Gonzales city council hosts final budget workshop

The Gonzales City Council, along with city department heads, discussed the 2022-23 budget and tax rate Sept. 1, as the final stretch of budget season comes to an end.

Prior to this budget discussion and workshop, the council held a public hearing regarding the preliminary tax rate proposed at $0.3117 per $100 valuation. If approved, the budget will raise more total property taxes than last’s years budget by $42,034, or 2.44 percent. Of that amount, $11,873 is tax revenue to be raised from the new property added to the tax roll this year.

Three Gonzales locals — Ed Greer, Dale Schellenberg and Thomas Enriquez — spoke about the concerns regarding the proposed tax rate for 2022-23, which includes the increases in the taxes.

“The taxes are just about going to put us to the point where it's going to be hard to survive.” Greer said.

Greer added he and his wife are on a limited income and with increases of inflation and groceries it limits where they shop and what they purchase.

Schellenberg mentioned the recent tax evaluation from Gonzales County Appraisal District about every property within the county which resulted in valuation increases.

“If you vote for this tax increase, this tax rate increase, it will be the fifth increase in five years,” Schellenberg said. “Why this year? Why five years in a row? Why can we hold it steady for just this one year? We're all in the same boat.”

Bringing up his next point regarding the proposed permits and changes in rates and fees on permits, Schellenberg told the council to think of the “larger picture” and “consider the whole community.”

“Some people that are on fixed income, cannot afford to build or do repairs on what they have already. And to raise fees will only hurt any improvement efforts trying to be made,” Shellenburg said. “I hope each of you as council members vote or adopting the new budget that you will consider the will of the people you represent. Along with the well being of the people you represent and support physically responsible spending rather than increasing the financial burden on the very people you're here to represent.”

Enriquez was the last to speak at the public hearing, addressing his concerns about the proposed tax rate contributing to “unnecessary regulation” in a form of ordinances that’ll become a burden to local businesses and property owners in the city.

“One of the major factors that contributed to the change in the landscape of this very council was the endless regulations in the form of ordinance to generate revenue for the city, but in actuality tied the hands of the citizens of Gonzales,” Enriquez said.

“That is the reason why I'm advocating for the effective tax rate that keeps the city on the existing path, financially speaking, without any government red tape design to target the hardworking taxpayers, property owners and business owners.”

Enriquez continued, telling the council that the citizens and voters of Gonzales are the individuals who vote the officials into office, adding they have a choice of their legacy being the same as previous councils or as a champion for the citizens.

“Right now, depending on how you choose to vote on this tax issue, will showcase whose interests you have at heart,” Enriquez said “Will it be the people of Gonzales or for the city government of Gonzales? Your voters are watching.”

During the budget workshop meeting, it was discussed whether the council should go with the preliminary tax rate or a no-new revenue tax rate. Several members of the council spoke their opinions about the rate; councilwoman Ronda Miller and councilman Joseph Kridler are for a no-new revenue tax rate, while councilwoman Sherri Koepp, councilman Bobby O’Neal, and Mayor Steve Sucher are for the preliminary tax rate.

The budget and tax rate will be voted on at the Gonzales City Council meeting at 6 p.m. today (Thursday), Sept. 8.