Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bowie manager presents draft budget calling for 5¢ tax-rate increase to address $1.6M shortfall
Summary
City manager presented a draft budget showing a roughly $1.6 million general-fund deficit, a proposed ad valorem increase (to 0.593), a $2 million drainage project and a $10 million Texas Water Development Board grant application for water projects.
The city manager delivered a draft 2026 budget to the council, calling it a preliminary estimate that will change as insurance and tax valuations are finalized.
"This is our best estimation," the city manager said, noting department-level requests and contingencies. Highlights included a $2,000,000 budget line for Rock and Pillar Street drainage, $400,000 estimated for an actuator repair at the water plant, a proposed remote-control mower for dam mowing (roughly $80,000), and a Texas Water Development Board grant application requesting $10,000,000 to support water-reuse and treatment-plant expansion plans.
The manager said the general fund currently shows an estimated $1,600,000 deficit and discussed a proposed 5¢ tax-rate increase that would move the ad valorem rate to 0.593. "Inflation has outpaced our budget," the manager said, adding the council will decide the final rate. Council members scheduled a budget workshop for July 27 and a required public hearing for August 11 to review the draft and hear department head explanations.
The presentation emphasized that many numbers are preliminary: final tax valuations were expected the next day and health-insurance costs were still being negotiated. The manager asked councilors to review the binder, raise questions in the upcoming workshop and hold department heads available during the meeting workshop to explain line items.
