Around $500,000 in new transportation initiatives, along with other capital projects, are key expenses in Dripping Springs’ fiscal year 2018-19 budget, which was unanimously approved by city leaders Sept. 24.
The Dripping Springs City Council also unanimously approved a property tax rate of $0.19 per $100 assessed valuation, one of the lowest rates in the county.
According to the budget, the city is investing $140,000 toward an updated Transportation Master Plan (TMP), which was originally adopted in 2009.
Work on the TMP update will begin in 2018 and finish in 2019. Dripping Springs’ budget includes an additional $50,000 for development of roadway cross-sections.
The city estimates spending $100,000 on design plans for improvements on Robert Shelton Blvd., which calls for additional northbound lanes to reduce queuing and congestion. Dripping Springs is allocating $200,000 to various road reconstruction projects.
Michelle Fischer, Dripping Springs city administrator, said transportation needs, in addition to parkland space, were at a high priority when crafting the budget. The city is setting aside $341,085.33 toward its parkland dedication fund.
“Our parkland development ordinance requires new developments to include green and park space,” Fischer said. “Big portions of what developers are expected to do is provide this space for their residents and the city.”
Dripping Springs plans to spend $91,200 for maintenance at all three city parks.
According to the budget, the city’s is even in revenue to expenses with a total budget of $6.53 million.
