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City Council Meeting Minutes May 19,2026 <br /> balanced. He recommended use of approximately$3 million in excess fund <br /> balance for city hall, health insurance reserves, capital outlay, and <br /> participatory budgeting. <br /> Unfunded requests total more than $11 million, including 82 personnel <br /> positions. Council discussed storm water fee timing, TIF end dates, and the <br /> possibility of a more incremental approach to the tax rate. Council Member <br /> Rodriguez also requested historical context slides and emphasized the potential <br /> fiscal impacts of upcoming legislative changes. The Mayor requested <br /> multi-scenario tax rate presentations in August. Council expressed <br /> appreciation for staff s work. <br /> Finance Director Locke provided an update on the Community Benefit <br /> Charge, clarifying that the itemized line will not increase utility bills. The <br /> Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem Scott raised concerns about customer <br /> communication, and staff agreed to pursue supplemental messaging and the <br /> possible addition of a QR code. <br /> Director of Destination Services Rebecca Ybarra presented a proposal to <br /> rebrand the Convention and Visitors Bureau division as "Visit San Marcos," <br /> effective October. The Mayor supported the change but requested improved <br /> website visibility for both the CVB and the Destination Services department. <br /> Staff will evaluate options. Council expressed support, and Council Member <br /> Rodriguez commended Visit San Marcos' recent promotional work. Council <br /> Member Gonzalez asked for clarification on whether CVB would be listed <br /> separately or combined with the Visit San Marcos entry. The Mayor clarified <br /> that both should appear—CVB in the "C" listings linking to Visit San Marcos, <br /> plus the creation of a dedicated department page. Council consensus supported <br /> this approach. <br /> 2. Receive an update on the City's expanded Utility Payment Assistance Program; and provide <br /> direction the City Manager, or her designee. <br /> City Manager Reyes introduced the item, noting the program's collaborative <br /> structure involving four partner agencies—Business and Community Lenders <br /> of Texas (BCL), Community Action, Communities in Schools (CIS), and the <br /> Salvation Army—and summarizing outcomes: over$133,000 distributed to <br /> more than 300 households in FY 2025,with FY 2026 on track to distribute <br /> approximately$125,000. <br /> Community Support and Resource Navigation Manager Grisell Perez-Carey <br /> and Utility Billing Manager Christine Avalos jointly presented the program <br /> City of San Marcos Page 3 <br />