Live Oak council accepts monthly financial report; staff outlines conservative approach to 2025–26 budget

The City of Live Oak City Council on April 29 accepted the monthly financial report for the period ending Feb. 28, 2025, after a staff presentation that described overall revenue growth and a conservative approach to the 2025–26 budget.

City staff reported total revenues of $10,632,019 and total expenditures of $7,900,000 through Feb. 28, leaving a net gain of about $2.6 million and a general fund balance of $17,058,748. Staff said property-tax collections are at roughly 92 percent of budget while sales tax receipts — the city’s largest revenue source — are running about 45 percent of budget and were 7.89 percent higher for the October 2024–January 2025 remittance period compared with the same months a year earlier. The capital projects (2022 street) bond fund balance was reported at about $4.4 million.

"As of the report date, total revenues recorded through February 28 is 10,632,019. Total expenditures for the same period is 7,900,000," a finance staff member told the council.

Staff said enterprise funds were generally on target: the utility fund showed revenues near 42 percent of budget and expenditures near 46 percent (noting timing of Edwards Aquifer Authority charges and lease payments), while the stormwater fund showed revenues near 40 percent and expenditures near 29 percent, with a $200,000 contingency reserved for potential flood-related repairs.

In a preview of the 2025–26 budget, staff explained the city intends a conservative approach, aiming to maintain current service levels and to use part of the city’s fund balance (previously noted as about 11.5 months of reserves in last year’s audit) to finance one‑time capital projects rather than recurring expenses. Staff said they do not anticipate adding full‑time positions in the coming budget cycle unless a clearly justified need arises.

Key dates for the budget process noted to the council include department requests due May 19; placement of a working draft to council by late June; a budget workshop on July 22 (with a possible follow-up July 29 if needed); certification and tax-rate calculation steps with Bexar County in late July; and a public hearing on the final budget on Aug. 26, with adoption and any tax-rate action scheduled for the Sept. 9 council meeting.

Council members thanked staff for the presentation and for the city’s fiscal stewardship.

Votes at the meeting: the motion to accept the monthly financial report passed 5–0.