Cibolo council adopts FY26 budget, approves 2% COLA and raises property tax rate to 0.5226

Cibolo — The Cibolo City Council on Tuesday adopted the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget, approved a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for employees and set the city’s ad valorem tax rate at 0.5226 (52.26 cents per $100 of assessed value).

Council passed the budget package after public hearings on the proposed budget and the tax rate. The council-approved budget funds $72,080,000 in combined funds and keeps the general fund at about $24.9 million; the council also approved a 2% increase in wages effective in January 2026. The tax-rate vote was 5–2.

Why it matters: City officials said the measures are intended to preserve service levels — particularly public safety and public works — after Cibolo’s taxable values fell, and to help the city retain employees amid regional recruitment pressures.

City staff presented an all-funds overview and a general fund summary, and described changes since earlier budget briefings. The total combined funds figure shown to council was $72,080,000 after a late $49,000 grant increased special revenue fund revenues and expenses. City staff said the general fund’s ending balance is projected at about $5.9 million, roughly 27.4% of recurring expenses, and described the general fund as "structurally balanced and financially sustainable." The budget includes targeted capital spending on parks, streets, utilities and a planned public safety facility and animal services facility over the next four years.

Anna Miranda,…