Council Considers Proposed Budget

At the August 12 meeting, Council discussed the FY 08-09 General Fund budget with staff. The fiscal outlook is positive for Highland Village. The largest single revenue source in the proposed budget is the ad valorem (property) tax.  At the existing tax rate of .56963 per $100 valuation, this source would provide $7,445,130 for General Fund operations, a 12.53% increase over last year's adopted budget.  This increase in ad valorem tax revenue, coupled with increased in Sales Tax, Licenses & Permits and interest income - also with utilization of excess reserves carried forward from FY 08, will allow the City to adequately address funding needs identified by City Staff for FY 08/09. The FY 08/09 budget has a proposed fund balance of approximately 20%. As defined in the city’s five-year outlook, it is staff's recommendation, as a key policy decision, to maintain a higher Fund Balance for the current budget and next two or three years, as the full impact of commercial development is realized. The proposed budget continues the focus on public safety and the delivery of the core services to our residents.

Council approved the site plan for IHOP to be located on FM 407 within the Marketplace at Highland Village. 

During the City Manager report, Michael Leavitt invited residents to attend the 21st annual Highland Village Balloon and Music Festival. The festival will take place at Copperas Branch Park on August 15-17 and will include the Balloon Glow on Friday and Saturday evening, live music, arts and crafts and a children’s area. Visit www.hvballoonfest.com for more information.

Mayor Dianne Costa presented a proclamation to the Sue Weaver C.A.U.S.E. which is a non-profit organization that works to educate consumers and employers on the importance of conducting criminal background checks on service workers. On August 27 the Sue Weaver C.A.U.S.E. is launching C.A.U.S.E. certification which program designed to better protect consumers and employers by offering a means of hiring safer employees, contractors and subcontractors through annual criminal background checks on all employees, contractors & subcontractors to become C.A.U.S.E. Certified. Those companies participating in C.A.U.S.E. Certification will verify they are not sending known criminals into clients' homes.

Also at this meeting, Council continued discussion of the development of a Charter Review Committee. The City Council at their July 22, 2008 meeting directed staff to arrange for a charter amendment to be placed on the May 09, 2009 ballot.  In preparation for the charter amendment election, a resident Charter Review Committee will be formed. The committee will consist of seven members.  The two fundamental duties of the committee are: (1) review the City Charter to determine whether revisions are necessitated; and (2) report findings and forward proposed charter amendments to the City Council. The proposed timeline for the committee to meet is during the months of September and November 2008; with final recommendations being forwarded to City Council in January 2009.  The committee will be supported by the city attorney and city secretary. Residents interested in being considered for this committee, please complete an application and return it to City Secretary Alicia Richardson no later than Thursday, August 21, 2008.  The application can be mailed, e-mailed or faxed to 972.317.0237.