Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEPTEMBER 14, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING 5:30 PM CHARLOTTE M.MOSES,MAYOR RONALD BURTON,CPM THOMAS KINLAW,III City of CITY MANAGER MAYOR PRO TEM CHRISTE WHITLEY NED,TRMC COUNCIL MEMBERS: CITY SECRETARY TAYLOR L. EMBERS GETWOOD n r t r t h u r eXas CAL J.JONES ROXANN PAIS COTRONEO WARREN PENA CITY ATTORNEY KAALA JACOBS DONALD FRANK,SR. AG EN DA City Council Special Meeting Monday, September 14, 2026 5:30 PM CT The City Council of the City of Port Arthur will conduct a special meeting scheduled for Monday, September 14, 2026, at 5:30 PM CT, by teleconference and videoconference, in addition to allowing in-person attendance. A quorum of the City Council will be physically present in the City Council Chamber, Fifth Floor, City Hall, 444 Fourth Street, Port Arthur, Texas. The public may participate in the meeting in person or by dialing one of the following Zoom toll-free numbers and entering the meeting ID: 892 8698 5751 and passcode: 323354 (877) 853-5247 US Toll Free (888) 788-0099 US Toll Free In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, the City of Port Arthur will offer reasonable accommodations for individuals attending City Council meetings. To ensure better service, requests must be submitted at least 24 hours before the meeting. Please contact the City Secretary's Office at (409) 983-8115. Website: http•//www.portarthurtx.gov City Council Special Meeting City Hall Council Chamber City Of Port Arthur September 14, 2026 5:30 PM PLEASE TURN OFF OR MUTE ALL MOBILE DEVICES I. INVOCATION, PLEDGE & ROLL CALL Mayor Moses Mayor Pro Tern Kinlaw, III Councilmember Getwood Councilmember Jones Councilmember Pena Councilmember Jacobs Councilmember Frank, Sr. City Manager Burton, CPM City Secretary Ned, TRMC City Attorney Pais Cotroneo Police Chief Duriso Or Designee II. WORKSHOP To Discuss the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. III. PUBLIC HEARINGS — 6:00 PM (1) To Receive And Consider Public Comment(s) From All Interested Citizens With Regard To The Budget For The City Of Port Arthur And The Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation For The Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2026, And Ending September 30, 2027. A Copy Of A Summary Of The Proposed Operating Budgets For The City Of Port Arthur And The Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Is Attached Hereto And Made A Part Hereof As Exhibit "A". Citizens Shall Have The Opportunity To Provide Written And Oral Comments And To Ask Questions Concerning The Budgets. The Public Will Also Be Able To View The Public Hearing Via The City's Website At www.portarthurtx.gov. 1 AGENDA SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 III. PUBLIC HEARINGS — 6:00 PM — CONTINUED THE BUDGET WILL RAISE MORE TOTAL PROPERTY TAXES THAN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET BY $1,374,504 OR 4.66% AND OF THAT AMOUNT, $308,426 IS TAX REVENUE TO BE RAISED FROM NEW PROPERTY ADDED TO THE TAX ROLL THIS YEAR. Taxpayer Impact Statement Year Median-Valued Tax Rate Per$100 of Value Estimated (Tax Year) Homestead Property Tax Bill FY 2025-2026 (TY 2025) $90,822 Adopted 2025 Tax Rate: $559.21 $0.615724 FY 2026-2027 (TY 2026) $100,440 2026 No New Revenue Tax$576.75 Rate: $0.574221 FY 2026-2027 (TY 2026) $100,440 proposed 2026 Tax Rate $616.18 Based On The Proposed Budget For 2026-27: $0.613482 (2) To Receive And Consider Public Comments For All Interested Citizens With Regard To The City Of Port Arthur's Proposed Tax Rate For The 2026 Tax Year. A Tax Rate Of $0.613482 Per $100 Valuation Has Been Proposed By The Governing Body Of The City Of Port Arthur. PROPOSED TAX RATE $0.613482 per $100 NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE $0.574221 per $100 VOTER-APPROVAL TAX RATE $0.613482 per $100 The No-New-Revenue Tax Rate Is The Tax Rate For The 2026 Tax Year That Will Raise The Same Amount Of Property Tax Revenue For The City Of Port Arthur From The Same Properties In Both The 2025 Tax Year And The 2026 Tax Year. The Voter-Approval Rate Is The Highest Tax Rate That The City Of Port Arthur May Adopt Without Holding An Election To Seek Voter Approval Of The Rate. 2 AGENDA SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 III. PUBLIC HEARINGS — 6:00 PM — CONTINUED The Proposed Tax Rate Is Greater Than The No-New-Revenue Tax Rate. This Means That The City Of Port Arthur Is Proposing To Increase Property Taxes For The 2026 Tax Year. The Proposed Tax Rate Is Not Greater Than The Voter-Approval Tax Rate. As A Result, The City Of Port Arthur Is Not Required To Hold An Election At Which Voters May Accept Or Reject The Proposed Tax Rate. However, You May Express Your Support For Or Opposition To The Proposed Tax Rate At This Public Hearing. The Public Will Also Be Able To View The Public Hearing Via The City's Website At www.portarthurtx.gov. YOUR TAXES OWED UNDER ANY OF THE RATES MENTIONED ABOVE CAN BE CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS: Property Tax Amount = (Tax Rate) X (Taxable Value Of Your Property)/100. IV. *CLOSED MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION) The City Council Will Now Go Into Closed/Executive Session Pursuant To The Following Sections Of Chapter 551, Texas Government Code: 1. Section 551.071 (Legal Advice) and Section 551.087 (Economic Development) - Central Mall. V. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING *************************************************** NOTE: If The Meeting Extends Past 11:59 PM, The City Council May Elect To Recess The Meeting And Reconvene At 10:00 AM On September 15, 2026. During The Recess, No Action Will Be Taken On Any Item Of Remaining Business And No Executive Sessions Will Be Held To Discuss Any Matters, All In Accordance With The Open Meetings Law. *************************************************** 3 EXHIBIT"A" ALL FUNDS SUMMARY FY 26-27 Proposed Revenues Expenditures GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS General Fund $ 95,657,330 $ 95,657,330 Debt Service Fund 19,335,236 19,335,236 GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS 114,992,566 114,992,566 ENTERPRISE FUNDS Water and Sewer Fund 52,206,039 52,206,039 Water andSewerTWDB 31,265,166 31,265,166 Water and Sewer Capital Project 45,276,684 45,276,684 Solid Waste Fund 22,035,465 22,035,465 Pleasure Island Fund 6,512,591 6,512,591 ENTERPRISE FUNDS 157,295,945 157,295,945 INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS Hospitalization Insurance Fund 15,379,650 15,379,650 Worker's Compensation Fund 1,500,000 1,500,000 Other Employee Benefits Fund 166,900 166,900 General Liability Insurance Fund 4,095,508 4,095,508 INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS 21,142,058 21,142,058 SPECIAL FUNDS Municipal Court Technology&Building Fund 30,000 30,000 Home Grant 783,919 783,919 Housing Programs Fund 190,000 190,000 Community Development Block Grant 1,523,205 1,523,205 Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund 5,686,796 5,686,796 Regulatory Enforcement - - Police Special Fund(Grants) 581,981 581,981 Police Special Fund 182,000 182,000 Commercial Traffic Enforcement 26,500 26,500 FEMA-Harvey 10,000 10,000 CDBG-Disaster Recovery 15,350,000 15,350,000 Hazard Mitigation 22,400,000 22,400,000 American Rescue Plan Fund 9,827,131 9,827,131 Health Grants 3,219,587 3,219,587 TX Treasury Opioid Trust Fund 137,000 137,000 Texas Park&Wildlife - - Library Special Fund - - Library Grant - - Golf Course Fund 174,631 174,631 Transit Operating Fund 17,541,809 17,541,809 TCEQ SEP Fund -Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 102,642 102,642 SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 77,767,201 77,767,201 CAPITAL FUNDS Capital Improvement Fund 65,475,200 65,475,200 Capital Reserve Fund 7,484,371 7,484,371 CAPITAL FUNDS 72,959,571 72,959,571 SUBTOTAL ALL FUNDS MINUS EDC 444,157,341 444,157,340 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FUNDS EDC Fund 16,161,569 16,161,569 EDC Debt Service - - EDC Revolving Loan 50,000 50,000 ECONOMIC CORPORATION FUNDS 16,211,569 16,211,569 TOTAL FUNDS 460,368,910 460,368,909 PUBLIC NOTICE Is Hereby Given That The City Council May Elect To Go Into Executive Session At Any Time During The Meeting In Order To Discuss Any Matters Listed On The Agenda, When Authorized By The Following Chapter 551 Of The Texas Government Code: 1. Section 551.071, Seeking The Advice Of Its Attorney About Pending Or Contemplated Litigation, Settlement Offers, Or Any Matter In Which The Duty Of The Attorney To The City Council Under The Texas Disciplinary Rules Of Professional Conduct Of The State Bar Of Texas Clearly Conflicts With The Texas Open Meetings Act 2. Section 551.072, Deliberating The Purchase, Exchange, Lease Or Value Or Real Property If Deliberation In An Open Meeting Would Have A Detrimental Effect On The Position Of The City In Negotiations With A Third Party 3. Section 551.073, Deliberating A Negotiated Contract For A Prospective Gift Or Donation To The City If The Deliberation In An Open Meeting Would Have A Detrimental Effect On The City's Position In Negotiations With A Third Person 4. Section 551.074, Deliberating The Appointment, Employment, Evaluation, Reassignment, Duties, Discipline, Or Dismissal Of A Public Officer Or Employee; Or To Hear A Complaint Or Charge Against An Officer Or Employee Under The Officer Or Employee Who Is The Subject Of The Deliberation Or Hearing Request A Public Hearing 5. Section 551.076, Deliberating The Deployment Or Specific Occasions For Implementation Of Security Personnel Or Devices 6. Section 551.087, Discussing Or Deliberating Commercial Or Financial Information That The City Has Received From A Business Prospect That The City Seeks To Have Locate, Stay, Or Expand In Or Near The City And With The City Is Conducting Economic Development Negotiations; Or Deliberating The Offer Or A Financial Or Other Incentive To A Business Prospect 7. Section 551.089, Deliberating Security Assessments Or Deployments Relating To Information Resources Technology, Network Security Information, Or The Deployment Or Specific Occasions For Implementations Of Security Personnel, Critical Infrastructure, Or Security Devices *The Items In Executive Session May Be Discussed And Acted On In Open Session 4 a�po t.. RULES OF DECORUM * 'I'' ERSONS ADDRESSING COUNCIL • TEXAS ' & AUDIENCE MEMBERS These guidelines are in accordance with the City Ordinances Sec. 2-74 and Sec. 2-75. O RECOGNITION BY © 0 ADDRESSES AFTER MOTION AL% PRESIDING OFFICER MADE OR PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED lirNo person shall address the Council No member of the public shall address the without first being recognized by Council on the matter under consideration the Presiding Officer. without first securing permission to do so Sec.2-75. by majority vote of the City Council. Sec.2-75. Q SPEAKER REQUESTS IF name Step up to the microphone,state your 0 CAMPAIGN SPEECHES name and address,the subject you wish PROHIBITED Cn to discuss,and whom you represent(if • applicable).Unless further time is granted . • << No one may make campaign speeches by majority vote,limit remarks to for or against any candidate or issue five minutes.Address the council as already ordered on a ballot for a whole.No discussion or questioning election. without permission of the Presiding Officer. Sec.2-75. Sec.2-75. © 0 DISORDERLY CONDUCT IN AGENDA ITEMS No hand clapping,stamping of feet, After a motion,second and discussion ��� whistling,profane language,yelling, on any specific agenda item,the r or similar demonstrations that Presiding Officer shall recognize any disturb the peace and good order citizen wishing to address the council of the meeting. on such item for three minutes. Sec.2-75. Sec.2-73. Q IMPROPER REFERENCES& LIMITATIONS ON USE OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT N , SUPPLEMENTAL LIGHTING Personal,impertinent,slanderous, �� " Use supplemental lighting for cameras derogatory,discourteous,snide, in accordance wth creates the least profane remarks or disorderly conduct interferencs or disturbance of Council will not be tolerated and may result in proceedings and/or discomfort removal from the meeting. to the public. Sec.2-75. Sec.2-75. ENFORCEMENT OF DECORUM RESPECT RULES OF PROCEDURE AWARNING-All persons shall,at the FOCUSED request of the Presiding Officer, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT da, The City Secretary shall make public, be silent.Sec.2-76. A rj— in accordance with the Texas Open ,,'wilts uu 4u r hu/1uty us 0— Meetings Law,an agenda containing 11. REMOVAL-If a person persists in maintain a'cespedlal \ all business to be discussed at a disturbing the meeting,the Presiding and poa'actLve meetin9. meeting of the City Council. Officer may order removal by the Sergeant-at-arms.Sec.2-76. • Persons Requesting To Be Heard 0 RESISTING REMOVAL-Any person On Agenda Items-After a motion, who resists removal by the Sergeant- mat second and discussion by the city at-arms shall be charged with violating i ir council on any specific agenda item, V.T.C.A.,Penal Code 42.05.Sec.2-76. and before a vote is taken,the ••• MOTIONS TO ENFORCE-Any Councilmember presidingitieni hi g tr shall recognize any . may move to require the Presiding Officer to citizen wishing for address the council enforce this division;the affirmative vote of aAI on such item a period of three majority of the Council shall require him to do so. minutes.Sec.2-73. Sec.2-76. IIYour participation is valued.Please help us keep our meetings respectful,orderly and focused on the business of the City of Port Arthur.