El Campo presents $28.7 million FY2026 budget; council to consider ordinance next week

City of El Campo staff presented a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget of about $28.7 million at a Sept. 15 workshop and said the draft keeps the tax rate at or below the state-allowed “no new revenue” rate while absorbing a sales-tax shortfall. No formal action was taken; the council must adopt a budget ordinance next week under the city charter. "The first time you see it is in June," City Manager said, describing an internal, months-long budgeting process that starts with department-level reviews each spring. "We start meeting with each department head in May." Staff said the package before the council includes a $12.6 million general fund and roughly $5.5 million for water and sewer. Revenues are described as predominantly taxes (about $15.9 million), charges for services (about $6.67 million),…