2009-08-25 CC Minutes
City of Farmers Branch
City Council Meeting Minutes
City Council Chambers
13000 William Dodson Parkway
Farmers Branch, Texas
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Special Meeting
5:00 P.M.
The following members of the Council were present:
Mayor Tim O'Hare
Mayor Pro Tem David Koch
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Tim Scott
Councilmembers Harold Froehlich
Ben Robinson
Michelle Holmes
The following members of the Administration were present:
City Manager Gary D. Greer
City Secretary Cindee Peters
City Attorney Kevin Laughlin
Finance Director Charles Cox
Director of Parks and Rec. Jeff Fuller
City Engineer Jerry Murawski
Director of Community Services Michael Spicer
Director of Human Resources Kathy Shields
Director of Public Works Mark Pavageaux
Library Director Danita Barber
Director of Communications Tom Bryson
A.1 PUBLIC HEARING: TO CONSIDER ADOPTING A $0.5195 PROPERTY TAX RATE
AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Charles Cox, Director of Finance, explained a public hearing is being held to consider
adopting a 51.95-cent property tax rate for the 2009-10 fiscal year. In compliance with
the State Property Tax Code, the City Council passed a motion during the August 11,
2009 City Council meeting proposing that the City adopt a 51.95 cent property tax rate.
No tax rate was adopted at that meeting. Two public hearings regarding this proposal are
scheduled, one for tonight and one for September 1. Final property tax rate adoption is
scheduled during the City Council meeting on September 15, 2009.
Mayor O'Hare opened the public hearing.
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Mr. Rick Lyon, 3720 Wooded Creek, asked questions concerning the certificate of
obligations and which property was being purchased with these certificate of obligations.
He would like to see it used for the Four Corners area of Farmers Branch.
Mayor O'Hare stated the City could not reveal the location at this time but stated in the
near future citizens will be informed of the location.
A motion by Councilman Scott, a second by Mayor Pro Tern Koch, all voting "aye",
closed the public hearing.
A.2 DISCUSS SENIOR EXEMPTIONS.
The Mayor and Council have historically provided opportunities for residents of the city
to reduce their city property tax obligations. At the current time the City of Farmers
Branch allows a $60,000 over-65 property tax exemption for residential property owners
in the City. For 2009, property parcels receiving the over-65 exemption totaled 2,235 or
27% of the 8,224 residential parcels.
This exemption is in addition to the 20% homestead exemption that is allowed for owner-
occupied housing units.
At the proposed property tax rate of 51.95¢, this exemption will provide $689,564 in tax
savings to those over 65 years of age.
Looking at this in terms of the individual person over 65 computes the following savings:
An average over-65 residential homestead parcel's market value is $164,145. City
property taxes on this property (at the proposed 51.95¢ tax rate) would be $370.49 giving
a $17.83 increase over the average 2008-09 tax bill.
At the proposed tax rate, each $1,000 increase in the over-65 exemption would equate to
a $5.20 property tax reduction ($11,622 annual City revenue reduction). Over the past
five years, the average annual growth in parcels receiving an over-65 exemption has been
3%.
From a comparative standpoint, cities surrounding Farmers Branch offer over-65
exemptions in the following amounts:
Addison - $50,000
Carrollton - $60,000
Coppell - $75,000
Dallas - $64,000
_ Grapevine - $60,000
Lewisville - $60,000
Richardson - $55,000
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The Dallas Central Appraisal District must be notified by July 1St of each year if any
exemption changes are to be made prior to the tax roll certification date later in the month
of July. Therefore, a decision at this time to increase the senior exemption would be
reflected on the 2010-11 tax bill.
Mayor O'Hare stated he would like to see Farmers Branch raise the senior exemption
from $60,000 to $65,000.
After a brief discussion, a motion by Councilman Scott, a second by Councilman
Froehlich, all voting "aye", directed staff to prepare an ordinance granting the $65,000
homestead exemption to seniors.
MAYOR O'HARE ANNOUNCED THAT THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION WERE DISCUSSED AFTER THE 5:00 P.M. SPECIAL SESSION.
MAYOR O'HARE EXPLAINED THE CITY COUNCIL CONVENED INTO EXECUTIVE
SESSION AT 5:25 P.M. AND THEN CONCLUDED AT 6:29 P.M. TEXAS GOVERNMENT
CODE CHAPTER 551 OF THE OPEN PERSONNEL MATTERS, LAND ACQUISITION AND PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED
LITIGATION MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.
B.1 DISCUSS LAND ACQUISITIONS - TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION
551.072.
Discuss purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property in the following areas: for the
area generally bounded by Midway Road, Valwood Parkway and Beltline, 1-635 and
Denton Drive.
Mayor O'Hare explained the City Council was updated by Staff on this item.
B.2 CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE
SESSION.
Mayor O'Hare stated no action was necessary on items discussed in the executive
session.
B.3 ADJOURNMENT.
A motion by Councilman Froehlich, a second by Councilman Robinson, all voting "aye",
adjourned the City Council meeting of August 25, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
Tim O'Hare, Mayor Cindee Peters, City Secretary
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