Council approves $658,450 year-end budget amendment

The Rosenberg City Council approved Ordinance No. 2025-37 on a voice/yes response, authorizing Budget Amendment 25-08 to appropriate $658,450 in fiscal year 2024–2025 year-end adjustments.

Finance director Louis explained the amendment covers departmental overages incurred from overtime, equipment repairs, maintenance and contractual services, with the largest single pressure in the water/wastewater fund. He told the council the water fund's projected transaction-fee line had been budgeted at about $280,000 and staff recommended an increase of roughly $100,000 to cover in-person credit-card fees and other charges. "Departmental overages are offset by increases in revenues," Louis said, adding the city has seen higher water sales that help balance the amendment.

Councilors asked whether citizens pay the transaction fee. Louis said online payments are not charged a fee; the city charges a fee only when customers pay in person (roughly 3% of the transaction), which stems from prior council policy started during COVID to reduce in-person traffic. Councilor Hector raised the question so citizens understand why a budget line increased; the mayor and other members noted the amendment is primarily housekeeping to reconcile actuals at year-end.

Councilor Jessica moved to approve the budget amendment and Hector seconded; the motion passed with the standard in-meeting affirmative procedure recorded as "greens have it." The ordinance and accompanying year-end memorandum will be filed with the city clerk as part of FY2024–2025 closeout.