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Bandera City Council members deliberate the city tax rate and budget during an August workshop.
September 3, 2025
Bandera City Council approves tax rate, budget
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Bandera City Council members approved the 2026 fiscal year budget and tax rate, increasing taxes by $.099939 per $100 valuation.
The new tax rate is $.569939 per $100 valuation. The new budget is expected to increase revenue by 20.36 percent, or $150,387.12. The property tax revenue increase from new property is $2,496.16.
The increases drew criticism from city resident Rilla Stephens, who implored council members to reconsider raising utility rates by five percent across the board during a previous public hearing.
“Try living on social security and taking care of a vehicle, house and insurance. Try it when you’re in your 80s,” Stephens said. “You’re not thinking or caring about the citizens.”
Laura Devenport asked if alternatives were available to reduce some costs, including less frequent garbage pickup for those who don’t need weekly service. Questions were also posed regarding raised rates. Council members tabled the matter for further review.
A $2 additional fee implemented in residents’ utility bills has been eliminated. The fee, implemented to subsidize road work, accrued about $20,000 per year.
The new tax rate is $.569939 per $100 valuation. The new budget is expected to increase revenue by 20.36 percent, or $150,387.12. The property tax revenue increase from new property is $2,496.16.
The increases drew criticism from city resident Rilla Stephens, who implored council members to reconsider raising utility rates by five percent across the board during a previous public hearing.
“Try living on social security and taking care of a vehicle, house and insurance. Try it when you’re in your 80s,” Stephens said. “You’re not thinking or caring about the citizens.”
Laura Devenport asked if alternatives were available to reduce some costs, including less frequent garbage pickup for those who don’t need weekly service. Questions were also posed regarding raised rates. Council members tabled the matter for further review.
A $2 additional fee implemented in residents’ utility bills has been eliminated. The fee, implemented to subsidize road work, accrued about $20,000 per year.