By a unanimous vote, members of West University Place City Council approved the $101.96 million fiscal year 2026 budget and tax rates at the Sept. 22 meeting, prioritizing public safety, service enhancements and city infrastructure projects.

"The passage of a new budget and tax rate for the coming fiscal year are one of the primary obligations of our City Council,” Mayor Pro Tem John Barnes told Community Impact. “Together with the passage of a revised 10-year Capital Improvement Plan, they provide an opportunity to express our priorities as a city and to show residents how their tax dollars are being spent to make their lives better.”

The big picture

The city’s general fund budget is balanced with $26.7 million in revenues and expenses. General fund revenues increased by around $5 million from FY 2024’s $26.2 million general fund budget.

With an average $1.68 million West U home price, the 2025 property tax rate City Council approved Sept. 22 is 3.5% higher than the no-new-revenue rate of $0.2294 per $100 of home valuation, according to agenda documents. While the tax rate is an increase from the no-new-revenue rate, it is going down, city officials said.

City documents estimate that a homeowner’s property tax bill under the balanced budget at the no-new-revenue rate will be $3,584.76—a $481 decrease from $4,065.77 under the FY 2025 tax rate.

The FY 2026 budget continues the city’s funding efforts from last fiscal year aimed at keeping a close eye on competitive law enforcement pay, City Manager Dave Beach said. Based on council’s direction, they will be restructuring law enforcement command staff pay grades and could hire additional police officers, possibly filling in the new officer positions by mid-2026.

On the other hand

An additional $46.5 million in funding was identified for 2026 capital projects within the city’s 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Plan, according to agenda documents. CIP project funding in 2026 will go toward the city’s facilities, parks and streets, and water and wastewater projects, according to the city’s CIP document.

Funding for CIP projects is allocated from various sources, including bonds, capital reserves, water and sewer revenue, grants and other funds such as Harris County’s Metropolitan Transit Authority, according to the city’s CIP document.

Council member Clay Brett told Community Impact he applauds the city’s “sense of restraint in its operating budget."

“Our spending levels are outpaced by increases in West U home values, resulting in a reduction in the effective operating tax burden to residents,” Brett said.

Brett said the city’s approved CIP focuses on improving infrastructure projects.

“With a package of certificates of obligation initially approved alongside the 2026 budget, the city has commenced its Capital Improvement Plan focused on reinvestment in our water infrastructure, some of which is 80 or 90 years old. These investments will improve water pressure and water availability, supporting our fire department and drought resilience,” Brett said.

Drainage projects— which require funding beginning in 2027 and beyond—such as the city’s west side drainage project, Poor Farm Ditch and Buffalo Speedway stormwater sewer projects, are only approved on a planning basis and, once approved, are incorporated into the city’s annual budget, Communications Manager Bianca Cuccerre said in an email.

What residents should know

Brett encourages residents to know more about the various projects City Council will oversee in the CIP.

“The city faces a difficult challenge regarding the westside drainage project and we need to hear residents' voices regarding their priorities," he said. "The current proposal will abate street flooding throughout the west side and address lot flooding for 150 homes off of College [Street], south of University [Boulevard]."

Brett said the current proposal is also approximately 12 times the city's current operating budget and would represent a substantial tax increase to residents.

“Residents should read about this project and its financial implications, then bring their views to the City Council as the project develops," he said.