08.07.2003 Town Council Minutes Work SessionMUM Minutes (approved 919103)
Work Session of the Prosper Town Council
601 South Church Street
lip Prosper First Baptist Church Children's Building (South Wing)
Thursday, August 7, 2003, 5:30pm
1. Call to Order / Roll Call.
;vlay;,r �iswa���ger called th!e meeting to order at 6:2ypri�.
Those present: Mayor Charles Niswanger, Ane Casady, Karie Dalton and Lisa Dritschler. Michael Perry arrived at 6:39pm.
Russell Kaker was not present.
Also present: Town Administrator Jennifer Finley, Police Chief Kirk Mcradin, Fire Chief Ronnie Tucker, Public Works Director Bili
Little, Court Clerk Amy Lightfoot, Parks & Recreation Co -Chairman Karen Williams and Town Secretary Amber Phillips
2. Discuss the ,proposed 2003.04 Fiscal Budget with Department Heads, including estimated Revenues, Expenditures
and various_ Worksheets related to the 2003.04 Budget Packet.
Mayor Niswanger requested that Lisa Dritschler facilitate the meeting.
Lisa Dritschler presented an overview of projected revenues and expenditures for 2003-2004. The expenditures were based on
the current level of funding (zero -based).
Mayor Niswanger asked Ms. Dritschler to explain what the proposed budget meant to the citizens. Ms, Dritschler advised that
$106,504.00 was available to be divided between all General Fund departments for any expenses above the current level of
funding while maintaining appropriate reserve funds. Council discussed various ways to divide the $106,504.00.
A lady in the audience asked the projected growth for the upcoming fiscal year as she contemplated relocating to Prosper, Mayor
Niswanger advised a projected growth of approximately 300 additional units for the upcoming fiscal year. The lady asked for an
exNlanation as In vagi udditivnui ytili^w min and rcmen racrc 11 iii�iudcd iii the prv. U buduet as proiectroii fvr the addiiionai,
projected citizens
Chief McFarlin explained that an additional police officer would be covered by the COPS Grant. Chief Tucker explained that the
Fire Department was "thin" even with the volunteers. The volunteers live, for the most part, in cities other than Prosper. Chief
Tucker also indicated there had been an increase in calls and felt that the number of calls would only increase more in the
upcoming year.
The lady expressed concern regarding the limited staff responsible for handling both Fire and EMS service. She felt that a portion
of the $106,504.00 would be better used to fund an additional frefighterlparamedic rather than the items proposed by Council,
such as "Council Training", "Parks & Recreation Shortfalls" or changing the official Town newspaper to the Dallas Morning News,
In light of the limited Staff, she felt that an additional employee could significantly impact saving/protecting a life which she felt to
be more important.
Mayor Niswanger explained that the citizens were not willing to pay for it last year, as indicated by the Tax Rollback Election. In
order to deliver that level of service, the citizens would have to be willing to pay for it.
Lisa Dritschler explained that changing the official newspaper from the McKinney Courier Gazette to the Dallas Moming News
would increase the cost by 67% but would also increase communications with the citizens and could result in better qualified
bidders on various projects.
Council discussed the possibility of deferring payments on a new bond in the upcoming year. A bond would fund needed sewer
infrastructure and interim municipal facilities. The Mayor explained the current sewer situation, as well as the urgency involved
with the current Police and Administration facilities situation.
Chief Tucker questioned salaries and salary increases in relation to the proposed budget, Ms. Dritschler explained that salary
increases were not included in her proposal.
Lisa Dritschler stated that the proposed budget was a new process and would be a living document that could be changed and
amended throughout the year by Council.
3. Adjourn.
Motioned by Ane Casady and seconded by Karie Dalton to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Vote 4 to 0.
Mayor Niswanger adjourned the meeting at 7:39pm.
40,
Douglas Mousel, Interim Town Secretary JMayorKNiswanaW�'
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