Clute council advances proposed 0.471757 tax rate after budget workshop; public hearings set for Sept. 4

City staff told the Clute City Council on Aug. 7 that adjustments to the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget and a drop in preliminary property valuations meant the city would publish a proposed tax rate of 0.471757 — an increase the staff said equates to 1.6 percent — and must begin the public-notice process.

The presentation at the special council meeting and budget workshop focused on several budget drivers: an unexpected healthcare rerate, a $120,000 grant offset for license plate readers that allowed the city to restore a planned UTV purchase to the capital budget, modeling around solid-waste options (keep service in-house or outsource), and a downward adjustment to the city’s taxable valuation after property protests. “It’s a pretty big decision, and we wanna make sure we’ve got all the information before you,” a city staff member said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the council voted to publish the proposed tax rate so the required notices can be posted and hearings scheduled. Publishing the proposed rate starts the formal Truth in Taxation process and triggers a public…