Brentwood commissioners review 2025 appropriation ordinance, keep property tax rate flat while adopting $208 million CIP

Brentwood city staff presented the city's 2025 appropriation ordinance and related budget items at the board of commissioners meeting on May 20, saying the property tax rate will be set at 0.19 — a lower rate that staff estimates will generate roughly the same total property-tax revenue as the current year. The staff presentation also introduced a five-year capital improvements program (CIP) with an estimated $208,409,000 of projects and a nonroutine work plan for initiatives across departments.

City staff said the proposed CIP allocates about 70% of expenditures to transportation and utility projects, roughly 11% to city facilities and equipment, and the remainder to parks, technology, storm drainage and other priorities. Staff noted the commission can amend the CIP later if it chooses to reallocate specific projects.

Staff framed the appropriation ordinance as the omnibus item that bundles end-of-year transfers, fund adjustments and state-law-required amendments to permit spending that exceeds original budgets. The presentation said the ordinance consolidates multiple transfers from the general fund into capital, facilities and equipment funds and ensures compliance with state reporting requirements.

Commissioners discussed the education, recreation and community-service allocations embedded in the appropriation ordinance. The package presented includes school contributions that staff listed as $62,400 for the city's two high schools, $15,600 for three middle schools and $10,400 for each elementary school, with a note that Sunset Elementary's prior-year allocation of $2,945 will be adjusted if enrollment figures warrant. Recreation funding in the draft budget includes $21,000 for Brentwood Ball Club and $18,000 for Brentwood Blaze. Community-service allocations noted typical contributions of $50,000 for the Ford Martin Center and $13,000 for the YMCA's Full Circle program; staff said the larger $50,000 one-time contributions made in the prior year are not included this year.

The commission also reviewed a $20,000 economic development line the staff said was intended for local allocations and highlighted two applicants: Williamson Inc. and Brentwood Up. Commissioners discussed application deadlines and supporting documentation; one commissioner noted Williamson Inc. historically received $10,000 and that a late application could affect staff recommendations.

Other budget-related items discussed during the session included a resolution to adopt a nonroutine initiative work plan (to clarify major projects and staff priorities), and a housekeeping resolution authorizing routine vendor procurements that in aggregate exceed $25,000 so the city need not return to the commission for each recurring vendor. Staff said the procurement authorization is intended to maintain compliance with state purchasing rules while reducing agenda clutter.

Why it matters: The appropriation ordinance and the CIP set the city's spending priorities for the year and establish long-range project funding. The flat property-tax-rate decision shapes individual homeowners' bills and overall city revenue. Commissioners and staff signaled they will continue reviewing allocations as actual enrollments, bids and project needs become clearer.

What comes next: Staff said the commission can take formal action on the appropriation ordinance and the CIP at its next published vote; staff also offered to return with any requested clarifications or amendments after commissioners review the packet details.