Investing in our future through growth, redevelopment and the City’s workforce are key themes of the proposed FY 2008-2009 budget being presented by City Manager Bob Turner to the Tyler City Council at their regularly schedule meeting Aug. 13, 2008. The budget proposal is the culmination of several months work by the City’s budget committee and all City departments. The plan focuses on moving forward community goals established by the Tyler 21 Comprehensive Plan as well as the Blueprint Business Plan that represents the City’s core values and goals for operational best practices.
“This year’s budget demonstrates the City’s commitment to staying true to long-term goals we have set for ourselves, while continuing the business focused approach to managing municipal government,” Mayor Barbara Bass said. “With rising costs, each and every Department has had to tighten their belts to develop a budget that allows Tyler to enjoy exemplary services while maintaining a low tax rate.”
In March of 2008, the City became one of the few cities in the State with no general obligation debt. Combined with one of the lowest property tax rates in the State and steady sales tax revenue, Tyler is positioned to respond to changing economic conditions.
Growth initiatives in the budget include:
· Public Safety Services to include funding for six new firefighter positions, two traffic officers, and a traffic sergeant in addition to five new firefighting apparatus and other public safety technology and equipment enhancements.
· Traffic Management will be enhanced by the installation of equipment for a traffic management operations center to more closely monitor signals and traffic patterns. Also included is Phase II of the adaptive controls for the West Loop, upgraded school crossing signals throughout the City and matching funds for the Gentry Parkway beautification and safety project.
· A Half Cent Project Prioritization program will be completed to prioritize capital improvement projects.
· Utility Infrastructure Extension – As part of the utility revenue bonds issued in early 2008, and an additional $10 million programmed for 2009, the City’s utility infrastructure will be extended along North US 69 and North Broadway. Property will also be purchased for a new South Tyler sewer treatment plant.
Redevelopment initiatives include:
· Enhanced Proactive Code Enforcement – launched in mid 2008, the City’s PACE (Proactive Code Enforcement) program focuses on enforcement of codes related to nuisance abatement. Staffing will increase to seven enforcement officers.
· Enhanced Street Maintenance will be sustained with continued additional funding for street overlays.
· NEZ Pilot (Neighborhood Empowerment Zone) – will create incentives for new neighborhoods in the North End through fee exemptions and infrastructure rebates.
· Gentry Beautification – The project will extend four miles along Gentry Parkway and will include landscaping and safety measures at nine intersections between the NW Loop 323 and East Martin Luther King Boulevard.
· North End and Downtown TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones) will capture incremental increases in property taxes collected and reinvest them back into these zones.
Workforce initiatives include maintenance of City employee benefits including tuition reimbursement and retirement plan contributions, despite rising costs. There will be a slight increase in health insurance premiums – the first in many years. The City will also undertake a pay plan study to assess job duties and pay rates for positions within the City compared to other municipalities and the private sector.
“Rather than adding a lot of additional personnel, we are committed to having the highest skilled and productive workforce in the region,” remarked City Manager Designate Mark McDaniel. “Our employees are what make us one of the most respected cities in the State.”
The proposed budget also calls for a property tax rate adjustment that will increase the rate one-half cent from 19.90 cents per $100 valuation to 20.4 cents per $100 valuation. The proposed rate remains lower than the rate of 22 cents from two years ago and is 61% lower than the rate in 1995. The City of Tyler will continue to have the lowest property tax rate among cities of similar size in Texas.
Before considering a tax rate adjustment, City management has taken steps to “tighten the belt” of City operations including freezing six positions; instituting a 3% increase in the cost sharing of health insurance premiums by City employees; adopting health insurance plan changes to control costs; and requiring all Department leaders to propose a 5% reduction in their operating expenses – of which a portion were selected for inclusion in the proposed budget.
In addition to Wednesday’s presentation, there will be three additional opportunities for public input on the budget, including two public hearings. The hearings will be at Tyler City Hall, 212 N. Bonner Ave. on the following dates:
· Aug. 27 at 9 a.m.
· Sept. 10 at 9 a.m.
Final adoption of the budget is scheduled for Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. at Tyler City Hall.
Please click here to view an outline of the proposed budget.
Please click here to view the proposed budget.