Buda City Council is halfway through adopting its budget and property tax rate for fiscal year 2015-16. In the first of two readings Sept. 15, the council voted 7-0 to adopt its $29.21 million budget. The budget features $6.13 million in capital improvement projects and $23.07 million in operating expenditures. Council also voted unanimously to raise the city’s property tax rate from $0.2979 per $100 valuation in fiscal year 2014-15 to $0.3475 per $100 valuation in fiscal year 2015-16. Mayor Todd Ruge said he is most looking forward to bolstering the Buda Police Department with two new police officers and one clerk. “The fact that we can bring on two new officers and a clerk position is really going to help the men and women over there do their job,” Ruge said. “Whenever you get more boots on the ground that’s a good thing.” Buda PD was founded in October 2010. The mayor said it is exciting to see the continual progress of the department. Bond money approved by voters in 2014 will fund, among other projects, a new facility for the city’s police force. “The citizens understand we are growing,” Ruge said. “We did pass some bonds, so the tax rate will be going up.” He added the city’s transparency with its citizens made the budget process a smooth one. Second readings for adopting the budget and tax rate are scheduled for a special meeting on Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. in Buda City Hall, 121 Main St., Buda.