The City of Cleburne’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget funds infrastructure maintenance and improvements, a new fire truck, and invests in economic development initiatives.

The Cleburne City Council adopted the $85 million budget at its Sept. 11, 2018 meeting. The budget outlines the city’s revenues and expenditures. 

“This year’s budget continues to invest in protecting taxpayer’s investment in our facilities and infrastructure,” Mayor Scott Cain said. “I am proud of our city staff for creating a fiscally sound budget that positions us for the projected growth while addressing today’s maintenance needs.”

Expenditures in this year’s budget have infrastructure projects and economic development at the forefront.

“This budget is intended to continue the momentum gained during the past several years as we prepare for the future growth destined for our community,” City Manager Steve Polasek said.

The budget features $4.25 million in capital street improvement projects in addition to engineering for the Waste Water Treatment Plant expansion.

The city is budgeting $100,000 to continue its Downtown Building Redevelopment and Façade Improvement programs, which provide matching funds to businesses to improve the look and feel of Cleburne’s commercial properties. Several businesses have already shown interest in participating when the funds are available. Last year’s budget funded the façade program at $30,000, but its success has spurred an increased budget of $50,000.

The Fire Department has budgeted the replacement of a quint truck, which serves as both an engine and ladder truck. The new vehicle will replace one Cleburne’s firefighters have used and maintained for more than 22 years. In addition to the new fire truck, the budget covers general vehicle replacement for the Police, Fire and Street departments. 

The city’s many parks and recreation facilities including Booker T. Washington Recreation Center, Cleburne Golf Links, Sports Complex, and Splash Station have maintenance and improvements planned in this budget. This includes new mowing equipment, replastering Splash Station’s leisure pool, and new shade structures at the Sports Complex. The future of Cleburne’s parks and recreation also takes shape this Fiscal Year. This budget invests in a Parks Master Plan, which will guide the growth and development of the city’s parks services for years to come. The plan will include community involvement. Having a master plan allows the city to apply for grants, which will further benefit the community with outside dollars.

The City Council adopts a tax rate as part of the annual budget adoption process. The City Council adopted a tax rate of $0.804018 per $100 of valuation. This will be the sixth year the city has maintained the tax rate. The city is anticipating increased revenues in ad valorem and non-property taxes, such as sales tax, in the coming year in alignment with increased population projections.