The Forney City Council held their second public hearing for the proposed 2014 fiscal year (FY) $22.394 million budget. The public hearing was held during the City Council meeting on Tuesday night, September 3, 2013.
The Forney City Council members and the public once again heard from Director of Administrative Services Leigh Corson concerning the budget. [The presentation made by Director Corson and the proposed FY 2014 budget are available on the City of Forney's website.]
The City of Forney estimates an increase in property tax revenue but not because of an increase in the tax rate. The additional revenue will be generated from an increase in assessed valuations while the tax rate remains the same at $0.749020 per $100 valuation.
As previously reported by inForney.com, the City of Forney recently conducted a compensation study and plans to implement the study's results in the FY 2014 budget as presented in the proposed budget. The City of Forney contracted with Condrey and Associates who determined in order to bring each employee to a salary equivalent to 97% of their market counterparts, the city would need to pay an additional $388,198.
The compensation plan would essentially give every employee of the City of Forney a raise without raising the city's current tax rate. The city hopes bringing the salaries up to market values will improve recruitment and retention. According to the study, the Public Works Department was the most underpaid department and therefore recieved the highest percentage raise per employee.
The City of Forney is also proposing the addition of three new patrol officers to the Forney Police Department ($218,805), one part-time dispatcher ($23,244), a Parks Department technical specialist ($57,285), and a water quality technician ($54,944) in the Water Department. The Parks Department eliminated one full-time position and the cost of the new water quality technician position will be offset by the elimination of a construction inspector position. With the proposed new positions, the total number of people employed full-time by the City of Forney will rise to 121, along with two part-time employees.
Below is a list of General Fund expenditures by department for the City of Forney as proposed.
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The City of Forney is also proposing capital purchases equaling $223,850 funded by the Capital Purchases Fund. Included on the list is a new police cruiser ($47,100); projection screen for City Council Chamber ($3,900); a portable stage for special events ($12,500); ¾ ton pick-up truck, sod-cutter, utility bed, and mower for Parks Department (totaling $37,950); Police Department video server and wireless access point, dispatch screen replacements, and CAD workstation (totaling $13,400); replacement zero-turn mower ($35,000); and a replacement vehicle for Fire Department ($38,000).
Another item on the capital purchases list is the replacement of the leased video surveillance system at the Forney Community Park. The City will purchase new equipment for a total of $36,000 to be run by the technical specialist the Parks Department hopes to hire along with their other duties. According to Parks Director Richard Curry, the city will save money by buying the equipment and maintaining it themselves.
$75,000 will be given to the City of Forney Special Events Department for a fall concert series at the Mick Spellman Amphitheater at the Forney Community Park. An additional $10,000 is also marked for the expansion of the Forney Independence Day event.
Leigh Corson's presentation lists these items as “City wide achievements” for 2013:
The proposed FY 2014 budget and tax rate will be considered for adoption at the September 17, 2013, Forney City Council meeting at City Hall at 7:00 p.m.
The City of Forney estimates an increase in property tax revenue but not because of an increase in the tax rate. The additional revenue will be generated from an increase in assessed valuations while the tax rate remains the same at $0.749020 per $100 valuation.
As previously reported by inForney.com, the City of Forney recently conducted a compensation study and plans to implement the study's results in the FY 2014 budget as presented in the proposed budget. The City of Forney contracted with Condrey and Associates who determined in order to bring each employee to a salary equivalent to 97% of their market counterparts, the city would need to pay an additional $388,198.
The compensation plan would essentially give every employee of the City of Forney a raise without raising the city's current tax rate. The city hopes bringing the salaries up to market values will improve recruitment and retention. According to the study, the Public Works Department was the most underpaid department and therefore recieved the highest percentage raise per employee.
The City of Forney is also proposing the addition of three new patrol officers to the Forney Police Department ($218,805), one part-time dispatcher ($23,244), a Parks Department technical specialist ($57,285), and a water quality technician ($54,944) in the Water Department. The Parks Department eliminated one full-time position and the cost of the new water quality technician position will be offset by the elimination of a construction inspector position. With the proposed new positions, the total number of people employed full-time by the City of Forney will rise to 121, along with two part-time employees.
Below is a list of General Fund expenditures by department for the City of Forney as proposed.
The City of Forney is also proposing capital purchases equaling $223,850 funded by the Capital Purchases Fund. Included on the list is a new police cruiser ($47,100); projection screen for City Council Chamber ($3,900); a portable stage for special events ($12,500); ¾ ton pick-up truck, sod-cutter, utility bed, and mower for Parks Department (totaling $37,950); Police Department video server and wireless access point, dispatch screen replacements, and CAD workstation (totaling $13,400); replacement zero-turn mower ($35,000); and a replacement vehicle for Fire Department ($38,000).
Another item on the capital purchases list is the replacement of the leased video surveillance system at the Forney Community Park. The City will purchase new equipment for a total of $36,000 to be run by the technical specialist the Parks Department hopes to hire along with their other duties. According to Parks Director Richard Curry, the city will save money by buying the equipment and maintaining it themselves.
$75,000 will be given to the City of Forney Special Events Department for a fall concert series at the Mick Spellman Amphitheater at the Forney Community Park. An additional $10,000 is also marked for the expansion of the Forney Independence Day event.
Leigh Corson's presentation lists these items as “City wide achievements” for 2013:
- Completed a $1,590,000 early bond redemption for the 2008 Pass-Through Bond Series resulting in significant interest savings
- Achieved an upgrade in ISO rating form a 4 to a 2
- Received federal funding for two years to hire six new fire fighters
- Purchased and began installation of a state-of- the-art 700 MHZ public safety radio system to enhance radio communications and safety for the Police and Fire Departments 2014
- Began construction on the widening of FM 740
- Completed landscape and monument design for the medians of Ridgecrest Blvd
- Completed Phase II of the Eastside Drainage Project
- Completed Environmental and schematic design for the redesign of the Liberty Hill access ramps
- Received funding through the Green Ribbon Program for landscaping on FM 741
- Completed a comprehensive compensation study for all employees to improve recruitment and retention
- Began update of the Parks Master Plan
- Remodeled the unfinished portion of City Hall to provide increased office and work space
- Implemented a training program for employees (Forney University 2) to further develop communication and strategic leadership skills
- Implemented a new investment strategy to further diversify the portfolio and increase yield while maintaining liquidity and safety needs
- Completed an update to the Roadway Impact Study
The proposed FY 2014 budget and tax rate will be considered for adoption at the September 17, 2013, Forney City Council meeting at City Hall at 7:00 p.m.