City of Del Rio press release
The City of Del Rio, Texas, is taking the necessary step of revisiting the adoption process for both the fiscal year tax rate and the annual budget. This decision reflects the City’s commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and ensuring that final decisions are made with the most accurate and complete information available.
Earlier this year, the City Council adopted a tax rate ahead of the usual schedule in order to comply with contractual obligations that required a certified rate to be in place by a specific deadline. This action was taken to honor the terms of an agreement and ensure uninterrupted services and funding commitments.
At the time of the tax rate adoption, the City’s budget was still undergoing extensive revisions and remained in draft form. Due to the complexity of the budget and the evolving financial landscape, staff was unable to present a finalized version to the Council. Since then, the budget has continued to be refined to better reflect community priorities and operational needs.
One of the most significant directives from the Council during this process was to identify alternatives to the proposed reduction in force. Under the leadership of City Manager, Shawna Burkhart, staff has been diligently working to explore solutions that preserve jobs while maintaining fiscal sustainability. These efforts have led to meaningful adjustments that require the budget to be reconsidered in its entirety.
Both the revised budget and tax rate will be formally adopted by the statutory deadline imposed by the Texas Local Government Code. The City is making every effort to keep the tax rate as low as possible while preserving the workforce that delivers essential services to our residents.
This process has truly been a team effort. Burkhart extends her sincere gratitude to all staff members who have worked tirelessly, collaboratively, and creatively to navigate this complex and evolving situation. Their dedication and professionalism continue to be the backbone of our municipal operations.
The City also wishes to thank the community for its patience and engagement throughout this process. Leadership remains committed to responsible governance and to making decisions that reflect the best interests of residents and employees.
