Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – On Tuesday, Sept 19, 2023, the City of Edinburg gave the green light to a multimillion-dollar budget that will pave the way for tax cuts and continuing capital projects. The Edinburg City Council officially adopted the Annual Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
Community-Centric Approach:
Property Tax Rate Decrease: A notable highlight of this budget is the decrease in the property tax rate, which has been reduced from 64 cents to 63 cents per $100 assessed evaluation. This decrease marks the lowest rate since 1991, providing financial relief to residents while ensuring the continuity of exceptional city services.
“Our commitment to our residents remains steadfast. This reduction in the tax rate reflects our prudent financial management, enabling us to offer top-tier services while lightening the burden on our hardworking community,” Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. said.
Pay Plan Adjustment: Acknowledging the dedication and hard work of city employees, the budget incorporates a three percent pay plan adjustment for all non-civil and civil service employees.
Rate Stability: Residents can take comfort in the maintenance of current residential solid waste collection rates, which have remained steady since 2004.
Affordable Services: The budget does not include any increases in water and sewer rates, and those rates have remained the same since 2011.
Investing in Infrastructure and Quality of Life:
ARPA Funds for Street Improvement: The allocation of 2.6 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) underscores the city’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and improving transportation through the street improvement program.
Capital Lease for Progress: With 5.3 million dollars in capital lease funds, the City of Edinburg is poised to fund new projects and meet vital equipment requests for city departments.
Pothole Resolution: Investment in an additional patch truck will help to address pothole issues, ensuring safer and smoother roads and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents.
Enhanced Park Facilities: The addition of four community bathrooms at Frontier Park, Bicentennial Park, Memorial Park, and Pioneer Park reflects the city’s dedication to improving the quality of life for residents and enhancing the comfort and convenience of parkgoers.
Supporting Recreation: Enthusiasts of baseball and recreational activities have cause for celebration with the announcement of another turf field, creating enhanced opportunities for community engagement.
Enhancing Law Enforcement: In a commitment to bolster public safety, the Edinburg Police Department will acquire two new motorcycles, facilitating efficient law enforcement and emergency response.
A Fiscally Responsible Approach:
Budget Overview: The Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Operating Budget comprises a General Fund of $88,580,452. The total budget for all funds stands at $155,170,162, enabling comprehensive support for essential city services and improvements.
The council vote in favor of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Operating Budget highlights Edinburg’s commitment to prudent fiscal management, community enhancement, and delivering the highest level of service to its residents. The budget goes into effect October 1, 2023.
