Public Hearing and First Reading Ordinance adopting the Corpus Christi Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, beginning October 1, 2026; authorizing personnel complements; authorizing various contracts, amendments, and grants funded by the budget; amending the City of Corpus Christi's Texas Municipal Retirement System Benefits; providing for a copy of the budget to be filed with the County Clerk; and appropriating funds as provided in the budget. (HB 1522 Taxpayer Impact Statement Attached.

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Director of Management and Budget Amy Rodriguez presented information on the following topics: Fiscal Year 2027 budget is balanced; FY 2027 proposed city budget; budget amendments-general fund; budget amendments-street maintenance fund; budget amendments-residential street reconstruction fund; budget amendments-TIRZ 2 fund; budget amendments-TIRZ 3 fund; budget amendments-TIRZ 4 fund; budget amendments-Type B Economic Development funds; budget amendments-Corpus Christi Housing Finance Corporation fund; and budget amendments-Information Technology fund. City Manager Peter Zanoni, Director Rodriguez, Interim Director of Development Services Yvette Wallace, and Director of Intergovernmental Relations Ryan Skrobarczyk responded to Council questions. Mayor Pro Tem Paxson opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Pro Tem Paxson closed the public hearing. Council Member Scott moved to approve the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Vaughn. This Ordinance was passed on first reading and approved with the following vote:

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 9.6/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).