City of Conroe Proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget

THE WOODLANDS, TX - The Conroe City Council held a special council meeting on Wednesday, August 17, to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program Budget.

City Council is considering the voter approval tax rate of $0.4280. The City’s current tax rate is $0.4375. This rate compares favorably to other communities in the area. The City Council is committed to providing citizens with significant tax relief, in April the Council voted to increase the homestead exemption to 20%, the maximum allowed by law, as well as to increase the exemption for those age 65 or older or disabled to $40,000.

The City had to cut approximately $2.6 million dollars out of the general fund to create a structurally balanced budget. The City is considering cutting $2 million of that out of funds set aside for Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Funds for Fire, Police, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation. The City also had to make cuts to its proposed 10-year Capital Improvement Program that include cutting several street projects and a park project.

The City Council also deferred additional certification pay for staff. Council also offset Transit expenditures with grant revenues, and are also considering adding credit card processing fees for building permits and inspections to recover the fees from credit card processing.

The proposed General Fund budget includes: funding for 10 Police Officers, 8 Firefighters, and funding for merit and market increases for staff and salary increases for Police and Fire.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the budget on Thursday, August 25 at 9:30 a.m. at Conroe City Hall.

City Council will hold a public hearing on the tax rate and vote on the final budget and tax rate at the regular Council Meeting on September 8 at 6:00 p.m.

A copy of the proposed budget can be found on the City’s website.