782 782 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Austin will be held on the 27th day of September, 1954, at the Municipal Building, Eighth and Colorado, in Austin, Texas, at 8:00 P.M. for the purpose of finally passing an ordinance adopting and approving the budget for the fiscal year, October 1, 1954, to September 30, 1955. (Sgd) Elsie Woosley ATTEST: City Clerk (Sgd) Elsie Woosley City Clerk (Sgd) C. A. McAden Mayor City of Austin, Texas (Seal) CONSENT TO MEETING We, the undersigned members of the City Council, hereby accept service of the foregoing notice, waiving any and all irregularities in such service and such notice, and consent and agree that said City Council shall meet at the time and place therein named, and for the purpose therein stated. (Sgd) Ben White (Sgd) Mrs. Stuart Long (Sgd) Ted Thompson (Sgd) Wesley Pearson CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 783783 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Meeting September 27, 1954 8:00 Ρ. Μ. Council Chamber, City Hall The meeting was called to order with Mayor McAden presiding. Roll Call: Present: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Absent: None The Mayor announced that this was a special meeting called for the purpose of finally passing an ordinance adopting and approving the budget for the fiscal year, October 1, 1954, to September 30, 1955. The City Manager stated the budget was being modified to take care of the amendments the Council had indicated previously. The City Manager outlined his plans for expansion of the City Hall by closing in the court and thereby providing room for the inspection services, on the first floor; utilities section on the second floor of the annex, and other offices. He stated this was the most economical route to take. After discussion, Councilman Long moved that the City Hall expansion for the utility department be struck out for further study. The motion, seconded by Councilman Pearson, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Pearson, Thompson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: None Mayor McAden brought up the following ordinance for its third reading: AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AND APPROVING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL PERIOD BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 1954, AND TERMINING SEPTEMBER 30, 1955, AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR EACH DEPARTMENT, PROJECT AND ACCOUNT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The ordinance was read the third time and Councilman Pearson moved that the ordinance be finally passed. The motion, seconded by Councilman White, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long Pearson, White, Mayor McAden Noes: Councilman Thompson** The Mayor announced the ordinance had been finally passed. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 784784 *Councilman Long made the following statement regarding her vote: "I reserve my right to amend under the conditions set out by the City Attorney," **Councilman Thompson made the following statement regarding his vote: "I vote 'No' in order to express my disapproval of the methods used in preparing the budget which resulted in an apparent unallocated surplus in the Utility Fund; furthermore, I must express my disapproval of the Budget for the reason that it completely ignored the urgent need for a paving program in Austin." There being no further business the Council adjourned at 9:50 P.M., subject to the call of the Mayor. ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED: Ca Mayor { 785 785 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1954-55 PAGE I 1 2346. 8 9 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 786 786 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I City Manager's Budget Message SECTION II FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Estimated Income From Taxes Detail of Tax Levy for Interest & Sinking Fund Proposed Distribution of Tax Rate & Income from 1954 Roll Only General Budget Summary for 9 Months Ending September 30, 1954 General Budget Summary for the Fiscal Year 1954-55 Statement of Combined Receipts, Disbursements & Balances, 1954 Statement of Combined Receipts, Disbursements & Balances 1954-55 SECTION III GENERAL FUND Statement of Cash Receipts, Disbursements & Balances 10 11 Revenue Detail 13 Summary Proposed Expenditures SECTION IV DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET GENERAL FUND 14 Administrative & Finance Summary 15 City Manager's Office 16 Municipal Court 17 Accounting 19 Tax Office 21 Purchasing Office 22 City Attorney 23 City Clerk's Office 24 Personnel Office 25 Planning & Zoning 27 Civil Defense 28 Municipal Building 30 General Overhead 31 Public Safety Summary 32 Police Department 36 Fire Department 39 Traffic & Transportation 40 General Inspection 41 Fire Prevention 42 Public Works Summary 43 Engineering 45 Street & Bridge 70 Sanitation 79 Cemeteries 80 General Parks 85 86 87 94 119 127 Municipal Airport Public Health - Summary Public Health Office Brackenridge Hospital T. B. Sanatorium Abattoir PAGE 787 787 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION IV CONT'D 135 Recreation - Summary 137 Supervision 138 Zilker Springs 139 Deep Eddy 140 Municipal Golf Course 141 Hancock Golf Course 142 Community Recreation 143 Athletics 144 145 Austin Athletic Club Coliseum 146 147 148 149 150 151 Museum 152 153 Caswell Tennis Center Hancock Community Center Colored Activities Lake Austin Municipal Park Music Capital Outlay Maintenance Work Shop 154 Libraries - Summary 156 Main Library 158 Branch Library 159 "Clearing Accounts Summary 161 Building & Grounds 162 Office Supply Shop 163 Auto Repair Shop 164 Communication Division 165 Tabulating Division SECTION V UTILITY FUND 166 167 169 170 171 178 181 182 183 187 190 191 192 195 197 198 Statement of Cash Receipts, Disbursements & Balances Revenue - Detail Summary Proposed Expenditures SECTION VI DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET - UTILITY FUND Electric Utility Summary Personal Services Operation & Maintenance Capital Outlay Water Utility - Summary Personal Services Operation & Maintenance Capital Outlay Sewer Utility - Summary Personal Services Operation & Maintenance Capital Outlay : Clearing Accounts Central Stores - PAGE 199 200 201 202 203 205 207 788788 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION VII SPECIAL BOND FUNDS GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS Combined Statement Receipts, Disbursements & Balances ELECTRIC, WATER AND SEWER REVENUE BONDS Combined Statement Receipts, Disbursements & Balances, 1954 Combined Statement Receipts, Disbursements & Balances, 1955 SECTION VIII BOND & INTEREST RETIREMENT FUNDS GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS Statement Receipts, Disbursements & Balances Statement Appropriations For Fiscal Year 1954-55 Statement of Bonded Debt ELECTRIC, WATER AND SEWER REVENUE BONDS Statement Receipts, Disbursements & Balances 789 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 789 SECTION I LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 790 790 August 31, 1954 Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Austin, Texas Dear Members of the City Council: In compliance with Article VII, Section 6 of the Austin City Charter, and the Budget Law of the State of Texas, we submit herewith for your consideration a tentative draft of the proposed budget of the City of Austin for the twelve month period beginning October 1, 1954 and ending September 30, 1955. So that you might have ample opportunity to make comparisons of figures, the budget contains three columns throughout -- the first representing the estimated expenditures during the present fiscal year of January 1, 1954 to September 30, 1954; the second representing the estimated expenditures for the 12 months period ending September 30, 1954; and the third column representing the proposed budget for the 12 months period beginning October 1, 1954. Our City's growth continues at an accelerated pace. In the first seven months of 1954, our Electric Department had set 1,470 new meters, representing that many new customers and residents in our Capitol City. Building permits through July 30, numbered 1,890, an increase of 121 over the same period last year. Moreover, that construction represented $22,720,000, more than $4,500,000 over the first seven months of last year. Needless to say, both electric and water plants have again this summer broken all records for production and the demand continues to grow. Austin's popularity is gratifying but it is also costly! More and more people mean more houses to inspect, more garbage to pick up, more streets to maintain, more use of library and recreational facilities, more charity patients CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 791 791 ii. at Brackenridge Hospital in short, more people mean more cost to our City. Austin's growing pains are made particularly acute because of the lack of adequate revenue sources. Many larger cities, not having a utility system, are in even worse financial condition than our City, but our good fortune in owning such a system is also a problem for the temptation has been strong to drain the utility system of desperately needed money for expansion purposes and divert it instead to the General Fund. Our auditors have called this to our attention several times. Your City Manager has done likewise. It is hoped that the transfer from the Utility Fund to the General Fund can be steadily reduced until it reaches a reasonable figure. We believe the time is at hand when all of us administration, the City Council and the people of Austin - need to begin to study the possibility of new revenue sources. Reliance on utility revenues and the general property tax, which are our only major sources of revenue at this time, pose serious problems for your municipal government and challenge each of us to begin thinking and planning for diversification of these revenue.sources. The City's total expenditure budget for 1954-55 will be $26,315,242, a $6,568,401 increase over the year just ending. The major portion of this increase is accounted for in revenue bond expenditures to our utility system and debt service for those revenue bonds. Actually, the city's current fund expenditures will be reduced almost one million dollars. Table I shows expenditures for 1953-1954 and proposed expenditures for 1954-55, classified according to the major funds. 792 792 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS iii Table I FUND 9 mos. 1954 12 mos. 1953-54 Proposed Increase 1954-55 CURRENT FUND EXPENDITURES General Fund Utility Fund Subtotal 3,447,750 8,325,032 11,240,371 $4,877,282 $6,537,571 $ 6,822,359 $ 284,788 4,702,800 3,514,158 - 1,188,642 10,336,517 903,854 INTEREST AND SINKING FUNDS General Obligation Bonds 2,096,321 2,096,321 2,334,188 237,867 Revenue Bonds Subtotal 412,260 2,508,581 412,260 1,454,668 1,042,408 2,508,581 3,788,856 1,280,275 TOTAL CURRENT FUND EXPENDITURES 10,833,613 13,748,952 14,125,373 376,421 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FROM SPECIAL BOND FUNDS General Obligation Bonds Revenue Bonds Subtotal GRAND TOTAL BUDGETED EXPENDITURES 3,291,495 3,291,495 2,764,291 2,706,394 2,706,394 9,425,578 5,997,889 5,997,889 12,189,869 - 527,204 6,719,184 6,191,980 16,831,502 19,746,841 26,315,242 6,568,401 GENERAL FUND REVENUES (pp. 11-12) These pages show a detailed breakdown of General Fund resources. They indicate the heavy reliance of the General Fund upon the Utility transfer, which accounts for well over one-third of total General Fund resources. An analysis of the revenue accruing to this Fund by source shows that $2, 366,000 will come from the property tax, which means that this tax will bear less of the load in supporting our General Government activities than our Utility Fund, the transfer is projected at $2,560,000. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 793 793 iv Other receipts are about the same as last year except that we estimate departmental earnings will drop some $50,000 due to a decline in revenue at Bracken- ridge Hospital during the construction of the addition. An increase of $30,000 in the collection of delinquent taxes is estimated in addition to an increase of $10,000 in penalty and interest on these taxes. The total resources of the General Fund for the next year is estimated at $6,871,439. EXPENDITURES (p. 13) The 1954-55 General Fund budget contemplates a total expenditure of $6,822,359, which is an increase of $284, 788 over the estimated expenditure of $6, 537,571 for the twelve months ending September 30, 1954. This increase is due primarily to the fact that all street and bridge construction has, been budgeted under current operating funds rather than bond funds as has been the case in the past. Other major increases in the General Fund are in the City's General Overhead expense and an increase in various departmental budgets in the Public Safety section, primarily the Police budget and Gen- eral Inspections. All of these major increases are explained in some detail in their respective sections below. The following is a brief resume of the General Fund accounts: Administrative and Finance (pp. 14-30) This account includes all the administrative offices and general overhead. The 1954-55 contemplated expenditure is $1,007,969, compared to an estimated $945, 278, for the 12 months ending September 30, 1954. This $62,000 increase is due entirely to items in the general overhead. Actually, estimated expenditures are up some $86,000 in this section, but cuts totalling $24,000 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS = V 794 794 bring the net increase back to approximately $62,000. The cuts occur primarily in the Tax office (back to a normal operating staff), and the Municipal Building. Increases in the general overhead are primarily for fire insurance (three year premium due this year), increases in the city's portion of employee insurance costs and employee retirement deposits, and $6,500 payment on recodification of our ordinances. Public Safety (pp. 31-41) This section of our City, concerned with fire protection, police protection and general inspectional services, has an increased budget of approximately $100,000 --- from $1,751,945 during 1953-54 to $1,850,571 in the coming year. The increase is largely accounted for in the Police Department where additional personnel are required because of the new building and where $34,000 has been set up to buy urgently needed new mobile equipment. General inspections have been increased $14,000 to allow for salary and transportation costs of two new building inspectors and to provide for the printing of the Building Code, Public Works (pp. 42-85) The Public Works Department budget for 1954-55 is estimated at $1,584,335, an increase of $126,000 over the estimate for the 12 months period ending September 30, 1954. This increase is due almost entirely to an increase in the Construction budget of the Street and Bridge Division from $90,276 to $211,000. Heretofore, we have had bond money available for the major portion of Street and Bridge construction expenditures, but none is available this year. The $211,000 budgeted is, for the most part, already committed to such projects as East 19th Street and West 45th CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 795 795 vi Street and these figures make it apparent that very little paving can be done in the current budget. The only other major increase in the Public Works budget is an item of $26,000 for a tractor-dozer in the Sanitation Division, needed for use at one of our sanitary fills. The other divisions in this section have either been cut or are approximately the same as last year. Public Health (pp. 86-134) The Public Health section of the budget includes the Health office, Brackenridge Hospital, TB Sanitorium, and the Abattoir. The total budget requirements for this section in 1954-55 is $1,869,725 as compared with $1,866,055 in the year just ending. This has been held to a $3,000 increase primarily by a $5,000 cut in the overall Brackenridge Hospital budget. Personal services costs at the Hospital are up slightly, but they have been compensated for by a reduction in other current expenses. Some of this is due to the saving in laundry costs, over and above the operating cost of the hospital laundry itself. Recreation (pp. 135-153) The Recreation Department budget for the coming year is estimated at $373,656, a decrease of about $5,000 under the $378, 794 estimated for the year ending September 30, 1954. Libraries (pp. 154-158) The Library budget for the City has been cut approximately $7,000 to a figure of $127,903 for the coming year compared to $135, 013 for 1953-54. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 796 796 vii UTILITY FUND Revenues (pp. 167-168) Utility revenue in the new year is estimated at $8,162,400, an increase of some $620,000 over the estimate of $7,542, 082 for the present year. This may be broken down as follows: SUMMARY OF UTILITY REVENUES Utility 9 mos. 1954 12 mos 53-54 Proposed 54-55 Increase Electric $ 4,048,586 $5,335,919 $5,856,700 $ 520,781 Water 1,650,633 2,146,773 2,243,200 96,427 Sewer 28,548 36,599 40,000 3,401 Misc. 21,423 22,791 22,500 291 TOTAL 5,749, 190 7,542,082 8,162,400 620,318 Utility Expenditures (p. 169) Austin's growing pains are nowhere felt more keenly than in the continued upsurge in the use of electricity and the consequent strain on generating and distribution facilities. Since the month of August has been completed, we assume that 1954's peak has been reached. This peak demand was reached July 31st with a reading of 71,000 KW. It is estimated that total production this year will reach 296,000,000 KWH and that for 1955, this will increase to 330,000,000 KWH. Our ability to withstand such loads is possible only by the passage and subsequent issue of revenue bonds voted last January. Construction has begun on the installation of two 20,000 KW turbo-generators and we hope to have one of those CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS viii 797797 ready by the peak period of 1955. Total utility operating and maintenance budget for the year 1954-55 is contemplated at $2,761,023, an increase of $210,000 over our estimated expenditures during the present year. This increase is due to several causes, but more than one-half of the increase is an increase in "power costs" to the utility system, which is of course, only a "book" figure, and represents no cash outlay. Fuel costs willincrease again $65,000 this coming year. Other added costs are chemicals, labor, and other operational cost of the new water plant. It is anticipated that $275,000 will be refunded to subdividers in the coming year, virtually the same amount as budgeted and expended this present year. Electrical Projects from Current Funds A total of $542, 110 is contemplated for electrical system improvements to be paid from current funds. This includes $465,810 of miscellaneous extensions to serve 2,400 new customers and improve services to many others. Other expenditures in this category include $23,000 for transportation and equipment, $37, 100 for replacing turbine blades and other maintenance in the Power Plant, and $16,200 for shop and communication equipment. Water System Projects from Current Funds This budget estimates an expenditure of $429, 350 in the Water Department for improvements to be paid out of current operating funds. Major items included here: $197,050 for main extensions. This takes into account $107,000 of unpredictable extensions from 2" to 12" pipe; $63,500 for a line from East 19th Street and Airport Boulevard to Springdale Road to provide water for low pressure CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS ix 798 798 areas in East Austin and $27,000 for a 12" main in Southwest Austin to care for low pressure areas in that section of Austin. Sewer System Projects from Current Funds The Sewer System will spend $6,675 from current funds for small tools and equipment, most of its expenditures being accounted for by general obligation and revenue bond projects which total over $1,000,000. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES FROM BONDS PROPOSED REVENUE BOND IMPROVEMENTS The revenue bond issue voted last January carried $15,000,000 for utility system improvements. In April, $8,810,000 of this authorization was sold and some two and one-half million dollars of this issue will be expended in the year just ending, leaving a carry-over of $6, 178, 892 into the new budget year. It is contemplated that an additional $3, 500,000 of electric and water revenue bonds will be sold in 1955. Improvements which are contemplated with this money are as follows: Electric System Improvements from Revenue Bonds We plan an expenditure of $7, 769,025 from revenue bonds for electrical system improvements in the coming year. Over two-thirds of this CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS = X. 799799 amount will be spent in the extension of the Power Plant, which includes $1,120,000 for structures and improvements, $1,046,000 for boiler plant equipment, and $2,534, 000 for turbo-generators, and with station electric equipment accounting for another $1,148,890 of expenditures. Beside the Power Plant expansion, a considerable part of the Electric Bond funds will be used in the Distribution System improvements and expansion including: Wheless Lane Substation An additional 5,000 KVA of capacity in Northeast Austin $ 133,220. 12 KV Lines Wheless Lane 12 KV Feeder Number 3 Construction of 3 miles of 12 KV lines 33,140, 12 KV Lines - Magnesium Plant Substation 12 KV Feeder Number 3 Extension. Construction of 1.7 miles of 12 KV lines 18,780. Lakeshore Substation and 69 KV Lines Construction of 1.9 miles to relieve area south of Colorado River 13,710. Completion of Bergstrom and Cardinal Lane Substations... Materials delivered; projects to be completed 28,000. Underground and Network Service Facilities Installation of 6 transformer vaults to serve major office buildings 209,740. Service to Brackenridge Hospital Needed because of expansion of Hospital and overloaded conditions in this area of city 30,220. Capacitors 32,000. Atlanta Substation Construction of a 3,000 KVA Substation near intersection of West 5th Street and Lake Austin Boulevard 148,550. Hancock Substation CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS xi New 69/12.5, 5000 KVA Substation for Northwest Austin $ 174,610 69KV Lines Hancock Substation to Magne- sium Plant Substation; construction of 4. 3.. miles of 69 KV line to complete the 69 KV loop around the city 54,670 Installation of 69 KV Circuit Breaker Relaying the 69 KV Loop - 69 KV Lines Lakeshore Substation to Hancock Substation. Construction of 3.7 miles of 69 KV Line 150,000 228,000 72,370 Transformers, meters, and other miscellaneous equipment 523,270 Street Lighting 300 mast arm street lights in residential areas 52,500 Traffic Signal Program 5 overhead vehicle actuated traffic signals 7 corner type traffic signals 13 overhead suspension type traffic signals 57,245. 800 800 City Hall expansion for utility departments Total estimated expenditures 175,000 ou $ 2,139,025 Minúter of 9-27-54 Water System Improvements from Revenue Bonds A total of $981,600 is budgeted for expenditure in the Water Department this year from revenue bonds. The detail: Land for reservoir site in Northwest Austin South Austin Reservoir 10,000 308,000 801 801 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS xii South Austin Booster Pump Station including building, piping, valves, pumps and meters 73,600 North Austin Booster Pump 10,000 Fence and road at Water Plant # 2 Total Plant 18,000 419,600 Water main along Oltorf from South Congress to Parker Lane and Woodland; to provide better water pressure for Southeast Austin 160,000 Water main from Denson and Chesterfield to Highway 20 and Cameron Road; to provide better water pressure in Northeast Austin 82,200 Water main along Northland Drive from Shoal Creek to Balcones; to provide better pressure for Northwest Austin 35,000 Water main along Richcreek Road from Hardy to Burnet Road; to provide better pressure for Northwest Austin 8,400 Extension from Manchaca Road to Inwood Hills 17,000 Water main from Northland Drive to Highland Park Reservoir; to provide for proper utilization of Highland Park Reservoir 92,500 Water main from Guadalupe to Anderson Lane to Woodrow; to provide more water for this rapidly growing area 114,550 Water main from 38th and Red River to 19th and Airport; to provide more water for East Austin 32,000 Fire Hydrants 20,000 Sewer Utility Improvements from Revenue and General Obligation Bonds The Sewer Utility has a final $358, 372 available of general obligation bond money. This together with $674,953 of revenue bond money, allows for a total expenditure in this section of $1,033,325 for sewer improvements. 802 802 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS xiii The detailed breakdown is as follows: Pump Stations: : 3 million gallon holding tank and pump station $ 262,650 Pump Station; Shoal Creek at West 1st Street 22,710 Taylor Branch 22,330 Sewer Lines 8" to 36" diameter in size: Shoal Creek main from West 3rd Street to Gaston Ave. 109,000 Boogy Creek main from Bryan St. to Manor Road 105,000 East Bouldin Creek main from Havana St. to Industrial Boulevard 30,000 Montopolis Area 25,000 Tannehill Branch Area from Sewage Treatment Plant north 25,000 Camp Mabry area from Scenic Drive to Horseshoe Bend pumping station 25,000 Homewood Heights Area in Govalle 15,000 Miscellaneous laterals 113,635 House connections 90,000 Sewage Treatment Plant: Expansion of Excess sludge disposal facilities 188,000 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 1 803 803 xiv PROPOSED GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND FUND IMPROVEMENTS (p.199) Our general obligation bond funds will enter the new year with net resources of $1,778, 117. During the year of 1955, it is proposed that we sell $275,000 of Recreation bonds. It is also proposed that the following money already available be spent: Airport Application has been made to the Federal government for aid in ex- tending and improving our runways at Municipal Airport Auditorium $ 377,780 100,000 This is in the preliminary planning stage by the architects. It is con- templated that the revenue bonds voted for this project will be sold during the year. Fire Station 37,000 The contract has been let for the addition to the Police Building which will house the Fire Marshal, Work will begin immediately on that building. Hospital 531,175 We have just received a check for $600,000 representing the initial participation of the Federal government in this project. Another payment of $900,000 will be made. It is contemplated that with the expenditure of $1, 431, 175 during this fiscal year that the hospital will be completed. Sanitary Sewer 358,372 The Sewer Utility will exhaust its general obligation bond resources at the completion of the coming year, The amount shown above will be spent for improvements as shown under Revenue Bond expenditures. 804 804 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS === Parks, Playgrounds, and Recreation 1. REED PARK PROJECT: XV $23,000 Construct park road, water system, erect play apparatus, construct tennis courts and rest rooms. 2. ZARAGOSA PARK PROJECT: 8,000 Install water system and general improvements. 3. MONTOPOLIS PARK PROJECT: 9,000 Install water system, erect lights for night play. 4. PERRY PARK PROJECT: 9,500 Install water system 5. ROSEWOOD PARK PROJECT: 73,000 Install water system, construct swimming pool. 6. ZILKER PLAYGROUND PROJECT: 10,000 Install water system, erect lights for night play,. and construct tennis courts. 7. NEW GOLF COURSE: 5,000 Engineering, surveying, and planning new 18 hole golf course. 8. LAND PURCHASES: 117,464 Area 17 McCallum School Area Area 26 St. Johns Area Area 40 Old Bastrop Road Area 43 St. Elmo Area Area 33 Taulbee Area Area 25 East Austin 9. PAYMENT ON NEW GOLF COURSE: 20,000 10. EAST AUSTIN COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER: 100,000 11. MISC. PROJECTS 95,000 TOTAL $ 469,964 805 805 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS xvi ANALYSIS OF AD VALOREM TAX LEVY (pp 1-3) Austin's first revaluation of property since 1947 has been completed and ! will be in effect with the tax roll that will be herewith adopted. It was estimated and so announced earlier this year that the new assessed values in the city would probably be about $375,000,000 and that the tax rate for the new year would be about $1.86 per $100 valuation for city and school purposes. It is now estimated that these valuations may go slightly above the announced figure, to an estimated total of $384, 000, 000 and consequently the tax rate is being projected in this budget for $1.82, a reduction of four cents. With a 90% collection record, this will bring $6, 289, 920 into the city's treasury. That total will be split three ways: the General Fund with a tax rate of 62 cents will collect an estimated $2, 142, 720; the schools with a tax rate of 59 cents will collect an estimated $2,039,040, and the Sinking Fund with a rate of 61 cents will collect an estimated $2, 108, 160. INTEREST AND SINKING FUND (pp 202-206) The total receipts and balances available to the Interest and Sinking Fund on October 1, 1954 will be $3,453,641.95. During the year, the City is com mitted to $1,549,500 in principal payments and $784,687.83 in interest costs. In addition, it must be anticipated that another $755, 655 in principal and interest will be due January 1, 1956. Thus, after the above disbursements and reserve for January 1, 1956 requirements are deducted, the fund will have a balance of $363, 799.12. 806 806 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS xvii GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Sanitation Equipment. Capital outlay expenditures for equipment in the Public Works Department have again been cut drastically, especially in the Sanitation Division. We are still operating nineteen old-style open-bed trucks, all of which are past the stage where it is economically practical to operate them. To buy nineteen of these new packer trucks at a cost of $6,500 each would mean an additional $123,500 which this budget does not have. Therefore, we are again recommending to the Council that an alternate plan be adoptedthat of reducing our garbage collection pick-ups to once each week instead of twice as is now the custom in residential areas. If this is done, it will alleviate greatly our equipment maintenance problem. As suggested last year, if this plan were adopted, we would recommend that the saving in manpower from this plan be used to pick up cans at the rear of the house or wherever the homeowner might place them. This would take care of one of the standing complaints which the City has and that is the complaint of citizens having to place their cans at the curb in order to have their garbage and refuse picked up. The establishment of a policy wherein our employees would do the transporting of the cans might entail the home owner buying an additional can, but we believe that the esthetic advantages gained would more than offset these expenditures and the City would save, not only the cost of the new trucks now needed, but the constant expense of new equipment as well as gasoline and repairs to existing equipment. Planning. You will note that no money has been set up in the operating budget of the Planning Department for consulting services for this fiscal year. essed 1954 Taken out Sept. 20, (rece Meeting of Sept. 16. 1 807 807 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS xviii Your city administration is fully appreciative of the importance of this area of municipal government and we believe much can be accomplished in our city in cooperation with the State Planning Committee appointed in 1953. Several civic organizations have indicated a deep interest in the adoption of a Master Plan for Austin and it is recommended to the City Council that you appropriate $50,000 of the remaining "Unappropriated Reserve" for planning consulting services in the ensuing year. Work Week of City Employees. For several years, we have discussed the possibility of a reduction in work week for city employees. Serious thought was given to this matter in July of last year when it was finally decided to grant employees a cash pay increase instead of a reduction in their work week. a So that a sound recommendation could be given to the Council, we have had our Personnel Department make/survey of salaries and work week of other Texas cities and other business and governmental agencies in Austin. A copy of this survey has been given each Council member. The survey clearly shows that our city employees are being paid below the average of the 12 other larger cities in Texas and of other employees in the Austin labor area. The difference in the hourly work week accounts for much of this. Five of the eleven cities surveyed have a majority of their employees on a 40 hour week. In the Austin area, the percentage is even higher. Sixteen of the eighteen business and governmental firms surveyed observe a forty hour work week with only two having a longer work week. A reduction in work week of all of our employees will do much to bring their salaries in line with employees of other cities and with their co-workers in Central Texas. Based on the survey's results, we are recommending for your consideration the following reduction in the work week of our employees: CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS 808 808 xix Firemen, now on a 72 hour week, be placed on a 63 hour week; employees now on 45 and 44 hour weeks be placed on a 40 hour week; housekeeping, dietary and other employees in the hospital now on a 48 hour week be placed on a 44 hour week; and finally, police employees now working a 48 hour week be given approximat ely, a 7 1/2% pay increase. The latter recommendation is made for several reasons: (1) the work of this Department lends itself to a 48 hour week much more readily than a shorter work week; problems would arise in the adoption of a 40 hour week that are not present in other departments; (2) a 48 hour week is in line with other large Texas cities. Of the twelve largest cities in Texas, only Houston and Dallas have their police departments on a shorter work week than 48 hours; (3) an informal poll of police employees reveals they actually prefer an increase to a shorter work week.. Set up in the present budget is a reserve of $253,841. It is our recommendation that $178,000 of that be used for the reduction in the work week outlined above. The actual yearly cost of such a reduction is $230,000, but we are suggesting that the new work week be effective January 1, 1955. The principle reason for this is to give the Fire Department necessary time to recruit and train properly the 16 new men required in that department. The recommendations outlined above will require a minimum of 70 new employees in various departments. This allows for additional employees only in departments where 24 hour operations are carried on and does not anticipate an increase in the number of employees in most departments. In those departments where employees now work 44 or 45 hours, we believe that the shorter work week and hence shorter work day will result in their producing just as much as the longer day. 809 809 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS = XX The cost of the foregoing program is detailed as follows: General Fund Departments: Department No. of New Yearly Cost Empl Required Fire 16 $ 46,650 Hospital 30 54,000 Airport 1 2,500 TB Sanitorium 2 5,000 Abattoir 1 2,500 Police (71/2% pay increase) 51,350 SUBTOTAL 50 $ 162,000 Utility Fund Departments: Power Plant 9 33,500 Pumping Plant 1 2,600 Electric Distribution 2 6,600 Water & Sewer Plant 7 22,800 Sewer Lift Station 1 2,500 SUBTOTAL 20 68,000 GRAND TOTAL 70 230,000 Cost for 9 months beginning January 1, 1955: 172,500 Cost of training 16 men in Fire Department for six weeks: 5,500 TOTAL COST $ 178,000 Salaries of Department Heads. I further recommend that very serious consideration be given to the salaries of the top department heads of the city. It has been two years since the great majority of them have received any consideration for deserving salary increases. You will recall that the last salary increase in July of 1953 did not apply to any employee drawing more than $5,000 per year. It is actually at the upper level that we are in danger of 810 810 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS xxi losing key people persons upon whom the efficiency of the city's operation really hinges from day to day. Each year, we lose several of these top department heads and many more receive offers which are difficult to refuse. I do not feel it at all fair that they should bear the brunt of responsibility and not be considered for salary increases. To those department heads and to all others of our employees who have worked so diligently for our city the past year, I extend my sincere thanks. I also wish to thank the members of the Council for their cooperation and work during the past year. The budget submitted to you is a budget of minimum necessities and represents only the bare predictable needs of our city. Respectfully submitted, W. E, SEAHOLM City Manager