Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Aransas Pass council adopts $29.1 million budget and sets 2025 tax rate at $0.733163
Summary
The Aransas Pass City Council adopted the FY2025–26 operating budget of $29.1 million, approved a 1% COLA for exempt and 2.5% for nonexempt employees, added two positions, and set a property tax rate of 0.733163 per $100 valuation after a roll-call vote.
Aransas Pass city officials on Monday adopted a $29.1 million operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and approved an ad valorem tax rate of 0.733163 per $100 valuation.
City staff summarized key features of the budget before the council: "The operating budget is 29,100,000.0," the presenter said, noting the plan includes a 1% cost‑of‑living adjustment for exempt employees, a 2.5% COLA for nonexempt employees, and two new positions—one for municipal court and one for public works. Staff also told the council the budget absorbs a roughly 7.5% increase in health‑insurance costs for employees with dependents and that the city will continue paying 100% of employee coverage for other staff.
The city projected a fund balance of about 36.8% at year‑end, slightly below its 40% policy target; staff warned the general fund will show a small budgeted deficit of roughly $49,699 for the year. "For the general fund, we're still gonna be at a deficit about $49,699," staff said during the presentation.
Council members moved to adopt the annual budget ordinance beginning Oct. 1, 2025; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote with all members voting in favor.
On the tax rate, staff said the proposed ad valorem rate of 0.733163 is slightly lower than last year’s 0.735171 but remains above the 'no new revenue' rate. "This action … is to adopt the tax rate of 0.733163, which is slightly lower than last year's, which was 0.735171," the presenter said. Council adopted the tax ordinance by roll call; council members voted yes and the item carried.
Why it matters: The budget determines city services and staffing levels for the coming year, and the adopted tax rate is the principal mechanism for raising local revenue. The COLAs and two new positions were highlighted by staff as measures to address personnel needs and rising benefit costs.
The council will post the full budget book on the city website; staff said the document includes charts and additional detail and will be available tomorrow. The ordinance and tax rate take effect with the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1, 2025.
