The Kyle City Council has closed the book on a difficult budget season, giving final approval to a $37.1 million budget for the next fiscal year.
The budget slashes spending for city services and sharply increases fees for water and wastewater utilities, among other fees, as the city grapples with mounting debt and funding shortfalls.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, members also gave the final OK to a property tax rate increase of about 7 cents for the next fiscal year. Councilwoman Becky Selbera was the only member who opposed the rate of 48.45 cents per $100 of property value, though she did vote to approve the budget after having voted against both measures during a meeting a week earlier.
The budget is about 12.5 percent leaner than last year’s, and council members noted they spent 25 hours in workshops going line by line through the city’s finances to ensure the cuts weren’t as painful as they could have been.
“I’m happy we’re moving forward with this budget,” said Lucy Johnson, Kyle’s mayor. “We’re bringing up the city to a much higher standard of financial security and a better financial future.”
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the council voted to authorize a contract of up to $527,650 for Lake Kyle project improvements.
Councilman Brad Pickett was not at the meeting. He had an excused absence to tend to an ill family member.
