City Council Approves FY 2021 Budget, 2020 Tax Rate Hike On First Reading

The San Marcos City Council approved the 2020 Tax Rate and the FY 2021 Budget on the first of two readings Tuesday night.

A public hearing was held on the FY 2021 Budget; however, no one spoke for or against the proposed $258,741,410 budget.

The FY 2021 budget and the 2020 Tax Rate were approved unanimously by the council without discussion. 

The council will hold a second public hearing for the budget on Sept. 15.

The following are among the additions this year:

General Fund additions include:

• $500K to sworn Fire and Police as agreed upon in the FY19 Meet & Confer
• Personnel funding allocation for all non-civil service employees effective Oct. 1st
• EMS annual funding and expansion of service increase of $533K
• Annual contracted services increase
• Economic development incentive and TIRZ payments increase $7.9M
• $5.7M for 75% of sales taxes generated by the Best Buy call center.
• Three Captains and one Firefighter to complete staffing of new station No.6 funded by voter
• approved bond proceeds
• Planner
• Historic Preservation Officer 100% dedicated with existing staff
• Two Community Enhancement Technicians and Horticultural Specialist funded by Community
• Enhancement Fee
• HVAC Service Technician
• Financial Analyst

Electric Fund additions include:

• Complex Meter Technician
• Senior Electrical Engineer
• Electrical Engineering Technician
• Utility Financial Analyst
• Contract Services
• Additional vehicles lease and equipment for new positions
• Professional Development
• Bucket Truck
• Transformer and substation test equipment

Water/Wastewater Fund additions include:

• Water Collection Crew Leader
• Conservation Irrigation Inspector
• Contract Services
• Additional vehicle lease for new positions
• SCAD system upgrades and maintenance
• Tilt camera
• Maintenance skid
• Jet/vacuum truck
• Hydro excavator

Stormwater Fund additions include:

• Street sweeper
• Dump truck
• Track hoe

The proposed budget includes rate adjustments of 5% for Water, 3% for Wastewater, 6.5% for Stormwater, and 3% for Solid Waste and Recycling.

The public hearing on the 2020 Tax Rate will be held during the ordinance’s second reading.

The city of San Marcos is proposing a tax rate of $.5930 per $100 of taxable valuation of real property. The tax rate for 2019 was .6139. 

The proposed tax rate will increase taxes by 7% for San Marcos residents and will not be required to go before voters for approval.

According to the city, the law establishing a 3.5% cap on property tax increases by taxing entities allows for a city or county to raise taxes up to 8% without voter approval in times of local disaster.

Residents will have the opportunity to address the council from the podium at City Hall on Sept. 15; Mayor Jane Hughson will be attending the meeting from the dais.

However, residents can still submit their comments or sign up to address the council virtually if they desire. Sign up forms must be submitted to the City Clerk’s office by Noon on Sept. 15 for residents to be able to speak. 

Related Info: 

• Council Approves Resolution For Staff To Calculate 8 Percent Tax Rate

• The Property Tax Reform Package Is Heading To Gov. Greg Abbott’s Desk

• San Marcos City Council To Hold Public Hearing On FY 2021 Budget, Consider 2020 Tax Rate

• San Marcos City Council Discuss Tax Rate Increase Of No-More Than 7%