What you need to know
City Council adopted the fiscal year 2025-26 budget and ratified the proposed property tax rate increase during its regular meeting Aug. 18. The tax rate increase will generate approximately $1.05 million in additional city revenues compared to last fiscal year, according to city staff.
The council adopted the proposed $72.6 million budget in a 4-1 vote, with council member Simon Hughes opposed. City Council then ratified the new property tax rate, $0.8146 per $100 home valuation, in a separate vote with the same split.
By the numbers
The adopted FY 2025-26 budget includes:
- $32.48 million for capital projects, such as flood mitigation, park improvements and street panel replacement
- $36.58 million for operating costs, including $2.66 million for the police department, $2.28 million for the fire department and merit-based salary raises for city staff
- $45.59 million in combined city revenues
- $23.48 million from fund balances
- $0.6565 per $100 home valuation for maintenance and operations
- $0.1581 per $100 home valuation for debt service
In case you missed it
Council members briefly debated the funding for three capital project bonds before voting to place the proposals on the November ballot as written. These include:
- $21.62 million for a new city campus, which would also house the public works department and include a variety of community spaces
- $20 million for improvements to water and wastewater infrastructure
- $6.5 million for a new city pool and pump house
Looking forward
The new fiscal year starts Oct. 1 and runs through Sept. 30, 2026.
