) ACCRUED TOTAL FUND
FHLB 2,000,000.00 3.020"10 3.020% 09/08/06 100.0000 2,000,000.00 - - 2,000,000.00 POOLED
FHLB 2,000,000.00 3.050"10 3.050% 09/29/06 100.0000 2,000,000.00 - - 2,000,000.00 POOLED
SALES
TYPE PAR COUPON YIELD MATURITY PRICE PRINCIPAL PREM/(DISC) ACCRUED TOTAL FUND
CALLED
TYPE PAR COUPON YIELD MATURITY PRICE PRINCIPAL PREM/(DISC) ACCRUED TOTAL FUND
MATURED
TYPE PAR COUPON YIELD MA TURITY PRICE PRINCIPAL PREM/(DISC) ACCRUED TOTAL FUND
PORTFOLIO DETAIL TRANSACTION REPORT
FOR PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,2004
6
_
-
Portfolio Yield vs Benchmark
- - - - -
- - - - -
4.00%
- - - - -
3.00%
- - - - I
2.00% I . . I
. II II
. . ---
1.00%
0.00% - - - - -
-
Oct-03 I Nov-03 I Dec-03 I Jan-04 Feb-04 Mar-04 Apr-04 May-04 I Joo-04 I Jul-04 Aug-04 I Sep-04
- - - - - - - - -
[J Portfolio Yield 1.41% 1.37% 1.32% .27% 1.21% 1.16% l.ll% 1.15% 1.22% 1.46% 1.63% 1.84%
- - - - - - - - - -
. Benchmark 1.63% 1.85% 2.01% .78% 1.78% 1.61% 1.84% 2.42% 1.72% 1.29% 1.75% 1.85%
-
7
Additional Earnings
-
50,000
-
(50,000)
-
(100,000)
-
(150,000)
-
(200,000)
-
(250,000) -
Oet-03 Nov-03 Dee-03 J8O-04 Feb-04 Mar-04 Apr-04 May-04 Joo-04 JoI-04 Aug-04 Sep-04
- - - - -
. Monthly (8,111) (19,790) (15,803) (22,844) (39,389) (43,779) 3,885 (4,571) (758)
-
D Cumulative (8,111) (79,357) (95,1~0) (118,004) I (157,392) I (201,172) I (197,287) I (201,858) I (202,616)
8
e
e
Investment Maturity
& Cashflow
(excluding Texpool & Logic)
-
e
-
-
-
-
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
4,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~b ~b ~b ~b ~b ~b ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~
~~~#~~~~~#~~~~~#~~~~
9
e
e
Market Gain (Loss)
by Month
30,000 - - -
20,000
10,000 I
- -
(10,000)
(20,000)
(30,000)
(40,000) - - -
OCT NOV DEe JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AVG I SEP
- - - - - - - - - -
AGENCIES I 21,848 I 12,800 I 15,160 I 13,130 I 13,440 10,310 (625) I (24,063) I (29,070) I (20,852) I 11,374 67
-
10
e
e
Monthly Portfolio Division
09%
o First SW . Coastal Securities 0 Duncan Williams
-
-
Average Return on Investments
3.00%
2.00%
1.00%
. ~... n.
0.00%
First SW Coastal Duncan
-
o Average Yields 2.92% 2.60% 2.38%
-
-
11
e
September 30, 2004
This report is in full compliance with the investment strategy as
established for the pooled investment fund and the Public Funds
Investment Act (Chapter 2256).
e
12
Officer
e e
6.
Card Expenditures
it
City of La Porte, Texas
Quarterly Report of Cred
Fourth Quarter FY 2004
Report of Credit Card Expenditures
Quarter Ending September 30, 2004
-
Cardholder Name/Position Amount
Norman Malone, Porter 0.00
Debra Feazelle, City Manager 1,400.94
John Joerns, Assistant City Manager 991.73
Cynthia Alexander, Assistant City Manager 743.74
Martha Gillett, City Secretary 8,236.50
Richard Reft, Police Chief 202.10
Total Expenditures $ 11,575.01
Amount
1,875.20
4,636.58
5,063.23
Check
Number
210465
212161
211412
Date
07/02/04
08/06/04
09/03/04
Payee
Elan Financial Services
Elan Financial Services
Elan Financial Services
e
$ 11,575.01
NOTE: This report reflects all PA YMENTS made during the Third Quarter of FY 2004 (Ju/y, August, September 2004)
-
e
City of La Porte, Texas
Quarterly Report of Credit Card Expenditures
Fourth Quarter FY 2004
Cardholder Position: Mayor
Expense
Payee Date Amount Type Purpose
Total Quarterly Charges $ 0.00
I Check# I
NOTE: This report reflects all PA YMENTS made during the Third Quarter of FY 2004 (July, August, September 2004)
City of La Porte, Texas
Quarterly Report of Credit Card Expenditures
Fourth Quarter FY 2004
Cardholder Position: City Manager
Expense
T' e
Purl!ose
ICMA Conference
D. Feazelle - San Diego, CA
Airfare
Amount
226.90
Date
OS/20/04
Payee
Southwest Airlines
TCMA Annual Conference
D. Feazelle, South Padre Island
Registration
210.00
OS/20/04
Texas Municipal League
-
Saturday & Sunday Awards Luncheon
D. Feazelle & P. Feazelle South Padre Island.
Lunch
80.00
OS/20/04
Texas Municipal League
Employee Appreciation Committee
D. Feazelle, C. Alexander, C. Scott & N. Hatter
Lunch
77.54
06/04/04
Inn Restaurant
Monument
Employee of the Quarter Luncheon
D. Feazelle, J. Joerns, C. Alexander,
K. Powell & M. Williams - La Porte, TX
Lunch
69.48
06/23/04
Antonio's Italian Gril
Harris County Funding, TIRZ, COBG
D. Feazelle, J. Joerns, C. Alexander & Guy Rankin
Kemah, TX
Lunch
60.61
07/19/04
Pappadeaux Seafood
Texas Historic Commission Meeting
D. Feazelle & D. Dye - La Porte, TX
Lunch
25.05
07/20/04
Jeanie Ann's Tearoom
e
Meeting to discuss Planning Dept. Transistio
D. Feazelle, J. Joerns, & N. Finan -La Porte, TX
Lunch
32.36
07/29/04
EI Toro Mexican Restaurant
ICMA Annual Conference
D. Feazelle - San Diego, CA
Registration
619.00
07/30/04
ICMA
Check #
210465
211412
· Spouse registration reimbursed
September 2004)
1,400.94
NOTE: This report reflects all PA YMENTS made during the Third Quarter of FY 2004 (July, August,
$
Total Quarterly Charges
City of La Porte, Texas .
Quarterly Report of Credit Card Expenditures
Fourth Quarter FY 2004
Expense
T' e
Assistant City Manager, John Joerns
Cardholder Position
ose
TCMA Annual Conference
J. Joerns - South Padre Island
Purl
Registration
Amount
265.00
Date
OS/24/04
Pavee
Texas Municipal League
-
TCMA Annual Conference
J. Joerns - South Padre Island
Lodging
541.41
06/24/04
Holiday Inns
Lodging
92.66
07/28/04
Hiltons Hotel
College Station or
Municipal Fire School
College Station or
Municipal Fire School
Lodging
* Rooms were reserved on credit card - attendees paid for rooms with a check; hotel
mistakenly charged credit card; hotel will credit card for $185.32.
92.66
07/28/04
Hiltons Hotel
e
Check #
210465
211412
212161
991.73
$
Total Quarterly Charges
September 2004)
NOTE: This report reflects all PA YMENTS made during the Third Quarter of FY 2004 (July, August,
-
-
City of La Porte, Texas
Quarterly Report of Credit Card Expenditures
Fourth Quarter FY 2004
Cardholder Position: Assistant City Manager, Cynthia Alexander
Expense
Payee Date Amount Type Purpose
Seabrook Classic Cafe 06/08/04 40.00 Lunch Meeting to discuss Office Operations
C. Alexander, C. Scott, G. Collins & S. Green
Seabrook, TX
Hyatt Hotels 06/18/04 455.81 Lodging GFOA 98th Annual Conference
Cynthia Alexander - Milwaukee, WI
AMPCO Express (Hobby) 06/18/04 45.00 Airport Parking GFOA 98th Annual Conference
Cynthia Alexander - Milwaukee, WI
Southwest Airlines 06/29/04 197.20 Airfare GFOA T Board Meeting
C. Alexander - Dallas, TX
Dollar RAC 06/30/04 5.73 Airport Parking GFOA T Board Meeting
C. Alexander - Dallas, TX
-
Total Quarterly Charges $ 743.74 Check #
210465
211412
NOTE: This report reflects all PA YMENTS made during the Third Quarter of FY 2004 (July, August, September 2004)
City of La Porte, Texas
Quarterly Report of Credit Card Expenditures
Fourth Quarter FY 2004
Expense
T' e
City Secretary
Cardholder Position
ose
TML Newly-Elected Officials Workshop
Councilman Griffiths - Austin, TX
Purl
Registration
Amount
145.00
Date
OS/26/04
Payee
Texas Municipal League
-
TML Newly-Elected Officials Workshop
Councilman Moser - Austin, TX
Registration
145.00
06/03/04
Texas Municipal League
TML Conference
Councilman Moser - Austin, TX
Airfare
113.70
06/03/04
Southwest Airlines
2004 NLC Conference
Mayor Porter -Indianapolis, IN
Registration/Lodging
430.00
07/08/04
National League of Citites
2004 NLC Conference
Councilman Mosteit - Indianapolis,
Registration/Lodging
430.00
07/08/04
National League of Citites
N
2004 NLC Conference
Councilman Engelken -
Registration/Lodging
430.00
07/08/04
National League of Citites
-
ndianapolis, IN_
2004 NLC Conference
Councilman Beasley - Indianapolis,
Registration/Lodging
430.00
07/08/04
National League of Citites
N
2004 NLC Conference
Councilman Griffiths - Indianapolis,
Registration/Lodging
430.00
07/08/04
National League of Citites
N
2004 NLC Conference
Councilman Ebow - Indianapolis,
Registration/Lodging
430.00
07/08/04
National League of Citites
N
2004 NLC Conference
Councilman Moser - Indianapolis,
Registration/Lodging
345.00
07/08/04
National League of Citites
N
2004 NLC Conference
Councilman Rigby - Indianapolis, IN
Registration/Lodging
345.00
07/08/04
National League of Citites
Expense
T' e
Pur~ose
2004 NLC Conference
Councilman Clausen - Indianapolis, IN
-
2004 TML Annual Conference
Councilman Rigby - Austin, TX
Registration
2004 TML Annual Conference
Councilman Moser - Austin, TX
Registration
2004 TML Annual Conference
Councilman Mosteit - Austin, TX
Registration
2004 TML Annual Conference
Councilman Griffiths - Austin, TX
Registration/Luncheon
2004 TML Annual Conference
Councilman Engelken - Austin. TX
Registration
2004 TML Annual Conference
Councilman Ebow - Austin, TX
Registration
-
2004 TML Annual Conference
Councilman Beasley - Austin, TX
Registration
TML Newly-Elected Officials Workshop
Councilman Porter - Austin, TX
Lodging
TML Newly-Elected Officials Workshop
Councilman Clausen, Austin, TX
Lodging
Newly-Elected Officials Workshop
Councilman Porter & Councilman Clausen
Registration /2
City of La Porte, Texas
Quarterly Report of Credit Card Expenditures
Fourth Quarter FY 2004
Cardholder Position: City Secretary
Payee Date Amount
National League of Citites 07/08/04 430.00
Texas Municipal League 07/22/04 225.00
Texas Municipal League 07/22/04 225.00
Texas Municipal League 07/22/04 225.00
Texas Municipal League 07/22/04 250.00
Texas Municipal League 07/22/04 225.00
Texas Municipal League 07/22/04 225.00
Texas Municipal League 07/22/04 225.00
Hilton Hotel Austin 07/26/04 250.70
Hilton Hotel Austin 07/26/04 250.70
Texas Municipal League 08/05/04 390.00
Registration/Lodging
City of La Porte, Texas
Quarterly Report of Credit Card Expenditures
Fourth Quarter FY 2004
Purpose
TML Region 14 Fall Workshop
Councilman Griffiths - Galveston. TX
Expense
.....!II!e
Lodging
Amount
182.85
City Secretary
Date
08/10/04
Cardholder Position
Payee
Moody Gardens Hotel
Workshop
Galveston, TX
TML Region 14 Fal
Councilman Ebow -
Lodging
182.85
08/10/04
Moody Gardens Hotel
e
Workshop
- Galveston. TX
TML Region 14 Fall
Councilman Mosteit
Lodging
182.85
08/10/04
Moody Gardens Hotel
Workshop
Galveston, TX
TML Region 14 Fall
Councilman Rigby -
Lodging
182.85
08/10/04
Moody Gardens Hotel
TML Conference-Creating the Future Downtown
Councilman Mosteit - Austin, TX
Registration
250.00
08/11/04
Texas Municipal League
TML Conference-Creating the Future Downtown
Councilman Moser - Austin, TX
Registration
250.00
08/11/04
Texas Municipal League
e
TML Workshp/Dinner
Mayor Porter, Councilmen Griffiths, Engelken
Ebow, Mosteit, & Rigby
Moody Gardens, Galveston, TX
Check #
210465
211412
212161
Dinner
410.00
8,236.50
$
08/10/04
HGAC Administation
Total Quarterly Charges
September 2004)
PA YMENTS made during the Third Quarter of FY 2004 (July, August,
NOTE: This report reflects all
-
e
City of La Porte, Texas
Quarterly Report of Credit Card Expenditures
Fourth Quarter FY 2004
Cardholder Position: Police Chief
Expense
Payee Date Amount Type Purpose
Harris County Toll Road 06/14/04 71.25 EZ Tag Task Force & SOP Vehicles
Office Depot 06/30/04 40.16 Binders Emergency Operations Manuals
Used wrong credit card, item returned
Office Depot 06/30/04 (3.06) Tax Credit Merchandise/Service Return - tax credit
Harris County Toll Road 07/29/04 30.50 EZ Tag Task Force & SOP Vehicles
Harris County Toll Road 08/06/04 63.25 EZ Tag Task Force & SOP Vehicles
-
Check #
210465
Total Quarterly Charges $ 202.10 211412
212161
NOTE: This report reflects all PA YMENTS made during the Third Quarter of FY 2004 (July, August, September 2004)
e
September 30,2004
This report is in full compliance with the credit card policy as
established by the City of La Porte's Audit Committee.
--
Michatl Dolby,
Assistbnt Finance Director
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Green, Shannon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alexander, Cynthia
Wednesday, October 13, 20041:18 PM
Green, Shannon
FW: Rockport: over-65 tax freeze touted; detractors say plan unfairly shifts tax burden
For Audit Committee. c
-Original Message-
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2004 8:17 AM
To: alexanderc@Ci.la-porte.tx.us
Subject: Rockport: over-65 tax freeze touted; detractors say plan unfairly shifts tax
burden
Rockport over-65 tax freeze touted
Detractors say plan unfairly shifts tax burden
By Jaime Powell
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
October 8, 2004
ROCKPORT - Business and real estate officials say they have collected more than 500
signatures in an effort to force a vote on a tax freeze for Rockport residents who are 65
or older.
To force a referendum, Citizens for Responsible Government needs signatures from 5
percent of Rockport's 5,922 registered voters or 297 total. The petition must be
presented by Oct. 18, said City Secretary Irma Parker.
Delo Caspary, the group's leader, said the signatures were collected at Key Allegro Real
Estate, Rockport-Fulton Real Estate and Mark Uhr's Rockport Properties. Caspary will
turn them in to city officials next week.
Not everybody is in favor of the tax freeze, saying it actually amounts to higher taxes on
property owners under the age of 65.
After the necessary signatures are certified by Parker, the election would be set for the
first Saturday in February.
Caspary said the election is necessary because the city refuses to approve a tax freeze
for people 65 and older. The Aransas County Independent School District has had a tax
freeze in place for this group since 1979. And in February, Aransas County froze taxes
for people who are 65 and older.
Election called necessary
1
Caspary said the petition .ve was necessary because the . refu~ed to pass a freeze
without a referendum.
Mayor Todd Pearson said he expected the city to follow the county's lead, but now he
does not support the tax freeze.
No one is sure what the implications are yet, Pearson said, and it appears to have the
most benefits for some of the more affluent members of the community.
"The people hurt will be the people under 65," he said. "The expectation that the council
would pass this without public discussion is really not proper because when that freeze
occurs it is automatically a tax increase for people under 65 or it is a reduction in the
services provided by city government."
Caspary disagrees.
"It would help the economy, because more people would come into the community," he
said. "The deficit will be picked up by new people moving in."
May scare young away
But Pearson said higher taxes for some residents will do just the opposite by keeping
young middle-class families out of Rockport.
"It is not in the long-term best interest of our community, " he said. "The cost of
government does not change when we institute the freeze. It shifts the burden to
younger taxpayers. "
Another sticking point for Pearson is the potential damage the measure could do if the
state passes measures to restrict rising tax rates.
"We do not know what the Legislature is going to do," Pearson said. "If we couple a
freeze on over 65 with a cap on appraisals and a limitation on tax increases, we have
hamstrung city government dramatically. "
Once the measure is put in place by a taxing entity it is irrevocable, he said. Which
leaves the city with no new funding streams.
On average, statewide, 60 percent of ad valorem taxes come from commercial property
and 40 percent from residential property.
Bulk of taxes residential
"In Rockport it is diametrically opposite," Pearson said. "This year, 73 percent of the
taxes are on houses. Our whole tax base is residential."
But Caspary said that older people on fixed incomes deserve a break.
2
Pearson said they are alrely getting a break. There is a $100 homestead exemption
and a $7,500 exemption for people 65 or older already in place.
The city's tax rate of 25.57 per hundred of taxable value translates to about $30 a
month in city taxes on the average $157,000 home. That money pays for all city services
including law enforcement, fire protection, ambulance service, roads, planning,
zoning, tourism promotion, drainage and supports the arts and museums, Pearson
said.
"The school freeze makes sense for people 65 and older because they are not using the
schools, " he said. "But people over 65 use all of the city services. That is not changed by
their age in any way. I think that $30 is one of the best investments they could make."
Easy passage forecast
Caspary said response to the petition indicates that the tax freeze will pass at the polls
with ease.
Retired pediatrician Lowell Kepp said he is not so sure. When he first started hearing
about the freeze initiative, he was all for it. Now he is with Pearson against it. He
thinks others will follow suit if they actually research the issue.
'The tax rate is not onerous to begin with," Kepp said. "If the city should experience a
catastrophe that affected its infrastructure like a hurricane, it would put the burden
on the people in the middle. When I first looked at it, I thought it was great. But now I
see it is not right because it is unfair to the people in the middle. Why defer something
from people who are more readily able to pay the taxes anyway."
3
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Green, Shannon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alexander, Cynthia
Tuesday, September 21, 2004 8:21 AM
Green, Shannon
FW: North Richland Hills: council approves senior tax freeze
For audit committee. C
-Original Message-
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2004 6:49 AM
To: alexanderc@Ci.la-porte.tx.us
Subject: North Richland Hills: council approves senior tax freeze
Posted on Tue, Sep. 21, 2004
Council approves senior tax freeze
By Terry Lee Goodrich
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS - City property taxes will be frozen for seniors and the
disabled beginning next year.
City Council members unanimously approved the tax cap Monday after nearly 70
percent of voters supported the freeze in a nonbinding election Sept. 11.
"The best way to handle this was to put it out to the voters, and the voters have
spoken, " Mayor Oscar Trevino said after the meeting.
Taxes will be capped at the 2004 level. The freeze cannot be rescinded without a state
constitutional amendment, Councilman Frank Metts Jr. said.
Supporters of the tax freeze said the cap will prevent seniors from being driven from
their homes because they cannot afford city taxes. But opponents said the freeze is
unfair to other taxpayers. Seniors and the disabled already qualify for a $36,000 tax
exemption, they said.
Retiree Marlin Miller, 82, said the cap "will put everything back on the young people. I
paid my way all the way, and I don't need help now."
But Bill Jackson, 77, said the cap is "great. Everything is going up, including
[property] evaluations, but seniors aren't getting an income increase."
The city's property tax rate is 57 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
1
Nearly 5,400 people, more an 14 percent of registered vat., turned out - a
municipal election record.
2
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Green, Shannon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alexander, Cynthia
Thursday, September 16, 2004 5:22 PM
Green, Shannon
FW: Pearland: city officials may look further at tax exemptions
For audit committee. c
-Original Message-
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 9:18 AM
To: alexanderc@Ci.la-porte.tx.us
Subject: Pearland: city officials may look further at tax exemptions
Sept. 14,2004, 9:37PM
Pearland officials may look further at tax exemptions
City Council will set workshop later in year
By THAYER EVANS
Chronicle Correspondent
Pearland City Council will consider creating a homestead property tax exemption for
all homeowners and additional property tax exemptions for those 65 and older.
Those possibilities were discussed during City Council's meeting on Monday, during
which the city's $32.66 million budget was adopted after a second reading.
In addition, a property tax rate of 69.48 cents per $100 valuation was approved.
The new budget represents a 7.7 percent increase, or $2.3 million, over last year. The
tax rate is a slight decrease from 69.6 cents.
City Manager Bill Eisen said City Council will hold a workshop later this year to
discuss the homestead exemption and tax exemption for seniors.
Seniors already get break
Pearland property owners who are at least 65 years old already receive a $25,000
property tax exemption from the city.
City Councilman Woody Owens said a $25,000 exemption for all residents would cost
the city $384,000 in annual property tax revenue.
"It's time to give something back to the people that live here in Pearland, " said Owens,
56.
1
City Councilman Kevin co!aid he supports a property ta~xemPtion for residents.
He said it was part of his platform in getting elected to City Council in May.
"We're the largest city in Brazoria County and we don't offer that, " Cole said. "I've
looked at starting at $25,000, but $15,000 may be something we end up doing."
Cole said increasing the city's property tax exemption for residents who are 65 and
older needs to be discussed. But, he said, he is apprehensive about the city freezing
property tax rates for seniors. Under state law, once a city approves a tax freeze, it
cannot be repealed.
Open to both ideas
City Councilman Richard Tetens said he is open to a homestead exemption and
increased property tax help for senior residents.
"] think we need to weigh it and see what it's going to cost us in lost revenue and see
how we could cover that," said Tetens, 70. "We need to see if it's something that will
benefit the citizens of Pearl and. "
He said he is not committed to a specific dollar amount for a homestead exemption, but
has concerns about the $25,000 figure that is being mentioned by others on City
Council.
"That's not very much," Tetens said. "With the appraisal district raising their
appraisal of homes in this area 10 percent a year, which they have been doing to my
home, it wouldn't take but a year or two and that $25,000 would be gone. "
Tetens said a property tax freeze for the city's senior residents could be a viable option.
"Even though their appraisal goes up every year, too, they're on a fixed income," he
said. "They can't absorb that every year. "
2
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Green, Shannon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alexander, Cynthia
Tuesday, September 14, 2004 5:05 PM
Green, Shannon
FW: Georgetown: tax freeze for seniors, liquor liberalization approved
For audit committee.
-Original Message-
Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 11:38 PM
To: alexanderc@Ci.la-porte.tx.us
Subject: Georgetown: tax freeze for seniors, liquor liberalization approved
Georgetown voters approve three measures
Tax freeze for seniors, liquor liberalization approved
By Jennifer Barrios
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, September 12, 2004
GEORGETOWN - All three measures on Saturday's ballot passed handily, with voters
backing two measures that will liberalize liquor laws in the city and a property-tax
freeze for people with disabilities and those 65 and older, according to unofficial
results Saturday night.
Council Member Henry Carr said that the voting place at Sun City, Texas - where
support for the tax freeze originated - was packed all day, with people standing in
lines that snaked through the hallways of the social center, waiting to vote.
Carr, whose district includes the retirement, said he drove by three or four times and
looked through the windows at the voters.
"It was orderly, no riots," he joked.
Many viewed the turnout from Sun City, which traditionally has voted in high
numbers, as crucial to the election results.
The tax-freeze proposition enjoyed broad support among those in Sun City, an age-
restricted community in western Georgetown. Eighteen percent of the people in
Georgetown are 65 and older.
It passed by a vote of 4, 747 to 1,442.
The freeze would begin with next year's tax bills. Assuming they don't move, seniors
and homeowners with disabilities would never pay more unless they significantly
1
remodeled their houses.
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City officials are mixed in their assessments of what the proposition will do to the city's
finances. The measure will affect 27 percent of the total taxable property in the city,
mostly owned by senior citizens. The measure will affect about 100 homes owned by
people with disabilities.
"It's not surprising," said Walt Herbert, who headed up an anti-tax-freeze group called
Citizens for Tax Fairness. "But I think we did what we could to stimulate discussion of
the actual issues. If the discussion didn't convince enough people, then that's the way it
goes. "
Jack Stroobandt, a Sun City resident who was chief among those in support of the
proposition, said that he was disappointed that the City Council put the tax freeze
before the voters, rather than approving the measure itself.
"1 don't think it was a good judgment on their part to put the city through this divisive
election, " he said. ''I feel that there's got to be some healing done in town now, just to
get over this 'we and they. ' "
In 2003, voters statewide approved an amendment to the Texas Constitution that
allowed cities, counties and junior colleges to freeze tax payments. It also allowed
citizens to bring a petition to force the freeze with an election.
Early voting results suggested easy passage for all three measures. Nearly 3,000 people
voted early, and about half of those were from Sun City.
John Willingham, elections administrator for Williamson County, said he was
surprised that more people from Sun City didn't cast their ballots during the early-
voting period.
''It's a reverse of their usual pattern of heavy voting during early voting," Willingham
said. "1 don't know what to make of it. "
There are more than 23,000 registered voters in Georgetown.
Meanwhile, it was business as usual Saturday night at the bar at Monica's 701
restaurant, the unofficial headquarters of the two liquor-by-the-drink measures. The
bar was well-stocked with vodka, gin and wine, and the early dining crowd didn't seem
abuzz with election worries.
Judith Manriquez and Chris Damon, the owners of the building in which Monica's 701
is located, were cautiously optimistic as the votes were tallied.
"This will be a historic day for Georgetown, " Damon said.
Manriquez said that she was pleasantly surprised that the issue did not attract many
opponents.
2
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"We were concerned that it would be divisive in the community," she said.
The sale of mixed beverages in restaurants was approved 5,147 to 973. The sale of beer
and wine for off-premise consumption was approved 4,715 to 1,269.
Currently the city is a hodgepodge of laws that make it illegal for a restaurant in one
part of the city to sell liquor, while restaurants in other parts of the city are free to do
so.
Alcohol is currently allowed in restaurants in the downtown area. But they first must
establish a private club, which is the legal entity that actually sells the alcohol; the
restaurant can only serve it for the club. Patrons must first become members of the club
before they can imbibe.
The election results must be certified by city and county officials at a pair of Sept. 21
meetings.
jbarrios@Statesman.com; 246-1150
Georgetown election
14 of 14 precincts reporting
Prop.: To freeze taxes for people with disabilities and those 65 and older.
Yes: 4,74776.7%
No: 1,44223.3%
Local option: To legalize sale of mixed alcoholic beverages in restaurants.
Yes: 5,14784.1%
No: 973 15.9%
Local option: To allow legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only.
Yes: 4,71578.8%
No: 1,26921.2%
3
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Green, Shannon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alexander, Cynthia
Wednesday, September 15, 2004 3:37 PM
Green, Shannon
FW: Deer Park: tax freeze approved by landslide
For audit committee. C
-Original Message-
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 12:48 AM
To: alexanderc@Ci.la-porte.tx.us
Subject: Deer Park: tax freeze approved by landslide
Tax freeze approved by landslide
By ROB VANYA, Editor
Deer Park Progress
09/14/2004
Deer Park voters said a resounding "Yes" to tax relief for disabled persons and senior
citizens in the special election held Saturday. By a nearly 3-to-l margin, voters
approved the Proposition 13 proposal that will freeze the municipal tax rate for people
aged 65 and older and for the disabled.
Deer Park voters said a resounding 'ryes" to tax relief for disabled persons and senior
citizens in the special election held Saturday.
By a nearly 3-to-l margin, voters approved the Proposition 13 proposal that will freeze
the municipal tax rate for people aged 65 and older and for the disabled.
With of a total of 1,840 votes cast in the election, 1,356 voted for the tax freeze (73.69
percent) and 484 voted against the proposal (26.30 percent).
Deer Park resident Sam Wright, the main coordinator of the petition drive which
brought the issue to a vote in a special election, said he was very pleased with the
results of the election.
"There's generally a low percentage of the total number of voters that will turn out for
any election and especially for any sort of special election, so I think turnout for this
election was very good," Wright said. ''/ am proud of all the people of Deer Park who
voted, whether they voted for or against the tax freeze. I'm glad we won the election,
don't get me wrong, but I want to thank everyone who voted from the bottom of my
heart. "
Wright said the approval of the tax freeze by such a wide margin should be interpreted
1
as a strong statement from tSidents.
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"1 hope this sent some kind of a message and I hope the civic leaders take it to heart,"
he said. "We wanted the people to make this decision, not City Hall. The reason I got so
involved in the petition drive was because I felt like if we would just let the people
make the choice then we'd get it done and we did."
According to City Secretary Sandra Watkins, voter turnout for the Sept. 11 special
election was high compared to normal voter turnout. There are 18,572 registered voters
in Deer Park. Watkins said that for most elections an average of between 3 to 5 percent
of the registered voters cast ballots. The 1,840 people who voted in the tax freeze
election represents about 10 percent of the total number of registered voters, which is
about double the amount of Deer Park's average voter turnout.
City Manager Ron Crabtree said the wide margin of approval for the tax freeze speaks
for itself.
"The community has expressed its opinion and we certainly are going to work with the
direction we have been given, " Crabtree said. 'We will continue to provide quality
services as best we can with what resources we have to work with."
Crabtree said the lopsided election results could possibly be a reflection of a general
feeling many have that there are just too many taxes.
"Whenyou add it all up, we all do have quiet a tax burden," he said. "There's federal
income tax, sales taxes, school and college district taxes, hospital district taxes,
municipal taxes. I think many people don't care who they are paying taxes to, they just
know that it seems they are paying more taxes than they used to and they are looking
for any type of tax relief. At the same time, many may not realize that most of the local
increase in tax rates in recent years have come from increased school district taxes, not
because of the city's tax rate. There are many people who feel like the state is not doing
enough to help local school districts fund education, which is the local school tax rate
is so high."
Freezing the municipal tax rate for senior citizens and the disabled will not have any
immediate effects on any city services. The municipal tax rate will be frozen at the 2005
rate and Deer Park seniors and disabled persons will not notice any benefit from the
tax freeze until 2006. The 2005 municipal tax rate will be 72 cents per $100 in property
evaluation and the municipal tax rate for each senior or disabled homeowner will vary
depending on individual property values.
Crabtree said that reducing the tax base could at some time in the future put pressure
on the city to maintain current city services. He said there are some misconceptions
about revenue collected from industries located in the city's extraterritorial
jurisdiction north of State Hwy. 225. Proponents of the tax freeze for seniors and the
disabled regularly stated that Deer Park needs to do more to increase the amount
collected from industries through Industrial District contracts, which is the city's
largest revenue base for municipal taxes.
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"There are two important points to be made about that," Crabtree said. "Number one is
that the amount Deer Park collects from those industries is in the same range as other
cities. Other cities may collect more than Deer Park, but that's only because they have
larger industrial districts. The second point is that most of the industries that are part
of Deer Park's Industrial District would say that they are already paying a fair
amount through the ID contracts, especially in the light of the current economic
climate. There's more uncertainty than there used to be and in many cases the profit
margins are not as large as they once were for many petrochemical companies. The
refineries seem to be doing better in recent months, but the chemical sector still
appears to be down."
Deer Park's current ID contract expires in December of 2006. "In late 2005 we will
begin the negotiation process with companies located in our Industrial District,"
Crabtree said. "There is no way to predict how those negotiations will go."
Deer Park collects ID fees from industries located north of the freeway that are lower
than municipal taxes in exchange for an agreement not to annex the industries. The ID
agreement is beneficial for both. The city does not have to provide services such as
police, water, sewer and fire protection for the industries and industries get what
amounts to tax relief.
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Green, Shannon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alexander, Cynthia
Thursday, September 02,200410:26 AM
Green, Shannon
FW: League City: council may adopt senior tax freeze
For audit committee
-Original Message-
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2004 1:40 AM
To: alexanderc@Ci.la-porte.tx.us
Subject: League City: council may adopt senior tax freeze
Aug. 31, 2004, 9:38PM
League City may adopt tax freeze
Disabled, senior residents would benefit
By THAYER EVANS
Chronicle Correspondent
League City City Council will consider freezing the city's property tax rate for all
property owners who are disabled or 65 and older.
If the measure is approved at the Sept. 28 council meeting, League City, with a
population of 45,500, would become the largest city in Galveston County and the Clear
Lake area to implement such a freeze. Since January, Dickinson, Santa Fe and
Seabrook have adopted freezes.
In September 2003, Texas voters approved a state constitutional amendment that
allows cities to freeze tax rates. Once a tax freeze is approved, it cannot be repealed by
a city council.
City Councilman Jim Nelson is pushing for the tax freeze.
"The taxes keep going up and up," Nelson said. "They're spiraling and getting out of
hand. "
The city's current tax rate is 64 cents per $100 valuation. That equates to $640 on
property of $100,000 of valuation.
Nelson said he knows "three to four" people who recently have moved out of League City
to Dickinson, where the city property tax rate is 39 cents per $100 valuation.
"We're pushing senior citizens out of our city," he said.
1
"That's a heart-wrenching 'pe of thing for them, because !st of them have lived here
nearly all their lives or at least a large portion of their lives. "
Nelson, 67, said a tax freeze in League City is needed to protect the city's older and
disabled residents who are living on fixed incomes.
'~ lot of the seniors do not get cost-of-living increases," Nelson said.
"Those lucky ones that do still have a hard time keeping up, because those increases
really don't keep up with the cost of living. "
City Councilman Keith Dill, 42, is not sure how he will vote on the tax-freeze proposal
until he sees a report from the city's finance department on its potential financial
impact. Those figures are expected to be presented to City Council at the Sept. 28
meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 200 ~ Walker.
"Without alternatives, you're locking into this forever," Dill said.
City Councilman Rusty Tidwell, 42, would like city staff to present City Council with
information about the effect of tax freezes in other cities.
"Don't get me wrong, the need is there," Tidwell said. "Let's just make sure we do it the
right way."
Nelson is not worried about the proposal's potential impact on the city's finances. He
said those who would qualify only make up 4 percent to 5 percent of the city's
population.
League City resident George Gaddie supports the proposed tax freeze and hopes City
Council will approve it.
,~ people get older, they can't afford the increase in taxes," said Gaddie, 41, an
information technology manager who has lived in League City for five years. "The
younger folks are the ones that are earning the money. "
Resident Herbert Johnson supports the proposed tax freeze. He said that when he
bought his home in League City in 1977, it was worth $27,500, Now, he said, it could sell
for $160,000.
"It's ridiculous," said Johnson, 75, a retired office manager. "But that's the way it is."
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Green, Shannon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alexander, Cynthia
Thursday, September 02,200410:30 AM
Green, Shannon
FW: Garland: city panel looking into potential costs of senior tax freeze amid revenue
shortfall
For audit committee
-Original Message-
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2004 12:56 AM
To: alexanderc@Ci.la-porte.tx.us
Subject: Garland: city panel looking into potential costs of senior tax freeze amid
revenue shortfall
Seniors' freeze on taxes pushed
City panel looking into potential costs amid revenue shortfall
07:13 PM CDT on Wednesday, September 1, 2004
By RICHARD ABSHIRE / The Dallas Morning News
Bruce Keller wants the city to freeze the property taxes seniors pay on their homes.
The freeze would lock in a senior's property tax bill, exempting it from annual
increases in tax rates or assessments.
It would apply only to seniors with homesteads and it would not be permanent, Mr.
Keller said, because the freeze would end when the senior died or moved.
"You're not talking about a lot of money," Mr. Keller said.
Texas voters last year approved Proposition 13, a constitutional amendment that
enables cities, counties and community college districts to freeze property taxes on the
homesteads of residents 65 or older and people with disabilities, either by a council
vote or by petition and referendum.
Mr. Keller, 67, said he would rather not go the petition route.
"The City Council can approve it," Mr. Keller said. "It was made to be easy."
Currently, the city exempts from property taxes the first $55,000 of appraised value in
homesteads owned by seniors.
Mr. Keller believes that Garland is generally less supportive of seniors than Piano and
other area cities.
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He said most city officials have not responded to his inquiries, although he described
his council representative, Michael Holden, as sympathetic.
''1 favor it," Mr. Holden said of the freeze. ''1t still comes down to how much it would cost
and we don't know that yet. "
He said one of the council's committees was looking into what the freeze would cost.
Council member Weldon Bradley, who chairs the council's Administrative Services
Committee, said the question was on hold, pending action by the Legislature on school
finance and other matters.
The council recently eliminated more than 40 positions and laid off more than 20
employees to help cover a $6 million shortfall in general fund revenue for the upcoming
fiscal year.
'~ou can find the money," Mr. Holden said. "The issue is what do you not want to do."
A tax freeze would mean a lot to seniors who are surviving spouses or who retired years
ago, have minimum pensions and rely heavily on Social Security.
'They are facing a new element, the costs of prescription drugs," Mr. Keller said. ''1n the
past 1 0 years, they have escalated out of proportion to any other expenditure. "
For many of those seniors, their home is the only thing separating middle class from
poverty, a condition Mr. Keller dubs 'middle poor. "
He said Social Security cost-of-living adjustments are eaten up by Medicare costs.
'~nd the new drug cards are worthless," he said. "That's a joke. "
2
Star-Telegram I 08/03/2004 I Cecil may decide freeze
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Page 1 of3
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Tues(
Northeast Tarrant
l-~'J email this
Posted on Tue, Aug. 03, 2004
Council may decide freeze
:ReaLJ~s~W.Gujd~ j
.. '.-. ..' "'. .
By Kelly Melhart
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
A proposed property tax cap for seniors and
the disabled that has dominated discussions in
and out of Keller City Council chambers could
be resolved tonight.
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An ordinance that would stop city property
taxes from rising for those two groups
squeezed past a first council reading July 6
with a 3-2 vote. The council is scheduled to
vote on the second and final reading tonight.
frtce_ral}g!'!..................... ___.... .....u........ .... .
No...~.I.~...m~~...4.Ji to No max,,'.".~".' .....
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Or the council could put the issue in voters' hands, an option provided Friday in an 01
Texas attorney general's office.
The council initially wanted voters to decide the issue. But council members said Mor
attorney general's opinion is not likely to change their vote.
Councilman Russell Lake said he is committed to tax relief for seniors and the disable
vote could go either way, he said.
"The seniors are more comfortable with a guarantee," he said. City officials have saic
have to increase the city's tax rate to compensate for the loss. In Keller, more than ~
would be affected by the cap. Keller would lose $50,000 in the first year and $3.65 IT
10th year of the cap, according to a city study.
Council members said Monday that they have been flooded with phone calls, e-mails
from residents on both sides of the issue.
Seniors have said voters have already had their say on the issue when they passed 2
amendment in September. Now it is time for the council to act, said Keller resident F
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/local/states/texas/northeast/9307984.htm
8/3/2004
Star-Telegram I 08/03/2004 I C_il may decide freeze
e
Page 2 of3
71.
Resident Mike Sivertsen, 50, opposes the cap. At the last council meeting, he said th
of socialism, with younger residents paying more taxes to support seniors. Seniors al
already enjoy additional tax exemptions, he said.
Seniors age 65 and older pay an average $175.20 less in annual city property taxes t
residents because of their $40,000 property exemption, according to a city study. Bu
implemented and property values continue to rise, seniors would pay almost $1,000
property taxes than other homeowners by 2016.
Disabled homeowners receive a $10,000 property tax exemption.
Keller is one of the few communities in Northeast Tarrant County that have not decid
Bedford, Colleyville, Euless, Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst, Roanoke, Southlake and Tro~
approved a freeze. North Richland Hills voters will vote in a nonbinding referendum 0
September. The tax cap can also be granted by counties and junior college districts.
The Texas attorney general's office said Friday that municipalities, counties and junic
districts can call elections on a tax freeze for senior citizens and the disabled without
petition. The office issued the opinion at the request of Bedford officials.
Tax cap
Under the proposed cap for seniors and the disabled, city property taxes cannot incrE
improvements are made to a home. But taxes can drop. Once implemented, the cap
rescinded without a statewide vote to repeal the constitutional amendment that alloy
freeze.
Council meeting
Keller City Council meeting, 7 tonight, Keller Town Hall, 1100 Bear Creek Parkway, K
743-4000.
...............................................R...' .................................... ......................................... . ................................, .......,....................'...H.......~......................................................... ......__..........._.w.............................
ONLINE: www.cityofkeller.com
Kelly Me/hart, (817) 685-3854 kmelhart@star-te1egram.com
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http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/local/states/texas/northeast/9307984.htm
8/3/2004
Star-Telegram 108/03/20041 Cecil may decide freeze
e
Page 3 of3
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http://www.dfw.comlmld/dfw/news/local/states/texas/northeast/9307984.htm
8/3/2004
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Green, Shannon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alexander, Cynthia
Thursday, September 02,20048:46 AM
Green, Shannon
FW: Schertz: council adds tax freeze to November ballot
For audit committee.
-Original Message-
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2004 2:02 AM
To: alexanderc@Ci.la-porte.tx.us
Subject: Schertz: council adds tax freeze to November ballot
Schertz adds tax freeze to Nov. ballot
By Bryan Kirk
Seguin Gazette
Published September 02, 2004
SCHERTZ - The Schertz City Council approved an ordinance Wednesday calling for
Proposition 13 - a tax freeze initiative for seniors - to be placed on the November
ballot.
The decision came after 20 minutes in executive session, making Schertz the third
municipality in Guadalupe County, behind Marion and Seguin, to call for an election.
Volunteers organized by Harvey Hild, who ignited the grassroots movement in June,
began collecting signatures on petitions in July.
The petitions were turned into Schertz City Secretary Norma Althouse Aug. 17, and
more than 900 signatures were collected - well in excess of the 600 needed.
While many of those signatures were verified by the city, they were ruled invalid.
"The main problem with the petitions themselves was that they were missing the date,"
said Schertz Public Information Officer James Schindler. "Another one of the
omissions on the petitions was that the Secretary of State had asked to be on there was
that if you had a city that had more than one county, the county had to be on there for
the residency requirements."
Portions of the city of Schertz fall in the counties of Bexar, Comal and Guadalupe.
Proposition 13, a state constitutional amendment, was approved by 89 percent of Texas
voters and 81 percent of Guadalupe County voters in September 2003.
Schindler said the vote to have the initiative placed on the ballot was supported by
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Mayor Hal Baldwin and the rest of the City Council.
"One of the council's primary goals was getting this on the ballot to make sure we have
a good representation of the electorate," Schindler said.
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2
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Green, Shannon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alexander, Cynthia
Thursday, August 26.20049:14 AM
Green, Shannon
FW: Tyler: council approves tax freeze for elderly, disabled
For audit committee
-Original Message-
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2004 12:03 AM
To: alexanderc@Ci.la-porte.tx.us
Subject: Tyler: council approves tax freeze for elderly, disabled
CITY COUNCIL PPROVES TAX FREEZE
FOR ELDERLY, DISABLED RESIDENTS
By: LAURA JETT KRANTZ, Staff Writer
Tyler Mornong Telegraph
August 25,2004
After a hearing on the fiscal year 2004-2005 proposed budget and tax rate, Tyler City
Council members unanimously approved a measure Wednesday they hope will help
those on a fixed income make ends meet.
The council held a public hearing during Wednesday's council meeting on a proposal
to freeze property taxes for elderly and disabled residents.
Proposition 13, which was overwhelmingly approved by Texas voters in September
2003, gave cities, counties and junior colleges the option to freeze taxes they impose on
the homes of the elderly and disabled. For cities, the freeze may be enacted by city
council action or by local election. During a budget presentation to the Tyler City
Council earlier this month, City Manager Bob Turner recommended the council adopt
the tax freeze.
"Citizens of the state of Texas and the citizens of the city of Tyler expressed a desire for
this option by a margin of about 80 percent, " Mayor Joey Seeber said after the meeting.
"We felt like, especially for seniors on fixed incomes and the disabled, this was
something the city could do to ensure they were not overly burdened in years to come.
And (the city) could afford to absorb whatever decrease in revenue there might be in
the future."
Currently, 6,516 homeowners in Tyler are age 65 or older and 430 homeowners are
disabled, according to information provided by the city of Tyler. Officials say that
number will increase to 9,632 seniors and 829 disabled by 2020. The tax freeze could
result in more than $9 million in savings for senior and disabled homeowners by the
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year 2020, according to estimates from the Smith County Appraisal District.
In response to concerns that such a freeze shifts the tax burden to young, working
families, the mayor said anticipated growth in sales taxes could more than offset any
decrease in revenue from the freeze.
The freeze will go into effect for qualified residential property owners during the 2004-
2005 fiscal year. It would apply only to properties declared as the owner's primary
residence or homestead.
According to current state law, the freeze is permanent and could not be rescinded by
any future city council. This has caused some concern across the state by those who say
not all seniors need their taxes frozen.
"Personally, I do wish that we were able to do some means testing," Seeber said. "1
would have preferred that the law allow us to freeze the property values below a
certain threshold. But the law does not allow that as it is written now."
The proposed property tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year is 24.89 cents per $100
valuation.
No one addressed the council on this item.
BUDGET
The council also held a public hearing Wednesday on the city's proposed $85.8 million
FY 2004-2005 budget and proposed tax rate.
This proposed budget is a $1.1 million or 1 percent increase over the $84.7 million
budget the council adopted last year, and includes funding for new park projects, a
brick street maintenance crew, water and sewer system upgrades, airport
improvements and raises for city employees.
The budget keeps the city's 2004-2005 tax rate at 24.89 cents per $100 valuation, which
is the same as the city's current property tax rate. That puts the proposed rate 4.1
percent higher than the effective tax rate, or the rate that would bring in the same
amount of revenue as last year, at 23.9 cents for 2004.
Under the suggested rate, the owner of a $50,000 house that was not reappraised this
year will pay about $124 in city taxes, the owner of a $100,000 house will pay roughly
$249 in taxes, and the owner of a $150,000 house will pay about $373 in taxes.
However, homeowners will pay more if their property values increased.
Taxable values in the city have risen $310 million, or 7 percent, over the previous year.
More than $109 million of that amount is new construction and $400,000 is from
annexations, leaving $201.1 million as the result of reappraisals. Over the past year,
the average home value in Tyler rose from $112,093 to $119,232, a difference of $7,139 or
2
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6 percent.
This overall increase in taxable values means using the same tax rate from last year
will bring in $757,097 more in revenue assuming a 97.46 percent collection rate.
The city's debt service, or the amount of money used to pay bond issues, decreased
slightly to 2.65 cents per $100 valuation, and the amount ofproperty tax revenue
allotted to fund maintenance and operations is now 22 cents. City officials hope to pay
off the city's fund-supported debt in 2007.
Highlights of the budget proposal include: $8.83 million for water and sewer
improvements; $3.14 million for airport improvements; $75,000 for phase I of the Noble
E. Young Skate Park improvements; $75,000 for phase I of the Woldert Park
Sprayground project; and $175,000 for a brick streets maintenance crew.
Several speakers addressed the council on its proposed budget, including Tyler Area
HoteVMotel Association President Kristen Rogers, Historic Tyler representative Mike
Patterson, Taxpayers Association of Smith County President Sharon Guthrie and East
Texas Symphony Orchestra President Nancy Wrenn.
Ms. Rogers asked the council to reconsider funding from the hotel/motel tax allocated
to the Smith County Historical Society and East Texas Symphony Orchestra. She said
the association has had problems getting expenditure reports from the historical
society and their application for funding was late. She added the ETSO has
encouraged visiting musicians to stay with its members, cutting down on the number of
heads in motel beds. She urged the city to cut allocations to these organizations and
instead provide funding to the Tyler Museum of Art, which she said, has brought
numerous outside visitors to Tyler.
Ms. Wrenn responded that only 15 to 20 of the symphony's musicians stay with its
members as part of a program established to assist "starving artists." She added this
program also gives musicians and audience members an opportunity to become
acquainted.
Seeber said the hotel/motel tax generates about $1.2 million each year. Of that, these
two organizations receive a small amount, he said.
"This is the appropriate vehicle, I think, to fund the symphony to the extent we're going
to do that," he said. 'While I appreciate the comments from our hotel/motel association
... I support the existing recommendation."
Patterson praised the city's decision to re-create a brick streets maintenance crew and
encouraged the council to support that line item. He said this item is important to
historic preservation as well as tourism in Tyler.
Ms. Guthrie read a statement from the Taxpayers Association of Smith County that
praised the city's fiscal responsibility, supported the budget generally, but made some
specific suggestions. According to the statement, the association supports the creation
3
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of new positions to handle the increased volume of services required by a growing
population; addition of an internal auditor position to maintain fiscal integrity; pay
increases for city employees; and phasing in of park projects on a "pay as you go basis."
However, the association questioned the city's changing philosophy in shifting money
from the general fund instead of the hoteVmotel tax to support the Rose Garden Center.
"We urge the council to resist the temptation to shift costs to local property taxes
without developing a long-range plan for such special funds," Ms. Guthrie said. '~t a
minimum, we suggest that the city consider developing a funding split for the Rose
Garden and other such facilities based on local versus tourism usage."
The association also urged the council to reaffirm its commitment to the Blueprint
philosophy of running municipal government more like a business.
"While we may not agree with every line item in this budget, the taxpayers association
supports the overall budget and is eager to continue to work with the city on the many,
many issues we do agree upon," she said. "We urge you to seriously consider the
constructive recommendations we've made to you today."
The council is scheduled to adopt the FY 2004-2005 budget at its Sept. 8 meeting.
Council members present at Wednesday's meeting were Seeber, Charles Alworth,
Derrick Choice, Ron Shaffer, Joyce Armstrong Scurry, Steve Smith and Chris Simons.
4
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Green, Shannon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alexander, Cynthia
Wednesday, August 04, 2004 1 :39 PM
Green, Shannon
FW: Keller: city caps taxes for seniors, disabled
For audit committee
-Original Message-
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2004 7:52 AM
To: alexanderc@Ci.la-porte.tx.us
Subject: Keller: city caps taxes for seniors, disabled
Posted on Wed, Aug. 04, 2004
Keller caps taxes for seniors, disabled
By Kelly Melhart
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
KELLER - Senior citizens cheered Tuesday night after the City Council capped
property taxes for seniors and the disabled at current levels.
Twenty-six people spoke before the 3-2 vote, many of them addressing Councilman
Russell Lake, who they believed was the swing vote.
Lake voted in favor of the cap, joining Councilmen Mitch Holmes and John Cooney.
"This is not for my political future, this is about the future of Keller," Lake said after
Tuesday's second and final vote on the issue. "1 support the freeze because it's the right
thing to do."
Haltom City resident Ken Sapp had asked the Keller council not to adopt the freeze.
"One man decided for eternity - what arrogance," Sapp said after the meeting. Haltom
City has adopted the freeze, which cannot be rescinded without overturning the
constitutional amendment that makes it possible.
Council members have grappled with the cap since April.
Under the cap, property taxes for seniors and the disabled cannot rise unless property
improvements are made. Taxes can decrease.
In recent weeks, council members said they have received countless telephone calls, e-
mail messages and letters from residents on both sides of the issue.
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More than 900 households in Keller will be affected. City officials say they expect to lose
$50,000 in 2006, the first year the cap is implemented, and $3.65 million in 2016.
Nine other Northeast Tarrant County communities have adopted the property-tax cap.
The cap can also be granted by junior-college districts and counties.
2
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Green, Shannon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alexander, Cynthia
Sunday, August 08, 20043:53 PM
Green, Shannon
FW: San Antonio: city manager offers alternative to senior tax freeze
For audit committee
-Original Message-
Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2004 1:30 AM
To: alexanderc@Ci.la-porte.tx.us
Subject: San Antonio: city manager offers alternative to senior tax freeze
Let the tax break debate begin
Web Posted: 08/08/2004 12:00 AM CDT
William Pack
Express-News Staff Writer
Even though the city's proposed $1.5 billion spending plan does not call for a tax
increase, tax policy is raising hackles at City Hall as council members kick off a six-
week review leading to the adoption of a budget next month.
The debate is focused on tax breaks the city would provide primarily to senior citizens
but also to disabled homeowners, who have not received breaks unless they qualified
for a Disabled Veterans Exemption.
It's a relatively small item in a budget that targets nearly $481 million for public safety
programs and more than $171 million for human development initiatives. But it has
divided the city's elderly population, stirred up the possibility of a petition drive, and
become a key issue for the council.
"Senior citizen and disabled relief will be addressed one way or another," Mayor Ed
Garza said after City Manager Terry Brechtel outlined her budget proposal last week.
San Antonio already provides a $65,000 homestead exemption to homeowners 65 and
older, but thanks to a state constitutional amendment approved last year, it has the
option to freeze the property taxes paid by seniors and disabled residents at their
current levels.
Council members have said they want to ease the financial burden on senior citizens,
particularly those on fixed incomes struggling to pay escalating bills, but they have
balked at implementing the tax freeze.
Brechtel's proposed budget offers an alternative.
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It's called a stair-stepped system of annual increases in the homestead exemption for
seniors and the disabled. Under her proposal, the senior exemption would grow over
five years to $90,000, and the disabled exemption would increase to $20,000 in four
years.
Under either system, seniors would pay less than hal/of the property taxes due if the
current $65,000 exemption were not changed.
Brechtel says the stair-stepped model is preferable because the city would lose less
revenue over 10 years - $68.1 million with the freeze and $54 million with the
escalating exemption. Also, the exemption could be modified as property values change
and the benefit is targeted to those most in need.
Bob Ross, a former councilman and chairman of the city-county Joint Commission on
Elderly Affairs, said he supports the stair-stepped model as the most effective
approach, but Doris Griffin, a San Antonio delegate to the Texas Silver-Haired
Legislature, differs.
"They are being spin doctors," Griffin said of city officials. "(The escalating exemption)
option won't provide that much relief."
She hopes the city keeps the existing exemption in place and tacks on the freeze so
seniors can afford to stay in their homes.
Bob Martin, president of the Homeowner-Taxpayer Association, has warned city and
county officials that HTA could lead a petition drive to force the tax freeze to a public
vote if officials don't adopt it themselves.
''We're not afraid of the democratic process, and neither should the City Council be,"
Martin said.
Councilman Chip Haass said he was pleased the city manager proposed a tax break
option, but it will be hard to ignore the amount of support voters already have shown
for the Proposition 13 tax freeze.
Haass said he may try to persuade the council to put the matter on the ballot, possibly
in November.
The overall budget proposal won praise from council members as a good starting point
for deliberations, but revisions will be discussed and the document likely will change
before the 2005 spending plan is adopted Sept. 16.
The new budget goes into effect Oct. 1.
The proposal, which had to overcome a $21.3 million shortfall in the General Fund,
would eliminate 119 positions through the year, 73 of which are filled. Brechtel said
she hopes those employees could find places to work in other departments.
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)
The budget would require city employees to pay $44 a month more for health benefits if
their families also are covered. But that would be balanced with pay raises of 2 percent
or 3 percent.
The proposal includes almost $3 million in increased fees and nearly $6 million in
reductions or modifications in the General Fund, the city's largest and most active pool
of money.
Savings would come in part from reduced overtime expenses, revised policies, and
extending the life of city vehicles.
3
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Green, Shannon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Alexander, Cynthia
Sunday, August 08,20043:55 PM
Green, Shannon
FW: Guadalupe County: citizen ire heats up forum intended to explain property tax freeze
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Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2004 1:08 AM
To: alexanderc@Ci.la-porte.tx.us
Subject: Guadalupe County: citizen ire heats up forum intended to explain property tax
freeze
Citizen ire heats up tax forum
By Bryan Kirk
Seguin Gazette
Published August 08, 2004
A forum designed to educate residents on a proposed property tax freeze for elderly and
disabled residents erupted Thursday in several heated exchanges between concerned
taxpayers and local officials.
The forum, hosted by VFW Post 8315, drew about 25 residents from the communities of
Schertz, Cibolo and Marion.
The forum, which followed a similar one held at the Silver Center two weeks ago,
brought county officials to the podium to explain what the proposed property tax freeze
could mean for all county residents.
Guadalupe County Tax Assessor-Collector Tavie Murphy and Chief Appraiser Chris
Boenig addressed the handful of residents, which quickly turned hostile.
There are 6,673 senior and disabled citizens who own property in Guadalupe County.
Senior citizens have enjoyed a tax freeze on school taxes in the county since 1988,
however, some of them were not aware the freeze was available.
One angry resident expressed his disappointment with county officials for not telling
him about the freeze for seniors from school taxes.
"1 would say you need to inform the people on their tax bill," he said. "1 just wish you
would explain it so the people know what the heck is going on."
Boenig and Murphy said the property taxes for seniors and disabled homeowners
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would be frozen, but the disparity in the county's tax revenue would have to be made up
by non-qualifying homeowners.
Harvey Hild, who jump-started the tax freeze movement in Guadalupe County two
months ago, addressed the Guadalupe County Commissioners Court and Marion City
Council this week hoping to persuade city and county leaders to place the petition on
the ballot.
Hild said he has received considerable support for the initiative in Marion and Seguin
and hoped to have enough signatures to place it on the ballot in Schertz.
"Once it gets on the ballot, I have no doubt it will pass," Hild said.
Many of the communities in Guadalupe County have gotten on board with many
signing the petitions.
However, the lone municipal holdout in the tax freeze movement is Cibolo, a city that
has lowered taxes three consecutive years.
Several Cibolo residents expressed their disdain for the proposed tax freeze.
"Why would we want to freeze them when we are lowering them," one man yelled from
the back of the room.
Schertz resident Oscar Anderson spoke in favor of the tax freeze calling it the right
thing to do, while blaming Schertz City Council and commissioners court for ever-
increasing taxes.
"They are the folks who control the tax rate," Anderson said. "You know whose fault it
is? It's yours. You voted for {Mayor Hal] Baldwin and {Commissioner Jim] Wolverton
during the last election. If you didn't they would not be here. You keep reelecting the
very people who are strangling you with high taxes while exempting their business
friends from carrying their part of the load."
Officials from the city of Schertz addressed the group opposing the tax freeze.
Baldwin, who would qualify for the tax freeze, said he signed the petition that
circulated in his city, but does not feel it is fair for everyone.
"It is difficult for me to come out in favor of this freeze because it's a little self-serving,"
Baldwin said. "If you get the number of signatures to get this on the ballot, you have to
understand there are people who have compelling reason why old guys, who are over
65, don't necessarily need a tax freeze as much as a lot of other people in the
community. Who's looking out for them?"
Baldwin offered to present the so-called compelling reasons by calling Schertz City
Manager Mark Marquez to the microphone.
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Marquez told the small cra! that with the increasing cost' services, it was only fair
to the community as a whole not to enact a property tax freeze for disabled and elderly.
Marquez outlined the services provided in Schertz, such as 24-hour police, fire and
EMS protection.
"Those things do not come free," Marquez said. lilt just doesn't work that way."
An elderly man in his 70s sitting in the second row stood up.
III understand your problem, but you need to understand ours," he said. l"We don't get
raises. Our taxes keep going up, and we are getting fed up with it."
Hild has until Sept. 1 to present his petition to the commissioners court.
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