News Summary
City officials in College Station have proposed a budget of $474.2 million for the upcoming fiscal year, prioritizing essential public services and a 5% reduction in property tax rates. The budget allocates funds for operational maintenance and capital projects, with a focus on public safety improvements and infrastructure enhancements. Despite an overall budget decrease, increased revenue from property taxes is anticipated. Key projects include the construction of a new fire station and significant road improvements to enhance community safety and accessibility.
College Station, TX – City officials have laid out plans for the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026, with a total of $474.2 million aimed at boosting essential public services and infrastructure while promoting a 5% reduction in the property tax rate. City Manager Bryan Woods addressed these topics, along with other pressing community issues, during a discussion on WTAW’s Infomaniacs.
The proposed budget allocates $390.1 million for operations and maintenance and $84.1 million for capital projects. This represents a significant decrease of approximately $68.3 million from the previous fiscal year. Despite the decrease in the overall budget, the city anticipates an increase of roughly $3 million in property tax revenue due to valuation growth, even with the planned reduction of tax rates to just under 49 cents per $100 of assessed property value.
The city’s rates for electric, water, and wastewater services are expected to remain stable, while there will be slight increases in drainage and roadway maintenance fees by 3%, and solid waste rates by 5% alongside an additional 5% for certain services. This fee structure aims to accommodate ongoing services while remaining mindful of community budget constraints.
Enhancements in public safety staffing are a priority within the budget. The city plans to continue the construction of Fire Station No. 7 and considers adding more firefighter and police positions, which may be funded in part through federal grants. These workforce expansions reflect the city’s commitment to enhancing emergency services amidst growth in the community.
Key infrastructure projects include drilling for new water wells, significant traffic improvements, and expansions of city facilities. Notably, the city has received permission from the Brazos Valley solid waste management agency to perform soil tests on a portion of an old landfill site, which may be developed into a public works complex in the future.
Road improvement projects are also a highlight in the budget, with Rock Prairie Road between Fitch and Town Lake nearing the completion of design work (90%). The planned three-lane layout will incorporate shared paths and a separated bike lane, which promotes safe alternative transportation. Depending on traffic reports and the outcome of the public works complex, road expansions could see potential modifications to a four-lane setup.
In terms of community safety, discussions are underway relating to neighborhood parking restrictions, particularly around the Texas A&M campus. Proposals aim to mitigate safety concerns posed by street congestion, suggesting the elimination of street parking, restricting overnight parking, and implementing residential permit programs in certain areas.
In addition to budget discussions, the College Station City Council and the Bryan City Council received updates on capital improvement projects, which include the reopening of South College and progress reports on the first phase of Mumford Road construction.
Recent police activity in the area has also been noteworthy, with a Navasota man facing charges for allegedly misusing identifying information from multiple victims while in custody for a parole violation. In another incident, the College Station police responded to repeated domestic violence calls involving the same couple within a span of three weeks. Meanwhile, a Bryan police officer apprehended a trespasser residing in an apartment above a fire-damaged unit, leading to charges of criminal trespassing and possession of body armor by a felon.
With a keen focus on improving city services, enhancing public safety, and addressing infrastructure needs, the proposed FY26 budget reflects the city officials’ commitment to navigating current community challenges while planning for future growth.
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Additional Resources
- WTAW: City of College Station Update
- Wikipedia: College Station, Texas
- KBTX: College Station’s Proposed FY26 Budget
- Google Search: College Station city budget
- KBTX: College Station Future Street Maintenance
- Google Scholar: Texas infrastructure planning
- WTAW: College Station City Council Arts Center
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Northgate District
- 12th Man Foundation: NIL Opportunities
- Google News: 12th Man Foundation
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
