Government
BY ZARA FLORES
New programs funded in Kyle budget For fiscal year 2023-24, Kyle officials developed a budget that highlights invest- ments in the city’s employees and residents, according to budget documents. City Council adopted the budget and the city’s
Buda adopts lowest property tax rate in years Buda’s new budget for the upcoming 2023-24 fiscal year focuses on strategic goals, such as managing the city’s growth, funding public safety, and both short- and long-term projects. The overview The budget and its accompanying tax rate at $0.3379 per $100 valuation were adopted by City Council on Sept. 19. The tax rate is on the lower end of the spectrum in comparison to other cities in the Austin area. The city’s projected expenditures outweigh the projected revenue by nearly $10 million; however, the city started the budget with a $52 million beginning balance from the previous year, mean- ing the city will end the upcoming fiscal year with $42 million leftover. The breakdown The city’s expenditures include: • Salaries and benefits for city employees • Repairs and maintenance for buildings, streets and vehicles • Designated services, such as communications, utilities and city events • Debt service • Capital outlay to upgrade or maintain city land or equipment • Transfers to other city fund accounts
Buda’s projected revenue The city of Buda’s budget comes with five different revenue sources, totaling $98,097,126 for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The city’s tax rate is on the lower end of the Austin metro area.
Buda’s projected revenue
Revenue sources
tax rate Sept. 19. Budget explained
Miscellaneous: $49.63M Taxes: $28.47M Fees: $15.57M Admin. reimbursement: $2.89M Permits and licenses: $1.53M
The budget comes with expenditures set at $272 million and total revenue set at $198 million; a beginning balance of $199 million offsets the expenditures. Some notable expenditures include: • $100,000 for a mental health and behavioral program • $300,000 for the Uber Kyle $3.14 program • $10.5 million for Downtown Master Plan and other developments • $3.9 million for “high-priority” road projects • $5.5 million for merit pay, medical insur- ance and other employee-related expenses There are also a handful of new programs or services on the horizon the city ear- marked funds for but are not expected to be used until 2025 at the earliest: • $400,000 for an outdoor nature center • $150,000 for Seton park development • $210,000 for community gardens at Seton park • $250,000 for Kohlers Crossing illumination • $250,000 for a community center project
Total: $98.09M
Property tax breakdown
NOTE: PROPERTY TAX RATES ARE ALL LISTED PER $100 VALUATION.
$0.603
San Marcos
$0.4693
Kyle
$0.5362
Pflugerville
$0.4458
Austin
$0.4089
New Braunfels
$0.3379
Buda
$0.342
Round Rock
SOURCES: CITIES OF AUSTIN, BUDA, KYLE, NEW BRAUNFELS, PFLUGERVILLE, ROUND ROCK AND SAN MARCOS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Split council adopts San Marcos’ budget, tax rate San Marcos City Council adopted the fiscal year 2023-24 budget Sept. 19, but not before various council members spoke against the budget and the lack of outreach to the community. What you need to know The new budget has $321 million worth of expen- ditures and $315 million in revenue. What they’re saying Council members Alyssa Garza and Saul Gonzales were the two council members who voted against the budget, but others also spoke. Council member Shane Scott said the city’s budget a decade ago was much smaller at around $150 million. Mayor Jane Hughson spoke in support of the budget and all it provides to the city. “People love the library, and they want us to have our parks. ... All of these things cost money, so I’m going to be supporting this budget, the tax rate, etc.,” Hughson said.
Fees on the rise
Increases are listed per average bill. • Electric utility services will increase by 5% , or $1.71. • Water, reclaimed water and wastewater treatment services will increase by 5% , or around $5. • The Resource Recovery program cost for residential and multifamily customers will increase by 3% , or $0.22-$0.86. • The Clean Community Fee will increase by 56%- 63% , or $0.85-$3.50. • Property taxes will increase by about 15% , or $22.
SOURCE: CITY OF SAN MARCOS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION
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