Remarks by Ralph Rodriguez
216 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 2 of 9
- Play at 1:09:53
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:11:51
“This time I'll open it up for discussion. We have Council Member McAloosa.”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:20:36
“Thank you. Any other discussion? Having none, can I entertain a motion?”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:20:51
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:29:53
“Thank you. At this time, I'll go ahead and open it up to the residents and public to speak at 728.”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:30:42
“Yeah, but that's... Can we have that one slide put back up?”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:32:33
“Thank you, and I think, if I'm not mistaken, the no new revenue rate, which is the 0.5296, if we approve that, will allow us to bring on those four officers.”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:32:46
“Without any increase. Because it makes it look like there's an increase, but there's really not. You'll be paying the same amount that you paid last year, you'll be paying this year. Is that correct?”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:33:37
“And the only reason it makes it look like there's an increase is because there was a decrease in our property values. And so in order for us to bring in the same amount of money, we would need to adopt a no new revenue rate. Do I have any other residents wishing to come up to speak?”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:35:26
“We'll go ahead and close the hearing of residents at 7.33. This time I'll open it up for discussion amongst council members. Any discussion on the tax rate that we want to approve?”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:46:58
“So I'm looking at things like police and fire. What are you going to be cutting there?”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:51:46
“I would not. Seeing all these cuts in the areas that they're going to be cutting, that's not good practice, not for us. I feel that we'll be losing employees by doing that. And then you're also looking at trying to cut services in the library and things like that, and that's not good. So, I mean, I personally do not feel, right now is not the time to try and make like budget cuts and trying to, lower the tax rate because the property values have already been lowered. And I feel that our residents, it'll be a win for them by just not even getting a tax increase at all. And we're able to get…”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:56:28
“Well, it's my understanding, and the city manager can correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding that Once you hit the age of 65, it doesn't matter what you increase to, everything's locked in.”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 2:04:58
“Okay, we also have Council Member Davis.”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 2:10:32
“Yes, and then I have Council Member Westbrook that would like to say something.”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 2:13:59
“so just for clarity if we go with the proposed that means no cuts and it adds the four dispatchers but it is not the police officer right yes sir yes sir and the new revenue rate will add the four police officers so that's the decision between the two yes sir okay council member westbrook did you have a discussion on that”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 2:16:17
“Have a no second. Second. Second, we have a second. So we have a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Watson, a second made by Council Member Davis. Can I get everybody to cast the votes? Can I get the votes published please? Having four yeas, three nays, motion passes. Can I have two thirds? No, not on that because...”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 2:17:14
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 2:19:28
“Any discussion on this item? Having none, can I entertain a motion?”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 2:19:47
“So moved. Okay, you're making a motion to adopt tax rate.”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 2:21:19
“SO MAYOR PROTEIN WATSON MADE THE MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND?”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 2:21:30
“Okay, I have a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Watson, seconded by Council Member Westbrook. Can I get everybody to cast their votes? Wait, I need to discuss it.”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 2:24:56
“So just for clarity, once we ratify the budget, then it will raise more total property taxes than last year. And then we'll move on to setting the tax rates. Is that correct?”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 2:25:06
“All right. So we do have a second by Council Member Westbrook. Can I get everybody to cast their votes? Can I get the votes published? Having six yeas, one nay, motion passes. All right, now you're talking about item 15, correct?”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 2:25:47
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
City Council · Sep 15, 2026