City manager presents FY2021 budget proposal that trims rate but increases levy due to valuations
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Summary
City Manager Path presented a proposed FY2021 budget that realigns more than 400 line items, proposes a 2% cost-of-living increase for employees, two new positions (city planner and fourth code-enforcement officer), equipment replacements and a proposed tax rate of 48.078¢; council scheduled further workshops before the charter deadline of Aug. 27.
City Manager Path presented the proposed fiscal year 2021 budget to the Paris City Council on Aug. 10, describing a line-by-line realignment that the manager said produced savings to fund a 2% cost-of-living adjustment and prioritized equipment replacement, staffing and water/wastewater needs.
Path told the council the proposed total operational budget across the three primary funds (general, water/sewer, sanitation) is balanced and that the proposed property tax rate would be 48.078¢ — a lower rate than prior years but, because of rising property valuations, the levy (the total tax collected) would increase modestly, an amount estimated in discussion to be about $800,000 over last year. Path emphasized compliance with Texas' Senate Bill 2 and the constraints it places on rate increases without voter approval.
Key elements of the proposal included a 2% across-the-board COLA for employees, funding for a comparable pay study to address long-term pay compression, two new positions (a city planner and an additional code-enforcement officer), and $428,000 budgeted to continue wastewater treatment work while financing is arranged. Path also proposed replacing aging fleet equipment (including heavy equipment dating from the 1970s and 1980s) through a mix of outright purchases and low-interest lease/loan options.
Council members asked about contingency reserves and the timing of workshops. The manager noted the charter deadline to finalize the budget is Aug. 27 and the council set Aug. 17 for a workshop where department heads (police, fire, EMS, utilities) would be available to answer questions. No final vote was taken; staff will return with any revisions and the required public hearing planned for September.
Direct quotes and line-item specifics were presented in the manager's memorandum submitted to council; council members expressed appreciation for the thorough review and proposed realignment work.
