During a recent city council meeting, Seguin City Manager Steve Parker and Finance Director Susan Cadell presented the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2025, highlighting the city's ongoing growth and the financial strategies to support it. This marks Cadell's 33rd budget presentation and Parker's fifth for the city.

Parker emphasized the collaborative effort involved in crafting the budget, acknowledging the challenges of limited resources against the backdrop of a rapidly growing community—Seguin is currently the 21st fastest-growing city in the United States. He noted that while there are many needs, the city is committed to addressing them responsibly, particularly in public safety and infrastructure.

The proposed budget includes a significant increase in property tax revenue, projected to rise by over $2 million due to increased property values and a stable tax rate. Sales tax revenue is also expected to increase by $1.3 million, reflecting robust commercial growth. The budget outlines a total of $13.8 million in anticipated sales tax revenue, which will be crucial for funding various city services.

On the expenditure side, the budget proposes a $2.4 million increase in salaries and benefits, which includes a 3% cost of living adjustment and the addition of key positions across various departments. Notably, the fire department is set to receive three new lieutenants and a fire inspector to enhance public safety measures, while the police department is looking to add three new officers to maintain service levels as the population grows.

The budget also addresses infrastructure needs, with plans for a comprehensive capital improvement plan (CIP) and ongoing projects related to water and wastewater management. Parker highlighted the importance of maintaining quality of life through street improvements and other community-focused initiatives.

In addition to personnel changes, the budget includes provisions for enhancing the city's IT security in response to increasing cyber threats, as well as staffing adjustments in the library and planning departments to better serve the community.

Overall, the proposed budget reflects Seguin's commitment to managing growth effectively while ensuring that essential services and infrastructure are adequately funded. The council will continue discussions on the budget in upcoming meetings, with the aim of finalizing the plan for the next fiscal year.