Pete Garcia Jr.

Trash tipping fees and a possible transfer station

The January bill ran high at $65,809.61; future savings possible if routes or contract rates are optimized.

Property tax rate reduction

Homeowners will see a slightly lower property tax rate this year — roughly two cents less per $100 of valuation.

Master Fee Schedule updates

No recycling fee yet — but expect one to come back after a rate study, possibly higher than $5.

Employee health insurance premium increase

BCBS quoted about $4.47 million originally; the negotiated 35% increase still represents a major jump in the city's annual insurance spend.

Employee insurance renewals and rising health costs

Every percentage point on the health renewal represents significant cost; the outcome affects the city budget and potentially employee benefits.

FY 2026-27 property tax rate reduction

A lower rate means a smaller property tax bill for homeowners this year.

Cemetery fee review

Non-resident plot sales paused until October 1; potential fee increases to be considered during budget season.

FY2026-27 city budget

Tax rate drops about 1.89 cents, but growing property values still bring in more revenue; the budget uses $1.1 million of one-time reserves for capital projects.

TMRS retirement funding decision

Keeps the current 9.14% contribution rate for now; the ad hoc path is projected to reach about 14.05% by 2031.

Commercial insurance package renewal at higher cost

The renewal costs $1,304,417 versus $994,134 this year — about $310,283 more.

Workers' compensation carrier selection

Out-of-network option costs $370,339 — $580 more than McGriff's bid and about $44,000 more than the in-network option.

Mid-Year Budget Amendment

About $1.4 million net positive across all funds, but roughly $777,000 negative across the major operating funds.

Commission meeting schedule change

Delinquent tax collections improving

Over $334,000 collected this period, with over $432,000 still pending in litigation.

City Finances — FY 2025 Audit Results

General Fund up $3.1M; sanitation down $139,718 and airport down $153,228 for the period.

Housing Authority PILOT program

No net cost to the city — money the city wasn't receiving anyway gets redirected to resident programs.

TIRZ No. 2 creation and TIRZ No. 1 changes

TIRZs redirect future property tax increments within their boundaries toward reinvestment.

Sanitation Fleet Replacement

Truck replacement costs loom; current rates of $15.05 monthly compare favorably to neighbors.

City employee pay study

Raising wages to the 55th percentile will require significant budget investment, the exact cost not stated.

HCAD board vacancy nomination

None directly; appraisal district oversight affects future valuations.