City of College Station holds public hearing on upcoming budget
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Residents in College Station had an opportunity to tell College Station City Council their thoughts and opinions on the proposed budget for the coming year on Thursday.
The budget is over $540 million and will use an extra $5.2 million in proposed property tax revenue to help pay for capital projects including a new fire station and streets. College Station officials point out the city’s population has nearly doubled since 2000 and online records show the budget has more than tripled in that time.
Only two citizens show up at the public hearing to speak. They were limited to three minutes. No citizen opposed the budget in its current state.
Craig Reagan, who is who has filled to run for College Station City Council place 6, spoke about how the budget shows potential to address and reinforce the positive in the community.
The director of Unlimited Potential Brazos Valley, Kelyn Wardlaw also spoke to the council. She asked if they could find room in the budget to provide the organization with an additional $97,500 for operating funds. However, the council pointed out they already receive around $29,000 through another city funding source. The request was denied.
On Monday the city held a budget open house in an attempt to let citizens come in before the public hearing and get their questions answered. Several people showed up at the come-and-go event.
The city council will approve the coming year’s budget on August 22nd. They will hear a potential tax rate on August 8th during their regular meeting, however, Mayor John Nichols has said that the tax rate will stay the same.
