Lubbock Mayor’s 'No Tax Increase' Proposal Blocked by Council

LUBBOCK, TX — Mayor Mark McBrayer emphasized during Tuesday’s budget meeting the importance of fiscal discipline in anticipation of challenging financial decisions in future budgets. "We start with this year’s budget that isn’t as difficult to be disciplined with," McBrayer stated, underscoring the need to establish budgeting discipline before tougher times arrive.

McBrayer’s proposed budget, which aimed to avoid raising property taxes for FY 2025, was framed as a demonstration of the council’s commitment to minimizing the financial burden on taxpayers. "By passing this budget, we show taxpayers we take seriously the burden we place upon them," McBrayer asserted.

However, the mayor found limited support for his proposal, securing only one ally, Councilman David Glasheen, in his bid to set the tax rate at the No New Revenue Rate. The remainder of the council, led by purported conservative Councilwoman Dr. Jennifer Wilson, opted to support a budget that closely mirrored the city manager’s proposed plan, which included a modest tax increase.

Wilson’s budget, which she presented as a compromise, essentially reshuffled existing funds without significantly altering the overall tax impact. Despite her previous campaign positions, Wilson advocated for the tax increase, citing the need to compromise on priorities, including funding for a new library that she previously had campaigned against. She stressed that her shift was a result of recognizing the necessity of bipartisan collaboration.

District 1 Councilwoman Christy Martinez-Garcia supported Wilson’s stance, highlighting the non-partisan nature of the city council and the importance of prioritizing collective goals over individual ideologies. She argued against labeling members as "conservatives" or "Republicans," emphasizing that the council’s focus should be on serving the community rather than adhering to party labels.

The spirit of compromise extended to District 6 Councilman Tim Collins, who joined in supporting the tax increase, citing concerns about the potential need for a larger tax hike next year due to increasing budget demands — the so-called "yo-yo" effect". District 2 Councilman Gordon Harris, meanwhile, appeared to vote based on the prevailing sentiment in the room, while District 4 Councilman Brayden Rose sought to address specific budget items, such as funding for a lake fountain, before expressing his satisfaction with the proposal.

The first motion to consider Wilson’s budget was made by Collins and seconded by Wilson. It passed 4-3, with Collins, Wilson, Martinez-Garcia, and Harris in favor. Following the budget approval, the council then voted on Wilson’s proposed tax rate, which was just 0.007 cents per $100 in valuation below the city manager’s budget. Although this required a five-vote majority, it failed to pass because it only attracted four votes.

After a brief recess, the council reconvened to reconsider the budget. Glasheen introduced a more moderate budget proposal aligned with the mayor’s No New Revenue Rate, hinging on the assertion that five unfilled police positions could be cut. However, Glasheen’s plan was quickly undermined when City Manager W. Garrett Atkinson and Police Chief Seth Herman reaffirmed their commitment to filling those positions, highlighting progress both anticipate in recruiting officers through lateral transfers from other police departments.

The council ultimately rejected Glasheen’s budget proposal in a 6-1 vote, with only Glasheen in favor. The Wilson budget was then reapproved in a 5-2 vote, with Glasheen and McBrayer opposing it. The council also revisited and passed the corresponding Wilson tax increase with a 5-2 vote in favor.

"I want to be clear that I did not support an increase to the tax rate this year," McBrayer stated after the vote, asking the city manager to confirm the newly approved rate. Atkinson confirmed that the official tax rate would be 0.47120.

With that, the council adjourned, leaving McBrayer’s no-tax-increase proposal effectively sidelined. The council reconvenes next week on Sept. 10 for the second reading of the budget ordinances. At that time, the tax rate will be set for FY 2025.