MINUTES

CITY OF BUNKER HILL VILLAGE

SPECIAL MEETING/PUBLIC HEARING

OCTOBER 5, 2006 

Mayor Marshall called the special meeting/public hearing 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

            Councilmember Michelle Belco                             Steve Smith, Director of Public Works

            Councilmember Susan Schwartz                           Yolanda C. Benitez, City Secretary

            Councilman Dave Ellis

            Mayor Pro Tem Derry Essary

            Absent:

            Councilman Peter Tuters

II.                AWARD OF BID NO. 10-04-06 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUNKER HILL ROAD/MEMORIAL DRIVE SIDEWALK AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

Motion was made by Councilmember Belco and seconded by Councilman Essary to table the award of the bid at this time.

Motion carried 4 to 0, and the item was tabled.

III.             DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AWARD OF HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR EMPLOYEES.

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilman Essary to accept the proposal from Great West provided that MVPD and Piney Point accept the bid, as well, and the rates remain as they were presented.

Motion carried 5 to 0.

IV.             PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED TAX RATE

The city council will hold a public hearing on its proposal to adopt a tax rate of $0.307944, $0.132561 of which is for debt service, and $0.175383 of which is for maintenance and operations expenses.

Mayor Marshall opened the public hearing at 8:02 a.m.

Mayor Marshall explained the tax rate history, the revenue history and presented a summary of tax rates for surrounding cities.  He pointed out that the $15 million in bonds were used for upgrading and replacing all infrastructure in the City of Bunker Hill Village, for increased drainage, for remodeling City Hall, and for one-third of the cost of construction of the Memorial Villages Police building.

Mayor Marshall introduced Mark McGrath of Null-Lairson.  Mr. McGrath stated that their firm is a 50-person CPA firm with three locations which handle mostly government-related auditing.  He stated that the City of Bunker Hill Village had $1.7 million in the general fund balance at the end of FY 2005, which is approximately nine (9) months worth of expenditures, which is excellent.  Mr. McGrath also noted that our debt to value ratio is in great shape.

Mayor Marshall stated that the council makes every effort to run the City of Bunker Hill Village like a business.

Upon inquiry from Councilmember Belco, Mark McGrath stated that our bond rating is AA3, which is a very good rating.  He further stated that the higher the rating, the lower the interest cost.

It was pointed out that the Police Department and Fire Department comprise 79.8% of the Bunker Hill budget; however, they also take up 118% of the tax revenues.  Mayor Marshall praised both departments for the excellent service they provide to the residents.

Dan Hinds – 11711 Brandon Way.  Mr. Hinds came before council with regard to the 2006 budget vs. tax notice information which the residents received.  He stated that he feels the tax revenues are going up faster than the inflation rate, and would like the city to provide more budget-related information.

Mayor Marshall and Councilman Ellis provided an explanation of the tax rate, the revenues, and the budget preparation process.

Mayor Marshall closed the public hearing at 8:24 a.m.

V.                Announcement of the date, time, and place of the meeting at which thE city council will vote on the proposed tax rate.

mayor Marshall announced that the council will vote on the proposed tax rate during the regular council meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2006, at 5:00 p.m., here at City Hall.

VI.             ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by Councilman Ellis and seconded by Councilmember Belco to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried 4 to 0 and the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 a.m.

Approved and accepted on October 17, 2006.

                                                                                    ______________________________________

                                                                                    WILLIAM H. MARSHALL, MAYOR

ATTEST:

____________________________________

Yolanda C. Benitez, City Secretary