Travis County Commssioners Court
September 24, 2002
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Agenda Item One
Number 1 is to receive input on county services and the f.y. 2003 proposed
Travis County budget. I move that the public hearing be opened.
>> second.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Christian
do, you have a one- minute overview?
>> a culmination of a process that started in January of
this year, and results in a proposed budget [inaudible] that has a tax rate
of 46.60, an increase of 2 cents. The general fund budget has an increase
from 259 and a half million to $303.8 million. Some of the larger programmatic
increases in the budget include an increase of $6.2 million in the approved
budget of the sheriff's office from 79 and a half million to 87 [inaudible].
That is the largest most nominal variable that is affected in this budget.
There's an additional $10 million increase in service reflecting the $127
million of voter approved bonds that the commissioners court stepped up to
the plate and issued this year. Jail overcrowding has dominated the budget
and has resulted in either deferring or deflecting a wide variety of other
programmatic increases which have needed to be internally accommodated by
county departments including compensation increases which would further [inaudible]
the first of 2003. The county's financial picture is in reasonably good shape
reflecting strong financial policies in the aaa bond rating that has been
awarded by both agencies the last few years. I can go on much longer than
that, but you said one minute.
>> thank you, mr. Smith. Now, several individuals have signed
in to either give comments under citizens communication, item number 1. This
is a public hearing limited to number 1, which is county services and the
proposed 2003 Travis County budget. So rather than go through this list, what
if we had three individuals to come forward and give yourselves some elbow
room and give us your full names and we would be happy to get your comments.
I see four or five that I know have come down on this. Don't be shy. Mr. Jackson.
Mr. Kucera is here on 1 and 2, I believe. As one concludes, if we could get
another to come forward. Good morning.
>> good morning, judge and commissioners. I'm howard faulkenburg,
Travis County resident, taxpayer, business owner, within the next two weeks,
a construction contract will be let for the first element of sh 45 north and
loop 1 north. Actual construction to begin on those elements of the central
Texas turnpike project. A critical element, the construction of the intersection
of loop 1, the extension of loop 1 and 45. It's more than $100 million project.
It's a milestone in the efforts to quickly improve traffic and mobility in
this region. There are a lot of people to say thanks to for that action. One
of whom, pete winsted, former chair of the Texas turnpike authority board,
is in the room with us today. But most certainly we would not be at this point
of getting started with construction were it not for the actions of this court
last fall in allowing the citizens of Travis County to vote on the issue of
bonds to help pay for right-of-way for the state of Texas turnpike project.
Some of that right-of- way money has already been turned over to the state
and other of it will be spent on sh 45 right-of-way. You called for an election
last fall, and the voters said quite clearly that they wished to issue bonds
knowing full well that that would mean an increase in taxes. And today we
come to the end of the line to actually approve that tax increase. The increase
that you've considered is largely to pay for improved mobility, which voters
have clearly said they want. The Austin area research organization, the real
estate council of Austin, the greater Austin chamber of commerce, the hispanic
chamber of commerce, capital area transportation coalition, and perhaps other
groups from which you will hear have endorsed this construction and the issuance
of bonds, all knowing full well that it will mean an increase in taxes. And
so I encourage you today to approve the tax rate that is set before you so
that we may continue making progress in mobility and in other essential services
to Travis County residents. Thanks very much.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> appreciate it.
>> thank you very much.
>> mr. Winsted. Would you like that one in the middle? Mr.
Jackson, how are you doing this morning?
>> good morning, judge. Good morning, commissioners.
>> good morning.
>> I want to thank each of you for your leadership and especially
your leadership on transportation issues in our area. Your recent efforts
to reach out to Williamson county and reate a mobility area mark a new era
in the whole central Texas region and I applaud you for those efforts. I'm
hear today to talk about your tax rate and about specifically the bond program
that was approved last November. Last November, through a whole series of
about a year, a number of road projects were identified and placed on the
ballot for voter approval. Residents supported it, the business community
supported it, the chamber supported it, reca supported it, and that program
provides a number of road improvements, safety improvements and bridge improvements
to residents of Travis County. The residents responded almost two to one that
all the bond issues were approved. Now it's time to pay for them and actually
get started. I'm here to encourage you to approve your -- the increase in
the taxes. Roads and infrastructure are vielghtses to the health of our community
-- vital to the health of our community and prosperity in our area. It's been
looked at and studied that we spend about an extra 50 hours a year stuck in
traffic. That's 50 hours a year that I could spend working, or more importantly,
spend time with my family, and I encourage you to help me get that time back.
This morning i'm here speaking as a resident, as a businessman in the area,
as a member of the chamber. I do encourage you to support the bond -- the
tax increase, which amounts to about $7.50 for just the road portion of it.
Less than the cost of going to a movie. And we all knew that when we passed
the bond package in November, and as tough as it is in election period and
all to talk about tax increases, I ask you to do this and support it and make
our area better. Thank you.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> good morning.
>> judge, members of the court. My name is neal kucera, i'm
a Travis County citizen and businessman in central texas. I want to thank
you for your diligent hard work in pursuit of improving transportation in
our community. I came to you with a number of other citizens asking for assistance
in that regard on a number of occasions, and you very diligently involved
yourself in the issues, did some outstanding work, and as a result of that
good work, we had the opportunity as citizens to vote on road projects. We
supported them. We appreciate your hard work there. Now we need to follow
up with the taxing steps to enable us to carry through on that project. I
urge you to move forward there. I'm fully supportive of that, and thank you
for your endeavor.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> judge Biscoe, members of the court, i'm pete winsted.
I'm very pleased to be here today. I've been -- led the era group and if greater
Austin chamber of commerce in the past and it's gratifying to me to see all
of these business groups sitting in the room today in front of the Travis
County commissioners thanking you for your participation in getting roadway
and transportation issues moving in our community. It has not been easy. And
let me say to you, in my four years as chair of the Texas turnpike authority,
a volunteer job for me, and boy, i've got a lot of time back now. [laughter]
and I know it's been very frustrating for you in the past dealing sometimes
with txdot, dealing with turnpike authority and others, but I think we slugged
our way through lots of local issues. And those of you who serve odd campo,
on that board, I appreciate your hard work, it's not been easy. I think we've
finally gotten to the point we're coming together around some critical infrastructure
that our citizens really want. I really applaud the courage you've shown in
stepping out there and making this happen. I think it's a great day for our
community. I just want to applaud you for what you've done and urge you to
vote for this budget and the tax increases. I think that's what people in
our community want, so thank you very much on my behalf.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> good morning, judge Biscoe, commissioners. My name is
kurt rudie, president of the real estate council of Austin this year. I'm
also a Travis County resident and a businessman in Austin. I also happen to
be on the board of envision central texas, which is a five-county regional
planning project, and overwhelmingly as president of reca and being involved
in the yes Travis County bond committee last fall, we have heard overwhelmingly
from our community that transportation and congestion in traffic is a tier
1 issue. I want to thank you for recognizing that, for having the courage
last fall to put the bonds on the ballot. As you know, they were overwhelmingly
passed. At the risk of sounding repetitive, it really is a great day in our
community and you deserve to be applauded. I also want to ask you to approve
the budget that I think is -- including the tax increase component of that
budget, which, as you've heard, has a relatively minor impact on the citizens
in this community to be applied for the debt service for additional roads
in our community. Thank you very much.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> I don't know if i'm next or not. Am I next? Well, I guess
i'm here to ask a question again, and I was here before, and i'm sorry, but
I did not understand - -
>> you are ms. Shoemaker.
>> shoemaker. Firms not reporting taxable property. If you
could explain to me how you can approve a budget today when you haven't taken
into consideration these firms not reporting taxable property. So could you
explain that? And who starts this process? Apparently there is somebody that's
not doing that should do it. I know I talked to people that live in other
states, and apparently -- well, one lady recently who just moved from illinois,
and they collected there. Are we behind the times or how does it start? Maybe
that's -- it's probably a logistical problem. I don't understand.
>> I think that the way we do our budget is the auditor certificates
revenue -- certifies revenue, like the amount of money we'll have coming in
over the next 12 months. Then we determine how we spend that money. Now, the
problem that surfaced recently requires legislation to fix.
>> can you do that?
>> no, ma'am. But we can work with our legislative delegation
so when the legislature comes to town in January of next year, we have some
legislation, a bill for them to consider that will fix this problem for the
entire county.
>> you the commissioners court have a bill. Is that what
you are telling me? Or who has the bill to present? I mean how does this start?
>> members of the legislature basically sponsor bills. And
this is a campaign issue, senatorial candidates, legislative candidates are
discussing this very issue now. But when the legislature gets to town, this
should be one of many bills.
>> but who starts this process? It's been going on for years.
I mean I still don't understand.
>> the state legislature, ma'am. You have a state representative
who represents you.
>> what is the average citizen do? I know that.
>> you can start by writing them a letter and say I would
really appreciate it if you would personally sponsor a bill to fix this particular
problem.
>> am I the only one that's concerned about this? One person
they will not listen to. You've got to give me some more techniques.
>> no, ma'am, you are not alone and we will be supporting
that kind of legislation, absolutely.
>> you only can support it.
>> yes, ma'am.
>> but somebody there has to start it.
>> they have to sponsor it, and they have to vote for it.
We do not have either of those authorities.
>> well, then what you can tell me is who is the most likely
person who want to start this? I am suspicious. I don't know. Who is the most
likely person? And then maybe I will -- I definitely will try to write that
person.
>> the way you get action is to contact your county judge,
which is Sam Biscoe, yours truly, your precinct commissioner, the letting
or the legislator who represents your districten a the senator, gonzalo barrientos.
All four are concerned about this problem that have surfaced and are eager
to try to solve it. I'm talking about one letter that you maybe send the original
to senator barrientos, and if you will copy the county judge, the commissioner
of the precinct where you reside.
>> that's me.
>> commissioner Sonleitner. And the legislator there.
>> the district is changing so we really --
>> who is that letter to? That might to be most important
one.
>> we'll help you figure that out.
>> i'm as eager as you to get something done. And so you
copy me, we'll make sure we keep you posted.
>> okay. One question I might put in the letter, how long
has this been going on? I would like to sound knowledgeable. How long have
you not presented tax bills to these people, these companies? How long, would
you say?
>> I guarantee you those people that they own property get
a large tax bill from Travis County.
>> but i'm talking about the -- this inventory. How long
have you not --
>> my guess is if you say forever, you are probably accurate.
>> too long.
>> okay. Thank you.
>> would you like a copy of this?
>> I would be happy to receive one. If you can leave that
one, that will be fine. We can send that back to you if you need --
>> I have it on my computer. But this just really bothers
me and I don't understand how -- nobody seems concerned but me.
>> ma'am, I think all of us are concerned. It's just we don't
have the right to introduce a bill at the state legislature. But we are going
to be supportive of this ever legislator decides to tackle this.
>> if you only say you are supportive, that's not taking
the first step. I've heard that --
>> we don't get to file --
>> I will take that first step.
>> good. Thank you.
>> and we'll let you know when and how.
>> let me shake your hand. [laughter]
>> thank you.
>> good morning, honorable judge Biscoe and commissioners.
Thank you for the opportunity to come and speak with you this morning. My
name is irene guzman, the executive director of keep Austin beautiful. And
i've come before you to make presentations about the success of our event
here in Travis County and to tell you about the wonderful things we're doing
in this community. Keep Austin beautiful has [inaudible] since 1985. We're
an award winning organization both nationally and statewide. This morning
i'm coming to you to ask you to support - - to pass the current budget for
Travis County. We are totally impressed with the support that Travis County
and the city gives us as an agency, as an environmental awareness agency,
and as an educational agency to encourage people to become environmentally
responsible as persons, personally. There are many communities across the
state, just one down the road that does not enjoy the support of their county
and of their city. And so we believe that we are many, many light years ahead
of other cities in support of this agency. We are asking for your support
and an increase in our budget this year to support the staffing of an individual.
We have not had an increase in this budget since 1989. And currently that
person is being paid $28,000 a year with no benefits. We are supporting this,
asking to you support this because we save the county -- for every dollar
that is given us, we make that into 20 or 30 spoals $30 per event. That's
our cost to benefit ratio. This past year we collected almost 65 tons of trash
and saved the city and the county over a million dollars in our cleanup events.
And so I just want to thank you for the support we've had in the past and
ask you for this increase. And I would like to answer any questions that you
might have at this time.
>> what does this person do?
>> this person is the person that does the logistics and
the implementation of the actual events that works with your representative
from Travis County, charles williams, goes out to the county parks, actually
does the get down and dirty part of it, the taking of the supplies, the tash
bags, the gloves. In addition we try to make our events encouraging and fun
for people that go to those events. We also serve them a meal and drinks and,
of course, water, and we sometimes when we can afford it we give them free
t-shirts, as you guys know. And that's the major job of this individual. This
person also does the education out in all the -- throughout Travis County.
>> this turns on volunteer effort to great extent?
>> pardon me?
>> your program turns on --
>> absolutely. We are a volunteer-driven organization. And
currently volunteers are very critical to the success of all communities across
the nation. In Texas alone, over -- I have some statistics on volunteers.
The number of people involved in volunteering work is equal to 9 million full-time
staff members. And so it is very good to encourage people to volunteer, but
organizations like ours that organize and implement the events and manage
the volunteer efforts are critical to the survival of our cities nationwide.
And volunteers run entire fire departments, police departments, so we believe
that the value of our volunteers is over $16 an hour, what it would cost to
pay someone to get out there and clean up a county park.
>> irene, I can imagine it's rather difficult to get somebody
to want to take that job with no benefits. We know here at the county that
that can add about 30% to the actual salary, bit it helps with retention.
>> that's absolutely right. And this is a really important
thing to me as the executive director because every time I get someone trained
and get them in there to do the job, they leave as soon as they get the experience.
And nine times out of ten it's usually a student fresh out of college. And
I mentor them and train them and then they leave. So if we want to continue
to do the good work that we do in the community, this is very critical.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> yes, sir.
>> good morning.
>> good morning.
>> thank you, judge Biscoe and commissioners for the opportunity
to visit with you this morning about the budget and the tax rate. In November
of 2001, by a two to one margin, voters overwhelmingly approved the bond package
that includes right-of-way for new transportation routes, safe bridges, adequate
drainage and much needed parks. I'm here today as a resident and a business
owner and a member of the board of directors of the greater Austin chamber
to encourage you to support the tax increase, as I do. It will be necessary
to pay off these bonds. You've already heard earlier speakers talk about the
fact that the average homeowner will face only $7.50 a month cost for this
tax rate to finance these bonds for these much needed improvements. Recent
growth estimates indicate that many of these road projects and more projects
beyond this will be needed just to maintain current service levels. These
projects will restore many hours to each of our daily lives and business activity.
They are critical. The citizens of Travis County have repeatedly stated that
traffic congestion is their number one concern, and I encourage you to support
this tax rate increase for this purpose, as I do. Most of all, I want to thank
each of you for your leadership in regional transportation planning. We are
at the chamber excited about the possibility that a regional mobility authority
represents for central texas. And the -- I think I can speak on behalf of
the chamber's board and staff of volunteers to say we are dedicated to the
regional infrastructure needs and look forward to working with each of you
to address our future growth. Thank you for your time.
>> thank you.
>> my name is fred helgelfelds.
>> thank you.
>> anybody else want to give testimony during this public
hearing, please give forward?
>> [inaudible] about the taxes and everything. Because hi
a restaurant for five years and they do tax your equipment and everything.
I pay almost $1,800 every year on that restaurant equipment t problem is is
a lot of property out there that's tax exempt. Dell computers, all these big
factories, they are the ones that are tax exempt. They give the tax credits
to them whenever they move into Austin and everything or wherever they move
into. Your realtors, you must pay them real good because if you ask the voters
to take a vote on all the road work and everything and then tell them you
are going to raise the tax rate, I think you would have a lot of people against
it. Because there's so much [inaudible] work out there from the counties and
everything. They don't fix neighborhoods or stuff like that. What's going
to happen, you are going to have a bunch of houses sitting at the capitol
being auctioned off, 700, 800 dollars a month, ain't going to pay their taxes
t tax rate is getting ridiculous as it is. Appraisals every day, goes up and
up and up. Mine jumped up $400 on appraisal. So you actually raised my tax
twice. Every time you raise the appraisal, the taxes go up. It keeps going
up every year more and more. People cannot afford to be raped like that. The
real estate people like it because they got real property, they are going
to add another $50 for the tax, another $100 for the rent. 2 to 3 thousand
dollars.
>> [inaudible].
>> but the young generation ain't going to be able to pay
this kind of money out and everything. I don't know if you got kids and everything,
you got to pay for this kind of stuff and everything. Williamson county, it
don't do any good to go up that because they pretty well do what they want
to do. Closed doors basically. But [inaudible] keep raising taxes and you
all say you ain't raising taxes, but it's been raised every year. Every time
that paper comes out, it's raised. So it ain't like it ain't been raised.
You need more than a [inaudible] dollars to put in that jail, that's ridiculous.
You ought to just tear it down and start over. Probably be cheaper. Pick them
up and throw them in jail for anything so it don't make any difference. I'll
talk about the other problem and everything. But raising taxes is my particular
problem. How many millions of dollars have you spent on that asap thing? Just
like the other day people getting -- I seen at brackenridge hospital on t.v.
That the [inaudible] going in there and picking up kids, they stay six months,
they've been abused six months. How do you [inaudible]. It's a money racket.
Everybody is trying to make a dollar, maybe a dollar, make a dollar. I know
you all get 70, 80 suppose thousand dollars a year. I remember when it used
to be volunteer up here. Seems like we got a lot better for our money. That's
what makes it good for the cities. My group moves out -- for five years I
paid taxes out there. We didn't get nothing out there for tax money. It just
don't make any sense how you all can raise taxes and everything. I got to
bite the bullet and pay the taxes in Williamson county. This has been going
on for years. Outrageous as it is, you can't [inaudible]. Everybody is going
to be sitting down there at the council building or down here in boxes trying
to live. Bring you all's realtor up here and -- [inaudible]. Next time make
you all look bad. The thing about it is, you all can't [inaudible] budget
where it's supposed to be, put the burden on us. It don't make any sense.
Making 500, 600, $700 a month in social security. Somebody lives in a $100,000
house, every year it goes up. I guarantee if you all put out the ballot, we're
going to raise your taxes 100% so we need to get these roads fixed, I don't
see nothing wrong with the roads. Maybe take an extra 30 minutes to get in.
Big deal. Just like at my place, [inaudible] just to get around the bend.
[inaudible] traffic put on one road and don't fix the problem. I don't think
raising taxes helps anybody. I think it only puts a burden on everybody by
raising taxes. Especially you all can't [inaudible] like this anyway. [inaudible]
when you are ready.
>> anybody else to give testimony during the public hearing
in item number 1? I move that the public hearing be closed.
>> second.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
Last Modified: Thursday, April 24, 2003 5:39 PM