Brittany Kelley
KYLE — Kyle City Council discussed a potential Finance and Audit Committee at its April 16 special meeting, along with city manager Bryan Langley’s resignation and an item that previously failed.
The presentation on the Finance and Audit Committee follows council’s request at the Feb. 3 meeting for a history of the committee and potential options.
According to director of Finance Perwez Moheet, the Kyle Committee on Finance & Audit was first created in 2006. It had a total of seven members, consisting of six residents and a council member, with two-year terms. The duties were to advise the council and staff on investment policies, monitor the city funds on a quarterly basis, review the adequacy of internal financial controls and make recommendations and to carry out other advisory or volunteer needs.
This was changed in 2011, when an ordinance amended the membership and required all seven members to be residents, followed by the selection for a chairperson and vice chairperson in 2012.
Then, in 2013, it was decided that two seats would be added, with the following guidelines:
• One resident chosen from each single member district
• Three residents chosen from the city at large
• One chair person chosen from the city at large
• Two alternate members chosen from the city at large
The then-Strategic Planning & Finance Committee, was officially abolished in 2015. All duties and responsibilities were to be directed to council.
When discussing what council may want to consider for the new committee, Moheet noted that an effective Audit & Finance Committee helps protect and safeguard taxpayer funds, increases public trust and improves financial discipline and controls. Additionally, financial oversight responsibilities are not limited to, but may include: financial planning and reporting, independent annual financial audit, risk management, debt management and any specific financial matters requested by council.
Out of Kyle’s standard 10 peer cities, only Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock did not have a finance committee.
Moheet then presented council with three options for reinstatement:
Option one:
• Council members make up the seats
• Three year terms
• Meets as needed
Option two:
• Council members and residents make up the seats
• Three year terms
• Meets as needed
Option three:
• Council customizes the meeting structure, term length, frequency of meetings and who sits on it
“With everything in the air as far as our finances and where we’re at and where our economy is nationwide and statewide and locally, it would be a good suggestion to maybe look back at a committee [and] bringing something like this back,” said council member Michael Tobias. “To me, looking at it, I would support an item like this, going with option two.”
He then clarified that despite internal auditors being used by staff, a committee with seven people, with preferably residents that have experience in banking, would be beneficial. Tobias also recommended quarterly meetings.
“We can have so much conversation about what [the financials are and] we can have public comment to see where we’re at. I think it would be even better to have something like that because you have residents involved they can have a say and you have checks and balances,” said Tobias.
Agreeing with Tobias’ preference for qualifications was council member Marc McKinney, who stated that it was a “need.”
Mayor Yvonne Flores-Cale stated that she is in favor of a Finance and Budget Committee because she “would love that feedback” from residents on how their money should be spent. Conversely, council member Claudia Zapata was against this idea, stating that the budget process needs to be improved overall, rather than potential biases from those sitting on the committee.
Following discussion, Moheet stated that he will bring back a draft ordinance at an upcoming council meeting regarding the committee.
An item to reconsider a failed item from the April 7 meeting was brought forward by council member Courtney Goza. She stated that at the time of the initial vote to amend the Rules of Council and Code of Conduct, Zapata didn’t have any examples of what she was hoping to change, but, later, posted to social media with clarity on the potential amendments, such as establishing basic standards and appropriate workplace boundaries. So, Goza felt as though it deserved another chance.
The motion to reconsider passed 6-1, with council member Claudia Zapata dissenting.
After determining that council would like updated information on the current Rules of Council and policies for boards and committees and what possible changes could be made, a motion was made to direct the city manager to bring back the existing requirements, as well as bring a presentation on potential options for changing or other considerations for professional conduct, public communication and engagement with residents, colleagues, staff and council.
The motion passed 7-0.
Council also unanimously approved Langley’s resignation.
“I want to acknowledge Mr. Langley’s service to the city of Kyle. Although we didn’t always see eye to eye, we stayed focused on the work and kept this city moving forward. Kyle is in a very different place today than it was three years ago and that did not happen by accident. The procedures put in place during his time here have had a real impact and he played a direct role in that,” said Flores-Cale.
Langley’s last day in the office will be May 8, with availability, if needed, through May 15, though he will not be in office.
To listen to the discussion, visit bit.ly/41BkODn.
