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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 - OverviewOverview October 1, 1993 CITY OF GEORGETOWN Plounaed in 1646 To the Honorable Mayor wood and members of the City Council: The Ends and Means established by the Council at this year's retreat developed the basis and provided the direction for the City's overall work plan and the framework for this budget document. This budget is guided by the City's mission statement: The mission of the City of Georgetown is to initiate action which will continually enhance Georgetown's unique character by preparing for the future through the: • Preservation of Georgetown's rich heritage and natural resources. • Promotion of well-planned development, cost effective professional management and competent, friendly services; and • Protection of its citizens, the environment, and all other assets. Georgetown residents share a basic concern that the high quality of life currently found in this community should be maintained and enhanced. Although the City's role in defining quality of life is but a small part, it is through planning ahead that the City does play an important role in developing and maintaining a pleasant, attractive, dynamic, and healthy community. The Georgetown Century Plan is the comprehensive strategic plan to document and formalize the process by which Georgetown will strive to enhance its quality of life. This budget document serves as the Annual Operating Plan Element (Operating Plan) of the Century Plan and is prepared around the thirteen policy areas outlined in the Century Plan. The Operating Plan continues the work and reflects the direction established by our citizens and the City Council to meet existing challenges and effectively plan for future needs. Budget Overview The adopted 1993/94 operating and capital budget, or Operating Plan, represents a $38,490,709 total financial plan. This represents an 8.7% increase from the 1992/93 projected expenditures. The $3,074,790 increase in this financial plan reflects not only the City's growth (population and customer base) and the increasing quality of City services, but also the pressures of a changing regulatory environment. The Operating Plan is strengthened by an 11% increase in appraised property values over 1992, including $10 million of new properties added to the City's tax roles. Although the resulting $.3645 per $100 property valuation tax rate is a decrease from $.39 in 1992, it is 2.3% above the effective tax rate of $.35616. Georgetown's Community Owned Utilities (electric, sanitation, wastewater, and water) maintain excellent operating performance and allow for system expansion and improvements ver h no rate increases. The 11% increase in taxable property values confirms, in general, the signal of a long awaited economic expansion. In addition, significant revenue growth is projected in utility sales coupled with an improved electric load factor. Economic Outlook Georgetown, and the Central Texas region in general, experienced enormous economic activity during the early and middle portions of the 1980's. In contrast, by the late 1980's, the region was mired in recession. Georgetown and the region have shown substantial recovery during the last three years and can now look beyond the recovery to a proactive development focus. Sales tax figures for Georgetown increased 16% in 1992/93 over the previous year, and we anticipate similar growth in the coming years. Housing starts increased from 121 for the 1992 calendar year to 166 in the first ten months of 1993. in addition, the City is continuing its efforts to bring increased economic activity and opportunities to the area. Georgetown is part of the Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) which is also showing signs of continued prosperity. Sales tax figures showed a 9.8% growth rate over the previous year and personal income rose by 7.8%. The Texas Comptroller for Public Accounts economic forecast projects that the Austin MSA will see a continued 7-10% growth rate for the next several years. Georgetown is continuing its cooperative efforts to build a diversified and stable commercial and industrial base to stand as a strong, economically viable piece of the region and not merely a "bedroom/commuter" community. These efforts are enhanced by the City's excess utility capacity and our proactive efforts to adapt to and stay ahead of increasing environmental regulations. 1993/94 Operating Plan Element - Transmittal Leger Page 2 of 9 Economic Development The construction of the Innerloop Road from Business Interstate Highway (IH) 35 to Farm to Market (FM) 1460 during the year will open additional sites for industrial development. Recent City utility extensions of water and wastewater lines and the Chief Brady electric substation will serve these new sites. The City will continue its economic development efforts(retention expansion and recruitment) through the close working relationship with and continued funding of the Georgetown Industrial Foundation. The City's continuing commitment to downtown is evidenced through involvement in the Main Street Program as a graduate city and the expected completion of Founders Memorial Park. Completion of the park will make available public restrooms in the downtown square and a renovated early church structure (project of the Georgetown Heritage Society). Additionally, expanded downtown parking has been set in motion through the joint purchase by the City and Williamson County of the Heritage Baptist Church property. The Team Tourism Committee is continuing its effort to establish combined tourism objectives for the community that will help focus the program of not only the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), but also other community organization's efforts and programs. Additionally, a subcommittee of the CVB'is continuing its efforts to develop and promote an agricultural museum built around an extensive, locally -owned, antique tractor collection. Education A well-trained, customer -friendly staff is critical to the success of City operations. In recognition of this, the City budgeted $40,000 for professional development of the staff through a variety of training programs. The training will be conducted through the Human Resources Department and will operate to insure consistency and compatibility with the direction of the Council. Training programs will include supervisory skills, customer service skills, leadership skills, team building, substance abuse awareness and sexual harassment prevention. Environmental and Resource Conservation The City has been awarded Phase I of the River Corridors Grant. The project will include 21/2miles of lighted and landscaped hike and bike trails, picnic facilities, a new athletic complex ' with soccer and football fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and Blue Hole Park. A- facilitator will be used in the design phase to ensure that community interests are addressed. The $500,000 Texas Parks & Wildlife grant will require a substantial levei. of in-house labor for local match. This effort is reflected throughout the appropriate operating division budgets. 1993194 Operating Plan Element - Transmittal Letter Page 3 of 9 Facilities and Services The Fire Services Division will initiate a neighborhood service delivery program for Code Enforcement. The community will be divided into 12 sectors with an assigned fire fighter to each sector, who will have the responsibility to identify code violations as well as city service delivery shortfalls (potholes, missing street signs, burned out lights, etc,). Other City divisions will be coordinated and brought into this program as the City moves toward neighborhood service delivery. The City is currently seeking a new Director for the Police Services Division (Police Chief). With the changes in the Police Services Division, the City will evaluate its community oriented policing philosophy and set priorities during the year. Finances Beginning with this fiscal year, the Operating Plan provides for the operation of the City's water and wastewater treatment plants to be performed by a private contractor, OMI, Inc. Contract operations of the facilities will reduce the City's annual operating cost by approximately $160,000 annually, and more importantly, provide technical support in a changing regulatory environment. During the year, the City will complete work with the University of Texas Engineering Department to establish a full cost strategy for streets and drainage. A study of capital recovery fees is included in the budget with funding of $25,000. Adoption of these fees allows for the recovery of future system expansion costs and may require a review and adjustment of all development fees. Governmental Affairs In order to coordinate citizen input and participation, the Council will hold a joint meeting with all advisory board members in early 1994. Additionally, the Council will continue to meet with selected advisory boards on a monthly basis. The City continues to provide funding for numerous social service organizations, including adding $10,000 for the funding of the new volunteer center that will be operated by the Georgetown Information and Volunteer Exchange board. Historic Preservation and Urban Design The Operating Plan includes $25,000 for the completion of Founder's Memorial Park to compliment the work of the Heritage Society and its restoration of Grace Church. The City is also working with the State Department of Transportation on the State Highway 29 (SH -29) historic bridge expansion project to preserve and widen the bridge and to add historic lighting which will visually link the bridge with the historic town square. 1993/94 Operating Plan Element - Transmittal Letter Page 4 of 9 Housing The City will complete the work with the Housing Rehabilitation Grant under the. Community Development ment Block Grant program. in addition, the City has been awarded, a $400,000 city-wide HOME grant program which will begin in early calendar year 1994. [; Through this effort, the City will be able to upgrade the housing stock in the community. Moreover the Council will establish a task force during the fiscal year to develop an affordable housing strategy. Transportation The Cit is addressing its transportation needs through a variety of programs including: Y g cooperating with the State Department of Transportation to develop the Mokan Highway; construct a frontage road along IH -35 from SH -29 to Williams Drive; expand Business -35 north of Williams Drive (FM 2338) to five lanes; widen SH -29 to five lanes; widen Leander Road FM 2238 from I H-35 to Business 35; develop the route and right-of-way requirements for the Leander Road extension form Business 35 to FM 1460; and cooperate with Williamson Count to construct the Innerloop Road from Business 35 to P Y FM 1460. Ufilifies/Energy In response to citizen surveys, and to reflect a more positive image, the Public Utilities Division has been renamed to Community Owned Utilities with the adoption of this budget. Plastic recycling will be added to the City curb -side recycling program this year to improve the waste reduction strategy and increase the City's commitment to recycling and environmental sensitivity, Water distribution improvements will continue with the construction of a portion of the Westloop water line and the north Business 35 completion. Wastewater improvements include the construction of the Pecan Branch Interceptor and service provision to north Business 35. The new Dove Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant will begin operations in October, 1993. The electrical system will continue to expand with the placement of a major feeder line from the Chief Brady substation into the distribution network. Options are also being analyzed zed to purchase a portion of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative service area. The system acquisitions have improved electrical the loads. These acquisitions combined with line replacements, demand-side strategies, and new industrial loads have also made a significant improvement in the load factor. These improvements will meet service growth needs as well as, in the case of water distribution, allow for the connection of water pressure planes. Connection of the Pressure plans will reduce future water storage capital costs. Because of the relatively high capacity and the current rate structure, the City is in a position to fund system improvements from operating revenue with no rate increases in the foreseeable future. Budget Highlights: Financial Budget Process The City is committed to sound financial planning and direction as reflected in the Finance Policy portion of the Georgetown Century Plan. The budget process begins in January in order to allow for citizen input through survey responses and through the priorities and concerns outlined by the numerous citizen boards and commissions. These responses along with staff input are presented to the Council at its annual June retreat. The Council then outlines its priorities for the coming year within the framework of the Century Plan's thirteen policies areas. These priorities are the basis for preparing this budget and the five year capital improvements program. Financial Summary The City continues to maintain relatively low debt and use operating revenues to fund both City services and capital improvements. The 1993/94 Operating Plan will pay for capital improvements programs for streets and drainage, electric, wastewater and water systems from current operating revenues in order to maintain the City's "pay as you go" philosophy. The minimum fund balance/working capital requirements of $5.5 million are maintained in the 1993/94 Operating Plan. The City has also met its commitment for minimizing rate and tax increases by including no utility rate increases and only a 2.3% increase in property taxes. A summary of significant financial issues follows. Revenues. The City's revenues continue to increase due to increased sales tax revenues and demand for utility services. The City's customer base for its electric, sanitation, wastewater and water services continues to increase at four percent (4%) per year. 1993194 Operating Plan Element - Transmittal Letter Page 6 of 9 92/93 93/94 Projected A dopted A ctual (% Change*) Property Taxes 1 ,376,500 1 ,453,923 (5.6%) Sales Taxes 1 ,278,000 1 ,330,000 (4.1%) Electric 1 1 ,406,821 1 1 ,683,728 (2.4%) W ate 3,432,787 3,509,060 (2.2%) W astew ater 2,303,201 2,375,885 (3.2%) Sanitation 957,897 982,200 (2.5%) Misc. Fees & Revenue 575,690 1,035,833 (79.9%) A irport 312,242 481 ,400 (54.2%) Interest (A II funds) 534,150 430,600 (-19.4%) Grants & Special Revenue 926,768 1 ,000,813 (8.0%) Utility Franchise Fees 494,350 506,730 (2.5%) Fund Balances 1,756,213 3,225,447 (83.7%) S u b to tal 25,354,619 28,01 5,61 9 (10.5%) In to rfu n d T ra n s f r 7,561 ,322 10,475,090 (38.5%) T O T A L 32,91 5.941 38,490;709 (16.9%) 1993194 Operating Plan Element - Transmittal Letter Page 6 of 9