Captn_Ag05 said:
Wicked Good Ag said:
Did you just out the voting record of the rest of the members to the general public ?
The numbers always get skewed and cannot be specifically determined based upon one event so I take those numbers with a grain of salt.
What you can do is look at all tax revenue that came in for a given time period and see what contributes to that number being what it is but no way to know specifically how the revenue was generated to the exact detail
It is a public vote - as it should be.
https://www.kbtx.com/2025/08/29/college-station-city-leaders-adopt-fy-26-budget-tax-rate-set-utility-fees/
Quote:
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) -College Station city leaders met Thursday and unanimously approved a $474.2 million budget for fiscal year 2026 and voted 6-1 to adopt a new property tax rate.
What's in College Station's proposed $474 million FY26 budget and tax rate?
The budget sets aside $390.1 million for operations and maintenance and $84.1 million for capital projects. City leaders say it reflects no changes from the proposal first presented on July 7 and includes about $600,000 in departmental cost savings identified during the planning process.
Quote:
The council also ratified the property tax revenue increase reflected in the budget. Members voted 6-1 to adopt a tax rate of $0.511872 per $100 valuation, with Councilman Bob Yancy casting the lone no vote. The rate includes $0.309204 for operations and maintenance and $0.202668 for debt service. It is projected to generate about $73.5 million in tax revenue and represents a slight decrease from the FY 25 rate of $0.513086.
I respect my colleagues for their decision and the council did pass a small tax rate cut. I voted against it out of a principle, really.
Background: the state will likely lower the property tax rate cap from 3.5% to 2.5%. This means that whatever our rate is at for a current year, the tax rate cannot be increased beyond 2.5% without asking you, the voters, for permission to do so. This is called the Voter Approval Rate. The Voter Approval Rate = Current tax rate + 2.5% if the legislation is signed by the governor.
So, if the rate of inflation exceeds 2.5% in any hypothetical year, or if an unforeseen event occurs necessitating a needed increase beyond 2.5%, we have to ask you for it.
In the alternative, if we don't lower the tax rate at all, it leaves a cushion for the unforeseen when setting next year's rate. Years ago, that cushion was 8% and a city could lower the rate for just what it needs today, with the flexibility to make it up the next year if circumstances dictated that.
To me, asking the voters is appropriate. It's your money. If we don't need the money in the present year, then why not lower the rate to a sufficient level and if next year, something happens and we have to make a case to you, then so be it.
As a policymaker, if I'm given a choice between:
A) Never lowering the rate again to preserve a cushion out of fear you'll say no, or;
B) Preserving my right as a policymaker to lower your rate when I can, and if something changes next year, make the case to you then?
…then I'm choosing "B."
I understand the argument on both sides. Just not willing to set a precedent forever more in which rates are never lowered.
All that said, you did get a rate cut and tax rate is low compared to comparable cities.
I hope that makes sense, and I want to reiterate I understand why my colleagues voted the way they did.
Respectfully
Yancy '95
My opinions are mine and should not be construed as those of city council or staff. I welcome robust debate but will cease communication on any thread in which colleagues or staff are personally criticized. I must refrain from comment on posted agenda items until after meetings are concluded. Bob Yancy 95
