Edinburg council adopts FY2025–26 budget and raises property tax rate to $0.63

The Edinburg City Council adopted the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget and set a property tax rate of $0.63 per $100 of assessed value at its Sept. 16 meeting. Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. and a unanimous council vote approved the budget ordinance and a separate motion adopting the tax levy after public hearings earlier in the evening. The council approved a 3% across‑the‑board pay plan for city employees as part of the budget. The council and staff stressed that the adopted rate is above the no‑new‑revenue rate the city calculated for the year. City officials said the budget preserves a target reserve level and funds planned capital and utility projects. Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. told residents the decision reflected rising costs and infrastructure needs: “Inflation and the rising cost of services mean we must maintain the rate to keep up with deferred maintenance and to retain our employees,” he said. City staff said the budget includes funding for depreciation reserves in the utility and solid‑waste funds and projects a general fund reserve of about 25.13%. The council’s public discussion referenced an upcoming 6.1% increase in electric utility charges effective Oct. 1 and a multi‑year water rate program that will include an 11% increase this budget year, items staff said affect operating costs. Members of the public urged lower tax rates during the hearings; Diane Teter, professor emerita, urged fiscal caution but supported adopting the published rate to protect services tied to the university and workforce in the region. The council adopted the budget and the tax rate by recorded roll call; Councilmembers Jerry Lozano, Dan (Daniel) Diaz, David Salazar Jr., Mayor Pro Tem Jason Delia and Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. voted yes. The budget and tax rate take effect Oct. 1, 2025, and staff said they will continue monthly monitoring and report back on mid‑year variances.