Fiscal Year 2027 budget, revenues and rates. Mr. Marez and Mr. Patroelj presented the proposed FY 2027 budget which is based on a Handling Charge of $0.60/1,000 gallons, a total tax rate of $0.058854 per $100 valuation, a $3.17 per 1,000 gallons Corpus Christi cost of water which is passed through to STWA’s wholesale customers, an average employee compensation adjustment of approximately 4.34%, and capital purchases of $842,000. The proposed budget was sent to the wholesale customers for a 30-day review and comment period and no comments were received. Mr. Patroelj added that the only change from the previously presented budget is an update on the bond interest and principal.

Bastiat Liberty & Property Rights Analysis

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 2.1/10). 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).