Quote:
City leaders say they are committed to a transparent budgeting process, starting with detailed discussions in budget workshops scheduled from July 15-17 at 11 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The proposed budget will be posted on the city's website on July 8. An open house for public input is set for July 22 at 6 p.m., followed by public hearings on July 25 and August 22. The council plans to adopt the budget on August 22, with the new fiscal year beginning on October 1.
I propose, to minimize the impact, to lower annually by 10% the amount of money transferred from the Utility Fund to the GF so that within a decade all monies paid by the citizens in their utility bill will either stay in the utility fund for current operating costs, put in a fund for future capital projects, or returned to the citizens in reduced rates.Bob Yancy said:
The budget is not perfect. I'm not here to defend it. I'm here to defend your interests. I have some issues with it, but on balance, in my estimation, it's not a bad document. A lot of work went into it by staff. They propose. Council adjusts, or doesn't, and ultimately approves. Even then however, it's just the budget, not actuals. Each and every actual expenditure of consequence must ultimately be approved by council throughout the year as it approaches being incurred.
I posted the budget open house to make you aware. Thursday it is a regular agenda item. Later still in August there is another opportunity to be heard before it's finalized.
City hall is not hiding anything. Your city is not your federal govt, nor state. City govt, as Reagan said, is govt closest to you. Thusly, in my opinion, it is most accountable and best serves you, the bosses.
I'll do my best and make my case as 1 of 7. Sometimes I prevail, sometimes I fail. I was there tonite when we on council are not allowed to speak. Tonite was about listening. Thursday night I'll make a few cases again.
This is our system. I know many of y'all aren't happy. You have an opportunity to voice your opposition or support. And you don't have to get on a plane and fly to DC to do it. It's right here in the middle of town.
Had some great conversations tonite. Will keep fighting for what I think makes sense based on what you, my bosses tell me. So hopefully I'll see y'all Thursday night.
Respectfully,
-yancy
woodiewood said:I propose, to minimize the impact, to lower annually by 10% the amount of money transferred from the Utility Fund to the GF so that within a decade all monies paid by the citizens in their utility bill will either stay in the utility fund for current operating costs, put in a fund for future capital projects, or returned to the citizens in reduced rates.Bob Yancy said:
The budget is not perfect. I'm not here to defend it. I'm here to defend your interests. I have some issues with it, but on balance, in my estimation, it's not a bad document. A lot of work went into it by staff. They propose. Council adjusts, or doesn't, and ultimately approves. Even then however, it's just the budget, not actuals. Each and every actual expenditure of consequence must ultimately be approved by council throughout the year as it approaches being incurred.
I posted the budget open house to make you aware. Thursday it is a regular agenda item. Later still in August there is another opportunity to be heard before it's finalized.
City hall is not hiding anything. Your city is not your federal govt, nor state. City govt, as Reagan said, is govt closest to you. Thusly, in my opinion, it is most accountable and best serves you, the bosses.
I'll do my best and make my case as 1 of 7. Sometimes I prevail, sometimes I fail. I was there tonite when we on council are not allowed to speak. Tonite was about listening. Thursday night I'll make a few cases again.
This is our system. I know many of y'all aren't happy. You have an opportunity to voice your opposition or support. And you don't have to get on a plane and fly to DC to do it. It's right here in the middle of town.
Had some great conversations tonite. Will keep fighting for what I think makes sense based on what you, my bosses tell me. So hopefully I'll see y'all Thursday night.
Respectfully,
-yancy
Quote:
If a for profit utility would benefit stockholders in its profits, what's wrong with municipally owned utilities operating margin being used to benefit taxpayers?
I think it won't matter unless it is accompanied by matching spending reductions, or the tax rate just goes up to compensate.woodiewood said:
I propose, to minimize the impact, to lower annually by 10% the amount of money transferred from the Utility Fund to the GF so that within a decade all monies paid by the citizens in their utility bill will either stay in the utility fund for current operating costs, put in a fund for future capital projects, or returned to the citizens in reduced rates.
The monopoly.Bob Yancy said:
If a for profit utility would benefit stockholders in its profits, what's wrong with municipally owned utilities operating margin being used to benefit taxpayers?
Stucco said:The monopoly.Bob Yancy said:
If a for profit utility would benefit stockholders in its profits, what's wrong with municipally owned utilities operating margin being used to benefit taxpayers?
powertochoose.org
But on the issue, the artificially high utility rates burden heavy utility users, as opposed to valuable property owners. That is likely a wash to an average taxpayer, but data would be interesting. It is also a consumption tax, which should reduce utility usage overall and help us to plan better for infrastructure. The part I dislike is the shell game. It should appear on the utility bill as a city tax, not be hidden in the rates. Taken a step further, force the tax on any provider that wants in, then deregulate and compete.
GSS said:
What is the likelhood of the Brazos Transit District request for $340,000 being included in the CS budget?
If so, will there be any accountability linked to the expenditure?
nwspmp said:Stucco said:The monopoly.Bob Yancy said:
If a for profit utility would benefit stockholders in its profits, what's wrong with municipally owned utilities operating margin being used to benefit taxpayers?
powertochoose.org
But on the issue, the artificially high utility rates burden heavy utility users, as opposed to valuable property owners. That is likely a wash to an average taxpayer, but data would be interesting. It is also a consumption tax, which should reduce utility usage overall and help us to plan better for infrastructure. The part I dislike is the shell game. It should appear on the utility bill as a city tax, not be hidden in the rates. Taken a step further, force the tax on any provider that wants in, then deregulate and compete.
If the utility rates were higher, I'd agree, but for the most part our utility rates are somewhat competitive with open market areas as well.
Under BTU, my electric section of my bill (monthly meter fee, energy and delivery costs and regulatory recoup costs) has my almost 3600kWh consumption at $389. CSU, based on their rates and equivalent fees would have my electricity cost at $496. The cheapest power plan on PowertoChoose for Houston ZIP 77080 (picked a random one) would have my bill at $441. Cheapest in Waco 76712 would be $452. Arlington, TX would match Waco as they also have the same plan for the lowest cost. So, CS a bit higher than the lowest market participants, at least for my power consumption levels.
Those power plans would also potentially have market adjustments for price during the contract with a large contract termination fee. Some of the open plans have free nights or weekends or a certain number of days/month, and there could be ways to game those systems, but on the whole reliable power with the added restraint on the utility to have to go to council to get rate increases is something I do value. Closer to 1000 kWh/month, and there are plans that could be cheaper, definitely.
According to the PUCT, there is no area in Texas where, on average, I could have an all-in energy rate lower than what I'd get through CSU and certainly not what I do get with BTU.
https://ftp.puc.texas.gov/public/puct-info/industry/electric/rates/RESrate/rate23/Dec23Rates.pdf
Now, could I find something cheaper than CSU; yes, but with some caveats. I have not found one on the open market in Texas that would be cheaper for my power consumption.
