Megan Navarro
WIMBERLEY — At its Sept. 18 meeting, Wimberley City Council unanimously approved the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, along with an increase to the employee contribution rate for retirement.
As it was initially proposed at two workshops and one regular meeting for discussion, the FY 2025-26 budget is balanced with no deficit or excess in the funds, according to agenda documents.
The general fund has a total revenue amount at $2,095,000, with the largest source coming from total tax revenue at $1,930,000 — general sales and use at $1,535,000, mixed beverage at $90,000 and franchise at $305,000. Also in the general fund, the total expenditures amount to $2,095,000, which includes administration, legal, council/board, building, public safety, municipal court, public works, public works - roads, public works - water/wastewater and parks.
Other highlights of the budget include:
Parks and Recreation: Revenue and expenditures at $1,177,000
Wastewater: Revenue and expenditures at $424,000
Hotel Occupancy: Revenue and expenditures at $725,000
Interest and sinking: Revenue and expenditures at $370,000
In addition to the budget, council unanimously approved an ordinance amending the city of Wimberley's Municipal Retirement System Benefits, authorizing an increase to the employee contribution rate from 5% to 6%. Currently, the city does a two-to-one match, so, according to city administrator Tim Patek, this increase is a benefit to the employees.
“This is a good benefit for our employees. I know the older group, like me, like it. The younger, we are trying to get them into that,” explained Patek. “It’s already in the budget.”
Mayor pro tem Rebecca Minnick asked what is the standard as far as employee contribution rate across the state.
“A lot of them are at 7%, but there’s still some that are at 5 like us and then, others have gradually moved their way up to 6 and then at 7,” Patek responded. “It’s all about if you can afford it. There is a cost involved, so we just have to look at the numbers and go from there, but that is something we can look at in the future to possibly maybe even going higher.”
Wimberley City Council meets next at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16.
