The City’s budget will have more expenses, but will also have a surplus
by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian
The Uvalde City council met for over two hours Tuesday night, September 12th considering a number of agenda items including most notably the 2023-
City of Uvalde Finance Director Felix Castillo presented the 2023-2024 Budget to the Mayor and Council Members. the City’s Budget and Tax Rate. The Uvalde City Council voted to approve a budget with revenues totalling $29,065,336.00. Total budgeted expenses for the 2023-2035 Budget were listed at $28,403,888 leaving the City with a surplus of $661.448.
According to Castro, he stated the budgeting for salaries would be around $800,000 and the average wage increase for employees is 8.8%.
“This year we are trying to increase wages for all employees. When preparing this document there were 11 (job) vacancies that were unfulfilled.” Castro said.
As part of the budget discussion at Tuesday nights, September 12th City Council meeting.
“This will make us more competitive and attract more and better candidates.” Uvalde City Manager Vince DePiazza.
DePiazza said the planned salary increases in the budget would be offset by a decrease in Capital Expenses.
According to Castro the budget for wages will be increased from the previous year. The planned increase in salaries were primarily applied to the bottom of the pay scale. The City looked at salaries below $15 per hour and with the new budget, he indicated those salaries would be raised to meet that amount. According to Casto, the more money City employees earn, the salary increase decreases.
The budget for salaries was raised by 8.8% compared to the previous year’s budget.
City of Uvalde’s budgeted allocations to community agencies
El Progreso Memorial Library $122,000
Community Heath Development Inc. $65,000
Uvalde Nutrition Program $15,000
Uvalde Humane Society -Briscoe Animal Resource Center or BARC $14,000
Uvalde Food Pantry $6,500
Green Thumb Garden Club $5,500
Herby Ham Activity Center $2,500
2023-2024 Tax Rate approved at $0.54
Agenda items tabled
Two agenda items that were discussed but eventually tabled included the contract renewal for the Uvalde Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City’s Cemetery proposed rate increases and rules for headstones. The Council also tabled taking any action on nominating three Uvalde County Appraisal District or UCAD candidates to be considered for the 2024 election.
