The Bryan city council spent more than four hours on Tuesday receiving fiscal year 2020 budget requests and recommendations.
The council was told no rate increases are planned for electric, water, wastewater, and trash customers.
In addition to staff presentations, the council heard from representatives of outside agencies that receive city funding.
There was also considerable discussion about the budget planning process a year from now, when the state’s new property tax revenue caps are implemented.
While mayor Andrew Nelson again thanked state lawmakers from Brazos County for exempting new valuation from the new cap, he also proposed “total taxable revenue for the state of Texas be capped at the same as the cities, and that way you make the rules for yourself (and) not just for everyone but you.”
City officials believe they will have to make one million dollars in cuts next year.
City manager Kean Register said the new state law bans cutting public safety funding, which is about half of Bryan’s general fund budget. That means the cuts will have to be made elsewhere, which Register noted 75 percent of the general fund goes towards personnel costs.
Staff will recommend next year’s property tax rate at a future meeting.
The Bryan council was presented the upcoming schedule for the FY 2020 budget:
Tax rolls are certified July 25.
The proposed budget will be presented August 2.
An updated budget presentation will be made August 13.
The FY 2020 budget public hearing is August 27.
And public hearings on the property tax rate are scheduled for September 10 and 24.
Click HERE to read and download the BTU budget presentation.
Click HERE to read and download the city of Bryan’s capital improvements presentation.
Click HERE to read and download the city of Bryan’s water services presentation.
Click HERE to read and download the city of Bryan’s solid waste presentation.
Click HERE to read and download the Downtown Bryan Association budget presentation.
Click HERE to read and download the Experience Bryan/College Station budget presentation.
Click HERE to read and download the Brazos County Health District budget presentation.
Click HERE to read and download the Brazos Central Appraisal district budget presentation.