Council adopts FY2025–26 budget, tax rate and a slate of infrastructure and policy items

The White House City Council voted on a package of budget, tax and capital items during its Sept. 23 meeting, adopting the FY2025–26 budget and setting a property tax rate of 0.717855 per $100 valuation to fund operations and debt service. Council also approved budget amendments, updates to the personnel policy, utility rate changes for wastewater and garbage, several water and wastewater infrastructure projects, and concept and design agreements for municipal facilities and parks.

Adopted items included ordinance 25-0923-01 adopting the FY2025–26 budget and ordinance 25-0923-02 setting the 2025–26 tax rate at 0.717855 (0.428003 for maintenance and operations; 0.289852 for interest and sinking). Council also approved ordinance 25-0923-03, a set of FY2024–25 budget amendments to align revenues and expenditures across funds, and ordinance 25-0923-04 adopting updated water, wastewater and garbage rates (no change to water; 6% increase to wastewater rates; a 4% contractual increase to garbage service). The city also passed ordinance 25-0923-05 cancelling the November general election for unopposed candidates while retaining the special election on proposed Home Rule Charter amendments.

In infrastructure and project votes, council authorized the final design phase for the Austin Bank elevated storage tank rehabilitation (final design cost $72,900; total project previously estimated at $650,900), approved an emergency rehabilitation of the wastewater treatment plant belt press (estimated $234,248) to avoid plant failure, and approved the Lexington Street drainage final design (final design $59,300; total estimated $244,300). Council also approved a professional services agreement with half associates for a municipal complex concept plan (not to exceed $245,600) and authorized proceeding with Phase 1 improvements for Cheyenne Park (Phase 1 estimated at $1,560,000; full concept estimated at about $7.2 million).

Council approved updates to the personnel policy to reflect federal-law-required changes (I-9, FMLA, pregnancy leave, HIPAA), leave and workplace standards, and other administrative clarifications. The council also approved a resolution authorizing submission of a grant application to the East Texas Council of Governments (ECCOG) to fund development of a regional disaster debris management plan.

All motions carried on roll-call votes recorded in the meeting minutes. Where costs were discussed, staff noted some values remain planning estimates and that next steps include final cost estimates, surveys, easements, and contract bidding or sole-source procurement where emergency status applies.

Budget, tax and rate decisions take effect per the adopted ordinances and the city’s fiscal schedule; staff said the FY2025–26 fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Ordinance 25-0923-01 (Adopt FY2025–26 budget): approved (roll-call vote recorded). - Ordinance 25-0923-02 (Adopt tax rate 0.717855): approved (roll-call vote recorded). - Ordinance 25-0923-03 (FY2024–25 budget amendments): approved (roll-call vote recorded). - Ordinance 25-0923-04 (Water, wastewater and garbage rates): approved (roll-call vote recorded). - Ordinance 25-0923-05 (Cancel November general election for unopposed candidates): approved (roll-call vote recorded). - Austin Bank elevated storage tank final design (final design $72,900; project $650,900): approved. - Wastewater belt press rehabilitation (emergency): approved (estimated $234,248). - Lexington Street drainage final design (final design $59,300; project $244,300): approved. - Municipal complex concept design PSA with half associates (not to exceed $245,600): approved. - Cheyenne Park Phase 1 concept and Phase 1 authorization (Phase 1 est. $1,560,000): approved. - Resolution to submit ECCOG regional solid waste grant for a disaster debris management plan: approved.

Council recorded roll-call votes for each ordinance; staff will return cost estimates, survey data and procurement documents as items move into final design or construction.