Humble City Council approved the city's fiscal year 2019-20 budget at the regular meeting Sept. 12. The budget consists of $113.53 million in expenditures—a 1.7% increase from the FY 2018-19 $111.62 million budget.

The budget includes $35.25 million expenditures in the general fund, $15.21 million in capital projects, and $16.68 million in water and sewer, according to the budget. The city intends to purchase seven traffic control vehicles and two detective vehicles for $435,103, as well as expand Rankin Road between the Union Pacific Corp. railroad tracks to Houston Avenue for $3.65 million.

In addition to projects and item purchases, the city also will add three paramedics to the city’s fire department for $284,075 and convert two part-time positions at the Humble Civic Center to one full-time position.

The city also anticipates a slight increase in sales tax revenue of $13.5 million as opposed to last year's $13.2 million approved revenue.

City Council will soon vote on the new proposed property tax rate of $0.255944 per $100 valuation—an 8% increase over the FY 2018-19 tax rate of $0.245572 per $100 valuation. The proposed rate will be voted on Sept. 26 following two public hearings Sept. 19 and 23 at 6:30 p.m. and 10 a.m., respectively, at Humble City Hall, 114 W. Higgins St., Humble.

City Manager Jason Stuebe said the proposed property tax is estimated to bring an additional $520,223 in revenue to the city's budget—an 11.1% increase from FY 2018-19.

Other agenda items: 

  • Humble Mayor Merle Aaron swore in new Council Member Charles Cunningham, who previously served 12 years on Humble ISD board of trustees.

  • City Council unanimously approved a $445,090 contract with BEY Commercial for the city of Humble Museum renovation and build-out. The museum will be relocated from its current home to Charles Bender Performing Arts Center.