𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁, 𝟱% 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗔

The Aransas County Navigation District Board of Commissioners conditionally approved a revised draft of its fiscal year 2027 operating budget during a special budget workshop Sept. 14.

Commissioners unanimously approved the draft budget with several agreed-upon changes. The board is scheduled to vote on the final budget at its regular meeting Sept. 21.

The proposed budget uses a no-new-revenue property tax rate of $0.03030027 per $100 of assessed valuation. At that rate, the district projects total property tax revenue will increase by $18,798, or 0.92%, over the prior fiscal year. New property added to the tax roll is expected to generate $35,523 in additional revenue.

Commissioners also agreed to add a $1 million Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement receivable as a revenue placeholder. With that addition, the district’s projected annual financial position changes from an estimated $800,000 deficit to projected net income of $357,796.

The revised budget also reflects lower anticipated harbor and beach-related revenues. Harbor fee revenue was reduced by $10,000 because of a decline in oyster fleet activity at Rockport Harbor and Fulton Harbor. Annual and daily beach permit revenue projections were reduced to $380,000 to better align with historical collections.

On the personnel side, the board reached consensus on a 5% cost-of-living adjustment for district employees. The adjustment is expected to add approximately $45,000 and $58,454 to payroll expenses.

Commissioners declined to pursue a 10% COLA option. During the discussion, board members noted that Aransas County did not provide a COLA for county employees this year.

The budget also includes a $200,000 total-compensation placeholder for the district’s next executive director.

Other major proposed expenses include an $800,000 contract-services placeholder for repairs at the Bay Education Center, Saltwater Pavilion, and harbor bait stands. Legal expenses remain budgeted at $440,000, while engineering services were increased by $50,000.

District staff also projected a $100,000 reduction in commercial trash collection costs. Officials said the district plans to seek competitive bids for waste management services during the 2027 fiscal year.

Capital equipment purchases included in the draft budget consist of utility vehicles and a truck equipped with a lift gate.

The board’s Sept. 21 vote is expected to formally adopt the budget and associated tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year.