City boasts balanced budget

The Bandera City Council reviewed the amended proposed budget for 2022-2023 at a Sept. 22 workshop and presented a newly balanced budget.

“What you have in front of you is a balanced budget,” said Mayor Suzanne Schauman.

Schauman said the process of balancing the budget was a miracle.

“Today we sat down, and it was a miracle,” Schauman said. “The angels were singing, everything was wonderful. It was so encouraging to sit down with two people who I hope will be with the city for a long, long time, and not get that blank stare back; to have them understand what the process is, understand what the questions and the answers are, and how to make it happen.”

Per Schauman, since the council’s last workshop, changes have been made to the proposed budget in areas of several revenues, the property tax rate and the utility funds.

“I’m proud of it; it’s balanced. It’s been a pleasure working with these guys,” she said.

Councilwoman Darcy Hasty added, “This is already so much better; it’s a breath of fresh air.”

Referring to last year’s budget, Hasty said, “It would literally make me sick, because I knew what I had in front of me wasn’t right. There was nothing we could do about it as council and quite frankly, it was disgusting. So, thank you Allyson, thank you, Jill, thank you, Mayor, thank you, William, for giving us a product that we can have and count on. We can actually do our job now.”

Schauman wrapped up the workshop by reminding councilthey will have the amended budget by next week.

“This is the final revision of everything we have discussed for the last six to eight weeks,” she said.