West University Place officials passed the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget of $56.6 million during the council’s Aug. 17 regular meeting.
Budget explain
The budget, which runs from Jan.1 through Dec. 31, will increase employee merit raises from 2% to 3%, add two police officer positions and use reserve funds to cover one-time startup costs associated with the new hires, including equipment and vehicles.
Police Chief Gary Ratliff said at a July 30 meeting that an independent staffing study conducted by the International City/County Management Association concluded the department should eventually have 42 officers, including 25 patrol units, to give more time for proactive policing rather than primarily responding to calls.
He added the department is currently on track to reach 31 officers after its latest hiring class completes training, with the additional two officers serving as another step toward that long-term staffing goal.
Cost to the city
One of the largest cost increases is associated with recycling disposal fees, including approximately $98,000 for a new household hazardous waste program. For residents, the fee will be $1.50 a month.
The program offers at-your-door services for residents to have hazardous waste materials such as batteries, paint cans, electronics, or chemicals properly recycled. Waste Management, with whom the city contracted for the program, will send a bag for the materials and will then come pick them up after the resident has scheduled a pickup time, as previously reported by Community Impact.
The budget also includes higher solid waste disposal costs, vehicle maintenance expenses and fuel costs, while contracted labor costs are expected to decrease due to changes to the city's agreement with Magnum, the contractor that provides workers who collect trash, recycling and yard waste.
The city has a budget of $742,500 in vehicle replacements next year, including purchasing a backhoe, dump truck, garbage truck and other equipment, according to budget documents.
Project funding
City officials also passed the tax rate, which will decrease in FY2027. The city’s rate for FY2026 is $0.229441 per $100 of value; for FY 2027 it dropped to $0.222219.
Council also approved the 2027-2036 Capital Improvement Plan for $54 million. The CIP is the 10-year planning guide for infrastructure projects. Although the plan goes through 2036, funding is only incorporated into the FY2027 budget; projects identified for 2028-2036 are not approved yet.
Funding for the CIP comes from grants, capital reserve, debt, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) and other funding sources, according to budget documents.
Some of the planned projects for FY 2027 include:
- Poor Farm Ditch improvements ($325,000)
- Lighting improvements ($265,000)
- Tri-Sports park improvements ($50,000)
- Roadway, traffic light, sidewalk and pedestrian enhancements (over $4.2 million)
One notable project that is part of the current CIP includes the creation of Helen’s Park, a new development that will take place “several” years from now, officials said. A home that currently has tenants in it will become a park after they move out. The city received $250,000 for the development of the space, which will be called Helen’s Park.
One more thing
West U’s budget matches the calendar year and begins Jan. 1, 2027, and will end Dec. 31, 2027.
