Mayor Explores Billing Changes for Cibolo Drainage Utility Customers

The City of Cibolo's recent budget workshop on July 15, 2025, highlighted critical discussions surrounding the city's drainage utility and the financial implications of upcoming developments. As the city prepares for future growth, council members focused on how to fairly distribute costs associated with the new drainage plant, particularly concerning existing and future customers.

A key point of discussion was the potential for a "worst-case estimate" regarding costs associated with the new drainage facility. Council members debated whether these costs should be allocated solely to new customers or spread across all customers, including those whose waste does not currently flow to the new plant. This consideration is crucial as it could significantly impact the financial burden on existing residents versus future developments.

Mayor and council members acknowledged the complexities involved in billing strategies, especially in light of neighboring entities' past decisions that affected Cibolo. They emphasized the need to explore alternative billing methods to ensure that only those directly impacted by the new facility bear the associated costs. However, the timing of future developments and the construction of the plant remains uncertain, complicating the decision-making process.

In addition to drainage discussions, the council reviewed the fiscal year 2026 budget for the drainage utility district. The proposed budget includes an 18,000 dollar allocation for a 3% cost of living increase and additional funding for engineering services to assess drainage flow. Notably, the budget reflects a decrease in overall expenses by 2.9% compared to the previous year, primarily due to the lack of a grant awarded for a drainage master plan.

The council also noted an increase in commercial drainage revenue, attributed to improved auditing efforts and growth in the commercial sector. This revenue is projected to constitute 29% of total drainage revenue in fiscal year 2026, a significant increase from 16% in 2011. The discussion included the potential financial impact of eliminating caps or tiers on commercial customers, which could generate an additional 68,000 dollars annually.

In conclusion, the budget workshop underscored the city's proactive approach to managing its drainage utility amidst anticipated growth. As Cibolo navigates these financial considerations, the council's decisions will play a pivotal role in shaping the community's infrastructure and fiscal health in the coming years. The next steps will involve further analysis of customer billing structures and continued monitoring of development timelines.