Clute council adopts 2025–26 budget and approves tax rate; debate centers on utility and drainage projects

Clute, Texas — The Clute City Council voted Sept. 25 to adopt the city's annual budget for fiscal year Oct. 1, 2025'Sept. 30, 2026, and to set a property tax rate as stated in ordinance 25-018. The city manager and finance staff presented the budget and a 10-year capital improvement plan that emphasizes drainage, streets and sewer projects, and council members debated utility rate changes and project timing before recording the votes. The council's budget resolution (ordinance 25-017) and the tax ordinance (25-018) were acted on following the public hearing required under Texas Truth in Taxation statutes. City staff said the proposed budget includes an additional $187,174 in property-tax revenue (reported as a 4.16% increase in the required Truth in Taxation notice) and that $44,828 of that total is attributable to new property added to the tax roll this year. Why it matters: The adopted budget outlines spending and capital work the city expects to undertake in the coming year, including multi-million-dollar drainage improvements that depend in part on state grants; the tax ordinance sets the city's rate and thereby affects homeowners and other property owners in Clute. City staff summarized the budget figures and the capital program during the hearing. Staff said the general fund revenue in the proposed budget is about $14.8 million and projected general fund expenditures about $15.0 million. The Sidewalks, Streets and Drainage (SDS/CIP) fund and related grant awards were a focal point: staff described two major drainage projects (Flag Lake and Penn Money/Pen Money phases) and said the city has been notified of a $9.0 million award for Penn Money drainage…