By Brittany Anderson
Kyle City Council unanimously approved a $172.6 million budget for fiscal year 2021-22 at a special meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 25.
The budget follows priorities the council identified across five budget workshops, including beautification, downtown redevelopment, green spaces within the Brick and Mortar District and infrastructure investments.
The budget workshops included public hearings where residents were able to communicate concerns about the budget to the council, as well as presentations from city staff on each department’s proposed budget.
The approved budget allows all city programs and services to continue at their current levels and includes strategic investments in new positions, equipment and infrastructure, as well as a 2.3% reduction in the total property tax rate.
The total property tax rate will decrease from $0.5201 per $100 of taxable valuation to $0.5082.
Based on current tax rates, the city’s portion of a homeowner’s property tax bill is only 19.6% of the total tax bill. The other 80% of the tax bill is for property taxes charged by other taxing jurisdictions, including the school district, Hays County, emergency service districts, Austin Community College and conservation and groundwater districts.
Property taxes paid to the city make up approximately 30% of the city’s general fund, with sales tax making up another 30% and other fees and services covering the remaining 40%.
Within the budget, the council approved $121.2 million in total capital improvement plan (CIP) spending for fiscal year 2022, including $18.1 million for street maintenance and reconstruction and $11 million for the expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
A total of $7.54 million was allocated for park development and $0.62 million for beautification of high profile corridors and citywide projects. Downtown park redevelopment on City Square received $1.8 million, and $3.1 million was allocated for a downtown mixed-use building. Approved Brick and Mortar District funding includes $8.1 million for Heroes Memorial Park, $4.1 million for La Verde and $1.94 million for the Cultural Trail.
The approved budget also includes no increase in storm drainage fees, no increase in wastewater service rates, a 6% increase in water service rates and a 2.51% increase in solid waste service rates per contract terms with the Texas Disposal Systems. Other fees and charges for various city services remain the same.
More information on the budget can be found on the City of Kyle website.
