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Ennis presents $116 million FY2025 proposed budget; water and wastewater rate increases recommended
Summary
City staff presented a proposed FY2025 budget totaling about $116 million, no proposed property tax rate increase, and recommended utility rate adjustments (water: +$0.75 per 1,000 gallons; wastewater: bill first 1,000 gallons, $2 increase to the minimum, and $1 per 1,000 gallons). A public hearing opened at 9:42 p.m.; no speakers addressed the budget during the hearing.
Finance Director Barnes presented the City of Ennis proposed FY2025 budget on Aug. 20, describing a proposed total operating budget of about $116,000,000 across funds and a general fund proposal intended to meet a 25% reserve policy. The presentation described fund‑level details, capital projects and staffing changes.
Barnes said the proposed budget is balanced with "no increase to our current property tax rate" (no change to the combined M&O and I&S rates reported in the presentation). The proposed budget includes an increase of staff positions from 248 to 252, adding a firefighter and several utility positions, and identifies capital project funding across general and utility capital funds.
On utilities, Barnes said a rate consultant recommended raising water rates by $0.75 per 1,000 gallons for residential and commercial customers, and raising wastewater charges by billing for the first 1,000 gallons, increasing the wastewater minimum by $2 and increasing wastewater consumption charges by $1 per 1,000 gallons. The presentation estimated the combined water/wastewater increase for an average residential customer (8,000 gallons water / 6,000 gallons wastewater consumption example) would move the monthly bill from about $96.10 to roughly $113.22 (a stated increase amount in the packet).
Barnes also noted various special revenue funds and capital project allocations, and discussed transfers to the general fund (including support for Ennis Cares). The public hearing on the proposed budget opened at 9:42 p.m.; no members of the public spoke during the hearing. The commission will consider adoption at a future meeting with required ordinance votes on budget and tax rate.
