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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctoberOne Pm,,.r? and one doAil The average West U tax bill would increase $96 next year under the pro- posed budget submitted by City Man- ager Sherman Yehl. "Almost all of this increase is attribut- able to the debt service fund," Yehl said. This fund pays for the bonds issued to finance infrastructure replacement. Yehl noted that it will require about $3.8 million in funding in 2000 to pay debt service, an increase of almost six per- cent from the current year. While the tax rate to cover the debt service will remain at 210 per $100 of assessed valuation, the debt service to pay for maintenance and operations can be reduced by two cents creating a to- tal tax rate of 40¢. However, during the budget workshops held in September, two major expendi- tures were discussed that could change the final tax rate. The City Council is considering the addition of three police officers to the force increasing the department's strength to 24 sworn officers. The cost of these officers adds about one cent to the tax rate. The other major expenditure to impact the tax rate relates to improving the City's rating with the Insurance Service Organization. In 1998 homeowners throughout West U saw steep rate in- creases for homeowner's insurance, some as much as 10% to 15%. In order to reduce the premiums, the City is looking at certain modifications to its public safety operations. Under one scenario, rates could be reduced by about seven percent with a modest expenditure of $20,000 to pur- chase communications equipment. This would reduce the current ISO rating from five to three. In order to reduce the City's rating to two, the City would be required to make major changes to its dispatch operations and add five new positions to its payroll, including four dispatchers and a fire marshall. This would require a first year expenditure of $427,000 and annual re- curring expenditures of almost $200,000. Insurance rates are estimated to be re- duced by 14.5% with these improve- ments. Residents could also see other charges increase in 2000. The infrastructure pro- gram not only impacts the City's Gen- eral Fund, but also the Water and Sewer Fund. Revenue bonds were also issued as part of the infrastructure program and the bond covenants have revenue criteria, according to Finance Director Walter Thomas. "In order to meet this criteria," said Thomas, "rates will have to increase about 10% in 2000. However, even with this increase, the City will be below pro- jections set in 1995 for rates. Like the General Fund, all of this increase is set to fund the increase in the debt service. It is also proposed that garbage col- lection fees be increased by 50¢ per month, the first increase in over five years. The Solid Waste Fund has been moving to a self-supporting program and this increase would eliminate the sub- sidy that general property tax dollars have been providing. The proposed 2000 General Fund bud- get recommends a $7.4 million appro- priation in funding, a 1.2% increase from 1999. As the City is primarily a service organization, $4.9 million of the budget is spent on personnel related costs. The City remains in a strong financial position with reserves to protect against unforeseen events. A public hearing on the proposed bud- get will be held on Monday, October 111, beginning at 7:30 PM in the City Council chambers. bvvn Hall fi efin s 7-600 c Cwia-umflifv 9-1 Ilt@® dear, hoo vm~ da lla u 61 $'Sy 766 ueudody oe`'©ffi'oaE Annual Fall Clean-up The West U Annual Fall Clean-up will be held on Saturday, Octo- J~ 45 ber 301 from 8:00 AM - ` ' 4:00 Pm at 3826 Milton. Clean out the garage, backyard, attic and closets! Get rid of items too bulky for regular garbage pickup. The City cannot ac- cept automobile tires, refrigerators con- taining freon or hazardous material - paint, solvents, pesticides and herbicides. Proof of residency required. For more information, call West U Public Works at 713.662.5839. t ® Calendar of u reWl3 3 ® City Life 3 ® Employee bight 4 • Inside Council Chambers 2 ® Police dotter 5 • Senior Calener 7 Volt-, me 26, o.10 October 1999 Inside Council s Page 2 By: Mayor Linda Lewis One hundred days, but who's counting.? by Council Member Beat May The first one hundred days have seen and have shown willingness to obtain and provide any information necessary to assist council. Citizen's problems have been quickly resolved. I am proud to have the opportunity to work with City Staff to benefit our city. or 71316V32.6KoP 3 it ELf a Cs" { 713.668.03*7~0 P~easu The City of West University Place, Tex i Ll 3 s t ~ 'ixro-a Second Concert This month's featured performer, Allen Wayne 17amron, is a genuine The Great Pumpkin Carving alt Whether big or small, scary or silly, we'll supply everything you need to create your own great pumpkin! Class space is limited! Please register in advance at the Community Building. Call 713.662.5892 for more information. Day & Time: Tuesday, October 26 Age/Time: 3 - 5yrs/3:00 - 4:00 PM 6 - 10yrs/4:00 - 5:00 PM Fees: $10 + $5 supply fee Location: Meeting Room, 6104 Auden Instructor: Lizabeth Simon Page 3 F' ul r i , Ghouls and Goblins of a all ages are invited to join us for a hauntingly good time at the Scout Douse, 6108 Edloe on Friday, October 291h and Sat- urday, October 3W from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Admission is $1:00 for children 12 and under and $2.00 for adults. For more informa- tion, please call 713.662.5892. Ivor ff ftiotdrically 45peahng.. When the Pemberton Addition to the City of West U was purchased and plat- ted in 1926, the surrounding area was pretty much undeveloped. The first homes in the addition were built beginning in 1929. Over the next 12 years, more than 170 homes would be built in the seven block area. The architectural styles in the addition are a mixture of the popular 1930s styles. The West U Historical Society will sponsor a walking tour of the Pemberton Addition on Sunday, November 71, with a rain date scheduled for November 141h. Guided tours will leave every 15 minutes from 2:00 - 3:00 PM. The tour features historical, social and architec- tural tidbits of the homes and the people who lived in them. For advance reser- vations at $3 per person, send a check to the PHS, P.O. Box 270993, Hous- ton, Texas 77277-0993. Specify tour time preference. Tickets will also be sold the day of the tour at $5 per person. The tour will begin at the northwest corner of Pemberton and Annapolis. For additional information, please call Linda McCollum at 713. .6300. ioo47; 0 6 C,V 1 <<;~ s~ L .Cl c€ G- r, 0; 0 0knim~bIGv klu c, i 15:B CUP A, W. Uo,VE; G o6s A 8:00 - 00 FE 00 E=?Gu EGCCJ o V(-i' C - 0[,xv,i!0k: -JL'V!nc -An. fm-E GAe ~)",Nod k, 4 SPOTLIGHT -Task Force 1,st Us t,, I j, .Police Blotter Page 5 August, 1999 .,,,,Mime up close Auto Theft Resident reported two mountain bikes stolen from his garage while away on vacation. 2700 Carolina Way - August 19. Resident reported a new lawn mower missing from his open garage. 2900 Quenby - August 30. Resident reported two bikes and a grass blower missing from his garage after returning from vacation. Burglary o a Building Burglary o a Motor Vehicle 1- r a Br ye Burglary o a Habitation Page 6 ® Page 7 IA~ t ® October 1, Friday ® ctcai_-'ur 15, Fri ay. ® October 3, Tuesday F Senior Program. Diego Rivera: Art and Revolution. Lecture and guided tour. 9:30 AAA -12:30 Pm. $1.00/$2.00. ® October 13, r r Join us for a trip to the c-: -,e s Nature Center and enjoy an after- noon Pontoon Boat ride. Limit 14. 12:00 - 4:00 PM. Free. ® October 1, Friday Artist Spotlight Senior Program: Jose Figuero. Attend the lecture at the Glassel School, then enjoy a guided tour at the F . 9:30 a - 12:30 Pm. Free. October 19,Tuesday The Tuesday Music Club invites you to attend their program at the F . Other dates: November 2 and No- vember 10:00 Am 12:30 . Free. (Blotter - continued front p. 6) Robbery Tbeft Take a trip to the Nature Discovery Center at Russ Pitman r for a tour of the center and park. Vote on lunch. Limit 14. 10:00 AAA - -Free. ® October 2, Friday F Senior Program: Rembrant to ainsborough: Masterpieces from England's Dulick Picture Gallery. 9:30 AAA -12:30 Pm. $1:00/$2:00. ® November , Friday Get in the holiday spirit at our Pre- Holiday Party. Enjoy a nice lunch and entertainment by Marshall Max- well. 11:00 AM -1:00 PM. $4.00._ Please call 713.662.5895 for more information or to make v,servations to City of West University Place 3800 University Boulevard Nest University Place, Texas 77005 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 6270 Houston, TX .s@nE:uidy v. adnesday ]LItursmy ==Bu y 3atnrYtay Newcomer's Club Coffee, 10:30AM - J Z ert ` NOON, Community Center. SgS 7:00 PAA C i l l t l o on a . 4 { a Park ` V 2 w et eig or oo Safety- Friends of West U - Senior Services Board Board @ 6:00 PM i Parks @ 6:30 PM City Meeting @ 2:30 PM. he City Hall Confer- , Hall Conference Room The Building and Stan- ~ nce Room. dards Commission @ Parks Board @ 7:30 6:00 PM in the City PM Council Chambers Hall Conference 3 4 5 6 Room. 7 S 9 Council Workshop Recycling and Solid Zoning and Planning ` @ 6:30 Pat City Hall Waste Reduction Commission @6:45 PM Conference Room Board @6:30 PM in City Hall Conference C il M ti the Public Works L h R Room ounc ee ng unc oom. @ 7:30 PM City all Council Chambers 11 12 13 14 15 16 /f Msedng Tom Zoning Board of Ad- @ 7:30 PM in 7:00 PM the City Hall Confer- Community ence Room. Center R "i? 18 19 20 21 ?2 23 . - Council Workshop P Town Ha// Meeting _ - J @ 6:30 PM City Hall Conference Room 7:00 PM City Hall Council Council Meeting Chambers @ 7:30 PM City Hall L Council Chambers95 26 27