Probably no more posts

I've suffered a blow that I will probably survive, but which renders local politics not only uninteresting but obnoxious.  I may blog again, but I cannot predict when.

Insfrastructure Design and Development Standards

I'm pretty much OK with the Infrastructure Design and Development Standards and the Post Construction Storm Water Control Ordinance that will be up for vote next week.  I've read about 40 pages and scanned maybe twice that many, and it's not the monstrosity I thought it was after the first briefing on July 5.

The council briefings have been poor, though.  I'm not sure how council members (whose lack of questions lead me to believe none have read deeply in the documents) can be expected to make intelligent decisions about the ordinances that will be before them July 24.  I guess they can do what the last council did: accept staff recommendations and hope nothing bad happens.

Important (and probably long) workshop tomorrow

There are three items on the agenda to which I invite the council's particular attention:

• DS-3 Discuss an Amendment to the Subdivisions and Other Developments Ordinance, Chapter 26  City Code, to Incorporate an Infrastructure Design and Development Standards Manual I
• DS-4 Discuss an Amendment to the Municipal Drainage Utility System Ordinance, Chapter 32 City  Code, Adopting Post Construction Storm Water Control Ordinance 
• DS-5 Briefing/Discuss FY 2012-13 Proposed Annual Budget and Plan of Municipal Services  
• A. Major Operating Funds 
• B. New Programs and Fleet

DS-3, if I understand it, is something the council has sort of said it would sort of like.  Even though the idea has been briefed before (iirc), I hope it will be treated as a first pass, to start the discussion.

DS-4 is technical but related to DS-3 and very important.  Again, it should probably be part of a longer discussion.

DS-5 requires a lot of homework by the council before the meeting.  They'll hear the staff's spin -- and there's nothing wrong with that.  I hope, and am reasonably confident, that council will approach the presentation with

• background from close review of the proposed budget book
• a questioning attitude
• confidence in both the staff's competence and their own judgment.

UPDATE:  The mayor will not attend the workshop.  It will be interesting to see how this changes group dynamics.

Congratulations to Mayor Corbin

Our mayor was elected State Commander of the American Legion today.  It's an honor for him and for the city.

Getting your head around the city budget

It's hard.  What you see is not necessarily what you get.  At the highest level, the city expects to spend $242.4 million dollars in fiscal 2013 (the year beginning Oct. 1, 2012), slightly less than we will spend this year; and to take in $170.7 million, for a deficit of about $71.7 million.  (For the actual numbers, see http://www.killeentexas.gov/pdf/finance/FY%2012-13%20Proposed%20Budget.pdf p. ii.)  Sounds totally scary, right?


In a way the numbers are deceptive.  No one is going after tax- and rate-payers next year to make up a shortfall that amounts to $550  for every man, woman and child in the city.  Part of the money we've already borrowed; part of it we will.  But we will pay for it all over the next 25 years.


There's no way to make decisions about the budget at that high level.  You have to look at the individual pieces, which the city breaks down (for budgeting and accounting purposes) into funds, each of which has its own expenditures and revenues and can be thought of as something like a "profit center":  an individual activitiy that can be managed, at least in part, independently of other activities of the city government.


Yesterday we took a brief look at the largest of these funds, the General Fund, out of which many city services are paid for.  We'll return to that fund because it is large and contains some discretionary elements.  But it's only carrying a $2.3 million deficit for 2013.  Where's the rest of the deficit?  The bulk of it, as you would expect, is in the Capital Projects Funds, which is what we'll look at in the next installment.

Budget, first post of many

I spent some time with the budget book at the library today.

The story of the 2012/13 proposed budget for the General Fund is this:  it assumes a deficit of $2.3 million.

Why is that OK?  Well, there are a couple of reasons:

• The General Fund balance at the end of FY 2010/11 was unexpectedly high due to deferral of some expenditures.
• We will probably run a small (and unexpected) surplus -- $700K -- in the General Fund for the current year.

We can afford to fund expansion this year by reducing the fund balance because the fund balance is greater than 25% of annual expenditures.  It should be obvious to everyone that this is a one-time-only option.  Next year we must find more revenue, reduce expenditure, or see our general fund sink below an acceptable reserve.

The council's job, at the highest level, is to decide whether we want to take our one-time option this year.  Alternatives are fairly simple:

• propose higher taxes
• reduce or eliminate the additions in expenditure proposed by the city manager
• hope the economy gets better

Corbin for Congress

I admit to being dense, but for a long time I didn't understand why Dan Corbin paid so much money to guarantee he was elected mayor of Killeen, especially since he had given out that he didn't intend to hold the office for more than the one term.

An obvious answer (not necessarily the correct one) is that Dan intends once again to run for Congress, this time in 2014 against John Carter.

I wish Dan well in that effort (if indeed he intends it).  He would certainly be an improvement.

Water

The city plans to serve the rapidly growing southern part of the city using water from Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir.  Pushing water from the existing treatment plant on Belton Reservoir is just too expensive.

I was at Stillhouse Hollow, near the long bridge, this afternoon.  It looks great.  The thousand acres of grass-covered silt that was exposed last summer is now under a shallow but concealing layer of water. People buying homes in the south need to consider, though, whether last year represents an exception or the new norm.  Stillhouse is fed by a beautiful but fickle river that drains a semi-arid region.  That river goes dry every five years or so even in normal cycles.

I'm sure WCID-4 is on top of the forecasts (and I know they have an alternate plan to pump untreated water from Belton to Stillhouse) but I worry that they are putting too much reliance on a finicky resource.

Revisiting last Thursday: my idealized council member

The council member I imagine last Thursday, when Mayor Corbin was bullying Robert Retz, the Director of Code Enforcement, would have said (after politely letting the mayor finish his rant):

"Mr Retz, the mayor is venting a frustration that I'm sure you know many people feel.  Please tell us what things, if any, are in your way of creating more effective code enforcement.  Some things you may want to touch on (and I would appreciate it if you would) are:

• Guidance from the council.  Mr Shanaa has said tonight that currently there is no council guidance.  In what way could such guidance help you?
• The ordinances.  Are the ordinances you enforce clear?  Are they sufficient to cover the problems you see in your daily work?  We will of course seek information on this subject from many sources, but your information is particularly important because you deal with the situations we're concerned about every day.
• Organization.  We've heard that code enforcement has been an orphan child, moving from department to department in the city government.  What effect has this "homelessness" had?  Where do you think this function belongs organizationally."

I blame none of the council for not being this ideal.  I didn't think of these questions until at least 24 hours after I listened to the Thursday session.  But if the council gets another chance to review code enforcement, they may want to pursue this line with the Director.

2012-2013 proposed budget

Next year's proposed budget was presented and briefed at this afternoon's city council meeting.  The summary sounded good, although there are a couple of things that will no doubt be disappointing to city employees.

A pdf version of the budget book will be available on the city web site "soon", according to Mrs Gonzales.  I'll provide a link as soon as I find it.
UPDATE. And here it is: http://www.killeentexas.gov/index.php?section=295

The budget book is so large and comprehensive that it's easier to peruse on paper.  I intend to spend some quality time with it at the library on Saturday.  I'm not sure if both branches will get copies, but will post when I find out.

UPDATE:  I did find the budget book at the main branch of the library today (July 14).  The librarian told me that there is also a copy for the Copper Mountain branch, and it should be there some time next week.

Growing disillusionment

The city council needs to find and exercise its voice, both collectively and individually.  Three months after their election, this group of new legislators should be challenging (or at least questioning) the mayor and advocating positions that move the city forward.  I don't think anyone can make the case that this has occurred.

Cleaning up Killeen

For the most part I agree with the opinions expressed by the editors of the Killeen Daily Herald this morning. (Unfortunately I can't find a link to the editorial.  If one appears later, I'll post it.)
Ah, here it is: http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?c=21  I had to log on to the KDH site to see it.

To summarize a somewhat rambling essay, the editors say that Killeen has a lot to clean up, and that there probably are no short-term fixes that aren't just painting the pig.

Their most convincing propositions appear near the end of the piece:

The effort must be more than skin deep.
City leaders must continue the downtown revitalization project that is now under way.But more importantly, they must move forward zoning ordinances that mandate larger lots and deeper setbacks, and place a greater emphasis on parks and green space buffer zones.

It may be unfair to contrast this with Mayor Corbin's proposal, because (although he's been vocal about it) I don't think he has yet been clear what his proposal is.  From last Thursday's City Council Workshop recording, I gathered that he is looking for a short term fix.  The KDH editorial is a strong argument that we need more than bandaids.

What's valid criticism?

The mayor (in semi-private correspondence) was upset with comments I made on his remarks in Thursday's City Council Workshop.  I think I'm on fairly safe grounds to comment freely, (especially if I give good grounds for my opinion), but I'm open to other views.   Do I need to run for city office in order for my my opinions to be considered?

I have a deep interest in the business of Killeen.  I own my home here.  My wife and I are involved in many civic, religious, and charitable efforts.  That makes me very much like a whole bunch of Killeenites.

If I make a comment about how I think the city should work (and I know I make a lot of comments like that) are my comments the less valid because I have  a job that keeps me out of town too much to do more than attend City Council meetings?  In spite of that, I think I attend more meetings than all but a few.

I'm actually wrestling with this.  Should I shut up until I can (if I'm still able) run for city office, or should I continue to insert my unofficial (and apparently sometimes obnoxious) views without status? I'm pretty much on the "screw 'em, keep blogging" page,  but I'm open to input.

Still on last Thursday's WorkshopL IDSM

This is an important document and very impricely briefed.   The council should postpone consideration until there is a complete proposal.  This is probably the worst staff briefing I've heard in the last two years.
Acting on this document on July 24 is probably the worst proposal to come before the Council since firing Connie Greene.

Yet another reason why Council videos are inadequate

The council takes a 10-minute break.  The video just goes silent for 10 minutes.  Knock, knock.  Is anyone awake in there?

Code enforcement 4

Oh, good grief:  Mayor Corbin says "I'm just a poor boy and I keep my property up and my poor family always has."  Give me a break.

Code enforcement: 3

Is this Dan Corbin and the seven stooges?  (I'm only at 1:32 of the Thursday stream.)   I didn't vote for Corbin at all, but if I had, it wouldn't have been as the de facto legislator.

Jonathan Okray (at around 1:33) made a lot more sense than the mayor did.  Jon said that there's a lot more to it than "gosh that's ugly," especially when it comes to people who are trying to balance all their civic and personal responsibilities.

Code enforcement: 2

I've known Robert Retz for 34 years.  I've never bullied him, but he's easy to bully.  It does not reflect well on Mayor Corbin that he chooses to do so.

Code Enforcement: 1

Dr Shanaa: :We need more resources, but I can't tell you how much.

That's like saying "We're doing stuff, but we don't really know what we're doing."  That was really bad.

City employee health insurance

There's something odd here.  According to Mrs. Mayer, the city has to d4ecide on a vendor before budgeting an amount to pay for it.  In an odd way, it makes sense:  the cost of health insurance is so uncertain that we have to have a firm bid before we know what we ought to pay.  It's still odd, though.

Repairs to refuse transfer station

This is one of the best briefings I have heard before the Council.  It's detailed, accurate, and to-the point.  Basically, we're on the hook for around $180,000.  The rest is covered by insurance.  It's unfortunate, but  I'm grateful that Mr. Mackey is able to be so clear.

Sunguard

I'm listening to the very, very lame feed the city provides of last Thursday's City Council workshop.  Forgive multiple posts.

The continued use of Sunguard by the city is yet another case of the city being in the last century with regard to software and technology.  _Nobody_ still uses 1998 technology for business.  We may be their only customer on that ancient technology.

Killeen up

I was unable to clear my calendar for the irregular City Council workshop tonight.  I see the recording is 3 hours long, and given the lame interface the city provides for video, it will probably be Saturday night before I can slog through it.  (It amazes me that Dan Kott can provide perfectly usable videos in 15-minutes clips, while our city government insists that you have to watch from beginning to end without the ability to back up over parts you may have missed.)

Here's the crux of Killeen Up (and I hope the point was raised at the workshop):  it's fine until someone claims they were unfairly singled out, and that's likely to be the case on the first citation.

It doesn't matter if a claim of unfair application of the ordinances has merit or not.  An assertion that "I criticized the mayor and was cited for my grass being too long" will bring doubt on the process and eventually bring the process to a halt.

I hope the council will take this inevitability into account and make sure code enforcement is visibly and believably beyond the influence of people in power.  If they don't, it's an idle exercise.

July 4

Well, actually July 2, but who's counting?
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

Agendas: Paragraphs rather than sentences, please

I have to decide whether to postpone a meeting in Austin on Thursday in order to attend the special Thursday, July 5, city council workshop.  I don't have enough information to do so.  Take a look at the agenda posted at http://www.ci.killeen.tx.us/files/07-05-Agenda--W-.pdf and decide for yourself whether there is anything there that requires special attention.

I think the council agendas, both for workshops and regular meetings, should be expressed in paragraphs instead of bullets.  The more information the city can provide about what will be discussed, the more participation they will get from people who have an interest.

Which way property taxes?

City Manager Morrison has already said that he intends to run the city next year on the basis of the current ad valorum tax rate.  Given the economic and political climate, he couldn't easily make any other decision.

What worries me is what direction we will have to go in future years.  We have two neighbors that might provide a hint:  Pflugerville (south and east of Round Rock) has lowered its tax rate in each of the last several years; Austin can't fund its increased costs at the current tax rate.

I hope someone in city government is looking at these two (and many more) examples and trying to figure out what any of them portend for Killeen.  Growth in Pflugerville is almost entirely suburban and largely funded by impact fees; growth in Austin is more industrial and involved tax abatements amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.  Does Killeen fit either of these models?  Does it fit somewhere in between?  When we get done with this budge cycle, I think we need to start figuring that out.

Formula 1 in November

If the city and Chamber are not promoting Killeen as a place to visit and stay during the Austin Formula-1 races November 16-18, they should be.  According to this morning's American-Statesman, hotels in Austin are completely booked, and the overflow is going as far north as Waco.  We should get us some of that.