Stephenville City Council approved its annual budget Monday, Sept. 22 including a significant increase in salaries for public safety employees.
Though all employees are receiving raises, this year’s pay plan is a $1.3 million increase, with $1 million designated to police and fire salary increases. In that million, $582,000 is designated for fire personnel increases and $495,000 for police personnel.
“Some of the biggest conversations we’ve had is related to salaries, most significantly in our public safety department,” City Manager Jason King said about the budget process that has taken place over the past several months.
Also in the budget are three additional positions on the utility side with two on the customer service side and a utility billing manager to keep up with the demand and growth.
Over the past months, both the Stephenville Police Association and the Stephenville Professional Firefighters Association have both been working to get information out to the community about increases needed for first responders.
On the firefighters’ side, they began a petition to put on the ballot about a pay referendum.
“While we were working to advocate for fair compensation, the City Council was simultaneously working on a plan to provide raises for all first responders. That raise is now included in the proposed city budget being voted on tonight.
Although the final figures are not exactly what our petition outlined, we sincerely appreciate the City Council and City Manager Jason King for recognizing our efforts and working to establish pay equity with our brothers and sisters in the Police Department,” Stephenville Professional Firefighters Association released in a statement on social media. “Most importantly, we want to thank you—the citizens of Stephenville. Your strong and enthusiastic support made it clear that our community values its firefighters and the work we do. Your signatures, your conversations at the door, and your belief in us made all the difference.”
The association negotiated with the council that their raises would not be at the detriment of any other city department and there will not be a pay referendum on the November ballot.
The Stephenville Police Association encouraged everyone to attend the Monday night meeting in support of the city council and administration.
“This has been an issue for as long as many people in the community can remember and this City Council and City administration are the ones finally correcting this issue,” the association stated. “This increase will be instrumental in helping us recruit and retain outstanding officers, provide for their families, and maintain the high level of service that Stephenville citizens expect and deserve.”
“Thank ya’ll for speaking to everyone of us, and having those open conversations with us. Thank ya’ll for all you do,” Mayor Pro Temp David Baskett said during the meeting.
Council also approved a tax rate increase rising from $.3929 per $100 valuation to $.4000 per $100 valuation. With the rise in taxes, an additional $573,000 was raised in property taxes which is contributing to the salary increases.
In this year’s fee schedule, a 10% increase in water and a 12% increase in wastewater fees will be seen.
“This is a comprehensive list of what the city charges, correct?” Councilmember Alan Nix asked.
“Every way we do business is codified in this schedule,” King said.
No one spoke during any public hearings on the budget or tax rate.
During the Parks and Services committee meeting, Director of Parks and Leisure Services Daron Trussell updated the council on a possible renovation regarding Splashville. Due to a rising increase in keeping the pool open and staff salary needed for the pool, the city is beginning the conversation for the pool to transition to another kind of recreation entity that would serve all ages.
No action has yet been taken, however, Trussell updated council on some possible changes.
Possible changes would be installing two 1,800 sq. ft. splash pads – one at the Splashville area in the city park and one at the Optimist Jaycee Park.
A variety of activity areas appropriate for all ages were addressed including a soccer/ hockey interactive wall. The LED panels light up when striking the targets encouraging both practice and play.
Freestanding climbing devices such as an ascend orbiter was also presented as an option.
“We wanted something different than slides and swings,” Trussell said. “We wanted to make it active.”
An obstacle course on turf was another possibility presented.
Updates on existing pickleball courts such as lighting and shade may also be implemented.
“We can be open a lot more during the year,” Trussell shared.
The city may possibly utilize $3 million in reserves for the potential project, and plans to talk to civic clubs and receive public input before renovation plans are firmed up.
“It’s multigenerational and anybody of any ability will be able to use it,” he said.
A possible equipment room to check out things such as cornhole boards, soccer balls or pickleball equipment may be added along with reopening a snack bar.
“We think it will be a high use area,”he said. Everything will be free to use.