Throughout 2025, elected officials have worked on approving the upcoming budgets and tax rates. Check out these budget-related stories, highlighting the FY 2025-26 budgeting process.
Boerne city budget approved, tax rate remains unchanged
Boerne City Council on Sept. 9 held the final public hearing and approved its fiscal year 2025-26 budget and tax rate.
The tax rate remains unchanged compared to the previous fiscal year, but may increase average annual taxes paid due to an increase in home appraisal values.
The general fund, which covers daily operations and expenses, accounts for $43 million of the budget, while city utilities are expected to cost around $88 million. City utilities revenue comes from rate payers rather than property taxes.
According to the budget, the city will raise $1.08 million in additional property taxes, and $266,194 of that revenue will be raised from new property added to the city tax roll.
Finance Director Sarah Buckelew said the $43 million increase compared to the previous year’s budget, $40.3 million, is for capital-related projects: $1.2 million is for one-time expenses, and operational increases account for $1.5 million.
Boerne City Council approves water rate increases
Water rates for residential properties in Boerne have increased slightly, following the final approval of the fee schedule for FY 2025-26 during the Sept. 9 Boerne City Council meeting. The new residential rates will go into effect Oct. 1.
Water rates are determined on a per-100-gallon basis, with the rate increasing for each subsequent tier of water usage.
The monthly rate shall be the sum of the monthly customer charge plus the monthly volume charges. The customer charge for a 5/8-inch meter is $32.19 per month, while the charge for a 3/4-inch meter is $67.07 per month.
Former water rates were as follows:
- First 0-6,000 gallons: $0.223
- 6,001-10,000 gallons: $0.372
- 10,001-15,000 gallons: $0.511
- 15,001-25,000 gallons: $0.560
- 25,001-50,000 gallons: $1.015
- 50,001-100,000 gallons: $1.247
- All excess over 100,001 gallons: $2.024
- First 0-6,000 gallons: $0.239
- Next 6,001-10,000 gallons: $0.398
- Next 10,001-15,000 gallons: $0.547
- Next 15,001-25,000 gallons: $0.599
- Next 25,001-50,000 gallons: $1.086
- Next 50,001-100,000 gallons: $1.335
- All excess over 100,000 gallons: $2.166
The Kendall County budget and tax rate have been approved following the Aug. 26 Commissioners Court meeting.
The tax rate for FY 2025-26 will be $0.377 per $100 valuation, a decrease from the FY 2024-25 rate of $0.3825 per $100 valuation.
Despite a half-cent decrease in the overall tax rate, homeowners may pay higher taxes than they did last year, depending on their home's appraisal value.
County staff said the average home value in the county is $593,556. At this value, the homeowner would pay approximately $2,237 in annual county taxes. A home valued at $500,000 would pay around $1,885 in annual county taxes.
Fair Oaks Ranch renews ESD No. 4 contract, nearly doubling annual cost
Fair Oaks Ranch City Council on Sept. 4 approved a new contract with Bexar County Emergency Services Department No. 4 to cover fire services over the next decade, nearly doubling the cost to the city.
City Manager Scott Huizenga said the city of Fair Oaks Ranch does not own or operate its own fire department, instead using contracts to provide emergency services to residents.
The city entered its first formal agreement with ESD 4 starting in 2021, costing $362,927 at the start of the agreement and increasing to $528,581 by its end in FY 2024-25. The city paid $602,081 for EMS services in FY 2024-25.
In a new agreement, the city will begin with a contract of $1.1 million, nearly doubling the cost of the service, which includes fire and EMS services.
Fair Oaks Ranch tax rate unchanged, balanced budget projected
Fair Oaks Ranch City Council on Sept. 15 held a special meeting and public hearing for the city budget, which was approved by City Council on Sept. 18.
Director of Finance Summer Fleming said that there is a projected $583,987 change in revenue in the FY 2025-26 budget compared to FY 2024-25. Fleming said a $744,137 increase in operating expenditures is projected for the fiscal year.
Despite the increases, the general fund, which covers city operations and staff salaries, is expected to be balanced at the end of the fiscal year.
City Council also held a public hearing and first reading of an ordinance for the FY 2025-26 tax rate, $0.28530 per $100 valuation. This rate is unchanged from the previous year.
For the average homeowner, the tax bill will increase from $1,949 to $2,036 per year, representing an $87 increase. This increase is calculated using average home appraisal values, and tax bill changes will vary depending on property value.
