City approves 2015 budget, boosts salaries

Missouri city City Council passed a $39.4 million budget for the 2015 fiscal year at its meeting June 16.

"The city's [budget] is the culmination of months of planning, difficult discussions, continued revisions and challenging thinking to gauge, prioritize, strategize and eventually put into action programs and services for the citizens of Missouri City," City Manager Ed Broussard said.

Missouri City is expected to receive more than $425,000 in property taxes—an increase of 2.4 percent over last year, said Wes Vela, director of finance with Missouri City.

"Given the recent economic conditions and its effect on the city's budget, it is of great importance for [us] to continue the organizational strategies that have been in place for the last several years," he said.

The budget is expected to keep the city's property tax rate at $0.57375 and includes revenues of more than $38.5 million. Expenses outlined in the 2015 budget include $28,000 in citywide facility maintenance projects, the hiring of a city grants coordinator and a 3 percent one-time payment increase for all city employees.

Other expenses, such as playground equipment for the city's recreation and tennis center and a handful of capital improvement projects, are also outlined in the budget.

City officials are expected to vote on the city's proposed tax rate later this summer. For more information, visit www.missouricitytx.gov.