Friendswood council adopts $116.8 million fiscal 2025–26 budget, ratifies tax rate above no-new-revenue level

The Friendswood City Council adopted the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget on Aug. 25, approving $116,810,629 in projected revenue and $116,000,810 in appropriations and later ratifying a property-tax rate above the statutory no-new-revenue level. The budget vote followed a public hearing and staff presentations on revenue assumptions, decision packages and “forces at work” that increased costs. Mayor Pro Tem Elisor moved to adopt the budget; Council Member Hanks seconded. The motion passed 6‑1. City staff told the council that total proposed revenue across funds is $116.8 million and that the general fund revenue is projected at $45.9 million. Staff said the proposed tax rate was reduced in the draft to 51.42¢ per $100 of assessed value; the no-new-revenue rate discussed in the presentation was cited at about…