Update Sept. 8 2:25 p.m.: After two public hearings on Aug. 15 and 22, Kyle City Council approved a budget totaling nearly $75.5 million for the 2017-18 fiscal year.
This budget includes funding for a new dog park and a skate park as well as an entrance sign to the city and seven new government positions.
The city will also be cutting its tax rate from last year's $0.5748 to $0.5416 to relieve some of the burden Kyle residents are facing with increased valuations, an upcoming Emergency Service District tax and a new stormwater utility fee.
Mayor Todd Webster said during the Sept. 5 council meeting that he was proud of the budget and what the council was able to accomplish.
"This is the first budget I've seen that had anything close to the commitment of addressing our city's infrastructure shortcomings this city has had," Webster said. "I know we have [to] always play catch up but at the end of this fiscal year if we do all the projects that are in here that we plan to, I think we are going to be ahead of the curve."
Posted: Aug. 11, 2017: Numbers to know before Kyle City Council presents budget in mid-August
Gearing up for the fall, the city of Kyle is ironing out the details for its proposed $75.5 million budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year.
Besides a proposed 4.02 percent fee increase for trash collection charges, the city does not plan on increasing fees for most city services.
Another proposed budget change includes a $0.0332 reduction for property taxes, taking the rate from last year's $0.5748 to $0.5416. That rate was decided on during Kyle’s special council meeting on July 29.
City Manager Scott Sellers also recommended adding seven new positions for building inspections, engineering services and municipal court in the budget for FY 2017-18.
There will be two public hearings for Kyle citizens to provide comment about the budget and tax rates to the City Council on Aug. 15 and 22 at City Hall. The meetings start at 7 p.m.
