Council sets public hearings for proposed budget

The Temple City Council has scheduled two public hearings for the proposed 2021-22 budget.

The first public hearing on the budget and tax rate will take place at 5 p.m. during the July 15 City Council meeting. The Council will hold a second public hearing at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 13 before voting to adopt the budget. Both meetings will take place in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2 N. Main St.

“The strategic and fiscally sound managements by Temple’s elected officials over the course of many years has served this community well,” City Manager Brynn Myers said. “The City’s diverse economy, strong and innovative leadership, and our City’s sound financial management practices have helped us keep the City financially strong through a worldwide pandemic and historic winter storm.”

The proposed budget totals $216,451,423 and is based on an estimated property tax rate of 64.25 cents per $100 valuation, which is a one-cent decrease over the Fiscal Year 2021 tax rate.

The budget includes a more robust pavement management program to maintain investments that have been made to roadways. The also prioritizes investments in public safety, including additional personnel and equipment for police and fire.

The entire proposed budget is available online at https://bit.ly/2UdVfbX.