Boerne council approves financial reports, public‑records ordinance, 10‑year plan and gas main change order

The Boerne City Council met March 11, 2025, and approved several items by unanimous votes, including receipt of the city's annual comprehensive financial report and popular annual financial report, adoption (first reading) of an ordinance implementing House Bill 3033 on vexatious public‑information requesters, adoption of the 2025 rolling 10‑year plan and authorization for a change order on the East Loop Natural Gas Main Phase 2 project.

Why it matters: the actions formalize the city's audited financial position and public‑records procedures, confirm strategic priorities for capital projects, and authorize additional construction spending on a gas distribution main that city staff said addresses recent winter peak demand issues.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items 4a'4c): motion by Councilor Macaluso, second by Councilman Scott; vote 4'00 to approve.

- Receive Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (fiscal year ended 9/30/2024): motion made to receive the audit prepared by ABIP (lead audit partner Janet Pittman); second from Councilor Macaluso; vote 4'00 to receive the report. The independent auditors issued an unmodified opinion and reported no internal control deficiencies or noncompliance with laws and regulations.

- Receive Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR, FY 2023'24): motion to receive and approve; second by Councilman Scott; vote 4'00 to receive the PAFR.

- Ordinance (first reading) amending City Code, Chapter 2, Article 4 (records management) to add a public information request policy adopting House Bill 3033 (regarding vexatious requesters): motion by Councilor Macaluso, second by Councilor Willison; vote 4'00 to approve the ordinance on first reading. The ordinance implements Texas Government Code §552.275 time limits on personnel time (minimum 386 hours annually and minimum 15 hours monthly per requester), authority to provide written cost estimates, and limited identification verification for requesters who exceed limits.

- Resolution adopting the 2025 City of Boerne rolling 10‑year plan (Resolution No. 2025‑R13): motion by Councilor Wilson, second by Councilor Macaluso; vote 4'00 to approve. The plan consolidates adopted master plans and lists ongoing, completed and not‑yet‑begun projects; staff reported 60 ongoing projects, 40 completed projects and 69 not yet begun.

- Resolution authorizing the city manager to execute and manage Change Order No. 2 to the agreement with VITCO Boring and Utilities (East Loop Natural Gas Main Phase 2) for a total contract amount not to exceed $854,450 (Resolution No. 2025‑R14): motion by Councilman Scott, second by Councilor Wilson; vote 4'00 to approve. Staff said the additional work will improve capacity to the city's northeast quadrant and avoid recurring use of a temporary backup supply trailer during extreme cold.

Background and supporting details

- Financial reports: ABIP presented the annual comprehensive financial report and auditors told the council they issued an unmodified opinion. Staff highlighted a net position increase of about $41 million for the year and a governmental fund balance of approximately $71 million. The city also displayed a GFOA Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting for the 30th consecutive year. The PAFR was presented as a 12‑page, public‑facing summary of the larger audit document.

- Public‑records ordinance: staff explained the ordinance adopts changes from House Bill 3033 and Texas Government Code §552.275 that allow the city to set reasonable monthly and annual personnel time limits for responding to public information requests, require limited photo identification when needed to verify requester identity after time limits are exceeded, and allow the city to provide written cost estimates and require payment before further inspections by requesters who have exceeded limits.

- Rolling 10‑year plan: staff said the rolling plan groups multiple adopted master plans (2018 master plan, parks and recreation, library, drainage, mobility and the newly adopted arts and culture strategic plan) and is used to help prioritize budget and capital projects.

- Gas main change order: staff recommended the change order now to take advantage of available funding and attractive pricing. Staff described winter peak demand increases in the northeast quadrant, the temporary use of a backup natural gas supply trailer during cold weather, and modeling changes after observing higher per‑customer peak demand. Council discussion touched on meter sizing, rate structure considerations and developer responsibility for extensions.

What the council did not do

- The council did not take additional policy votes tied to growth management, developer requirements, or utility rate changes at this meeting; several related topics were discussed but were referred to staff for further modeling, information or future work plans.

Votes and motion text are taken from the meeting record. Where a specific mover or seconder was not clearly stated in the transcript, the record lists the vote tally and the names recorded on the motion as provided in the meeting minutes.