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Denton reviews draft budget with heavy focus on water and public safety needs
Summary
Town staff presented a draft budget prioritizing water/wastewater capital needs — including a $645,000 plate-settler option — staffing and training for certified operators, and police vehicle and equipment replacements; council approved ordering an additional police vehicle after discussion of timing and discounts.
Denton officials opened a public meeting to review department budget requests for the coming fiscal year, with staff front‑loading capital needs for the water and wastewater plants, public safety equipment and staffing.
Town Manager (Staff member S4) and department presenters told the council that overall revenue collection stands near 97.8 percent and that staff will provide detailed revenue projections at the next meeting. The meeting focused on how to balance necessary capital projects, rising maintenance costs and training requirements for licensed operators.
The most expensive single item discussed was an option to install plate settlers at the water plant; S8, the water plant presenter, said vendor quotes averaged about $645,000 for both basins and recommended phasing installation to reduce downtime. S8 described how plate settlers would reduce filter wash frequency and save operator time, but cautioned about the large upfront cost and possible need to split the project across budget years.
Presenters also outlined smaller but immediate needs: replacement actuators and backwash valves, two replacement chemical feed actuators at about $8,100 each, spare chemical feed pumps quoted around $3,500 each, and a $34,000 line item to cover land-application and sludge‑handling costs (farmers charging roughly $500 per land‑application event and possible fuel surcharges).
Staff emphasized tight operational constraints: the town currently relies on a small crew where key employees hold multiple operator certifications, and upcoming state licensing and pesticide‑licensing rules will require additional training. S8 requested one additional trainee/full‑time operator to provide backup and reduce single‑operator risk during high summer flows.
Public safety budgets were also prominent. The police chief (Presenter S5) reviewed vehicle mileage, repairs and quoted prices for two replacement vehicles; he recommended ordering at least one police vehicle and presented a price comparison showing warranty benefits for specific models. During the meeting, S6 moved to purchase an additional vehicle (timing discussed to capture a dealer discount); the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: The water plant capital needs and staffing gaps create both near‑term budget pressure and longer‑term operational risk. A large capital outlay such as the plate settlers would reduce operating costs over time but requires either additional one‑time funds or a multi‑year financing plan. Likewise, failing to address staffing and certification needs risks service disruptions and increased overtime costs.
The council asked staff to return with corrected financial postings, formal revenue projections and RFQ language to standardize contractor bids for building work. Staff said a rough draft of the budget will be on the agenda for the next council meeting, with more precise figures to follow once FMS has corrected amendment postings.
