Bryan City Council keeps property tax rate at 0.6240 per $100 after failed attempt at small cut

The Bryan City Council voted Sept. 8 to set the city's property tax rate at 0.624000 per $100 valuation after rejecting a narrowly targeted amendment to lower the rate to 0.6235.

During a public hearing and staff presentation, Finance staff member Alicia explained that the proposed rate preserves current revenue levels in the face of shifts in property valuations and new exemptions. "The tax rate itself is the same," Alicia said, adding that changes in individual bills come from updated property valuations and new personal-property exemptions.

Mayor offered an amendment to lower the rate to 0.6235, arguing it would be a modest reduction while maintaining credit standing. That amendment failed on a roll-call vote. Council then approved the original proposal to adopt the 0.624000 rate by roll call; the council proceeded to finalize budget ordinances tied to that rate.

Supporters said keeping the rate stabilizes the city's credit and long-term planning. "We've been in a unique position ... we can continue to maintain our bond rating," a council member said when defending the no-new-revenue posture. Opponents of the amendment warned that once lowered it would be difficult to restore the rate if revenues fell.

The council's action follows staff analysis showing valuation growth slowed from earlier estimates and that exemptions, including an expanded business personal property exemption, reduced taxable value in parts of the roll. Staff presented a 10-year forecast showing the proposed rate keeps the general fund days-of-cash near policy targets while balancing service needs.