Founding Father Benjamin Franklin stated in 1789 shortly after the Constitution of the new United States was ratified that there were only two things certain in life…one was death and the other was taxes. Knowing the economic adversities experienced by our citizens, Council and City Staff worked diligently to prepare a working budget without having to raise taxes. This goal was accomplished. With the cost of doing business increasing over the last year, the Business funds see a slight increase (2.5%) in usage fees for water and wastewater effective Jan. 1, 2023. Electric Usage costs per KWH will not increase.
The City’s adopted budget for 2022-2023 is available for review either by looking online at www.cityofcuero.com or dropping by 212 E. Main at City to pick up a hard copy. The budget goes into effect Oct. 1, 2022. The 2022-2023 budget is divided into the General Fund which pays bills for the sixteen City Depts. and the Business Funds. The General Fund receives part of its income from the levy of a property tax which is lower than last year ($.34950/$100 valued property); this will be used for street projects, for new sidewalks, and for the operation of the City. The 2022-2023 property tax rate raises $936,000 which is $127,941 more for the General Fund including $12,618 from new property added to the tax rolls. The tax levied will be apportioned with $.28103 to the maintenance and operation of the General Fund and $.06847 for the I & S Debt Service Fund. Projections for sales tax collections for the year 2021-2022 since the year isn’t completed is just over $2.4M, greater than last year, with this funding going into the City’s General Fund for City operations. Total General Fund revenue is $7,382,123 covering costs of all 16 City departments except for the business funds; the General Fund is balanced.
The Business Funds for the City include income from the Utilities (electric, water, wastewater, environmental services) totaling $17,665,398 with expenditures totaling $17,133,365. The water and wastewater funds will see a slight increase in rates due to increase in costs of supplies and equipment. No electric rate fees increase in 2022-2023. Total revenues for the City is $26,719.971 and expenditures in all funds is $26,125,107 resulting in a balance on hand at end of FY2023 of $594,864.
Council expresses its appreciation to the City Manager Raymie Zella and CFO Connie Hawes, their staff, and the department superintendents for their many hours and months of work in the preparation of this budget.
The City of Cuero wishes ‘Ruby’ good luck in the first heat of the ‘Great Gobbler Gallop’ Sept. 16-17, in Worthington, Minnesota. Go, Ruby, Go!
The City of Cuero City Councilmen Bill Matthys and Emil Garza will represent our community at Worthington’s King Turkey Days.
Cuero Turkeyfest is preparing for a wonderful three day event, the 50th Anniversary of Turkeyfest, October 7-9 with the second heat of the ‘Great Gobbler Gallop’ on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m. in the 100 block of North Esplanade.