MINUTES

CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE

SPECIAL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 

Mayor Marshall called the special meeting of the City Council of the City of Bunker Hill Village to order at 8:00 a.m. in Council Chambers of City Hall located at 11977 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas.

I.                    CALL TO ORDER

            Present:                                                                     Also in attendance:

            Mayor Bill Marshall                                                  Ruthie P. Sager, City Administrator

            Councilman Peter Tuters                                       Steve Smith, Director of Public Works

            Councilmember Susan Schwartz                          Yolanda C. Benitez, City Secretary

            Councilman Dave Ellis

            Mayor Pro Tem Derry Essary

            Councilmember Michelle Belco

II.                DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING NOTICE OF 2006 PROPERTY VALUES PROVIDED TO THE CITY BY HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT.

City Administrator Sager explained the reason for the meeting and noted that adopting the current tax rate would result in a $61,000 shortage, which would actually be about $40,000 after refunds from the Fire and Police Departments.

III.             DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE FOLLOWING MATTERS RELATING TO THE LEVY OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2006:

A.     TAKE RECORD VOTE ON ANY PROPOSED TAX RATE THAT WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2006;

Ms. Sager reviewed the expected cash balances for all funds at year end. Mayor Marshall stated that we may need to raise taxes in order to meet budget requirements.

Councilman Ellis noted that running a certain level of undesignated funds is acceptable and having surplus funds allows us to balance the budget.  He asked that we find a way to reduce the tax rate or keep it the same and noted that he is 100% opposed to increasing the rate.

Motion was made by Councilmember Schwartz and seconded by Councilman Essary to hold the tax rate at .307944 for 2006.  Motion carried 5 to 0.

B.     IF THE PROPOSED TAX RATE WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2006, APPROVE A PUBLIC HEARING AND MEETING SCHEDULE FOR ADOPTION OF SUCH TAX IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 26, TEXAS TAX CODE;

Motion was made by Councilman Essary and seconded by Councilman Ellis to approve the public hearing and meeting schedule for adoption of the tax rate.  Motion carried 5 to 0.

C.     AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE PUBLICATION OF NOTICES OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS, AS APPLICABLE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 26, TEXAS TAX CODE.

Motion was made by Councilman Tuters and seconded by Councilmember Belco to authorize and direct the publication of notices of public hearings and meetings.   Motion carried 4 to 0 (Councilman Essary had left the meeting at this time).

IV.                ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Marshall adjourned the meeting at 8:30 a.m.

Approved and accepted on September 19, 2006.

                                                                                    ______________________________________

                                                                                    WILLIAM H. MARSHALL, MAYOR

ATTEST:

____________________________________

Yolanda C. Benitez, City Secretary