Little Elm proposes 6-cent tax rate increase
By LAURA CHILDRESS

The Little Elm Town Council continued to tweak the proposed 2007-08 budget Tuesday.

The $11 million proposed budget is based on a proposed tax rate of 53.58 cents per $100 evaluation, an increase of 6.58 cents over the current rate of 47 cents.

The increase follows a a 7-cent increase last year.

While no new positions were included in the budget proposed by staff, following the addition of 33 new staff members last year, the council had recommended in a budget work session Saturday that the tax rate be raised to accommodate additional staffing in the police, fire and parks departments, along with capital improvements.

Under the new proposal, two police officers would be added, along with a firefighter/paramedic and four parks employees.

"I would support a tax increase if it addressed my priorities: public safety and leisure activities,” said Councilwoman Beverly Hughes.

Hughes added that an animal control receptionist was also one of her top priorities.

Town Manager Ivan Langford noted that the budget is extremely tight.

"We've gone through this budget multiple times and trimmed and trimmed and trimmed," he said."We have trimmed this pretty tight.” As for council's concerns regarding the need for additional public safety personnel following the annexation of right-of-way along US Hwy. 380, Langford said that hiring additional personnel could be delayed.

"We didn't annex any subdivisions," he said. "We annexed six residences.

"I don't think we need to add a shift of fire and police to an area that is basically uninhabited," he added. "We're already responding, and the demand for service up there, in my opinion, does not alone warrant an increase in personnel.” Langford added that the council had made parks improvements their priority for the upcoming year.

"A year ago you said your priority this year was going to be parks and recreation, and, in my opinion, it should still be," he said.

Finance director Ryan Adams said that while the increase in the tax rate generated only $300,000, the majority of that is being dedicated to parks.

Mayor Frank Kastner added that items trimmed from the budget should be given top priority at the mid-year budget review.

A second public hearing on the proposed tax rate will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 11, at which time the council is also expected to set Sept. 18 as the date to adopt the 2007-08 budget.

In other business, the council: * Amended the zoning of a 7.93-acre tract at the southwest corner of FM 423 and Woodlake Parkway to light commercial following a public hearing.

* Approved the consent agenda, consisting of the minutes of the Aug. 20 work session, Aug. 21 precouncil and regular council meetings and Aug. 25 budget work session; preliminary plat of Frisco Hills, located southwest of Doe Creek Road and US Hwy. 380 in the town's extraterritorial jurisdiction; an interlocal agreement with Hackberry for fire, EMS and ambulance services; and a medical control contract with Metrocrest Medical Services.

* Proclaimed Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week.

* Appointed LEPD Sgt. Brad Wilcox, town secretary Kathy Phillips, Dr. Wade Johnson of the Little Elm Pet Clinic and Ronnie Seely with Second Chance SPCA to a new animal advisory committee, as required under state law, to ensure that the town's animal shelter is operating under state guidelines.

* Engaged the services of Dan Jackson with Economists.com to perform a water and wastewater rate study. While the council had recently postponed action on the matter until after the budget is completed, staff noted that action was needed by the developers of Frisco Ranch, Frisco Hills and Valencia, as well as the town in planning capital improvements projects.

Funding for the study is included in the proposed 2007-08 budget.

* Approved a resolution adopting the Articles of Incorporation of the Little Elm Community Development Corporation.

* Approved an ordinance prohibiting animals from athletic fields, concession areas, playground areas, the swim beach, amphitheater and volleyball courts in town parks.

* Approved the Little Elm Economic Development Corporation's 2008 fiscal year budget.

* Received a presentation on the EDC's strategic plan for economic development in fiscal year 2008, including a continued emphasis on tourism.

* Received an update on projects remaining in the 2004 bond package: The community center plans are on hold pending acquisition of a site.

Design of the hike and bike trails, pavilions and multi-purpose fields are 75 percent complete.

Design of King Road improvements are 100 percent complete, although utility modifications are needed.

Lakeshore Drive designs are 60 percent complete and being prepared for submittal to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Main Street plans are on hold pending work on the town center project.

Construction on the Preston on the Lake emergency exit is expected to begin in 60 days.

Witt Road designs are 90 percent complete.