Page 15 - CITY OF WATAUGA, TEXAS ANNUAL BUDGET PORTRAIT

• The Texas Legislative Special Session may result in harmful legislative bills like
House Bill 63 and House Bill 89 and HB 5267 that impose a cap on total
expenditures from all available sources of revenue for cities and counties. The
potential impact to our City if these bills pass would reduce our ability to respond
to the needs of our citizens and may result in severely limiting public safety
expenditures and other critical services.

Long Term Focus

The City maintains a forward-looking approach through key planning tools:

 Comprehensive Land Use Plan: Guides development and redevelopment,
especially in aging corridors, as the City nears full build-out.

 Equipment Replacement Fund: Ensures future equipment, vehicle, and
technology needs are met.

 Capital Outlay Plan: A 5-year schedule for major replacements and funding
sources across departments.

 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): A 5-year plan for major street, water/sewer, and
storm drainage infrastructure projects.

 Parks Master Plan: Outlines park improvements, many of which are integrated
into the CIP with identified funding.

 Personnel Enhancement Plan: Addresses staffing needs to sustain quality
services and programs.

Summary

The FY2025-2026 Adopted Budget totals $80,014,372, including $37 million for
capital projects and equipment. This fiscally conservative plan supports service
improvements, addresses inflationary pressures, and promotes long-term
sustainability.

Strong communities rely on skilled staff and quality infrastructure. This budget reflects
a collaborative effort by City Council and staff to align spending with strategic
priorities, ensuring financial stability while preserving what makes Watauga “A Great
Place to Live.”

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