KYLE – The Kyle City Council approved the city’s budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21 at a special meeting on Aug. 25.
The $134.2 million 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 4% reduction in total property tax rate.
The total property tax rate in the approved budget will decrease from $0.5416 per $100 of taxable valuation to $0.5201, a decrease of $0.0215, or 4%. Kyle's portion of the total property tax bill received by residents is approximately 20%.
The approved budget follows priorities City Council identified in the budget work session in June. Those priorities included infrastructure, beautification, downtown redevelopment and uptown development.
Council approved $76.7 million in planned Capital Improvement Project (CIP) spending in FY 2021 including $5.1 million provided for street maintenance, construction crews and equipment; $150,000 for public transportation through the soon-to-be-launched Uber voucher program and $15.5 million for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion.
A total of $1.7 million was allocated for park development and $250,000 for beautification of high-profile corridors and citywide projects. Downtown Park Redevelopment on City Square received $1.3 million and $1.2 million was allocated for a downtown Mixed-Use building. An additional $25,000 of funding has also been earmarked for Christmas programming.
Approved Uptown development funding includes $4.5 million for Heroes Memorial Park, $3,648,250 for Central Park and $1,826,750 for Cultural Trails.
Council also approved 23 new positions primarily for street reconstruction, park and trail system maintenance, improved communication with Kyle residents, and increased support for victim services.
The approved budget also includes no change in storm drainage fees, a 10% increase in water service rates and a 10% increase in wastewater rates as well as a 2.5% increase in solid waste service rates per contract with Texas Disposal Systems (TDS). Other fees and charges for various city services remain the same.
The city council conducted a total of four budget workshops that included public hearings where residents could communicate their concerns about the budget to the council. The council heard presentations from city staff on each department’s proposed budgets.
Budget documents for FY 20-21 as well as a budget fact sheet will be available at www.cityofkyle.com/finance/budgets.
