Tomball City Council approved the fiscal year 2024-25 budget during its Sept. 3 meeting, with $37.7 million in revenues and $40.6 million in expenditures, according to the city’s presentation.

The gist

The approved general fund budget will have a $2.8 million shortfall, according to the city’s presentation. Tomball will use its fund balance—essentially the city’s savings account—to cover the shortfall. The fund balance is projected to sit at $26.7 million by the end of FY 2024-25.

The breakdown

According to the city’s presentation, key items in FY 2024-25 budget include:
  • New personnel: 7.5 or full-time equivalent employees, in departments including human resources, police, fire and public works
  • Cost of living adjustment and funding for merit raises
  • Medical insurance increase included at 3.2% for city staff
  • Addresses immediate capital needs identified in master plans
Items in the FY 2024-25 budget include:
  • $80,000 for heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacement city-wide
  • $62,000 for outdoor speakers for The Depot
  • $52,000 for an entry monuments consultant
  • $40,000 for The Depot Christmas tree replacement
Council discussed drafting reimbursement guidelines for funds in the budget allotted to council members to attend conferences and other events where they represent Tomball.


Quote of note

“I appreciate the involvement in this budget process,” City Manager David Esquivel said during the Sept. 3 meeting. “This is a complex budget. This is not a one-year look, this is a larger window we’re looking at, it’s because the project numbers that we're looking at are significantly larger. I think it's a great idea to continue the conversation, because it is a continual education for us as well for staff to absolutely understand the impacts and the needs.”