by Nicole Bradford
Final readings of the City of Pearland’s budget and tax rate are set for Monday, September 23, at City Hall.
Pearland City Council on September 9 approved the first readings of its budget and tax rate of 63.5 cents per $100 valuation.
The proposed tax rate is below the previous year’s rate by 2 cents, but above the 60-cent no-new-revenue rate, which keeps taxes flat when adjusting for changes in property values.
“We did review a no-new-revenue budget option, and saw the impacts of that,” City Manager Trent Epperson said. “We were able to lower to water and sewer increase down to 7 percent vs. what was contemplated in the early part of the budget discussions.”
Council member Layni Cade commented that going to the no-new-revenue rate would have been impossible “with inflation the way it is, to have the city work the way it does.”
Councilman Rushi Patel, who cast the lone vote against approval of the first readings, said there is room for improvement regarding cost cutting, citing parks and recreation expenses as one opportunity.
“Get rid of the natatorium. Look at long-term planning. Maybe we need to consider getting out of the business of being an entertainment venue and going back to our basics,” he said, “being a city that focuses on first responders and infrastructure instead of losing a significant amount of money if you look at this budget. There is a lot of money in parks and rec that we never recoup.”
Monday’s meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 3519 Liberty Drive, and periods for public comment are provided.
