Anna council holds public hearings on FY2026 budget and proposed tax rate, questions focus on police funding and utilities

The Anna City Council held public hearings Sept. 2 on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and the proposed property tax rate, with staff detailing revenue assumptions, major capital projects and the drivers of a modest tax-rate increase.

Budget manager Jared Hoey summarized the city’s funds and key numbers, saying, “This year's general fund revenue is at $29,700,000 primarily from property tax and sales taxes,” and that the utility fund revenues are “at $30,900,000 from water sales, wastewater charges, and solid waste charges.” He also listed major capital projects budgeted for the first year, including a $30 million police station, Bryant Park (about $4.9 million), Findlay Park ($7 million) and the Hurricane Creek wastewater treatment plant (about $54 million).

The hearings matter because the council must balance rapid population growth, large one‑time capital costs and ongoing operational needs. Council members repeatedly asked whether the city’s revenue forecasts — especially sales tax, development fees and utility demand — were conservative enough, and whether the budget leaves sufficient capacity to hire and retain public‑safety and public‑works staff as the city grows.

Terri Dobie, identified in the hearing as the city’s budget manager for the tax-rate presentation, explained state requirements and the proposed…