Summary

Council approves budget policy amid shortfall

San MarcosMar 31, 20263 min read

At a glance

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The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2027 budget policy, keeping the property tax rate at 65.15 cents and providing 3% raises for non-civil service employees. Staff forecast a $4 million general fund shortfall, not including additional Emergency Medical Services funding needs.

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City Council

Topics discussed

TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyHousingUtilities

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What this means

The approved policy guides preparation of the next city budget but does not itself set the final budget. The current property tax rate will remain unchanged under the policy, while eligible non-civil service employees are slated for 3% increases. Council also approved $200,000 more for downtown lighting projects and approved $325,000 in American Rescue Plan funding reallocation.

Key decisions

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Approved Resolution 2026-46R establishing Fiscal Year 2027 budget policies, including a 60-day airport fund balance requirement, a 65.15-cent property tax rate, and 3% increases for non-civil service employees; the vote was 7-0.
Approved an amendment increasing the Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone budget by $200,000 for 25 alley headlights, 11 solar lights, and a feasibility study for rope lighting on Boyhood Alley; the amended ordinance passed on first reading.
Approved Resolution 2026-45R reallocating $325,000 in American Rescue Plan funds for community recovery; the vote was 7-0.
Approved a fiscal budget amendment for Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone expenditures on first reading; the vote was 6-0, with Council Member Mendoza absent.
Approved parking-citation ordinance changes on first reading, including use of the term "local area participants," a 15-business-day response period, and signs posted in both English and Spanish; the amended ordinance passed 7-0.
Approved Ordinance 2026-09 on first reading to annex a TxDOT facility and allow future development zoning; the document states that TxDOT would pay infrastructure connection costs.
Approved Youth Programs Standards of Care for 2026, covering health, safety, and other requirements for city youth recreation programs.

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