Missouri City released a plain-language guide to its proposed fiscal year 2027 budget on Thursday, Sept. 3. The FY2027 Community Budget Guide lands days before a City Council adoption vote expected sometime in September.

The city announced the guide on its official X account, describing it as a breakdown of how funding supports city services, community programs and infrastructure projects. The full proposed budget is available on the city's Financial Transparency page.

A City Council special meeting is set for Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 5 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers at 1522 Texas Parkway. The agenda had not been posted as of Friday, Sept. 4. The city said in an Aug. 14 press release that the FY2027 budget would be presented and adopted by City Council in September in accordance with state law.

Assistant City Manager Bertha Alexander presented a preliminary budget overview to council at a June 29 special meeting, according to meeting minutes. That presentation covered projected revenues and expenditures, General Fund projections and major budget priorities.

Alexander flagged the anticipated impact of declining property values on property tax revenue. The city has also been drawing on one-time fund balance for capital investments.

Director of Public Works Mustafa Albassam presented the proposed FY2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at the same June 29 meeting. The CIP spans drainage, transportation, parks, facilities, utility and METRO-funded projects. Albassam reviewed $30 million in authorized but unissued 2021 bond funds and outlined the city's long-range unfunded capital needs.

Council members at the June 29 session discussed employee compensation, staffing levels, public safety funding, infrastructure improvements, park investments and proposed upgrades to Sta-Mo Park and the city's animal shelter.

That is a lot of ground to cover.

Residents can review the full proposed budget online and attend the Sept. 8 special meeting at City Hall, 1522 Texas Parkway, to hear the presentation firsthand.