What you need to know
The proposed property tax rate for FY 2023-24 is $0.1577 per $100 valuation, an increase from the previous budget's rate of $0.1504 per $100 valuation. This wOULD mean an almost $500,000 increase in property tax revenue, or 10.76% increase, according to agenda documents.
Total general fund revenue for FY 2023-24 is slated at $9.16 million with total expenses set at $8.4 million for a surplus of $753,741, according to the proposal.
Zooming in
The city's revenue sources are as follows:The city's expenditures are as follows:What else?
Mayor Linda Anthony said police Chief Scott Gerdes will be asking for a revision of the police department's salary matrix to remain competitive in the job market and retain officers, which will be a “sizeable request.”
"We do not have a matrix or a guaranteed salary increase for our administrative staff; we do for [the police department]," Anthony said. "It's an unequal and unfair situation."
Anthony added she'd like for there to be something similar in place for administrative staff to ensure retention and competitiveness. She added no administrative or police staff live in West Lake Hills, meaning there are sizable commutes for employees.
"It only seems fair if we're going to do a matrix with a guaranteed salary increase for the police side not to do something similar for admin,” Anthony said. "I don't want to create more disparity. ... There needs to be more of an equality approach to how we compensate staff.”
What's next?
Discussions are slated to continue at council meetings Aug. 9 and 23 and Sept. 6; there will be public hearings Sept. 6 and 13 for resident input.
The council will then adopt the budget and property tax rate at its Sept. 13 meeting.
