Largest-ever budget, with no property tax increase
Corpus Christi’s largest-ever budget, $1.2 billion, was approved by Mayor Paulette Guajardo and the City Council for fiscal year 2021-22, which begins Oct. 1.
No property taxes were increased to fund the top priorities of critical infrastructure and quality-of-life expenses. Public safety, streets and lighting, and parks and recreation were in the highest spending categories.
According to the city, the financial reserves remain strong, and all three credit agencies rated Corpus Christi in the high-grade category.
“The city’s $1.2 billion budget is a smart budget that had unprecedented public input,” Guajardo said. “It is a balanced budget that does not raise property taxes but instead cuts waste and prioritizes our spending to fix our streets, hire more police officers (and) firefighters, and improve our quality of life.”
Public safety funding will provide for 10 new police officers, a new police academy building, police equipment upgrades, eight new firefighters, medical emergency vehicle upgrades, and a new fire station.
The parks budget includes capital improvements at 10 parks, including two dog parks and a splash park, more swim instructors, 230 shade trees, and upgrades to the Peoples boardwalk.
The city sponsored five virtual community input meetings, one for each district, during which residents were presented with budget details and asked questions.
The approved budget can be viewed online.