Brownsville commission ratifies FY2026 budget, keeps tax rate unchanged while acknowledging higher property-tax revenue

Brownsville — The Brownsville City Commission on Thursday approved the fiscal year 2026 budget and adopted a tax-rate ordinance that keeps the city's rate the same as last year while acknowledging an increase in property-tax revenue due to higher property values.

Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Alan Gard presented the budget to the commission and public, saying the document is a financial plan built around the city's strategic pillars and a conservative revenue approach. "We have a balanced budget right now for 2026 based on the same tax rate as last year," Gard said during his presentation.

Gard told commissioners the budget keeps the tax rate at 0.603504 per $100 of assessed value but, because certified property values rose, the levy will collect more aggregate property tax revenue than the prior year. He emphasized the city's diversified revenue mix and cautioned that sales tax remains volatile. Gard said the budget prioritizes public safety, infrastructure, economic development and quality-of-life programs while adding two full-time positions and…