What’s changed
The budget increased from the proposed amount of $113.5 million after the city approved a budget order allocating an additional $1.14 million for five items that were not initially in the budget. A budget order is part of the annual process in which staff recommend adjustments based on council direction or updated estimates that provide additional capacity, according to an email from a city of New Braunfels spokesperson.
Five items were added to the city’s budget, including a crime analyst position, which will enhance the police department’s ability to track, analyze and respond to motor vehicle-related crimes. The city received funding for FY 2025-26 through a Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority Grant, which will fully support the position, the email states.
The city also shifted its employee compensation funding strategy. The budget proposed Aug. 7 included a compensation strategy with market adjustments that were to be effective April 2026, but further evaluation determined that a higher-than-expected revenue in sales taxes, interest earnings and ambulance services allows for the following:
- 3% cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, and any applicable market adjustments effective in October, to non-uniform staff
- 2.5% COLA, applicable step plan increase, and any applicable market adjustments effective in October to uniform staff
The third change made to the budget is extending funding timelines for the Landa Park Golf Course bridge assessment and the New Braunfels National Airport’s terminal feasibility and planning study.
The council awarded a contract for a bridge assessment through the Golf Fund in August and awarded a contract for a terminal feasibility and planning study within the Airport Fund in July. However, because both project timelines span fiscal years, the remaining funding included in the FY 2024-25 budget to complete the project was reallocated to FY 2025-26, the email states.
The fourth change is a funding increase to anticipated contractual reimbursements associated with construction within the Creekside Tax-Increment Reinvestment Zone, or TIRZ. The Creekside TIRZ board reviewed the budget proposal with the additional $2 million and recommended approval, according to the email.
The final change made to the city’s budget was the addition of a feasibility study for a police department shooting and training range. This item was added based on City Council feedback during budget workshops. The study will evaluate the current shooting/training range conditions and determine a plan for potential facility improvements, the email states.
One more thing
For more information about the city’s FY 2025-26 budget, visit www.newbraunfels.gov/budget.
