The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2022-09-20 2:00PM PUBLIC HEARINGZ ?? p t i.j: 02 BRAZOS COUNTY BRYAN, TEXAS PUBLIC HEARING BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 AT 2:00 P.M. IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 200 SOUTH TEXAS AVENUE, SUITE 106, BRYAN, TEXAS 77803 The Court will hear comments on the Proposed Tax Increase for 2022. Interested parties are invited to attend said hearing and present their cause, if any, for or against the tax increase for 2022. Consider and take action on agenda items: 1 - 2 1. Resolution 22-020 levying a tax rate for Brazos County for Tax Year 2022. 2. Ratification of the property tax increase due to the adoption of a budget that will require more revenue from property taxes than in the previous year. The Brazos County Administration Building, 200 South Texas Avenue, Suite 106, Bryan, TX is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made two working days before the meeting. To make arrangements, please call (979) 361-4102. MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT PUBLIC HEARING Call to Order A Public Hearing of the Commissioners' Court of Brazos County, Texas was held in the Brazos County Commissioners Courtroom in the Administration Building, 200 South Texas Avenue, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 with the following members of the Court present: Duane Peters, County Judge, Presiding; Steve Aldrich, Commissioner of Precinct 1, Absent; Russ Ford, Commissioner of Precinct 2, Absent; Nancy Berry, Commissioner of Precinct 3; Irma Cauley, Commissioner of Precinct 4; Karen McQueen, County Clerk. The attached sheets contain the names of the citizens and officials that were in attendance. The Court will hear comments on the Proposed Tax Increase for 2022. Interested parties are invited to attend said hearing and present their cause, if any, for or against the tax increase for 2022. Consider and take action on agenda items: 1 - 2 1. Resolution 22-020 levying a tax rate for Brazos County for Tax Year 2022. 2. Ratification of the property tax increase due to the adoption of a budget that will require more revenue from property taxes than in the previous year. Judge Peters called the meeting to order and then invited members of the public to speak on the Proposed Tax Increase. Vol, pg. �108 Mike Southerland encouraged the Court to reduce the proposed rate to the no new revenue rate. Jody Quimby pleaded with the Court to consider hardships citizens are facing during such an economically turbulent time. He asked that the County Judge and Commissioners discuss a rate closer to the no new revenue rate. Mr. Quimby also discussed concerns over the present Court members response to the absent Court members at the regular Commissioners Court meeting on September 13, 2022. Judge Peters expressed his belief that Commissioner Aldrich and Commissioner Ford have been intentionally absent in order to force the no new revenue rate on the County. Judge Peters and Commissioner Berry explained the hardships the County will face moving forward if the no new revenue rate is adopted. Auditor Katie Conner explained that the $80 million in fund balance that has been referenced as the "rainy day fund", is not an accurate balance in that account at this time. General Counsel Bruce Erratt then clarified the County's bill payment process to ensure misinformation was not spread. Wanda Watson, a 42 year resident of Brazos County stated that she believes elected officials are elected into their positions in order to represent the citizens. She asked that the Court find a way to work together to do good work on behalf of the Brazos County citizens and also implored the absent Commissioners to show up to do their jobs. Susan Lucas asked that the Court adopt the no new revenue rate. Ms. Lucas stated that many people in the community have approached her to thank her for speaking out in favor of the no new revenue rate. Jerome Rectorik explained that while nobody enjoys paying taxes, it is necessary in order for the County to maintain the services that the citizens expect and appreciate. Mr. Rectorik called Commissioner Aldrich and Commissioner Ford irresponsible and asked that they show up to do their duties. Jeremy Osborne stated that if there is a way to cut taxes, that would be ideal however, the budget needs to be funded. Mr. Osborne then expressed his belief that not showing up to pass the tax rate is unprofessional and unethical. Derek Gentry with the Brazos Valley Community Actions Program, works to assist lower income citizens with rent and utilities. Mr. Gentry is against raising taxes at this time, as he stated, this will increase struggle among low income families during these hard economical times. Jay Meador, Financial Fitness Instructor also expressed his concerns over raising taxes and the effects it could have on low and middle income families. Mr. Meador offered to assist in mediating the tax rate between the present Court members and the absent Commissioners. Judge Peters and Commissioner Berry stated that the absent Commissioners would need to show up in order to reach a compromise. Julie Schultz shared her displeasure of Commissioner Aldrich and Commissioner Ford for not showing up to multiple meetings. Ms. Shultz sympathized with the difficulties of creating a budget and implored the citizens to become more involved .in the process to gamer a better understanding of the budget in its entirety. Vol. 37(,o Pg• Raq Charles Mancuso stated that the Court should adopt a lower tax rate while also strengthening the County's law enforcement presence. Shauna Cox expressed her gratitude to Commissioner Aldrich and Commissioner Ford for protesting the proposed tax rate. Ms. Cox asked that the Court work together to find a solution. Judge Peters and Commissioner Berry responded that the Workshop held prior to the Public Hearing was requested by the absent Commissioners and the intention was to discuss a potential compromise at that time. Budget Analyst Nina Payne explained the budget preparation process and all of the time and effort put in to building the budget. Ms. Payne stated that she and Auditor Katie Conner went through the budget requests line item by line item to cut anything unnecessary and to allocate funding for the necessities. They brought the list to the Commissioners Court beginning in June to get determinations from the Court on which items they wished to see in the FY2023 Budget. She stated that ultimately, the Court as a whole decided which items would be placed into the Budget and which items would be cut. Once that Budget was made, additional funding was needed to balance it. Judge Peters, Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Cauley commended Ms. Payne and Ms. Conner on the excellent job that was done in preparing the FY2023 Budget. Hollie Gardner shared her disappointment in Commissioner Aldrich and Commissioner Ford for their absence. She stated that they get paid a great deal and asked that they show up to do their jobs. Chuck Konderla built six budgets as a City Council member and one budget as a Commissioner. He explained that experience has given him insight into the difficulties of building a budget. Mr. Konderla stated that all five Court members worked for months to build the FY2023 budget and he believes it is unethical for any members to intentionally be absent in order to boycott adopting the tax rate. He believes if adopted, the no new revenue rate will negatively impact the County for years to come. In closing, Commissioner Berry stated that everything that needed to be said, was said at this meeting. Commissioner Cauley thanked the public for their honesty and encouraged them to attend future meetings. The County Judge adjourned the Public Hearing at 3:10 p.m. 'Vol: 3 7 jo pg.. 170 The foregoing minutes of the Commissioners Court Public Hearing held September 201 2022 have been examined and are approved in open Court this the 1Ith day of October 2022, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. Duane Peters County Judge Qn Russ Ford Commissioner, Precinct 2 Irm au e 9ii2 Commissioner, Precin Attest: Karen McQueen County Clerk - N 6"s ef) — Steve Aldrich Commissioner, Precinct 1 Nancy Berry Commissioner, Precinct 3 E 37 io Pg. 171 Pg /of� BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONER' S COURT D, AY OF AU Name �- NAIr;-A �t 'R� ��Jl Organization (PLEASE PRINT) L� I - E 3 7 (O Pg. 17 Z Pg Z- of 3 Name (PLEASE PRINT) BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT DAY OF 20� �-� AMyo �c- &)-y a.V6 fv\v(,5s0 ( ,aykG,' A - LAVto�-I—brkv1s M -RED )TH S EAV 0' P r Organization (PLEASE PRINT) Q.i T i 7 2 rl 1+ � t !� � �� r� 1 • 1 T'4E- L-AOUF NEWSP&PEP- C� �Q/YtM • pGcf T— (..we Mn` • Coct,- F Vol. 3 W ro pg. 173 Pg _ of 3 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONER' S COURT oZ� DAY UD OF 20 � _AN, /PM (PLEASE PRINT) lnV1 U� 1, ., A( NW t (,JA cy 1: e ivl �.�nCL) v Organization (PLEASE PRINT) 1LVT/ cc,, . IA2�� ►r�.s uRch 13v CA / / /7edn O CSD (�+�z,C,U-1 Val.. 37 .. 17q