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Selma council adopts FY24–25 budget, approves multiple administrative ordinances and measures
Summary
On Sept. 12 the Selma City Council adopted its FY24–25 operating budget by roll-call vote and approved a series of administrative measures, including a wastewater rate pass-through ordinance tied to CCMA, a water CCN transfer with Schertz, a convenience-store SUP renewal, cyber liability fund participation, a budget amendment for a fire aerial apparatus, a cell-phone allowance motion and a contract for architectural services for a Stage Coach Pavilion.
The Selma City Council adopted the fiscal year 2024–2025 operating budget on Sept. 12, approving by individual verbal votes the budget staff presented that funds streets and drainage projects, adds three firefighter positions and includes a 4% across-the-board employee salary adjustment.
Wyatt (Speaker 9), presenting the budget, described highlights including continued funding for Retama Parkway reconstruction and Lookout Road pedestrian improvements, a storm-water drainage project in the Olympia Veil subdivision, a comprehensive parks master plan, three new firefighter positions, remodeling of fire station battalion chief quarters, wireless connectivity for fire apparatus and replacement vehicles for police and public works. Staff noted the budget was posted for public inspection and that the council did not raise property taxes in the adopted budget.
The council approved the budget by the required record roll-call (individual verbal responses were recorded on the record). When called, councilmembers answered “Yay” (Mister Washington; Mister Plaszek; Miss Polly/Miss Harris; Mister Palmer; Miss Harris), and the mayor announced the budget was approved.
In subsequent actions the council:
- Approved Ordinance No. 091224-04 to implement a wastewater pass-through rate increase imposed by Sibyl Oak Creek Municipal Authority (CCMA). Staff estimated the FY25 CCMA increase would cost the average homeowner about $0.42 per month based on average monthly consumption (5,230 gallons). The ordinance was adopted by council voice vote.
- Approved Ordinance No. 091224-03 to renew and remove the expiration date on a specific-use permit for Select Stop No. 3 LLC (Valero) to operate a convenience store selling groceries, alcohol and gasoline; Planning & Zoning and staff recommended approval.
- Approved Resolution No. 091224-02 to join the Texas Municipal League’s cyber liability and data-breach response self-insurance fund so the city can continue cyber coverage.
- Approved a water certificates-of-convenience-and-necessity (CCN) transfer agreement with the City of Schertz and Schertz 3 12 LLC that moves a 150.289-acre tract into Schertz’s CCN so Schertz can provide water service to that area.
- Approved a budget amendment to increase Fire Department ledger 550-5510 by $1,699,000 to account for a prepaid aerial apparatus purchase (the apparatus was paid with bond funds and received earlier this year). Staff presented this action as an accounting reconciliation.
- Moved and approved a motion to allot elected officials a cell-phone allowance of $80 per month, with discussion among councilmembers about whether acceptance should be optional, W-2 reporting and an effective date that was discussed during the meeting. Staff noted city employees currently receive $80 per month. The council directed staff to include the allowance in budget planning and pursue the necessary ordinance or resolution to formalize the policy.
- Approved a professional-services agreement with RVK Architects for architectural and related services to design a Stage Coach Pavilion, with a fee of $78,595 to be paid from hotel–motel occupancy taxes; councilmembers asked staff to ensure the design can accommodate the display stage coach the city intends to acquire.
Most administrative measures were approved by voice vote; where the Texas Local Government Code required a record vote (the annual budget), the council took individual verbal votes on the record.
