The City of Cibolo City Council held a special meeting on July 31, 2025, to discuss key budgetary matters and prepare for upcoming fiscal responsibilities. The meeting focused on setting the stage for the city’s tax rate and budget discussions, with significant emphasis on procedural requirements and timelines.

The council began by addressing the need for a public hearing regarding a proposed tax rate that exceeds the no-new-revenue (NNR) rate. It was noted that such a proposal requires a 60% affirmative vote from the council, which typically translates to five out of eight members. However, with one vacant seat, the council discussed how this vacancy might affect the voting threshold and agreed to consult the city attorney for clarification.

City officials indicated that during the next regular council meeting on August 12, they would present a maximum tax rate for publication purposes, alongside a bound budget book and a draft fee schedule. The council traditionally sets the public hearing for the budget during the first meeting in August, with the hearing itself scheduled for September.

As the meeting progressed, the council considered the necessity of a budget meeting originally planned for August 5. After deliberation, members expressed a consensus to cancel this meeting, citing a lack of additional items to discuss before the August 12 meeting. However, there was a strong desire among council members to ensure they had adequate time to review the budget details, particularly line items, prior to final discussions.

To facilitate this, it was proposed that a detailed budget document, potentially in Excel format, be distributed to all council members ahead of the August 12 meeting. This would allow for questions and clarifications on specific expenditures, ensuring a more informed discussion during the budget meetings.

The council reiterated that the August 12 meeting would serve as an opportunity to review the city manager's proposed budget without taking immediate action. Members would then have until the second meeting in August, scheduled for August 26, to provide feedback and suggest adjustments before a vote on the budget in September.

In conclusion, the meeting effectively laid the groundwork for the city’s budgetary process, emphasizing transparency and thorough review as the council prepares for critical decisions in the coming weeks.