FY 2024-25 City of Kyle Budget Focused on Citywide Infrastructure and Operational Improvements Approved

KYLE, TEXAS –– Kyle City Council approved the city’s budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 during their Tuesday, September 3 meeting. The $363.3 million budget covers investments in services and infrastructure projects while keeping the property tax rate the same at $0.4693 per $100 dollars of taxable assessed valuation.

The approved budget is based on goals identified by the City Council and staff in the City’s Strategic Plan and continued work during budget work sessions. Those priorities include:

• $99.6 million in water and wastewater improvements funded for Fiscal Year 2025, with $339.6 million planned over the next five years, including Phase II of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion, elevated water storage tanks, water pump stations, and water line upgrades, proposed reclaimed water irrigation plan for parks, and potential further investments in additional sources for water supplies;  

• Further investments in public safety with the addition of 12 full time employees, increased funding to elevate sworn Police positions, and equipment and technology upgrades;

• Continued construction of the 2022 voter-approved Road Bonds with work beginning on the Marketplace Avenue project in October of this year, and Windy Hill, Kohlers Crossing, and Stagecoach Road to begin in 2025. As well as intersection improvements, new roundabouts, sidewalks, and drainage improvements on the East and West side of Kyle;  

• Park developments and improvements including increased fencing shade structure and seating, parking lot design and construction at several parks, design and construction of the Vybe trail, and upgrades to lighting, security, and Internet functionality.

• A strong focus on operational improvements including cost containment initiatives will generate approximately $13.6 million in annual cost reductions and increased revenues;

• Enhancing community engagement, transparency, and customer service with the creation of a new 311 customer service center;

• Another key component of the budget is the $83.1 million for the General Fund, for additional staff, 54 new full-time positions, equipment upgrades and investments for various departments and additional parks and recreation, public safety, planning and Kyle Public Library services.

The Kyle City Council also adopted a major update to its water and wastewater rate structure, aimed at creating a more equitable distribution of costs among different customer classes. This new rate structure, which will take effect on October 1, 2024, represents a significant step towards ensuring that all residents, businesses, apartment complexes, and irrigation water users pay their fair share for water and wastewater services.

The updated rate structure comes as a result of an extensive review process, including stakeholder meetings and an in-depth analysis of usage patterns and costs performed by Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc.,  The result of this effort was to address longstanding concerns about the fairness of the existing rate system and to provide a more balanced approach that better reflects the cost of service for each customer class. More information about water and wastewater rates can be found at https://www.cityofkyle.com/water-utilities/page/water-and-wastewater-rates.

Water UseCurrent BillFuture BillTotal IncreaseSingle Family Residential – Water and Sewer Combined (5 Kgal*) $108.50$116.39$7.89Multi-Family Residential – Water and Sewer Combined (400 Kgal*) $5,660.52$8,205.74$2,545.22Commercial – Water and Sewer Combined (64 Kgal*)  $956.52$1,225.40$268.88Irrigation-only (35 Kgal*) $417.10$554.02$136.92

 * Note: 1 Kgal equals 1,000 gallons 
 

The City of Kyle's portion of a homeowner’s property tax bill is only about 21% of the total tax bill based on current tax rates. The other 79% of the tax bill is for property taxes charged by the other taxing jurisdictions including the school district, Hays County, emergency services districts, Austin Community College, conservation and ground water districts.

Due to economic development, strong sales tax revenues and other fees, the owner of an average home valued at $325,543 in 2024 by the Hays Central Appraisal District will pay $111.67 per month in property tax to the City of Kyle in FY 2024-2025, which is $11.63 or 9.43% less than in the prior fiscal year.  

More information on the FY 2024-2025 budget can be found at https://www.cityofkyle.com/finance/page/city-kyle-fiscal-year-2024-2025-budget.