Corpus Christi council adopts balanced budget, sets tax rate and approves utility rate increases

Corpus Christi City Council adopted the city’s fiscal 2025–26 operating and capital budgets, set a property tax rate and approved planned increases to city water and wastewater rates at its Sept. 9 meeting. After extended discussion on affordability, bond ratings and operating needs the council approved the second-reading budget ordinances and a tax rate of 0.599774 per $100 of assessed value. The council also approved staff-recommended increases for water and wastewater rates to meet debt obligations and fund infrastructure work.

Council members and staff described the budget as balanced and noted the fiscal year begins Oct. 1. City finance staff said the adopted budget reflects changes from prior meetings, including removing a proposed stormwater rate increase and trimming capital investment related to the Inner Harbor project. The council approved the capital budget on second reading after an amendment removing the Inner Harbor project from the five‑year CIP.

The council voted to set a tax rate of 0.599774 per $100 valuation, a rate staff said is about 0.23% above the “no-new-revenue” rate but well below the voter-approval threshold. Finance staff said the adopted rate is estimated to bring roughly $6.06 million in additional property‑tax revenue over the prior year; they…