The Burnet City Council passed its 2026-27 fiscal year budget and tax rate Tuesday, Sept. 8, marking an increase to overall expenditures that will fuel the city’s steady growth.

The approved budget touts several million new dollars in funding as opposed to the 2025-26 fiscal year budget, which city staff said will help Burnet maintain steadily-increasing profits to its general, electric, and water/wastewater funds, partially fund a 3-percent pay increase to city employees, and develop several capital projects.

See the approved FY 2026-27 budget here. Compare it to the FY 2025-26 budget here.

Tax rate

A portion of the city’s new funding will come from the council-approved tax rate of $0.6131 per $100 property valuation.

Though this is the same rate as FY 2025-26, property values have risen since last year, meaning residents will likely see a slight increase to their property tax bill this year.

• FY 2025-26 tax rate – $0.6131 per $100 property valuation
• FY 2026-27 tax rate – $0.6131 per $100 property valuation

Utility increases

Another portion of the city’s new funding will come from 3-percent increases to residents’ monthly water, sewer, and electric bills, approved during the Sept. 8 council meeting. During FY 2026-27, these increases are set to pull in:

• Water – $165,530 in additional yearly revenue
• Sewer – $138,023 in additional yearly revenue
• Electric – $220,079 in additional yearly revenue

Budget by fund

Several of the city’s funds will have increased expenditures in FY 2026-27. Some of these funds are:

• $17.4 million from the General Fund ($16.44 million in 2025-26)
• $11.32 million from the Electric Fund ($11.16 million in 2025-26)
• $5.65 million from the Water and Wastewater Fund ($5.37 million in 2025-26)
• $3.17 million from the Golf Fund ($3.13 million in 2025-26)
• $333,000 from the Airport Fund ($328,000 in 2025-26)
• $985,000 from the Debt Services Fund ($990,000 in 2025-26)
• $1.08 million from the Interest and Sinking Fund ($1.08 million in 2025-26)

Capital projects to be funded by the budget

Some of the city’s planned and ongoing major capital projects include repairs from the July 5 flood, electric equipment upgrades and repairs, and various infrastructure improvements. Some of the top-dollar projects are:

• $5.75 million – NRCS Buyout Program
• $5 million – New pedestrian walking bridge 
• $3.6 million – Flood-related expenses
• $1.12 million – Stationary generator grant project
• $842,000 – Grid resiliency grant projects
• $788,700 – Portable generator grant project
• $700,000 – Valley Street Well engineering and improvements
• $700,000 – Eagle’s Nest tank project
• $350,000 – New ambulance 
• $250,000 – Electric equipment
• $250,000 – Water meter replacement program
• $250,000 – New brush trucks
• $200,000 – Water/wastewater system improvements
• $150,000 – City hall improvements 
• $100,000 – Street rehabilitation 
• $100,000 – Med-4 replacement

Previous reporting on capital projects

• “Burnet to approve purchase of two properties, expand downtown parking,” Feb. 11, 2026
• “Burnet buys more acreage for golf course preservation,” March 3, 2026
• “Burnet sweetens deal for HTeaO storefront at old Burger King site,” March 17, 2026
• “BRIEF: Burnet’s saga of revitalization through council priorities,” March 20, 2026
• “Burnet eyes disaster mitigation upgrades,” May 26, 2026
• “Burnet funds new water tank for Eagles Nest,” May 28, 2026
• “Burnet pedestrian bridge moving forward, design firm selected,” June 10, 2026
• “ROAD TO RECOVERY: Burnet flood buyouts near,” June 17, 2026
• “Burnet seeks federal grant for Valley Street Well rehabilitation,” July 2, 2026
• “Burnet hotel nearing completion,” July 15, 2026
• “New manager takes Burnet airport under their wing,” July 20, 2026
• “Burnet eyes funding for concessions hub at Galloway-Hammond Park,” Aug. 4, 2026
• “Burnet upping electric grid resilience,” Aug. 6, 2026

caden@thepicayune.com