Cibolo EDC forwards FY2027 budget — includes CEO-level Chamber membership and MOU edits for council review

The Cibolo Economic Development Corporation voted to forward its proposed FY2027 budget to city council on July 16, a plan staff said preserves steady five-year growth while adding a marketing position and budget capacity for a CEO-level chamber membership.

At a July 16 meeting, Clancy (EDC staff) reviewed the budget calendar and projections before outlining highlights of the FY2027 proposal: a conservative 5% sales-tax growth assumption (finance has the number nearer 6.5%), movement of an existing marketing position into the EDC fund, addition of a marketing administrative position, an annual $200,000 Edge grant line for small-business assistance, and a one-time website redesign. Clancy also noted the board previously agreed to a $600,000 payment to GV SUD tied to settlement activity and Bolton Road improvements.

"We can control everything below it — services, supplies," Clancy said, explaining staff would scale expenditures if revenue deviated from projections.

Discussion among board members covered several line items, including a parks and trails master plan the council previously requested (roughly $249,000 in encumbrances) and whether to create a dedicated line item for a proposed historic-preservation committee. One board member suggested earmarking about $200,000; staff and most directors preferred bringing historic projects forward on a case-by-case basis rather than funding a placeholder in the first year.

Board members also considered a recommendation to move the city's Chamber sponsorship from the current presidential level to the CEO level. Staff said the budget included capacity for that change. Several directors expressed support, noting the Chamber's role in business recruitment, mentorship and promotional activities; others favored maintaining smaller regional memberships as well.

The board then voted to approve the FY2027 proposed budget package as presented and forward it to the city council for final adoption.

Separately, the board reviewed the Economic Development Service Agreement (MOU) for FY27 that defines staff roles, pay-scale updates and the newly included marketing-administration position. The board asked staff to replace the phrase "big grant" with a simpler reference to "CEDC grants" to ensure the language covers all EDC grant activity. Clancy confirmed the redline and clean copies were available in the packet and that the board's edit would be forwarded with the MOU when it goes to council.

A motion to send the agreement to council with the wording change passed unanimously in open session.

Next steps: the budget and the MOU will be presented to the city council during its July meeting cycle for review and final action; staff said council hearings and adoption would follow the normal municipal timeline this summer.

What the board approved

- Forward FY2027 proposed budget to city council (includes funding capacity for CEO-level Chamber membership, $200,000 annual Edge grants, a marketing administrative position and website redesign). - Send Economic Development Service Agreement (MOU) to council with the requested edit to replace "big grant" language with "CEDC grants."

The board set its next regular meeting for Aug. 20, 2026.