Cleburne City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2021 budget with a lower tax rate while continuing to invest in the city’s infrastructure and increase funding for public safety personnel.
The City Council unanimously approved the budget at its Sept. 8 meeting. The Fiscal Year 2021 budget outlines the city’s revenues and expenditures from Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021. The Council approved the budget and lower tax rate after a workshop session and two public hearings.
The City Council also approved the new tax rate of $0.760092 per hundred dollars of valuation. The rate is lower than the previous tax rate. This is the second consecutive year the City Council has reduced the tax rate.
The budget is based on conservative fiscal management practices. It outlines funding for projects addressing key areas of economic development, planning and growth management, public infrastructure, and quality of life.
The budget also includes funding for public safety personnel that will make Cleburne Police and Fire more attractive when compared to other neighbor agencies. A recent study showed starting salaries for Cleburne public safety positions were much lower than comparative communities.
The budget has earmarks $2 million to continue the annual streets program to repair roadways throughout the city. It also includes funding for improvements at the Transfer Station and replacement of police, fire, and street vehicles. The budget has grant funds included to continue façade and building rehabilitation improvement programs.
