LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The City of Lubbock began its annual budget workshop process in council chambers Wednesday, opening what City Manager Jarrett Atkinson described as a nearly month-long process.
“Today is day one of a nearly 30-day process,” Atkinson said.
Councilman-elect Tim Green was present on the dais, though he has not yet been sworn in. Green said he is grateful the mayor allowed him to attend to learn and ask questions before casting his first vote.
“This is really important business, and I have a lot of questions,” Green said. “I want to be able to answer all of the questions good to my constituents that will ask me…if this rate’s going up or down and why.”
Budget schedule
Wednesday’s session covered the city’s enterprise funds, internal services, special revenue funds and component units. Discussions on the general fund and property tax rate are scheduled for Friday. Atkinson said last year brought unexpected late changes, prompting the adjusted schedule this year.
At Tuesday’s regular council meeting on Aug. 11, members will set the maximum property tax rate. Additional budget discussions are scheduled for Aug. 25. The first budget action — including a hearing on both the tax rate and the budget and first votes on both — is set for the evening of Sept. 1.
“That meeting is set in the evening,” Atkinson said. “We had discussion last year about could we do the hearings after work, so it is scheduled to be after work. I believe it is 6 p.m.”
Council will also hear proposed meet-and-confer agreements at the Sept. 1 meeting. The final vote on the budget is expected at the regular council meeting on Sept. 8.
Because council covered so much ground Wednesday, Atkinson said the scheduled workshop Thursday will not be held. The next session will resume Friday.
“This is kind of a handoff, so this is my budget being handed to you, to explain, to answer questions and then it becomes your budget,” Atkinson said.
Compensation and staffing
The city manager’s initial proposal includes a three percent cost-of-living adjustment for city employees. The latest Consumer Price Index shows inflation has risen more than 3.5 percent since April. District 1 Councilmember Christy Martinez-Garcia asked whether the 3 percent figure was firm.
“Absolutely not,” Atkinson said, adding that the figure could be increased.
Overall compensation spending appears to be down some compared to last year. Atkinson said that is due to the elimination of vacant positions, not workforce reductions.
“So, if I have positions that we’re funding and they are perennially vacant, obviously I don’t need all of those positions and I don’t need to ask you to fund them,” Atkinson said.
Proposed rate changes
Atkinson proposed a $0.65 increase to the water base rate and a 1 percent volumetric rate increase, with no changes to wastewater rates. He also proposed a $2 monthly increase to the residential solid waste fee to help fund a new transfer station.
Council also reviewed internal services including information technology, special revenue funds such as improvement districts, and component units including LEDA and Civic Lubbock.
Mayor Mark McBrayer noted the scope of the process.
“I don’t know if it’s the most important thing we do, but it’s probably the most time-consuming thing you and our city management are involved in,” McBrayer said.
Copyright 2026 KCBD. All rights reserved.