City Council - Regular Meeting

[snorts] like to call this study session of the city council to order this Monday night, December 15, 2025 at 6:11 p.m. We have uh one item on the agenda tonight, items for discussion. 2026 budget study session for water, sewer, and parks department. Casey, did y'all work out he was going first or Mr. K? You're up, sir. [snorts] I've just I've highlighted gone through and highlighted the line items that changed from last year to this year. Um, [clears throat] it's pretty straightforward. We did have some overages. Um, but we have covered that with our city sales and use. Um, those items have actually been moved, those line items have been moved over to city sales and use. Um, so that we can take care of them over there and then I'll just be able to address those whenever we get to the city sales and use side because Tom has notated what we actually moved. Um the first first line item that's different from this year last year this year to next year um is the computer information technology. We have uh we're using a new set of software for the pavilion bookings and uh the reason it's more expensive is that we're able to do more with it. We're able to uh accept payments online now. Um, so folks being able to pay with a credit card is huge for the pavilion. Uh, we're also able to book every single pavilion in the park now. So, we're able to book the large Ed Wilkinson pavilion and then each individual pavilion, even though some of them don't carry a cost, they're able to reserve them. Um, we're also able to [snorts] um [clears throat] we're able to use it for signups, this

same application for signups for the summer program and also able to take vendor signups for Freedom Fest, Fall Fest, and Christmas on the Square. So, we're getting a little more bang for our buck. Is that completely online now? Uh, it's getting there. I'm going to shoot for the first of the year. Okay. So yes, it's ready to go. Everything's on the back end ready to go. We just need to push and help you with over potential over over booking too. Obviously potential. Yeah.

Uh education and training. We had a heavier year this year. So we dropped that down from 3500 to 2,000. [clears throat] Um same for the special elections. Um pump typically controls that. So that's been changed. the fuel uh for the vehicles and the equipment. Um you'll see everything on the right hand side. Anything with CSUS CSUT beside it. Um that's been moved to our city sales and use side. So most of our like true operational stuff is being moved to city sales and use. Uh [snorts] fuel for equipment and vehicles.

Yeah. Go ahead. tax years after [clears throat] [snorts] vice versa. But what we decided because of how it's impacting the general fund is that expected money. So everything [clears throat] [snorts] get a better Why it's important that [snorts]

uh same for the insurance on the equipment, our health insurance. If you take a look at that, uh, this is something that Tom and I actually caught while we were discussing our budget. Um, we had a fairly large increase for health insurance for our team. Um, and that that was just due to uh a couple of our guys and myself included, I believe, taking on extra dependence. Uh, we switched from employee only to having dependence on our insurance. So, caused quite the increase. Uh next two line items were moved to city sales and use tax that changed. So with the maintenance on the building and the equipment um materials and supplies we upped that to 9,000 from 8,500 this year. Office supplies we dropped down to 500. And then the other thing that we changed, Tom and I, um, public relations 6,500 next the last line item added. Um, that's for the hanging baskets throughout the city. And then also the tree purchases uh for Fall Fest. And that's something that we both felt like were more general fund items than city sales and use tax items. [snorts] We hand them out. [snorts]

On [snorts] the next page, the retirement fund change just because we picked up an additional team member um that's now receiving the retirement. The salaries across the board um only changed by whatever the council uh will allow for uh cost of living increase. We've opted to take zeros on merit increases this year. We raised the telephone to 4500. And in doing that, we also found that we had um some extra landline services and a DL DSL service that no one uses. Um, unfortunately, those are just not bills that I see. So, we were able to save, uh, around $2,300 a year. The transportation and lodging, uh, we knocked that down for half. Um, that's something that we're expecting to see reduced being that the training budget is so limited. most of that transportation and lodging fund or that those monies are necessary for primarily training. Uh same for the uniform expense. We just didn't didn't spend the money that we expected to uh this year. So we dropped it down from 3,00500. Those are the changes on the general side of things. Does anyone have questions I can answer? [clears throat]

[snorts] [snorts] [snorts]

And so [clears throat] you don't plan on any uh part-time employees for the summer or anything? No, we have three now. We have three full-timers and they they make up what we had before. We had two and a half whenever I first started and we added uh two

[snorts] [snorts] [clears throat] [snorts] Feel like we need some elevator music or something.

[clears throat and cough] [clears throat]

Tell

[snorts] [clears throat]

So the big increase in the city sales and use tax is just because of the shifting from from Oh, okay. I'm ready to go to the next good

uh line item by line item. The capital expenditures, most of these right now are going to be u maintenance related. We replaced one air conditioning unit on the pavilion this year. That uh first line item for capital expenditures are $32,000. We'll replace the second one. What you see for um capital improvement projects at another 32,000 will actually be moved to the inclusive uh park project to cover that $100,000 from farmers bank. Um we're working that out between some additional projects that we had um put on hold this year and um extra money that we were able to locate within this year's budget to make that uh $100,000 work uh within the department. Professional fees at $17,500. This covers the engineering um for uh the paving from the oaks to Bell Park. And then you'll see uh maintenance building. We moved 17,000 to 4500. That's something that we're not expecting to need as much money on this year. We're fairly caught up in that regard. Maintenance and repair equipment. That's one line item that we did move from parks uh from the operating budget to C city sales and use so that we could cover some of the overage. The uh maintenance and repair playground equipment that's at $37,000 this uh for next year we're going to um resurface the pickle ball courts and then every year we just put $10,000 in that in that line item so that we're able to take care of the parks. Anything any general maintenance that pops up. Typically, we try to put at least a truckload of mulch on a park. This next year, that will be Eagle Scout Park. We'll have a truckload of mulch.

So, the next five line items, those are all items that we transferred from parks. Um, so fuel, fuel for equipment, vehicles, maintenance, repair, insurance for building property, and insurance on the equipment. We changed our contract with the mowing service this year. We are our three team members are going to be mowing the square. Uh whereas before we've used Green View in the past. So we're going to mow it ourselves and contract out mowing Bell Park as we have in the past. Um, by mowing the square, taking care of the square ourselves, and changing contracts, we save $20,000. So, we've reduced from 50,610 to 30,000 next year. We're sending another $150,000 to the inclusive park project next year. Um, and that puts us at the 275,000 that we originally intended to spend on the project as a whole. So, we'll be at our goal and then we'll be able to start next year with that grant from the Office of Outdoor Recreation. Gentlemen, you guys are al obviously welcome. Were y'all not looking for the planning meeting, are you, by any chance? Okay,

it's Yeah, I'm sorry. We I'm sorry. You're welcome to stay if you stay in here. Huh? They saw food. I kept thinking, who are those people? [laughter] Sorry, Casey. No, you're fine. Hey, real quick. You may have already passed or maybe I was in a days there. The inclusive or the grant. Have you got that in here? Are we not? It's something that we haven't worked out yet. I talked to Tom about it today. Okay. I think that we're still getting our bearings on it.

Obviously, it'll be book revenue and city sales and use. The intention is to we [clears throat] have more or less three arms of four to include the grant um but three arms of revenue per se. So, us a nonprofit in Kansas or Missouri that is acting as a consultant and then the nonprofit that's local to our area. The idea is that we'll have all of that money brought into the city and then we'll be able to reimburse with the grant from the city.

You're just going to work it in then as it becomes available or is that the right word way to put it? I can not see your I can't see your expression [laughter]

right [snorts] moving money over to them so we know exact And congratulations again.

Sorry.

Oh, you're fine. [clears throat] biggest difference. We'll be taking it over to

[snorts]

see the amount balance. at the good news,000. [snorts] So there'sover they'll be looking

[clears throat]

on the U city sales use tax, you know, as far as the revenue. Uh, is that the 510? I mean, is it I just figured it'd be kind of equal to the 551, you know, of this year's budget, the revenues that came in. December through. [snorts]

Okay. [snorts] [clears throat and cough]

Thank you. And Tom, you said 250,000 is what what you would like to see maintained in that account. They had a contingency for them. So they had million Trail lighting

splash pad's [snorts] recovery. Good news. And you said that Yeah. then it'll have potentially 150,000 more next year.

Yeah. Yeah. That's including all those will be

[clears throat] the grant seal the deal. So Casey, the um we're just we're just budgeting for the um engineering for the trail. That's correct.

So we're not we're not to the point of starting I mean have we got all the easements figured out? We're not we're not even there yet. We're kind of back to the drawing board actually. The estimates for the the cost on that trail came back at 1.4 million. And even with the two grants that I have, we're we can't scratch the surface on it. It's about Yeah. Don't get in the asphalt business, please. It's [clears throat] three and a quart times what I was originally quoted

that's the existing trail we're talking about right so that's all send property is it with the exception of Patty Holmes Patty Holmes construction window oh down okay is that Patty's dad no Patty's dad Bob. So yeah, the beginning of it down there. But that's back behind. You're talking about from like Jagger's up to Yeah. Yeah. Up to the pickle balls. Majority of it is property, but you got that starting down there on the bottom.

And I think I mean I'm not trying to the homes are not you haven't approached them yet. I mean, you have an easement for the trail that's there. You don't. Okay. Let's Let's talk. I know. I know. Wendle. Yeah.

Wendle. Who? How? How is that not That's That's two different homes. I don't know. Home directions is It ain't the same home. I don't think Well, Patty Patty and Bob Holmes were the were the the folks. Huh? Yeah. They're developers that were going to do Gold Creek and all that. And they're not home. No. No. That's not That's not Window. That's two different ones. Yeah. Okay. How are you? Yeah. [clears throat]

She comes by every so often. They still want to develop up next to Main Street coming out of that sub, the Oak subdivision. So, she's still here. She comes and sees Sunny, Texas. Yeah. But every once in a while, she'll show up. I'm just cur I mean, I'm It's kind of throwing it back on me, and I hate to do that, throw myself under the bus, but I don't understand why we don't have their property secure if it's the property I'm thinking of. So, right at the Oaks, where it stops, the stops and it turns into gravel. That's what you don't think you have an easy for.

I think you do, but get with me. We we we secured that with

So maybe Okay. So not actually able to give an easement probably they did kind of okay probably not a hard fix but but maybe

yeah you Sunny can be a good contact for you for Patty I don't know anybody else if that helps. Anything else, gentlemen? I know you're still looking. I'm I guess we can move on to the I mean, I'm done with the CSU CS. Anybody else? Ask [clears throat] [clears throat]

[snorts]

Anything on that one?

Looks good. Final construction. Hopefully this is all done. Does any of this have anything to do with the park beyond the parking lot or is that still depending on when we get the road further engineered. Yeah, just the the leftover material and stuff up there. Is that just I mean I hadn't been out there in a while since you closed it of the splash pad. I'm talking about

So you mentioned there was things up there that you needed to get they were going to do after the park was or the pad was Okay. Okay.

And did you address I know you had some concerns early when we you first opened it about that fence around that open area of water holding tank. Is that Okay.

You don't have anything budgeted for it. Okay. [clears throat] donations. You said that in total y'all committed $275,000 to it. Thank you. You know when your date of construction start up there.

There's a bunch of cheap sleds. I was going to say I was going to say that, but since you did that's Ralph Maker. Just saying. Repurpose them on there. Right. Put them to use. I wouldn't probably put any water in. Right. Right. Right. Oh, there's a creek there. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, [clears throat] sorry to pick on I'm not picking on you. Parking lot. Is that all, pardon the pun, inclusive? Okay, cool. Awesome.

Yep. Amazing project. We're asking a little bit It's just a service. your materials you mentioned are those you're going to be able to use what you had left over

thing about this also it gives

it's very seldom you have anything any one program or any one event and not have complaints and I personally had not heard any All good and it looked great. I I went up there a few times. They wouldn't let me play, by the way, but I went up there and saw it. It was good.

Actually, what all [clears throat] It's not a problem as a tree. Well, I appreciate you trying to use all of Bell Park's uh, you know, amenities, you know, for like saying soccer, pickle ball, and, you know, all that

right here. You could drive up there any given day that they were doing that. They were just all over the park doing something. Yeah. Yeah. But they were super they were supervised, too. So, it was cool. They could lay. I wonder if they play asphalt. I don't know [laughter] like little section a year. By the time those [laughter] by the time those kids are adults, they have themselves in trip [snorts] junior technical college child labor again. Ralph Mer.

Tom Sawyer and Washington fence. Let Tom this is fun. That's right. long time coming.

Is it that I mean is that do you have numbers to But you're talking about a whole different idea.

I think Michael would have not wanted you spend 40 grand on sign. Is is this say that with a lot of confidence promoted on the parks website or anything [clears throat] people can donate to it?

Huh? Okay. I I know emphasized it a lot. That's a that's huge. That that's that grant Casey got down there for that is huge to get a half million dollars on a single project. I don't know what everybody else they they took the top off of that. the limit cap off of that used to be 250 match up to 250 and they took the cap off and people were applying for well over a million dollars. So when I wrote down there with him is when he informed me he had asked for almost five. I'm like what? But he did great presentation and got it. So that's that's awesome.

Great. So we expect the same result this year. Yeah, bar has been set. You did you set it yourself, so you got to go a little higher. Anything else? Feeling good. Looks good. Thanks, Casey. Appreciate it. I think you have No, I think you're good. All right. Water, sewer, whoever wants to jump in. You want to watch him?

By the way, before he gets started, I want to This has nothing to do with the budget, but I I got to witness Roxy Hall. Yes, sir. Your former mayor uh discuss some stuff that she wanted to talk about at Regional Alliance the other day. It was in reference to the the mayor that had passed away, Vernon. She had some she had some interesting stories to tell. I think he basically told her what to do every day for that's what she Yeah, that's what she said. I think she said yeah.

Is that right? It was it was inspiring as it always is coming from Roxy. Yeah. Well, I can imagine when the two of them Roxy doesn't mix words and he didn't.

Yeah. Wait for him. He'll be up there eating. Mr. Posey. What page you

Thank you. Thank you.

So process $3,000. question. So, I will say I will say All change of this. So

all the big items. Page 10 supplies. came in last year. That's good. Maintenance. reason $50,000. Our dad

We have some things. Wow. Thanks. discuss gall. [clears throat]

a million dollars of this 2.8 or

just obviously to me that expect. building up,000. building. very nice.

James should be more than enough. So where where are you thinking this is going to need to go? Dragon Christmas. concerned about

system.

Well, I was just wondering the uh U on page one you know when you talk about capital improvements it says 5,720,000 depend in your detail you know you have just that 3 million well this is all combined here okay sorry about that Okay.

Things about ideas. We got a lot. Some of these things can be a Let's capital% Right.

There's too many. station. Hopefully building edition generator.

Fire spring. took one out. Is this the one in front of the new Sonic Lodge where he says the cost sharing?

Okay. So the other 10,000 You say the the first one you're referring to from key glass. Is it across 10 or across 96?

Cross 10 up there. I guess I was thinking there was one across or already there, right? Okay. On the south side road. Yeah. So, this one's going to be about the same place.

Okay. service area. 1934 change. project should have already been finished. So things pressure contract So all these big numbers building I'm told that's

reason why pressureility. So that should be done. So is that is a BFD is that some type of variable flow device or something? Still survey I think anyone not

[clears throat] inspect. They gave me all the last months,000 $1,000 That's why that is still concerned. software. Everything

service down in all of them. This year I'm sure We have some challenges. last year. We had Also

of them up there. So Tim, are these two new positions? So we were shy already. I think you know we were looking So we allow. We had four studs

It makes sense. It's going to be a future. I feel the need to do my unpopular speech right about now. I I did this with the parks I mean water wastewater commission. It's not a popular speech, but I feel inclined to do it on behalf of all the employees. And I will start out with a couple things. I realize the water makes money. I get that. And but on behalf of all other employees, and nobody knows this, nobody knows how this budget looks yet. Nobody's I mean, unless they're asking and we're talking, I'm not sure we are. Water wastewater. Tim mentioned while ago, he's got money budgeted in incentive or merit raises during the year just a lump sum as he's done in the past. All other departments this year have decided and not on their own but encouraged to not include any merit or incentive raises for any employee and then hopefully and Nicole is in there as many times mentioned for all for all employees. But I just want to say on behalf of all other employees and they

it may not be looked at this way and I I've used this analogy myself when I changed hours over at the street department for those guys because it made sense with the director at the time uh for them to be able to work and do the things they need to do. We changed their hours and nobody else has that. So I get the the thought process if you want to work for the water sewer go apply or if you want to want to work for s or street do the same thing. Uh, I just a little worried about how and and and and on the on the subject of these guys being overworked, but I know they are and I get it when you're two employees behind. I've watched that over the years and it's hard to get people, as you mentioned before, good good people that that want to stay. My my comment is I just I hate to see one department offering incentives and merit and not everybody else being able to do that. Budget's not over. It's your it's y'all's job to make a decision at the end of the day on all of these. So, I just want to say that and it's not anything absolutely anything as I said in the water commission against who you have and what they do. Everybody deserves more money. If it was up to me and and I'm sure if it was up to the council and we could afford it, everybody get a raise across the board and all would be good. And I very much encourage this department to get those salaries up however you need to do it. Uh the matrix that we call it. I mean I think that's messed up a little bit for everybody. That's not just the order sewer. It's it's kind of it's kind of out of whack because it's been a while. I don't know how many years now, Tom. We did the matrix, but it's it's outdated already. So, that's my two cents on that. Pardon the pun. I don't and if I hear later that, hey, the mayor's against raises for water

sewer, so be it. I heard it. But that's not my point. My point is I would like to see it across the board if it's possible. It's going to be and it's going to be not great for morale for for everybody else if one department gets it. Yes, ma'am.

Right. Right.

Right. We are Totally agree.

I agree with that. No doubt. We are so happy. Yeah. And it and it's Thank you, Teresa, for that. And you and I have talked about this before and we you know so it I equate that a little bit to as in or or two with with the rate increase. You know we had to do it one by law and two we were way way way past due doing it. We we when I say we I'm here now so I have to say we put it off for years and years and didn't and didn't do it. So when we finally did it, that stings to the public, you know, you still see a little and I'm not I don't base my life and my my duty every day on what I see on Facebook because if you did, we'd all go home crying probably, but it is what it is. So, but you still see this cry out of somebody yesterday of all, you know, here it's been how long since we increased the rates and like yesterday somebody wanted to know if they thought their water bill had gone up. Well, if you've been paying attention, it went up a long time ago and there's a reason for it. And you can explain that away. I mean, not you. We can all explain that every single day and and

people still go on. So, no, I I get everything you're saying and I just on behalf of everybody and my job is the whole picture. And I know I'm not I'm not anti- ra I'm I'm the guy these guys know every year preaching about raises for everybody. Cola for sure. I don't think I think that's automatic or I think it should be. It's not necessarily in the merit when they deserve it or when they can get it. So anyway,

sure. Aren't y'all [clears throat] going to kind of make a proposal of a of a of adjusting the matrix though? And so I mean, won't that really kind of do that in place of the of the merit? Here's no one less than what they might And everybody I interviewed also It's kind of job requires also requires problem solved. Our

competitors always look at comparing us to other cities. construction.

So, let me ask you this. How many total employees are we talking about between the water and sewer at adjusting their salary the matrix? But I'm just saying how many people But that's what a matrix does. It it it gives you a band.

Yes. I'm not here. We can't change people. That's right. So, have we started the process of of adjusting that matrix or or investigating salaries?

I mean, do you have a But do you guys have a timeline of completion on that? Because I see I I get why you guys are putting the merit in there currently. But but I don't I don't want I don't want to start the process across and I'm not saying that that Doug would but merit is to incentivize people for doing a good job and to to to reward them for doing a good job. It's not to fix other issues. And so I would I would be more supportive of you guys getting after let's fixing the matrix which actually fix the problem than to bandaid it with merit reduce you know morale and other departments and let's let's get after fixing the root of the problem of money I'm asking for about fix. So, we're going to fix that problem. [clears throat] Well, I I think that's an easy fix to redo the budget. I mean, because like you I agree with you. I mean, it just says it right here that they're all maxed out,

you know, that so you can't do anything to it. because we don't fix it. It ain't cost you anything.

I mean, you guys have to have the you'll have to bring the matrix back to us for approval anyway.

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. If if if we adopt the matrix, there it is. It's it's in it's in the matrix then already. Now, you don't have to, you know, have the merit incentive in there because it's in the matrix. I think it's money It's not really develop. It's more So I don't know what's going

The whole industry is not there. We had two assistants.

So, we're going to develop Well, and the police department's in the same boat, right? It's exactly the same thing they have every single year that we we pay for training and then they leave. So, I was able to

Sure. And I Yeah. And the police, I mentioned the police, the police pay, and I don't I'm not necessarily suggesting this because there's some disagreement with this, but they have remind me Tom or Charlotte or somebody, they have certificate pay. They have other things that I I am all about getting the people you need and getting it something in place to keep get those people in retain. Yeah. So, so maybe the labeling of it is the is the is the thing. But just like to me, you got the the cart before the horse because I'd like to see the the Matrix improved, you know.

Well, and I thought you was going to do do a Matrix. Yeah. You know, but I'm still, you know, I thought you going to do The Matrix. You have to rework every single thing. You can just change. Well, then because like you said, Tom, I mean, Tim, you know, uh you can't apply this to any of your employees except for the the uh water operator maintenance one. So, everybody else is already, you know, under the current matrix already tapped out. You're ask

but but it doesn't say that in the budget says an incent $8,000 lump sum for incentives that's well I'm just saying you you have to matrix adjustment you're you're sticking on little details correction form a form that we've been using for a long time well And let me say this if I may, that that has been in there for years. I've seen that. I think that's been there as long as I've been mayor. That's almost 12 years.

And very and just take it for what it's worth, there's been very little of it used over the years. And if and when it well, when it was, it was tiny increments, tiny, a dollar 75 cents. So if if the I don't absolutely say I don't call it timing. Okay. If you're getting paid that

okay we'll disagree on that. But a 50 cent raise these days is nothing. Or 75 cent raise is nothing. I I can do math. I know what it is. And by the way, I totally disagree with your cola your thinking there. I'm not it doesn't matter. COLA is cost of living allowance. It's not a raise. It's an allowance

for for the price of things that are hurting. So, I only brought I brought this up to say in a polite way, I'm trying to speak for the city or for the employees of the city. And I didn't say a while ago, and it it doesn't matter. I'm not trying to use this as anything because it it is ultimately up to the council to decide how much money goes to the comm. I'm all about honoring the commission. I don't I don't fight that. I mean, Teresa knows that. But the commission says how much money is put in the budget

and then you do with it what the commission desires. If I understand this statute, they probably don't understand completely. Uh, but I will say this too for the public for my two cents worth as the mayor. I know why we did a increase. I'm well aware of it. But when they when the public has an increase on their water bill sec, you know, double, whatever it is, and then they hear andor see raises given out to those employees, they think automatically, I'm just telling you what people think. you know this kind of preaching to the choir. They see that as well that's the reason we got our raised rates increase because they needed to give raises and that's how the world works. I get it.

But you could do that and and they will they in fact they have they already have they absolutely have said that we we're and they and they also connect the splash pad to the water department, right? You know, and all of that. So that's crazy. You can't control that. and the sewer. Let me address one of your comments. Okay.

They don't show up. I would expect not. Yeah.

Also, it's a balancing act. I have to represent the the employee. I understand.

We're kind of frugal. I think we've been very frugal. I think sometimes we went over frugal. That's my opinion. I kind No, that's not what I said. There were years there was very little used. Tim, I can go back with you if you want to look at it. Could we call it a a matrix adjustment then instead of a merit instead because we're looking at, you know, adjusting the matrix?

By the way, there are other departments that are in the same boat. A lot of employees are topped out in the city of Greenwood. Street, uh, police, I mean, there's just a lot of them. Planning, I mean, just a bunch of people that are topped out. So uh to that point it's across the board. So we're all in my point is this and I and I know this sounds all kumbaya but we're in the we're all in the same boat. We may have different ores but we're headed we're trying to do the same thing and we're all in the same boat. I I would,

you know, it's it's a I think it's a better terminology and I think people would be less whatever about it, but I I would encourage you and I may people may hate me for other reasons for this, but I would encourage you to look at merit pay or I'm sorry,

certificate pay and things like that. Hunter in one department is working his butt off literally to get every certification he can and in my opinion he ought to gain monetary he should be paid for that. Now there is a question I think once you get it do you keep getting it every year? That that's a that's a thing for everybody to think about and have have had many discussions about. Does it get to a level and you keep keep it? And I think my personal opinion

I'm sorry. Right. But

no, I get that. And I and I think and again, I will I say this all the time. I really do. Not I don't because I'm not anti water wastewater. I truly am not. And I'm not anti-mp employees of anybody. I'm just trying to keep it as level as I as I can as and I don't have that control necessarily. But I like to at least think I do sometimes. So, everybody ought to have the same opportunity. Everybody doesn't work in the same department. I get that. Uh, street guys don't have to be certified unless they're working a machine back operator or things like that. They don't they don't need what your people need. I get that. So, I I tend to think agree what you're saying, Teresa, in you know, horse of a different color, however you want to look at it. I just I don't have an

Yeah. Yeah. It Yeah, exactly. Across the board. And I get it. And I get it. You just because I'm I'm not Yeah. You know, and and we all We're all adults. All the employees are adults. Not in kindergarten. We know that Tom's looking at me, are we? You know, just because so and so gets a raise doesn't mean I'm going to get one

because there's other reasons. Okay. Employee development adjustments. I go with that. You already have you already have it up there. You didn't move your cursor. He just look

I see it. they do well. Make sure you give them some people. Some of them are started out the max because of their their background and what they came from.

Water and waste water operations have been very prudent with their salary management and stuff. I I've just, you know, I it's just that we're, you know, this is a critical year, you know, and I think we're all having to, you know, uh, be a little more frugal. Yeah. A lot more. Right. No, and that's not what I meant. I'm I'm talking about from the perspective of people that are out there. Thank you. Yeah.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have blessed with the presence of Councilman Steve T. Just Tim. Tim, I had a question just on your uh the uh materials and supplies, you know, you know, you said that was a a kind of an increase, you know, Steve, I got to put all that uh under page 14,

you know, you went from 22 to 203. I just wonder is it the is it the day-to-day operations that's the the big increase? Everyone's name,000 I was just wondering I mean that was just kind of a a big inc I say you know kind of a good increase from the you know the actual this year.

Okay. That's why All right. 100 me.

And then you said that you were waiting on a reimbursement from AROT. You said like was it 1.6? 6 million.

I was just wondering is that reflected in the on the

Okay. Give me the board. probably because budget has Oh, I see.

I see. So Jeremy all this unfold.

Sure. asking Does the project have to complete reimbursement? Well, we

was that. Okay. I understand. I know this is a a big project. We I mean, we've, you know, we've learned about rebates through this and how it impacts us, you know, and then, you know, to learn how just being, you know, reimbursed from Ardon is going to take time and

and stuff. I was just wondering how it all impacts us. is very million 97 billast that was all paid out of positive for $932,000.

I did. what you didn't touch on. One thing I want to point out that number 196,000 last year we only refer. So that went up. [clears throat] So that number went up to 30. So, here's the good news for you to page.

is the revenues for all revenue streams from the water system. This is their operations right here. Now you will see on a revenue stream that's a transfer from revenue that comes from city offset expended [clears throat] out of that tax. So you see down the amount of expense that they're going to revenue that's being transferred. So what you see at the bottom of00 that's the net operations that's everything all expensive. [clears throat] And when you look at what they start with,000 we have transfers in

497,000 right that is consolidated for water sewer that's being reversed by watching that closely because that is a live So if they do get reimbured from AROT, that'll that'll help this number here.

It's not going to be

[clears throat]

We do a transfer from whatvenue. This number right here,000. So it will end their capital directly. We're watching What you'll see down College

everything. Wash your clothes, showers, everything.

But but that is a close number now from what it's been in the past. You know, 173, you know, We have the ability to transfer because there's no restrictes. isn't very robust as you [snorts] look very problem over that period of time which is 2018 And that's eightyear growth that you show. What is the percentage from year to year?

Yeah. No, the After that, Tom. Yeah. So that's eight years, right? That's correct. So where where will we be in 15 years? Probably about up around 6,500

years. So there's a lot of factors that wet the use of waterc dishwashers and wash

I fixed mine. [laughter] to fix the water leak.

I just found out that you have you have to get a permit to pour a driveway. I thought I was in trouble. Hunter said, "No, that's brand new. [laughter] I Also wanted to show you how we first operational. It shows you how the actual revenues that we received January. sanit. The same increase whatever comes back. As far as charge is concerned,

We did the same expenses. There is a timing difference. December will be revenue. So that's how that's how this whole thing works. Similar treat department. I'll show you what I'm just brand new equipment that you don't have.

Thank you, sir. Employees make everything work. So, two things came to my attention today. I do not see this year. carried over 2024 next year request So just leave it alone. The other thing is not in there.

That first item you were saying is like 247,000. The first one is 2572 received today. We spent about 21,000 on that project and I'm correct. on the back. Our revenue less expenses conservated realist. I'm just saying I just don't know what

operation Yes. Anyway, I'm not going to talk about anymore except mine. This year we got rid of $2,000 less and still I'm just comment down the same budget as last year. The biggest change is we spent double on repairs. That's not just treat. ilities we budgeted 92,000 already expendab

We probably lowered that down because I think this year part of that was because expenditures. Uh 6350 fees professional. You guys had $10,000 budgeted last year and you spend any to date and I see you're budged to another 10,000. What

what are those for?

I mean that's not tied to any specific project. So most of the professional fees are tied to a project. So that would just come in an Yes. And so you hate to get rid of it because I need to call the engineer. So you know we don't need to specific So that's why so far

most chemical supplies at the cylinder $600. We are looking at an alternative that may So really down the same expend. So I don't know. So I guess I know where it goes. All of that is 25 years old. That's the first January.

So the treatment plan changes, you know, just the same. collection. This year we spent so much capital anyway. We went down. St. where we need to put it. So that's why that's kind of new location.

computer. Those are just not know what we're going to get out something.

Is this the infamous sewer model?

Hold your hand up. [laughter] Hold your hand up. That's been a long time. So, you did it. I'm just being a little I'm just being a little sarcastic. It's been a long time.

Holding to Well, Tanya, on u going back to page three, you know, you said in this year's budget, you know, we had 1.6 million in capital improvements. You only spent, you know, 462. is the 500,000 that you're proposing for, you know, uh 26. I mean, is it uh was there a lot of stuff in, you know, this year that didn't get done or you're want to get done or because it looks like these two combined are still less than, you know, $600,000 less than what we proposed this year.

I don't know. I don't know. We finished at least we don't need an engineer. I guess what I'm just trying to Does that tie into the uh 65450 the maintenance and repairs plant? You know that we had 115. We only spent 31, but we're going back with 115.

It's in the middle of page uh uh page three. Let's see. It's it's on uh page eight kind of u the uh third item down that 65 460. No, that's not it. Where's the 150? Yeah, 450. the second one down. You We had 115 budget this year and we only spent 316, but you're doing 115 again this year.

Yeah. I mean, I'm tell reason that's not easy.

Okay. Like saying getting something new is almost as I mean getting something repaired is almost the same as getting something new.

So that's what I'm saying. I was just trying to catch up and figure out what to do. a lot of money. I don't know what his plan was.

Do you ever I don't know, Greg. I don't know. Did you still stay in contact with him to get any ideas for what he thought or is that the guys?

I know he's retired and he probably wants to he's enjoying it, but I just wonder if there's ever Oh, Dawson. I'm sorry. I said Greg. I actually Yeah, Greg's retired. Dawson's D. I say that. Well, Will Dawson was in my office today. Forgive me.

Yeah, I have one more question. I'm sorry for now. The engineering you keep referring to having are you gonna I I like Jeremy Schwarz. We all do, but are you are you looking Are you going to rely on him? What's What's happening?

Well, I mean I'm not waste any kind of replacement of what we had. So, it's not like But if the same footprint I mean it's kind of just a repair

and I'm I've always understood or thought I understood that anything any engineer did for us at any time we paid him it's ours. It belongs to us. or we have access to Sure. Oh, I'm sure it's not. It's It's like switching a coach in the middle of the year. Do I? Don't want to do that. No, the sewer model. No, I would say absolutely. You I've been hearing that for Oh, I know. Yeah. the new things that they haven't

in January that they're going to come out

and we've we there's other departments that have used other engineers recently that they And even those engineers, they'll tell you up front, I'll have it next week. And and you see it's going to take a while. So yeah,

that's what I mean. It's not something I want to do. I'm telling you, we're going to replace I'm gonna help it, right?

Well, when you said the large particles are screened and we don't want to come back, I would agree. I don't know what I don't want to know what those large particles are, but I got a good idea. [laughter] Sure.

I remember Greg talking about just for a second these flushable wipes that are they're flushable, but that doesn't mean they system

put their stamp on it on your u uh maintenance and repair of pumps. Yes. You had budget of 52 this year and you spent 92 but you're just going back with 52. I was thinking do you I mean that's why I always hear that pumps are going out all the time. So you keep that higher. Okay. Okay. So, I'm still in Okay.

I just didn't know if you needed to keep, you know, bump that up a little more than 52. I like I like to go new if we can. If it's going to be just a few bucks more, go new.

Right. Thank you very much. [laughter] We don't have to future at least one or two people.

Got a couple others that are about retirement age, too. I said you got a couple others about retirement age. That's what that money is for

good. That's right. I I can't leave you either one of you leave without me saying this publicly because I need to say it and I didn't see a new vehicle in either one of your budgets. Correct. No, we have but but I am going to forever remind us all in every in every meeting that we have that there's a procedure to follow and and that's not on you guys but well we it can happen [laughter]

but I I will forever bring it up.

Well, thank you. [cough] [clears throat]

The number the dollar amount with the 2.5 amount of increase itually Everybody else control it. I wanted you to see C can I ask her a question? So, you know, you you talk about personnel and and uh people are getting a lot older and and and you may not be here in 15 years. So, y'all are working on a plan, right? Like where we're going to be in five years. Yeah,

sure.

Right. Right. And we're not going to get anybody to replace that person when they finally leave. So

247 treaten live.

So, so is it comp? Are we competitive in we're not competitive and and we're aging out? I I I really I'm worried that Yeah. I'm worried in a few years that we're at a crisis and I I wish y'all to come back maybe in a few, you know, later in the you know, early in the year or later

and maybe figure out what we need to do to make it look for five years and and and you're right, it's not glamorous. You pointed at Tim and said water isn't glamorous, too, but he's very glamorous and uh he's like a male model. He's always been very nicely trimmed and his shirt's tucked in all the time. So, but Right.

If y'all can wrap your heads around it of what needs to happen. I wish I would kind of come back in in a in a few months and maybe have start working on a plan. That would be great. We discussed it earlier. Oh, you discussed it earlier. Talking with Tim.

Why are you still pointing at Tim? He does a great job. [laughter] Yeah. Okay. He was up. Okay. I just missed that. I'm just

You're cheap. Okay. Well, you might can get away with it, but your replacement may not. I just ask y'all not sit on your laurels and uh pass okay and and and come back and let's let's let's do something. And I I agree it is hard, you know, and I mean I I don't know if that was a result of COVID or whatever, but you know, trying to compare, you know, y'all starting positions to, you know, I hate to say it, but you know, an employee starting out at McDonald's or whatever, you know, there, you know, or even employee starting at Walmart. There's just really no comparison to there, you know, but they all a sudden said, "Hey, we got to up everybody to, you know, a minimum of 15 bucks an hour or whatever." And then all of a sudden, you know, it's like, you know, yeah, I can see if I was a young guy, whatever. Hey, I'll just work over here this, you know, other job because it's a lot easier. It's an air conditioning. And

yeah,

why why while y'all are sitting there and we are talking about this, I had a water connection problem earlier in the year and it involved more Tim's guys, you know, and and they come out and man. Hardwork. Left covered with mud, worked hard all day. I felt like I needed to go buy him lunch, but I was also covered with mud and and just very professional. One, you know, one was Kenny Dorset and uh oh uh you know, his son was out there earlier, but he didn't work for us and he was marking lines and I didn't realize that was his son. and he was clean.

Yeah.

Right. And that's uh anyway the guys you had were very very impressive, very hard workers and uh I just I was just I was very pleased. So lady. after the city. And those guys are hard to replace. And and I don't know if the guys that I'm talking about, they weren't young.

No, I didn't. I didn't do it this time. Thought I thought about it. Kenny and that those guy and I can vouch that. I've had the same experience. They they've showed up at my house and I told them, "Don't be Well, in fact, they thought it was funny one time because they had to shut my water off because it was leaking down there and I was this close to getting in the shower and I think they knew that for some somehow, but they they missed an opportunity." But they I know he would. I [laughter] know he would. In fact, I went down there and I told him I said, "You missed my shower by about two minutes." He goes, "Dang it. Yeah,

but but same thing they they did they got muddy in my in my yard and got out of there before I'd even knew it and it was they are incredible. We get calls Danielle gets calls complimenting on those guys. Well, she's got some sure guys the same way. Yeah, for sure. They both both got them good good people. It'll help you. Yeah, and and Kenny, all those guys defend themselves very well in that water office, too. So, that's that's that's a big deal.

They defend themselves pretty good against those ladies in there. That's a tough task. Oh, I see it. I hear it. All right, Mr. Marsh, you got anything else? Anybody budget wise? I do.

Oh, I'm sorry. You do. I'm sorry. I thought [laughter] you were shaking your head. I thought you saying your hand. You were

transfer. What you're seeing is the proposed budget. million budgeting about the same $105,000 interest. [clears throat]

[clears throat]

That's excellent. As far as the transfers are concerned, we're looking at transferring this year. million4 started the year with 5 million we had a deficit in the account would have been million accounted surplus funds came over. So your account right now budgeted over expenses. That's a real sit down in the offset.

This number will be down. So you're still negative. We have to concern what we have to really go after. He said he's gonna be a 50%.

He said that before. [laughter] There's nothing that says money. This is standalone specific capital. There is a proponent of borrowenses right So once you start I understand what you're talking about.

Now, what does tr mean? Okay. Dang.

Yeah. Oh, you do? We do because I included everything. It's more of a messed up Tor. Yeah, it's kind of a messed up [laughter]

start. Mr. Ter, you got any questions? Sorry. There will be a test. [clears throat]

Any questions? When do we meet again? Thursday. Thursday. Thursday. Thursday. Thursday. [clears throat] You are all cordally invited to our employee lunchon park. I think we've done this before. Nobody ever shows up. I think AC Anyway, it's hard to sneak away. I understand. But we'll have we'll have it's a meeting. It's not just a Christmas dinner lunch, but it is it is a meeting. [laughter] But we will probably have leftovers from said meeting uh Thursday night. Are you okay? That's right. You been up there. No, I haven't been trying to.

Okay. [clears throat] But that's a bill park. If no further questions and or comments, I would entertain a motion tojourn. Second back. We're not voting. That's so It's so frustrating. Charlotte, last time this happened. Sorry. The last one failed two days ago and I called Second.