Source: YouTube transcript file from James
Meeting: Crockett City Council, 2026-08-24
Identified from the tape: approves the August 3, 2026 minutes, and sets the charter workshops for September 11 and September 25. The regular meeting moves to Tuesday, September 8, because of Labor Day.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S7T3S8Ke3Y
Status: verbatim auto-captions. Names are often wrong. Not reviewed. Not for the public site.

Chapter 1: Opening and remarks
0:011 secondWhat about you? Crockett Independ.
0:2828 secondsHe's here. Got it out fast. Fire chief.
0:3434 secondsOh, you say he made it.
0:3838 secondsGood. That's a little Oh, that that must be Bonnie, man. Did you blow on it like Superman?
0:5252 secondsThat's that fire. Did you blow that fire out? Did you do like Superman? Blew it out.
0:5858 seconds[laughter]
1:001 minuteThe way you do, you probably inhale it. You ready?
1:111 minute, 11 secondsOkay.
Chapter 2: Invocation and pledge
1:131 minute, 13 secondsGood evening everyone. Welcome to the city council of city of Crockett.
1:191 minute, 19 secondsBelieve it or not, we're so glad that you joined us. At this time, we will be opening our meeting and we will open with an invocation.
1:301 minute, 30 secondsHeavenly Father, we come before you this afternoon in Jesus name, thanking you for this opportunity to gather here at city hall. We ask you today for wisdom
1:391 minute, 39 secondsconcerning all of the issues and things pertaining to the business of the city tonight. And we just ask you for your help and your guidance and your strength
1:471 minute, 47 secondsto make the right decisions. We give you all the praise and glory in Christ Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. The pledge.
1:561 minute, 56 secondsI pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
2:052 minutes, 5 secondsunder God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
2:192 minutes, 19 secondsOkay. At this time, um, it has been open where we're going to recognize our visitors. Thank you so much for coming.
Chapter 3: Public comments
2:262 minutes, 26 secondsWe should have a interesting meeting tonight. We have a lot to cover. And with that being said, that brings us to
2:342 minutes, 34 secondsum our public comments. And I'll just read you the information. Uh, at this time, members of the public will be allowed to speak on city related matters
2:422 minutes, 42 secondsonly. No personnel matters or matters under litigation will be allowed. The length of time may not exceed three minutes. City Council shall not speak
2:512 minutes, 51 secondsunder this item in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. The council may not deliberate or take action on matters
2:592 minutes, 59 secondsexcept as properly posted in accordance with the law. And with that being said, we do have one person colleague
3:073 minutes, 7 secondsgirl Gil Gil and Kayla
3:163 minutes, 16 secondsKyle Gil has not made it yet. So he is the president of Crockett Merchant Girls softball and I am the secretary this year. Um we heard of an agenda item at
3:263 minutes, 26 secondsthe last meeting regarding an installation of turf on the softball and uh baseball fields. Our board got together and we think it would be an
3:353 minutes, 35 secondsamazing idea to install turf on our fields here in Crockett. Um, this last season, um, Crockett Merchant Girl
3:433 minutes, 43 secondssoftball and our volunteers have put in more than 50 hours of work on just the fields alone. Um, installing this turf
3:513 minutes, 51 secondswould be beneficial not only to our volunteers and our equipment, but also to the girls of Houston County that we serve here in town. Thank you.
4:014 minutes, 1 secondThank you. Thank you.
4:044 minutes, 4 secondsOkay, with that being said, it brings us to our next item, approval of minutes, regular session, August 3rd, 2026.
Chapter 4: Approval of minutes
4:194 minutes, 19 secondsI'll make a motion we approve the the minutes of August the 3rd, 2026. Second.
4:264 minutes, 26 secondsOkay, it's been moved and second discussion. All ready for the vote. All in favor?
4:384 minutes, 38 secondsMotion carries.
4:404 minutes, 40 secondsOppose. It wasn't any opposing cuz he raised. Okay. I thought he raised it.
4:454 minutes, 45 secondsOkay. Thank you. Okay. Then it brings us to item number two, police department manpower and criminal incident report for July 2026.
Chapter 5: Police department report
4:564 minutes, 56 secondsGood evening, mayor, council, city administrator. Police Department manpower and criminal activity report for July of 2026. Total of 16 officers,
5:055 minutes, 5 secondsworked 2,875 hours, responded to 444 calls for service, investigated 12 traffic
5:125 minutes, 12 secondsaccidents, uh made 49 arrests, issued uh 244 traffic citations,
5:205 minutes, 20 secondscompleted 76 reports, responded to 15 alarm calls. 12 of those were false alarm. Below you'll see a breakdown of
5:275 minutes, 27 secondsour u other reports and I'll entertain any questions you have on our report.
5:355 minutes, 35 secondsI got a busy if there's no questions. Uh y'all probably noticed there's a new face here with me tonight. Uh Matthew Milikin. He
5:435 minutes, 43 secondswas our lieutenant uh just recently as recently as last week was promoted to or week before promoted to captain. He's
5:505 minutes, 50 secondsfilling Captain [name] [name] spot who y'all all know left and going to work in the Dallas area. So, u Matt's been with
5:585 minutes, 58 secondsus for about a little over seven years and uh just like I said recently moved into that position. So, you'll be seeing his face a lot more.
6:076 minutes, 7 secondsSo, we thank him [applause] for Would you like to introduce himself? Congratulations.
6:136 minutes, 13 secondsAmen. Did you want to say anything?
6:176 minutes, 17 seconds[laughter]
6:226 minutes, 22 secondsWe would want to over not allow you to say something. Okay. Thank you so much.
6:286 minutes, 28 secondsUm All right, Mr. Fire Chief.
Chapter 6: Fire department report
6:336 minutes, 33 secondsGood evening, mayor, council members. Uh my July report um we had a total of 27 calls, 17 of those being inside the city
6:426 minutes, 42 secondsand 10 in a county response area. We had a relatively slow slow month but it's starting to pick up a little bit for us.
6:486 minutes, 48 secondsSo I almost missed this meeting. We had a call so I had to go help them. So uh it's our fire season is starting to pick
6:556 minutes, 55 secondsup but I will give kudos to the citizens for obeying the do not burn. So we've been fortunate. So I just hope it stays that way. But uh in front of y'all
7:047 minutes, 4 secondsthere's a further breakdown. If I got any question on that, I'll be more than happy to answer it for you.
7:147 minutes, 14 secondsWell, we're glad that we Thank you, Chief.
7:177 minutes, 17 secondsBecause it's been dry for for quite a while.
7:197 minutes, 19 secondsYes, ma'am. And it's getting drier by today. So, especially with these 100 degree days. I'm going to excuse myself so I don't run your audience out because
7:277 minutes, 27 secondsI know I smell like fire. [laughter] Get some water so I'm not being rude, but I'm going to excuse myself. Thank you so much. You're excused.
7:347 minutes, 34 secondsThanks, Chief. And it brings us to item number four.
Chapter 7: Charter workshops
7:427 minutes, 42 secondsPresent charter amendment proposition from charter commission and discuss dates of council charter workshops.
7:507 minutes, 50 secondsMayor and council, I have before you the charter proposition uh the booklet that we prepared. Uh this is coming out of
7:587 minutes, 58 secondsour um charter committee. Um we had um uh some meetings this this
8:058 minutes, 5 secondspast month went through all these propositions.
8:088 minutes, 8 secondsI am uh grateful for all the work that the charter committee members put into it. This was been has been a a lengthy
8:168 minutes, 16 secondsprocess really looking into the details of the charter and discussing the what the what'ss and hows of the charter and
8:258 minutes, 25 secondsmaking recommendations. Um, I can say that the charter uh amendments that are in this booklet before you um were all voted on unanimously by the committee.
8:368 minutes, 36 secondsThey they looked into it in detail [snorts] enough to address any of their concerns, any of them that were for or
8:438 minutes, 43 secondsagainst to where everybody unanimously is presenting these changes and propositions to council. Um, so I have a
8:518 minutes, 51 secondscopy of that. We the directive was to submit these to council prior to September the 1st and that's what um
8:588 minutes, 58 secondsthis is. The next um step in this process as I'd mentioned before the first step is getting it out of
9:079 minutes, 7 secondscommittee uh goes to council for workshops. Um and depending on council's direction due to the lengthiness of it
9:169 minutes, 16 secondsum and the amount of um the amount of uh propositions after council has their proposition, if
9:249 minutes, 24 secondsthey want to hold any public hearings, they can. Maybe we included that in a couple of our council meetings, have, you know, one or two public hearings.
9:339 minutes, 33 secondsUm, I do recommend getting this um after after it finishes with council's review and proposals of what the ballot
9:419 minutes, 41 secondspropositions need to look like. um that it needs to go to the Secretary of State uh well the Attorney General's office actually and they review the ballot
9:509 minutes, 50 secondswording um to make sure that it's as clear as possible. There's no, you know, double negatives or misleading language
9:589 minutes, 58 secondsor um they they go through it with the fine tooth come as well and then send it back to us before we can order the ballots and and put it on the May
10:0610 minutes, 6 secondselection. Um so it's in y'all's it's in y'all's field if y'all want to do a couple meetings up
10:1410 minutes, 14 secondsfront, see how that proceeds, and then maybe schedule if we need another meeting. It's going to be on y'all's terms uh how how long y'all want to
10:2210 minutes, 22 secondstake. Um I did ask Charlie uh uh tenatively for the next two months worth of available dates. And I asked for
10:2910 minutes, 29 secondsevening times and I asked for uh Friday because I know several of y'all um in talking with y'all Fridays might
10:3710 minutes, 37 secondsbe a day that y'all could do a midday meeting um either you know right after lunch or before lunch a midm morning.
10:4410 minutes, 44 secondsIt's up to y'all. So these are the dates that Mr. Charlie right here um said that he has
10:5210 minutes, 52 secondsavailable. And um I sent that out earlier to y'all in the in the last last week um to see if there's any common
11:0111 minutes, 1 seconddenominator common denominators in these dates that work for all of council.
11:0711 minutes, 7 secondsum the evening meetings and if y'all want to pull up y'all's uh calendar just to verify the evening
11:1511 minutes, 15 secondsmeetings that he's available is September 10th 14th 28th 29th 30th 7th okay that's September 10th 14th 28th
11:2411 minutes, 24 seconds29th and 30th October in the evening he is available on the 7th and 15th
11:3111 minutes, 31 secondsfor October um Fridays that he has available for a day meeting is 11th and 25th of September and 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th of October.
11:4311 minutes, 43 secondsDo y'all have any recommendations on some days that I can loop him in? This is days that he sent out to me um a few
11:5311 minutes, 53 secondsdays ago. So hope I did ask him to let us know if any of those dates get taken before this meeting, but
12:0012 minutesum I can try to narrow them down because I think it's really important that all of council be there and that we get to
12:0812 minutes, 8 secondsthis process as a group as well. Um would um
12:1512 minutes, 15 secondswell my my question now is going to be on considering Chris got to be jobs. So yeah, would Fridays
12:2412 minutes, 24 secondsNo, I can make myself available regarding the council Fridays.
12:3012 minutes, 30 secondsUm, does everybody prefer Fridays for Fridays are fine?
12:3612 minutes, 36 secondsFridays are fine with me.
12:4012 minutes, 40 secondsThe only Friday I'm not available is October 16th I'll be out state. So the 15th 15th or 16th
12:4812 minutes, 48 seconds15th 16th 16th only 16th October 16th is for October October 16th is the only Friday that I'm
12:5512 minutes, 55 secondsI'm in disposed the rest of the Fridays I should be good to go but I'm looking on the on the letter here and it says 7th and 15th.
13:0313 minutes, 3 secondsOkay 7th 15th I think September isn't it?
13:0813 minutes, 8 secondsIt says October October 7th and 15th is for evening evening meetings.
13:1313 minutes, 13 secondsOkay that's what you said. And then Friday would be 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th. So, do y'all want to pick um a Friday?
13:2213 minutes, 22 secondsWe have the September the 11th and the 25th and lock in a a Friday meeting for September.
13:3113 minutes, 31 secondsI'm good. September 11th say 911. Yeah, 911.
13:3713 minutes, 37 secondsWe have a morning uh we usually have a morning uh ceremony here. So, if y'all wanted to do
13:4413 minutes, 44 secondsa ceremony and then a a lunch going to a lunch to two o'clock meeting,
13:5313 minutes, 53 secondsmaybe carve out a couple hours on the 11th September 11th. I got Okay, fine with me.
14:0014 minutesSo, let me ask you a question with that.
14:0214 minutes, 2 secondsWith that being said, so I see on down off in the agenda you say about scheduling a meeting for September the
14:0914 minutes, 9 seconds8th. So can we that was initially that was initially and then by the time of this meeting he's pulled the the 8th it's not available.
14:1914 minutes, 19 secondsI mean I think you said regular meeting like Oh yeah because of the Labor Day correct.
14:2514 minutes, 25 secondsSo what I'm asking is do we need to do a a Labor Day weekend a Labor Day Tuesday because you look like you said um the 7th is Labor Day. Sure.
14:3514 minutes, 35 secondsSo, look like you said have a meeting on Tuesday, September 8th, to move our regular meeting. That's in another agenda item.
14:4114 minutes, 41 secondsOkay. So, that's what I'm asking. Can we combine those?
14:4314 minutes, 43 secondsWell, we can we can we can put this all on a council meeting, but it's just a later evening meeting. Um,
14:5114 minutes, 51 secondsand from the, you know, my talks with council, some of them prefer during the day, you know, when they're a little bit more
14:5814 minutes, 58 secondsfresher. But I was because that's two, I mean, that's two meetings. one on the one on the y and one
15:0615 minutes, 6 seconds11. Yeah, that's up to y'all. That's up to y'all.
15:0915 minutes, 9 secondsSo, I was just wanted to see if we could combine the council could be our meeting combining.
15:1415 minutes, 14 secondsI don't have his uh schedule for he does not give me a September 8th availability. Oh, okay.
15:1915 minutes, 19 secondsFor an evening meeting. He he did give a 10th and a 14th for evenings.
15:2615 minutes, 26 secondsSo I mean I think I was just asking can we combine those instead of well according to his schedule we we won't be able to
15:3415 minutes, 34 secondsthat I have all of his available evenings and Fridays.
15:3815 minutes, 38 secondsSo that's what I'm saying. So we won't be able to hold our regular meeting that day.
15:4215 minutes, 42 secondsYes. No ma'am we will for our normal meeting but not with the workshop. With the workshop. Okay.
15:4915 minutes, 49 secondsOkay.
15:5515 minutes, 55 secondswho who is a um who is not able to do the 11th and and if we did a noon to uh
16:0216 minutes, 2 secondswe could bring in some some snacks and stuff and we could do a noon to Tuesday Friday September 11th.
16:0916 minutes, 9 secondsI can't I'm good. Okay. Do y'all want to pick one more?
16:1616 minutes, 16 secondsTwo weeks later is September the 25th [clears throat] and that falls on Friday. Friday.
16:2216 minutes, 22 secondsThe Well, of course. Yes. Friday. So, we have 11th and then two weeks later, the 25th. Y'all want to lock those two in.
16:2716 minutes, 27 secondsSee, and that gives a two week break if any comments or questions to him that he needs to review and research and bring back answers for. That gives him
16:3516 minutes, 35 secondstwo weeks in the same month.
16:3716 minutes, 37 secondsAnd then we more and hopefully can have a feeling of where we're going from there. Yeah. Okay.
16:4416 minutes, 44 secondsHave the same one. All right.
16:5316 minutes, 53 secondsOkay. So, that's the September, the 11th, and the 25th.
16:5716 minutes, 57 secondsAnd then, um, after his um after his advice, we could open it up to focus here.
17:0517 minutes, 5 secondsYes. Okay.
17:0617 minutes, 6 secondsOnce council feels good about the propositions moving forward, then we would um and then like I said, none of this is required, but I think in the the
17:1517 minutes, 15 secondsability to have as much um access to the public and feedback um
17:2317 minutes, 23 secondsa workshop sometimes are recommended, but it's up to council.
17:2617 minutes, 26 secondsSo, uh with that being said, will each individual council member uh be allowed to host a work independently or how does it work?
17:3817 minutes, 38 secondsIt's all however you want to do it. Okay. Okay. So, we got September 11th, 25th.
17:4617 minutes, 46 seconds11:20. All right. What time? Y'all want to do noon though, too? That's fine.
17:5417 minutes, 54 secondsYeah. Okay.
17:5717 minutes, 57 secondsRight after lunch, I'm going be sleeping.
17:5917 minutes, 59 secondsWell, I mean, we can't. So, I mean, that's all you can do.
18:0318 minutes, 3 secondsI'm good. No, we can do some coffee and some energy drinks or something. Well, I can throw things at you. Yeah, even better.
18:1118 minutes, 11 secondsAll right, get Mr. [name] to elbow me every now and then. Two. Okay, thank you'all.
18:1818 minutes, 18 secondsSo, we are on to item number five. Yes, ma'am.
Chapter 8: Budget public hearing
18:2418 minutes, 24 secondsThe public hearing on proposed budget of the city of project for the 2026 2027 fiscal year.
18:3618 minutes, 36 secondsIt's officially open.
18:3918 minutes, 39 secondsIf anyone u members of the public wants to speak for or against um this next year's budget, we've had this budget
18:4718 minutes, 47 secondsposted for a little over a month now. Um we've also uh posted notices in the newspaper um posted it online um and on
18:5718 minutes, 57 secondsour website. Um if any members of the public want to speak for or against any of these um the proposed budget, this would be your time.
19:1419 minutes, 14 secondsDoes anyone in the next item
19:2519 minutes, 25 secondsif it's not any from the public? We're officially closed.
19:3119 minutes, 31 secondsIt takes us to the next item.
19:3719 minutes, 37 secondsSo if you do want to read this is required to be posted, but if you want to read it up to at least here.
19:4319 minutes, 43 secondsOkay, I'll read it all. Okay, I have to read it all just to there. Okay.
Chapter 9: Budget ordinance approval
19:4919 minutes, 49 secondsItem number six, consider an approving ordinance making appropriations for the support of the city of Crocki for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026
19:5819 minutes, 58 secondsand ending September 30, 2027, appropriating money to sinking fund to pay interest in principal due on the
20:0620 minutes, 6 secondscity's indebtness and adopting the annual budget of the city of Crockett for fiscal year 2027.
20:1420 minutes, 14 secondsDo I need to rest? Doesn't have to be.
20:1720 minutes, 17 secondsMayor, uh, council, I have the, um, the budget that has been presented to council and available.
20:2820 minutes, 28 secondsUm, before you, I have a short summary uh, to present on this budget.
20:3520 minutes, 35 secondsAnd as clarification, this budget and the following agenda items all go into the
20:4320 minutes, 43 secondsfunding portion of this budget. So to approve this budget, the funding items that will
20:5020 minutes, 50 secondsprovide the finances for the budget that you approve are coming all in the same in the next few agenda items.
21:0021 minutesThe FY27 budget increases total revenues and expenses by approximately 12.6%.
21:0921 minutes, 9 secondsAnd I'm going to break that down. The majority of these increases are bringing $88,000
21:1621 minutes, 16 secondsof former EDC sales tax revenue and corresponding USDA debt obligations into escrow under the city budget.
21:2421 minutes, 24 secondsExcluding [snorts] those EDC obligations, the primary sources of general fund revenues are 382,000 in advorum tax revenue and 114,000 in sales tax revenue.
21:3521 minutes, 35 secondsThe largest recurring cost increases are to fund the personnel cola cost of living adjustment.
21:4121 minutes, 41 secondsum an increase to the street maintenance budget by 16% um or $91,000.
21:49 [segment omitted]
21:5721 minutes, 57 secondsphones, and the training budget. It also includes the capital purchases approved by council and place in the budget which
22:0422 minutes, 4 secondsare the fire department hose, the uh police def police department uh rifle packages and a street sweeper. Outside
22:1322 minutes, 13 secondsof personnel cost, most department operating and maintenance budgets have remained flat or decreased.
22:2122 minutes, 21 secondsOne additional cost to note in many departments are property and fire insurance creases increases due to the coverage amounts being reassessed on most facilities.
22:3022 minutes, 30 secondsOverall, the uh FY27 budget is is balanced and projecting approximately three 13.694 million in revenue and 13.684 million in expenditures.
22:4422 minutes, 44 secondsthe the increases required to fund the 27 budget which are coming in the following items are there are increases
22:5422 minutes, 54 secondsum and the the impact is as followed the impact on our city's residents are as follows the water and sewer water base
23:0223 minutes, 2 secondsrate increase of $153 a month a sewer base rate increase of $168 a month which
23:0923 minutes, 9 secondsis a combined increase of 321 per month on the utility bill no increase in consumption rates.
23:1623 minutes, 16 secondsThis covers the cost of the increase to our purchase water from the water district and the cost of living adjustment.
23:2223 minutes, 22 secondsOur garbage contractor increased rates by 3% there. Therefore, we have passed along a 3% garbage rate increase for a residential garbage account.
23:3423 minutes, 34 secondsThis will be 68 cents per month of an increase.
23:4023 minutes, 40 secondsUm on property taxes, council initially proposed a.7761
23:4823 minutes, 48 secondsmill rate. After budget calculation and adjusting, it allowed the city to reduce that rate
23:5523 minutes, 55 secondsby nearly 1 cent to 7668 while maintaining a balanced budget.
24:0124 minutes, 1 secondThat reduction represents roughly $39,000 less property tax revenue than the initial proposal approved.
24:0824 minutes, 8 secondsFor a home with a h 100,000 taxable value, that will equate to 7 uh $7.16 a month or $86 [snorts] a year.
24:1924 minutes, 19 secondsThe combined impact and that's from water, sewer, garbage, and taxes impact the final property tax rate and proposed water, sewer, and garbage
24:2824 minutes, 28 secondsadjustments is approximately 132 per year or $11 a month.
24:3724 minutes, 37 secondsUm, we have the ordinance for you. Um, that also includes, as you see in the budget,
24:4524 minutes, 45 secondsthat includes our debt service. You're going to see as we've looked through in the draft already, you see an increase in debt service.
24:5624 minutes, 56 secondsWhat what has happened is Texas Water Development Board, we were funding our Texas Water Development Board bonds out
25:0525 minutes, 5 secondsof our maintenance and operations. And they still are, but they were not being reflected under our debt service accounts. They wanted to see that money
25:1325 minutes, 13 secondsmoving into separated debt service accounts outside of our operations budget. So, the money still comes from our operations budget. That's not new
25:2225 minutes, 22 secondstaxes that we've had to bring in. That's money coming from our our water existing water and sewer revenues. But as you see
25:3025 minutes, 30 secondsright here, um we've had to bring in our Texas Water Development um
25:3725 minutes, 37 secondscombination tax and revenue series 2022, series 2020 4 A, B, and C. All of those
25:4425 minutes, 44 secondsare now being reflected in our debt service um line items in our budget.
25:5025 minutes, 50 secondsOtherwise, our um our debt service would have decreased um by 160,000.
25:5925 minutes, 59 secondsBut now that they're requiring us to show it under debt service, even though it's coming from water to sewer utilities,
26:0526 minutes, 5 secondsum then you see an increase of 139,000 instead of the decrease of 160, which is
26:1326 minutes, 13 secondsthe real amount that it actually impacts our budget because that money was already being used to pay that debt.
26:2026 minutes, 20 secondsUm, our special revenues, um, as you see here, I keep those zeroed
26:2926 minutes, 29 secondsout. At the end of the year, I bring revenues. Um, for instance, this coming year, um, we have, uh, close to $20
26:3726 minutes, 37 secondsmillion on the books, uh, for new projects in water, uh, line repairs, um, water plant repairs, and wastewater,
26:4626 minutes, 46 secondsand the grant for the downtown revitalization for the sidewalks.
26:5026 minutes, 50 secondsUm, so we have lots of new outside revenues uh coming into the budget, but as those monies are expended, depending
26:5826 minutes, 58 secondson the contractor and the timeline of construction, as those monies are brought into the budget, then those are brought to council to to be reflected in
27:0627 minutes, 6 secondsthe budget, but I can't project from ahead of time how much of that money will be spent in this next fiscal year.
27:1427 minutes, 14 secondsUm, but that's a big portion of uh of our next year's expenses expenses to the
27:2027 minutes, 20 secondstune of close to $20 million that um we will be seeing in construction.
27:2727 minutes, 27 secondsThat's the short um summary of all the discussions that we've had on the budget. Um the budget that y'all have in front of y'all and by this ordinance is
27:3527 minutes, 35 secondsthe same budget that was presented um at our last uh budget workshop.
27:4527 minutes, 45 secondswas um the um just just just to ask you real quick um on the special project the
27:5427 minutes, 54 secondssigns the entrance signs for the the city was that was that part of the special project
28:0128 minutes, 1 seconduh in last in in last year's budget yes did you know when we were going to get the uh incoming sign for uh
28:1128 minutes, 11 secondsthat has not been appropriated by council yet. I need to bring that I need to find, you know, my direction at that
28:1928 minutes, 19 secondstime was we did not spend the money at that time. We were going to try to find some outside some more resources contributions kind of like we did on
28:2728 minutes, 27 secondsHighway 21 or and 7 21 West. We did get an outside one of our local contractors uh companies pay for that Crockett
28:3528 minutes, 35 secondsconstruction. Um I I felt at that point that since it was u right in front of and that was the
28:4428 minutes, 44 secondsdiscussions that we've had you know a year or two ago but being in that it was in front of proalis that we would probably need to come up with something
28:5028 minutes, 50 secondsthat fit the front of that sign and didn't contrast or compete with the other
28:5928 minutes, 59 secondssignage that was there. So, we were going to look at some options, but at this point, I I don't have any kind of uh funding that I can bring to y'all for it.
29:0729 minutes, 7 secondsOkay. Because I just So, we'll have to do that.
29:0929 minutes, 9 secondsOkay. Because I just kind of look back at that and I noticed that we had, if I can recall correctly, we had uh talked about six
29:1729 minutes, 17 secondssix signs and then we approved five.
29:2529 minutes, 25 secondsOkay. I do have is it is it my turn to say that's up to council at that you
29:3229 minutes, 32 secondstypically make a motion and comment during a mot after a motion in a second but that's up to the mayor and council
29:4129 minutes, 41 secondswe we have a motion we have a motion we're on agenda
29:4929 minutes, 49 secondseight is that correct uh number six for approve approving the ordinance
29:5729 minutes, 57 secondsappropriating money for the uh fiscal year budget.
30:0330 minutes, 3 secondsMayor and council, I move that we cons we uh approve the ordinance making appropriations for the support of the
30:1030 minutes, 10 secondscity of Crockett for the fiscal year beginning October the 1st, 2026 and ending September 30th, 2027.
30:1830 minutes, 18 secondsappropriating money to syncing fund and pay interest and principal due to the city's indebtedness and adopting the
30:2530 minutes, 25 secondsannual budget of the city of Crockett for the fiscal year 2027. Okay, we have a motion.
30:3330 minutes, 33 secondsSecond it.
30:3430 minutes, 34 secondsDo we have a motion in the second? And now we go to the discussion. if there's discussion with me.
30:4030 minutes, 40 secondsOkay. Um um for the record, I would like to read my
30:5030 minutes, 50 secondsstatement on the issue about increases um and the budget.
30:5630 minutes, 56 secondsUm the city of Crockett and and this is for the record, city of Crockett and
31:0331 minutes, 3 secondsconstituents in precinct 3. Let me be clear.
31:1231 minutes, 12 secondsJust making sure cut it off. Let me be clear. I do not have an issue with
31:1931 minutes, 19 secondsapproving cola or salary increases for the city employee Crockett employees. I
31:2631 minutes, 26 secondscould cons see considering the salary increase for employees only if there was
31:3431 minutes, 34 secondsa way to financially fund it without shifting the burden onto taxpayers and
31:4131 minutes, 41 secondstrying to figure out how to continue to uphold that commitment later without raising taxes. In my opinion, colar sa
31:5031 minutes, 50 secondsand salary increases for all employees should be implemented in phases instead of overloading the taxpayers all at one
31:5931 minutes, 59 secondstime. As a city council member, I represent a portion of the community that is already burdened, overburdened
32:0932 minutes, 9 secondsby many federal benefits being taken from them and by living on fixed incomes.
32:1632 minutes, 16 secondsI cannot see myself being a part of or voting for any systems that add to their
32:2432 minutes, 24 secondsfinancial burden or overloads the constituents who have entrusted me with their voice to speak on their behalf by asking them for more money.
32:3632 minutes, 36 secondsI have concerns regarding irresponsible practice of moving money from one department to another without
32:4532 minutes, 45 secondsappropriate transparency or compliance with strict budgetary boundaries. The lack of local fiscal
32:5532 minutes, 55 secondsdiscipline directly impacts city's federal resources.
33:0133 minutes, 1 secondTaxpayers desire deserve I'm sorry. Taxpayers deserve to know where federal funds or local funds
33:1033 minutes, 10 secondsare being used to cover unauthorized department deficits.
33:1533 minutes, 15 secondsThere is no local government accountability, budget, integrity or discipline and
33:2233 minutes, 22 secondsthere is apparent improper shifting of funds between departments by city administration.
33:3033 minutes, 30 secondsPeople already pay too much in taxes.
33:3433 minutes, 34 secondsand have lost government subsidies. We should be adding to the community's trust, not finding ways to erode their
33:4433 minutes, 44 secondstrust in local government. I suggest the following audits by the uh audit the budget by a
33:5233 minutes, 52 secondsthird party auditing entity to account for local waste in current city budget.
34:0134 minutes, 1 secondCut unneeded spending before asking residents for more money.
34:0834 minutes, 8 secondsHave an accurate assessment of how much how much money we have to work with.
34:1634 minutes, 16 secondsUh ask and address city administration to be more transparent and forthcoming
34:2334 minutes, 23 secondswith original necessary uh documents. original documents necessary for decide uh necessary for decision making.
34:3334 minutes, 33 secondsVote on no new uh taxes, utility, water, and sewer
34:3934 minutes, 39 secondsincreases or local fees that hurt low income and fixed income families. seek
34:4734 minutes, 47 secondsrelief programs such as pushing for taxes freeze uh and discount programs for seniors and disabled residents and
34:5634 minutes, 56 secondsfocus on grants more uh grants instead of uh using local
35:0435 minutes, 4 secondstax dollars. If I understand you correctly, some of you seated here at the DAS wanted to limit want to limit
35:1335 minutes, 13 secondsresources uh cit uh res limit to limit resource citizens to pay more taxes and
35:2235 minutes, 22 secondsthe system already knows that many people are on fixed incomes. Where is the relief from overloading taxpayers?
35:3235 minutes, 32 secondsthe elderly, the disabled, the underprivileged people who reside in undeserved communities.
35:4235 minutes, 42 secondsThis is the reason for my no my strong no vote to any approved tax increase for
35:4935 minutes, 49 secondsconstituents in precinct 3. In closing, I urge the city council I have to get a drink of water.
36:0036 minutesI urge the city council to review the current budget by the fiscal deadline to
36:0936 minutes, 9 secondsidentify costcutting measures that could lessen the burden or reverse these increases.
36:1936 minutes, 19 secondsThank you.
36:2136 minutes, 21 secondsRight now we have we're ready for the vote. Yes, sir.
36:3136 minutes, 31 secondsAll in favor? Opposed? Motion carries.
36:4036 minutes, 40 secondsAnd that brings us to Mayor. I'd like to make one comment. Um, for the record, there are no interdep departmental transfers that ever happen
36:4936 minutes, 49 secondsbecause it's illegal to do so without bringing it before council and it's voted on in front of council. Um, none
36:5836 minutes, 58 secondsof that ever happens in an audit.
37:0037 minutesAnd the audit by a third party is also required by law. And we are one of the many cities that did adequate adequately
37:0937 minutes, 9 secondscomply with the attorney general's office and their requirements and passed um with flying colors on our audits.
37:2037 minutes, 20 secondsOkay. Then Texas question.
37:2437 minutes, 24 secondsWhat you saying? So basically Okay. I mean and only in audits only information that's it.
37:3337 minutes, 33 secondsOkay. So that take us to the next item item number seven public hearing on 2026 tax rate.
Chapter 10: Tax rate public hearing
37:4737 minutes, 47 secondsIt should be open.
37:5037 minutes, 50 secondsMayor and council. This is the portion of the meeting that's required for a public hearing for those to speak members of the public to speak for or
37:5937 minutes, 59 secondsagainst um the proposed tax rate. We have in your uh packet the tax rate or
38:0538 minutes, 5 secondsimpact analysis. Um that we presented um
38:1238 minutes, 12 secondsthis is the ordinance um that backs up that tax rate levy that council has proposed.
38:2538 minutes, 25 secondsOkay. Does anyone from the public have any comments, statements?
38:3538 minutes, 35 secondsDid you want to say something?
38:4438 minutes, 44 secondsWe do have um I'm sorry, we we ran out of copies. We did print some more. We have We can bring them in right now. I apologize for that.
39:4439 minutes, 44 secondsIf you want to make a do you want to speak?
39:4939 minutes, 49 secondsYou come in so they can hear you please.
40:0440 minutes, 4 secondsThe proposed rate is 7668 cents per 100. That's the meal rate and
40:1140 minutes, 11 secondsthat includes the debt service and the uh M tax is bed,000. The tax could be
40:2040 minutes, 20 secondson a on an average uh for a $100,000 house. Um based on a $100,000 house, the
40:2640 minutes, 26 secondstax bill is 766.80 a year. So the increase was what?
40:3440 minutes, 34 secondsAn increase of 86 per year. $86. $86.
40:3840 minutes, 38 secondsWould someone anyone else like to you come
40:5440 minutes, 54 secondsin precinct too? So it said um item six that it was only in a homestead that the property has to be homestead.
41:0241 minutes, 2 secondsSo what is it that like 125 for somebody that's not a homestead?
41:0741 minutes, 7 secondsIt would be um using that same calculation. If your house is 125,000, you divide that by 100. So that'd be
41:1641 minutes, 16 secondsa,000 that'd be um a,00 250 times the mill rate of 7668.
41:2641 minutes, 26 secondsOkay.
41:2841 minutes, 28 secondsSo that would be um how much I could hear you ma'am.
41:4941 minutes, 49 secondsSo that'd be 958 if it was 125,000 with no exemptions.
42:0042 minutesDoes anyone else have any comments?
42:0642 minutes, 6 secondsAnd just for the record, uh the first speaker was Lois Ball, the second speaker BA Harris.
42:1742 minutes, 17 secondsIf there are no more comments, we're closing the session. Last call for comments.
42:2742 minutes, 27 secondsClose with our public hearing. It brings us to I can keep turning these pages right.
Chapter 11: Tax rate ordinance approval
42:3842 minutes, 38 secondsUm, item number eight, consider and approve an audience leving
42:4642 minutes, 46 secondsand edum taxes for the use and support of the municipal government of the city of Crockett for fiscal year 2027 providing appropriation appropioning.
43:0043 minutesOkay. We are portioning uh each levy for specific purposes. It provide when taxes shall become due and when same become delinquent if not paid.
43:4443 minutes, 44 secondsand council. This is the ordinance levying the tax to fund the budget.
43:5643 minutes, 56 secondson paper 12.
44:0344 minutes, 3 seconds[name], is this his language?
44:0744 minutes, 7 secondsYes. U so for further clarification um thank you for um bringing that up. the state statute
44:1644 minutes, 16 secondsin 2025 actually um increased or or added a um a portion
44:2444 minutes, 24 secondsthat address the specific language that is required for making a motion for levying attacks. And I have the print
44:3044 minutes, 30 secondsout for you if you were to adopt the ordinance as drafted in front of you. I have the required motion language
44:3944 minutes, 39 secondsper the state statute and and that's printed out in front of you. If anybody has a question, I can pass another copy down.
44:4844 minutes, 48 secondsMadame Mayor, council, I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of the tax rate of.7668
44:5644 minutes, 56 secondscents per $100 valuation, which is effectively a 12.63% increase. and the tax rate above the no new re revenue tax rate.
45:0845 minutes, 8 secondsSecond this motion.
45:0945 minutes, 9 secondsOkay. Second discussion.
45:2045 minutes, 20 secondsIf not ready for Yes. All in favor?
45:2745 minutes, 27 secondsOppose. Okay. You get it?
45:3445 minutes, 34 secondsOkay, that brings us to the next item.
Chapter 12: Tax roll approval
45:4845 minutes, 48 secondsNow we're number twice.
45:5445 minutes, 54 secondsUh, consider and approve 2026 tax.
45:5945 minutes, 59 secondsMayor and council, just for clarification, this is the tax RO from 2026, which that certified values funds
46:0646 minutes, 6 secondsthe 2027 budget. That tax roll was provided by the appraisal district this past week. I provided it to you as
46:1546 minutes, 15 secondsattachments and on thumb drives uh for your review. Um this is basically
46:2246 minutes, 22 secondswhere we did uh where we appro we we passed a resolution saying that they were reviewed and um certified that
46:3046 minutes, 30 secondswe've that we have received them from the appraisal district. I move we approve the 2026 tax roll.
46:3946 minutes, 39 secondsSecond. Okay. Moved and second discussion.
46:4446 minutes, 44 secondsReady for the vote. All in favor? Did you have these thumb drives? I'm sorry. What?
47:0147 minutes, 1 secondWhat's up? I mean,
47:0947 minutes, 9 secondsthis is this is not this is a review of something that's certified by the appraisal district.
47:1647 minutes, 16 secondsThis is just documenting that we received them from the appraisal district.
47:2447 minutes, 24 secondsOkay.
47:2547 minutes, 25 secondsI'm sorry. There was a little he was asking about the tax room. Um so if we need to recclarify the vote. Okay.
47:3447 minutes, 34 secondsI move that we approve the We got the motion and second just by All in favor?
47:4247 minutes, 42 secondsOppose.
47:4447 minutes, 44 secondsOkay. Motion carries. It brings us to item number 10.
Chapter 13: Garbage service ordinance
47:5147 minutes, 51 secondsConsider and approve an ordinance amending chart chapter 10 garbage and trust of the city of Crockett code of
47:5847 minutes, 58 secondsaance uh amending section 10-29 rates to char charge the rates
48:0648 minutes, 6 secondschange the rates change thank you change the rates providing a servability clause containing a repealing clause and
48:1448 minutes, 14 secondsproviding an effective date this is the garbage ordinance with the
48:2148 minutes, 21 secondsassociated 3% uh CPI increase reflected.
48:2948 minutes, 29 secondsThis is what our garbage contractor their fee schedule is being charged to
48:3648 minutes, 36 secondsthe city based on these updated fee schedules that will go into effect.
48:4248 minutes, 42 secondsI move that we approve um we approve the ordinance amending chapter 10.
48:4948 minutes, 49 secondsAre we to give the uh effective date as well or No, it's in the ordinance. It'll be in the ordinance.
49:0049 minutesA second. Okay, it's been moved and second. Discussion.
49:0849 minutes, 8 secondsThere's no discussion. Ready for the vote? All in favor?
49:1649 minutes, 16 secondsopposed.
49:1949 minutes, 19 secondsOkay. Motion carries. That brings us to number item number 11.
Chapter 14: Utility rates ordinance
49:2549 minutes, 25 secondsConsider and approve an ordinance of the city of Crockett, Texas, amending chapter 19, utilities of the city of Crockett code of Ordinance. Uh amended
49:3449 minutes, 34 secondssection 19-37A increasing the rates for residential and commercial water service. Amended
49:4049 minutes, 40 secondssection 19 through 58. uh increasing the rates of the for residential and commercial sew service containing a
49:4949 minutes, 49 secondsservability clause containing uh a repealing clause and providing an effective date.
49:5749 minutes, 57 secondsMayor and council, this is the ordinance associated with the budget um with the $153 increase to the base rate of water
50:0450 minutes, 4 secondsand $168 increase to the sewer base rate.
50:1250 minutes, 12 secondsMayor and council, I move that we adopt the city ordinance um amending chapter 19 utilities of the city of Crockett code of ordinances
50:2050 minutes, 20 secondsamending sections 19 through 37A increasing the rates for residential and commercial water service amending sections 19 through 58 increasing the
50:2850 minutes, 28 secondsrates of for residential and commercial sewer service containing a serviceability clause containing a repealing clause and providing an
50:3650 minutes, 36 secondseffective date which was the effective date. So the effective date will be uh o uh October 1.
50:4350 minutes, 43 secondsThus the stated October 1st effective date. I second his motion.
50:4750 minutes, 47 secondsOkay. Been moved and second. Any discussion? Ready for the vote. All in favor?
50:5650 minutes, 56 secondsOppose.
50:5850 minutes, 58 secondsMotion carries. Brings us to item number 12. consider and approve rescheduling the first regular meeting of September
Chapter 15: Rescheduling meeting
51:0551 minutes, 5 seconds2026 to Tuesday no uh September 8th 2026 due to the Labor Day holiday.
51:1451 minutes, 14 secondsI move that we approve the rescheduling of the first regular meeting September 2026 to Tuesday September 8th 2026 due to the Labor Day holiday.
51:2451 minutes, 24 secondsI second. Okay. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion?
51:3151 minutes, 31 secondsNo. So you did you just confir you did confirm that we won't be able to combine those basically?
51:3851 minutes, 38 secondsYes. And that was from the email that he provided us.
51:4151 minutes, 41 secondsOkay. I'm okay with that. Okay. Are we ready for the vote? Yes. All in favor?
51:4851 minutes, 48 secondsMotion carries.
51:5051 minutes, 50 secondsNo oppos. Okay. This brings us to the item uh new business consider consideration of future agenda items.
Chapter 16: New business and closing
51:5851 minutes, 58 secondsNew build new business item must be presented as a motion without a discussion. If the motion receives a second and a majority vote, the item
52:0752 minutes, 7 secondswill be placed on a future agenda for deliberation and possible action.
52:1252 minutes, 12 secondsUm, mayor and council, I would like to I notice a lot of discussions been going on back and forth about data centers. So
52:2052 minutes, 20 secondsI move that uh we place uh data center discussion about stipulations and regulations on a data center within our
52:2952 minutes, 29 secondscity just in case they decide if they want to come here at least we will be prepared uh with discussions and policy
52:3852 minutes, 38 secondsprobably discussing place on policy in u in place I'll second that.
52:4652 minutes, 46 secondsIt's been moved and second and the majority. All in favor?
52:5552 minutes, 55 secondsMotion carries. One more motion, mayor, and we going get out of here.
53:0053 minutesUm, also like to I had um um would like to have Mr. [name] to update us on
53:0853 minutes, 8 secondsprojects that are possibly going on uh in the city currently. um just trying to get an understanding of what's going on
53:1653 minutes, 16 secondson the loops. Um the intersections where they're being uh cleaned off or things such as that. So if you
53:2453 minutes, 24 secondsThose are all private properties. I mean the city doesn't have any oversight of private property mowing and cleaning,
53:3253 minutes, 32 secondsbut that's up to council. I'll be happy to let y'all know what I know.
53:3553 minutes, 35 secondsSo there's no intent on anything else happening?
53:3953 minutes, 39 secondsNot as far as the city's in involvement involvement. Okay.
53:4353 minutes, 43 secondsMayor and council, I move that we um we entertain the uh the soft the the
53:5053 minutes, 50 secondsmerchant leagues uh request for turf on the field and uh maybe go maybe go out for bids.
54:1054 minutes, 10 secondsOkay, I'll second that because I want to hear more about what you're what you're asking for. All right. Okay.
54:1954 minutes, 19 secondsIt'll be clarified on the agenda. Okay. So, it's been moved then second.
54:2654 minutes, 26 secondsHe did. He second it. Okay. Second. All in favor?
54:3354 minutes, 33 secondsOkay. Okay. It will be on the agenda.
54:4154 minutes, 41 secondsCan we get motion to second
54:5454 minutes, 54 secondsme to lunch?
55:0155 minutes, 1 secondHe gets up without and you hear

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