City Council - Regular Meeting

I'm going to reconvene, ma'am.

I second. There's a motion and a second to reconvene. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. Motion carries unanimously. We're going to go to item number 22. Andy?

Yes, ma'am. So item number 22 is... Go ahead. Number 22 is discussion in action to take a record vote on the maintenance and operations tax for 2026 tax year in accordance with the Texas property tax code They required a record vote This is going to require record voting for maintenance and operations tax of zero point four nine four seven per hundred dollars evaluation City manager recommendation is to go ahead and proceed with the no new revenue rate a portion of the maintenance and operations tax. I And that is five? It was stated just now. It was 0.4947 as a maintenance operations tax. The entire amount is 0.5653. But this motion is only for maintenance and operations.

So we are only voting on the M&O, maintenance and operation, and that rate would be 0.4947. Correct.

0.4947? Correct. And that's to make up the larger NNR rate of 0.5653. and we would need a record vote on this one.

Okay, for place one, Ms. Jessica? Yes. Place two, Mr. Plata? Yes. Place three?

Yes.

Ms. Gerlach? Yes. Mr. Vela?

Yes.

Okay, and I'm a yes as well. Nori Garza. Okay, the next item.

Next item is discussion and action to take a record vote on the interest in sinking fund tax for 2026 tax year in accordance with Texas property tax code. This is gonna be a rate of .0706 per $100 of taxable value for 2026. And along with the maintenance and operations tax, that would roll up to the no new revenue tax of .5653. The .0706, that's for interest in sinking rate. And we would also need a record vote on this one.

Okay, Ms. Ortega. I'm gonna say a little something, or do I say after? After my vote, okay.

I'm okay with having the no new revenue tax. I would however like to see the available funds be used to provide salary increases for the labor workers in our city. Our hardworking city employees deserve fair compensation for the important work they do for our community.

No, understood. Thank you, Ms. Ortega. Second.

Is that a yes?

Well, that's just a direction. It's a direction.

That's not a motion, so we don't need a vote.

But I do need a yes or a no. Yes.

Yes.

Mr. Plata?

Yes.

Mr. Gerlach? Yes. Yes.

Yes.

And I would like to say that it equates to 360,000 and I would like to see that go into the funds to help generate the operations of the city.

Well, I appreciate that.

Okay. Thank you. My vote is yes as well. Okay. It's 5-0. Okay. Next item.

So the next item is discussion and action to take record vote on the proposed 2026 tax rate in accordance with the Texas Property Tax Code and schedule public hearing for property tax rate on September 22nd, 2026, which is the date that we would actually be having the vote on the actual tax rate. The total calculated no new revenue rate would be 0.5653 per $100 evaluation. And that's the recommendation from staff to approve.

Okay. And just to be clear, this is a proposed tax rate. We're not actually voting for the tax rate at this point? Correct. We're just voting on the proposed?

Yes. On the 22nd, we'll be scheduling a tax rate hearing so the public will have the opportunity to come out and speak to, of course, to the council on a public hearing component. And right after, there's going to be action on the tax rate.

This is just to show a record. There will be the final?

Correct.

Yes. Okay. Okay.

And that'll be on the 22nd?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay. Yes. All right. And we need a record vote on this as well. So Mr. Ortega? Yes. Mr. Plata? Yes. Ms. Gerlach? Yes. Mr. Vela? Yes. And my vote is yes as well. Okay. Next item.

The next item is discussion and possible action to direct the internal auditor to conduct a comprehensive internal audit of the Mission ADC, including financial operations, internal controls, procurement, expenditures, contracts, incentives, and grants, and assets and programs, and compliance with applicable laws, policies, agreements, and governing documents, and to report the findings and recommendations to the City Council.

I move to approve. Second.

If we can just add to your motion, Mr. Plata, subject to the hiring of a new internal auditor. Subject to the, more to approve, subject to the hiring of a new auditor. Second.

Okay, there's a motion and a second to approve item number 25, which is the internal audit on, or the Mission Economic Development Corporation, subject to the hiring of a new auditor. Auditor, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. Motion carries unanimously, five-zero. Alrighty, the next item.

Next item is number 26, discussion and action related to meet and confer agreement with the Mission Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 3906.

Mayor, members of the council, at this time we will counsel recommends the council entertain a motion to continue negotiations with the Mission Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 3906 and direct the committee to continue the negotiations as presented in discussing executive session.

I'll make a motion.

Second.

There is a motion and a second to, I'm sorry, can you repeat that?

Yes, to continue negotiations with the association as discussed in executive session.

Okay. I'm a little confused, actually. Because the item on the agenda is action related to the meeting for agreement. So wouldn't that mean that we would have to vote on the agreement?

Right. So we are, the way the Texas Open Meetings Act requires public notice of you're going to be talking about a subject on the agenda. The subject of the agenda is the agreement. Your direct, the motion is to continue negotiations on the agreements.

Okay.

So you're not denying the agreement. You're directing further negotiations on the agreements.

Right. I understand the concept. But I'm just, as it's stated on the agenda, wouldn't we need to say yes or no to it? To the no?

No. You can take any action related to the agreement. The action of the agreement is to continue negotiations.

Okay. All right, I'm sorry. That just came to my mind right now. Okay.

Yes, ma'am.

All right. Are there any, is there any discussion on the item? I think, Mr. Plata, would you like to? Make a comment, Ms. Jess, Ms. Gerlach, Beto?

No.

No, anybody? Okay, my understanding is that the earliest that we could meet to negotiate would be the 14th?

That is correct, yes, ma'am.

And that's if we post it today?

That's if we post it tonight, yes, ma'am.

Okay, and that would require that the union agree to meet on that day, and that's a Monday?

That is correct. Yes, ma'am, that's Monday. Okay.

Okay, all right, so there is a motion and a second on the floor. All in favor say aye. Aye. I'd like to take a hand count on this just to be sure. Ms. Jess? Aye. Mr. Plata?

Aye.

Okay, I'm a no, so it's a 4-1 on this. Motion carries. Next item is unfinished business. There is none. We're gonna move on to what we discussed on executive session. Is there a motion?

I'll make a motion to approve. Second.

There's a motion and a second to approve As discussed in executive session in relation to the property related at 919 Rankin Mission, Texas. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. Motion carries unanimously.

Okay. Okay. All righty.

Well, thank you. Oh, I see it. Okay, it's on the back page. All right. Okay, is there a motion to adjourn?

So moved. Second.

There's a motion and a second to adjourn. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. Motion carries unanimously.