Property Tax Rate Increase

At a glance

What: Setting the city property tax rate for Fiscal Year 2027 at $0.599774 per $100 of valuation, described as effectively a 0.50 percent increase over the no-new-revenue rate. State rules required a 60 percent favorable vote.
Where it stands: Adopted on second reading September 8, 2026, 7-1 with the Mayor abstaining, after the first attempt that day failed 4-4.
Next: The rate takes effect with the new fiscal year (October 1, 2026).

September 1 (first reading, hearing, no speakers): Director Villasana presented the rate and staff recommendation. Mayor Pro Tem Paxson moved to amend the ordinance to the no-new-revenue rate of $0.596985 per $100; Cantu seconded; the amendment failed. Barrera then moved the $0.599774 rate, Campos seconded; passed 7-1 (Cantu no; Mayor Guajardo absent).
September 8 (second reading): Barrera moved the same rate (Campos seconded) and it failed 4-4 with the Mayor abstaining: Barrera, Campos, Roy and Scott in favor; Cantu, Hernandez, Paxson and Vaughn opposed. After questions to City Manager Zanoni, Interim City Attorney Brice and Villasana, Hernandez moved to reconsider (seconded by Barrera, unanimous) and then moved the rate again; passed 7-1 (Cantu no; Mayor abstaining). Enactment 034007.

Rate failed 4-4 on the first motion, then passed 7-1 after reconsideration. Hernandez, Paxson and Vaughn changed from no to aye.

Hearing with no speakers. Paxson's amendment to the no-new-revenue rate failed; the $0.599774 rate passed first reading 7-1.