Budget/CIP Summary
Proposed FY2018 Annual Budget
A summary of revenues, initiatives included in each of the city's operating funds, and a description of the capital improvements plan and employee compensation. Also included is detailed information on the various funds along with a long-range forecast for each of the major operating funds.
Budget Highlights
Latest News
Tax Rate and Budget to be Considered
City Council will consider the 2017 tax rate and fiscal year 2018 budget at a regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 19 at Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. North. Public hearings on the tax rate were held on Aug. 22 and Sept. 5, and a public hearing on the budget was held Aug. 15.
Your Tax Dollars at Work
| Where does each dollar go? See an overview of the general fund proposed budget. |
Rumor versus Fact
Information that aims to dispel rumors about the ongoing budget process.
- Rumor: The city manager's proposed budget includes a tax increase that only covers pay raises for city staff.
- Rumor: Because state sales tax revenue for the three months ending in August 2017 is up 5.5 percent compared to the same period a year ago, the City of Sugar Land is misleading residents when talking about falling sales tax revenues.
- Rumor: Postponing public hearings and a subsequent vote on a tax rate would show courtesy and kindness to the people still suffering from Hurricane Harvey.
- Rumor: Sugar Land has one of the state's highest tax rates
- Rumor: The city is spending $10 million on a bridge over Oyster Creek.
- Rumor: The city spent $760,000 on a crosswalk.
- Rumor: The city spent public money to improve a golf course.
- Rumor:Tax increase/service cuts avoidable if taxes not used on nonessentials like TSTC & public art.
- Rumor:Voters approved two of three projects in 2013;City says voters ok'd tax increase for three.
Budget Workshops
A series of workshops touching on budget specifics were held in the month of August. Below you can access video and presentations for each.
| General Fund August 3 |
Presentation | Video |
| Property Tax and Debt Service August 10 |
Presentation | Video |
| Enterprise Funds - Utility, Surface Water, Airport, Solid Waste August 17 |
Presentation | Video |
| Capital Projects/Five Year CIP August 24 |
Presentation | Video |
| Other Funds, Compensation and Benefits, Tourism, Corporations August 31 |
Presentation | |
Public Hearings
City Council established a maximum proposed 2017 tax rate up to 33.007 cents. This rate is for discussion purposes only; City Council may ultimately adopt a lower rate but may not adopt a higher rate. The FY2018 budget is based on a tax rate of 32.233 cents. [View the tax rate options]
Since the proposed tax rate exceeds the effective rate, which generates the same tax revenue as last year, the city scheduled two public hearings to gather feedback from residents.
| Tuesday, Aug. 22 | Presentation | Video |
| Tuesday, Sept. 5 | Presentation | |
The 2017 tax rate will be adopted on September 19 after receiving feedback from residents and full & complete discussion on the FY18 budget.
Proposed Budget Presentation
In the face of declining revenues, the city is taking measures to ensure financial resiliency and plan for the future.