DEPARTMENT: Office of Management and Budget
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Maria Villagomez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Public Hearings for the 2015 Ad Valorem Tax Rate and FY 2016 Proposed Budget
SUMMARY:
On Wednesday, September 2, 2015, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers two Public Hearings are scheduled:
1) 2015 Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate Public Hearing for the FY 2016 Proposed Budget
2) FY 2016 Proposed Budget Public Hearing
The Public Hearings will provide an opportunity for residents to comment on the 2015 Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate for the FY 2016 Proposed Budget and FY 2016 Proposed Budget. The Public Hearing on the Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate will be held at 6:00 PM immediately followed by the Public Hearing on the FY 2016 Proposed Budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The FY 2016 Proposed Budget was presented to the Mayor and City Council on August 6, 2015. The FY 2016 Budget Development Strategy included over 30 budget input meetings held in June to receive comments prior to the proposal of the FY 2016 Budget. Five additional Community Budget Open Houses were held from August 17 to August 25 to receive feedback on the FY 2016 Proposed Budget. In addition to the Open Houses, the Budget Calendar includes two Budget Public Hearings at City Council Chambers on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 and Wednesday, September 2, 2015.
State Law requires that a municipality hold two Tax Rate Public Hearings when the Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate exceeds the Effective Tax Rate. The first Public Hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2015 and the second Public Hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, 2015. The FY 2016 Budget proposes a City Property Tax Rate decrease of ¾ of 1 cent.
City Charter also requires that one Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget be held. Staff recommended two Public Hearings on the FY 2016 Proposed Budget. The first was held on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 and the second is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, 2015.
The 2015 Proposed Ad Valorem Rate Public Hearing will begin at 6:00 pm and the FY 2016 Proposed Budget Public Hearing will begin immediately thereafter.
Notices for the Budget and/or Ad Valorem Tax Rate Public Hearings were published in the Express-News and La Prensa on Sunday, August 9 and Sunday, August 16 and were published in La Prensa on Sunday, August 9 and Sunday, August 16. Copies of the Proposed Budget are available for purchase and/or inspection in the Office of the City Clerk, 2nd Floor, City Hall.
ISSUE:
On Wednesday, September 2, 2015, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers two Public Hearings are scheduled:
1) 2015 Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate Public Hearing
2) FY 2016 Proposed Budget Public Hearing
The Public Hearings will provide an opportunity for residents to comment on the 2015 Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate and the FY 2016 Proposed Budget. The Public Hearing on the Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate will be held at 6:00 PM immediately followed by the Public Hearing on the FY 2016 Proposed Budget.
Citizens wishing to speak at the Public Hearing may individually sign a register for that purpose which will be provided at the entrance to the City Council Chambers beginning at 4:00 p.m. on September 2, 2015. Citizens also can register on-line beginning at 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM on Wednesday, September 2, 2015. A link on the Office of the City Clerk’s website at <http://www.sanantonio.gov/clerk/> will be activated on September 2, 2015 that will allow citizens to sign-up for the public hearing. Individuals and/or groups will be heard in the order they signed up to speak.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Charter requires at least one public hearing on the City’s Proposed Budget. City property tax rate public hearings are required by State Law and are recommended by staff as the 2015 Proposed Ad Valorem City Tax Rate for the FY 2016 Proposed Budget will exceed the Effective Tax Rate.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The public hearings on the 2015 Ad Valorem Property Tax Rate for the FY 2016 Proposed Budget and the Proposed Budget will not require City Council action. Final approval of the FY 2016 Proposed Budget is scheduled for September 10, 2015.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item includes two public hearings for the City's 2015 Ad Valorem Property Tax Rate for the FY 2016 Proposed Budget and the FY 2016 Proposed Budget.