Cedar Park adopts $143M operating budget for FY 2020-21

Cedar Park City Council adopted a $143 million operating budget and marginally lowered its property tax rate for fiscal year 2020-21 on Sept. 10.

The budget includes funding for major projects such as the new library, Lakeline Park, Bell Boulevard redevelopment, road projects and trail projects. City building and security, drainage projects, data storage and police department air conditioning units are also part of the FY 2020-21 budget.

Kent Meredith, the city finance director, said the budget is balanced and sustainable.

The general fund increased 2.7% from the FY 2019-20 budget, Meredith said. Capital projects, totaling $23.7 million, include:

• $6.1 million for parks projects, such as the Bell Boulevard Redevelopment Park, Regional Trail Connection Bridge match, North Brushy Creek Trail, Lakeline Park and community park improvements;
• $6.2 million in transportation projects, such as the New Hope Drive extension to Sam Bass Road and Bell Boulevard Road Realignment; and
• $11.4 million in facilities projects such as the new library, Police building air conditioning units, and city buildings safety and security.

Additionally, $5.3 million is set for water projects and $1.2 million for wastewater projects. Community support organizations will receive $81,500 in FY 2020-21.

The budget accounts for one new patrol officer position at the request of the department and as recommended by council at its Sept. 3 meeting.

Interim Chief Mike Harmon said at the Sept. 3 meeting that an added position would even out the patrol platoon and “would give them additional flexibility in those situations.”

City Council also approved a property tax rate of $0.446977 per $100 valuation, which is nearly unchanged from the previous rate. Based on an average Cedar Park home value of $340,361, the average Cedar Park homeowner would pay $31.84 more than in the previous year, Meredith said. Property tax accounts for 43% of the city's revenue and 18% of the total property tax levy.