Boerne City Council continued its summer budget workshop series at the July 22 meeting, hearing an update from staff on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget and an overview of proposed projects included in the Governmental Capital Improvement Plan.
Finance Director Sarah Buckelew led Tuesday’s presentation and provided an outlook for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 2026), which runs from Oct. 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026.
Watch the full presentation online here.
Staff also presented an update to the Boerne Utilities CIP, which includes major utility infrastructure projects. Read a recap of the Boerne Utilities CIP presentation.
What is the CIP?
The Capital Improvement Plan is a long-term planning tool that outlines the City’s strategy for funding and completing major infrastructure projects, which often takes years of future planning and occurs over multiple annual budgets.
The council must also consider City staff’s capacity to advance these projects and whether to utilize outside resources or firms. Changes in economic conditions like inflation also impact the CIP evaluation each year.
Funding Sources
The City of Boerne prioritizes funding CIP projects through capital reserves. This is money that is left over after each fiscal year and set aside for these major infrastructure projects. Additional funding may be provided through developer contributions, bond programs, grants, and other governmental partnerships.
Boerne Utilities CIP projects are funded by revenue generated by the utilities themselves and do not utilize governmental funds. Boerne Utilities projects may also utilize impact fees and developer contributions for funding sources.
Funding for routine infrastructure maintenance is included in other areas of the budget.
CIP Projects Overview
For FY 2026, the City of Boerne is proposing $34.2 million in CIP projects, which will be funded by:
- Capital Reserves: $24 million
- New Debt (Bond Funds): $6.5 million
- Grants: $750,000
- Public Facility Corporation: $3 million
Some of the major projects included in the FY 2026 CIP funding are highlighted below.
Fire Station No. 2
The proposed FY 2026 budget includes $8 million toward the Fire Station No. 2 project, which will be located along Esperanza Boulevard. Full plans for the project are expected to be submitted by August 2025.
RELATED: City, FD continue to make significant progress on Fire Station No. 2
Adler Road Widening | Bond Project
The proposed budget includes $5.4 million toward the upcoming widening of Adler Road, as approved by voters in the 2022 bond election.
The project includes the complete reconstruction and widening of the roadway from Esser Road to Main Street to include a continuous center turn lane, drainage improvements, multi-use sidewalks, and a shared use path. It is being done in coordination with a separate project to replace two culverts along Adler Road:
Related: City holds groundbreaking ceremony for Adler Road improvements
Northside Community Park | Bond Project
The proposed FY 2026 budget includes $16.8 million toward the new Northside Community Park with funding from:
- Capital Reserves: $9.5 million
- New Debt (Bond Funds): $6.5 million
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant: $750,000
The new park is scheduled to break ground in September 2025 with a target completion for the first phase of winter 2026/2027. The first phase will include an all-abilities playground, splashpad, two full-size covered basketball courts, 12 outdoor pickleball courts, two multi-use athletic fields, a dog park, and an ADA walking trail.
Needs Assessments
The proposed budget includes $100,000 for two needs assessments – one at the Boerne Police Department and one for the Animal Shelter.
The Police Department assessment will study what could be included in the expansion of the existing facility. Animal Care Services has outgrown its current facility and will conduct an assessment to determine what would be needed in a new facility.
Upcoming Budget Calendar
The City Council will review and approve the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs Oct. 1, 2025 – Sept. 30, 2026.
Below are key dates in the budget approval process:
- Aug. 8, 2025: City Manager files proposed budget with City Secretary, draft budget provided to City Council
- Aug. 12, 2025: Regular City Council Meeting | Governmental Budget Workshop
- Aug. 26, 2025: First Public Hearing on Budget and Tax Rate
- Sept. 9, 2025: Second Public Hearing on Budget and Tax Rate, Adoption of Budget and Tax Rate
WATCH: Live and Recorded Meetings
