Budget debate: council members press for options to avoid property tax increase and to fund community partners

Finance staff presented the FY2027 proposed operating budget for discussion only; council members debated whether to accept a proposed 2.01¢ property tax rate increase and explored options to find $2,000,000 in efficiencies to avoid a rate increase. Councilmember Bass said he would not vote to raise property taxes and suggested finding $2M in the $350M budget, while other members noted most significant savings come from personnel or service reductions.

Council member Brown proposed restoring funding for several community partners (Families in Crisis/Homeless Shelter, Children's Advocacy Center, Innovation Black Chamber of Commerce) with specific dollar amounts; the motion of direction failed for lack of a second. Council members discussed constrained enterprise funds (solid waste cannot be used to fund general fund programs), the Killeen Economic Development Corporation request and the need to identify which services could be reduced if the council holds the tax rate flat.

Staff agreed to run numbers on vacant positions and prepare options for targeted service reductions and funding scenarios, including an assessment of the fiscal impact if the council opts for the no-new-revenue rate. No final budget vote was taken in this meeting; the council will continue budget discussions in upcoming sessions.