New staff, facilities included in budgets

New staff, facilities included in budgets

Written by Kara Vaught Sunday, 07 October 2007

Cedar Park and Leander will each add about 20 city staff positions in fiscal year 2007-2008 as both respond to an increased demand for services due to growth.

The tax rate in Cedar Park dropped one cent to $0.50807 per $100 of assessed value, while Leander increased to $0.607591. Property tax revenues in each will increase this year through higher valuations and the opening of businesses such as H-E-B Plus! in Leander, which opened last budget year, and 1890 Ranch in Cedar Park.

Cedar Park budget

Joyce Herring, finance director for Cedar Park, said the new budget includes $1,065,932 for five new police officers, six firefighters, a dispatcher, code enforcement officer and the related vehicles, equipment and supplies.

Other new hires will include a budget manager, purchasing manager, court operations supervisor, project manager, maintenance worker, crew leader and a part-time library assistant.

Also, a compensation study conducted resulted in raises for many city employees in this budget at a cost of $639,635.

“This was done to stay competitive in the marketplace as far as salaries and titles are concerned,” said Melanie Kliebert, communications director for Cedar Park.

The fire department received considerable attention in this budget. In addition to six new firefighters, the city will purchase a combination engine and ladder truck. Fire Station 4 will also be opened, equipped and staffed this year.

On the administrative side, the city will spend $228,000 to purchase new finance, human resources and payroll software.

“The software is expected to dramatically increase both effectiveness and efficiencies in those areas,” Kliebert said. “Many tasks that are performed manually will be automated. All of these modules will work together and will also allow for greater collaboration and streaming of work flow between the departments.”

Copies of Cedar Park’s budget may be requested at the City of Cedar Park City Hall, 600 N. Bell Blvd.

Cedar Park tax rate

During 2007-2008, the owner of a $100,000 home will pay $508.07 in city property taxes, down $10 from last year. Taxes on a $250,000 home will be $1,270.18, down $25. However, because home values have increased, most homeowners will pay more in taxes this year than last year.

Leander budget

Leander will add 18 new employees in 2007-2008, including four police officers, two dispatchers, four firefighters, three parks maintenance workers, one full and two part-time street maintenance workers, a purchasing agent and one human resources administrator.

“The City of Leander is in such a growth mode at the current time that it is difficult to give the level of service that is expected by the citizens without the manpower needed to produce that service,” said finance director Sharon Johnson.

Also notable in the budget is money for the construction of a four-lane undivided urban roadway to extend CR 273 from RM 2243 to CR 274. The project, known as the San Gabriel T, is a partnership between Leander and the Texas Department of Transportation.

The road will run through the transit-oriented development, providing additional access to Capital Metro’s rail line, scheduled to begin service in 2008. The total cost is estimated at $5,037,500, with Leander’s contribution totaling $1,007,500. Johnson said the city anticipates developers to cover that amount.

For water and utilities, the council authorized $9.2 million in certificates of obligation for the North Brushy Creek Interceptor and the new Regional Water Treatment Plant, a project in partnership with Cedar Park and Round Rock.

Copies of the budget may be requested at the Leander City Hall, 200 W. Willis St.

Leander tax rate

The penny increase from last year means that the owner of a $100,000 home will pay $607.59 in city property taxes this budget year, up $9.29 from last year. The taxes on a $250,000 home will be $1,518.98, up $23.23 from last year.

Leander's fiscal year - 2007-2008 budget

• General Fund — $12,524,659
  • City administration and services
• Utility Fund — $9,782,222
  • Costs of providing water and wastewater services
• Golf Course — $1,285,025
  • Operating costs of the Golf Course at Crystal Falls
• General Fund Debt Service — $6,282,172
  • Debt and interest on items from the General Fund
• Utility Fund Capital Projects — $6,344,389
  • Water and sewer extensions and expenses of the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority
• General Fund Capital Projects — $5,882,748
  • Street and drainage projects and the bond approved last November for the new public safety building, communications system and fire equipment
• Special, Restricted Revenue — $94,250
  • Must be used for the stated purpose, i.e. the Park Dedication Fund
• Total budget — $42,195,465
• Last year’s total budget — $40,859,839

Projected 2007-2008 revenues — $38,707,541

Last year’s revenues — 64,164,934*

Projected top three revenue sources:

• Property taxes — $7,954,172
• Building permits — $1,800,000
• Sales tax — $1,493,513

* Last years revenues included about $30 million in certificates of obligation.

Cedar Park's fiscal year - 2007-2008 budget

• General Fund— $27,266,458
  • Includes city administration and services such as the library, parks, police and fire service.
• General Obligation Debt Service — $8,031,405
  • The debt and interest for items such as streets, parks and the justice center.
• Utility Fund — $23,389,951
  • Operating costs of providing water and wastewater service to residents living within the city limits and services by city utilities.
• Utility Debt Service — $5,741,245
  • The debt and interest for utility infrastructure such as storm sewers and water lines.
• Hidden Valley — $80,000
  • The maintenance and services on several homes the city owns near the YMCA on Little Elm. The homes were rented in past years, but are now vacant.
• Vehicle and Equipment Service — $1,275,500
  • An internal service fund that covers maintenance and replacements costs for city vehicles such as police cruisers.
• Occupancy Tax Fund — $178,200
  • Guests pay a tax when they stay in the three area lodging places. The city uses a portion of the money collected from this tax to pay for marketing to promote tourism.
• 4A Corporation — $3,751,223
  • The money collected from the city’s 1 cent sales tax, which the city collects and then gives to the corporation. It is used for economic development projects such as incentives to businesses. The 4A Corporation gets half of each cent.
• 4B Corporation — $3,550,834
  • The money collected from the city’s 1 cent sales tax, which the city collects and then gives to the corporation. It is used for economic development such as streets, transportation, parks and entertainment projects. The 4B Corporation gets half of each cent.
• Grant/Restricted — $152,738
  • Grants or funds that are restricted for only the stated purpose, such as park dedication.
• Total budget — $73,417,554
• Last year’s total budget — $65,863,435

Projected revenues — $25,516,577

Last year’s revenues — $22,170,400

Major sources of projected revenue:

• Increased sales tax collections — $6,624,111
  • The amount increased 20 percent from last year’s estimate due to the growth in the commercial tax base, including 1890 Ranch.
• Property taxes — $7,632,053
  • The amount increased 12 percent over last year’s estimate due to new properties and increased valuations.
• Building permits — $1,750,000
  • The amount is the same as last year.
• Franchise fees — $2,665,000
  • The amount paid by service providers such as electric companies for use of city streets and materials.

Note: The monies defined as revenue are allocated to cover the expenses of the general fund operating budget.