KILLEEN, Texas (Sept. 20, 2023) – The fiscal year 2024 budget approved Tuesday, Sept. 12 by City Council includes several key fee changes recommended by City Manager Kent Cagle. The newly-passed $244M FY ’24 budget will be effective from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024 and focuses on the goals of the Killeen 2040 Plan (the 2022 Comprehensive Plan), as well as City Council’s priorities and strategic items that include competitive pay, hiring more employees to meet service demands and making healthcare plans more affordable for employees.
Rate increases include a residential water rate increase of $1.50, a sewer increase of $1.50 a month, commercial water rate increases to higher tiered meters (year two of five in implementation plan) and an 8% commercial solid waste increase (year three of a Council-approved three-year implementation plan). These increases will go into effect on the September billing cycle.
Solid Waste fee changes include a charge of $30 for same day return for missed service, as well as a fee of $75 for a return trip due to a blocked container and a fee of $7.70 for an overloaded container.
There are also fee increases associated with Parks & Recreation Services. Daily passes for the Family Aquatic Center will be $10 for adult, $8 for seniors $9 for ages 4-16, with ages 1-3 remaining unchanged at $2.
Additionally, City Council approved fee increases to facility rentals at both the Killeen Civic & Convention Center and the Killeen Arts & Activities Center, as well as increases in optional special services and decorations at each facility.
It will also cost a little more to park at the airport. The maximum daily fee in the long-term parking lot is increased to $9 a day and the short-term maximum will be $12 a day.
The adopted budget follows the six Killeen 2040 “Big Ideas” in the 2022 Comprehensive Plan, including growth in a fiscally responsible way, positive community culture, a local business ecosystem, an improved transportation network, neighborhoods vs. subdivisions and a vibrant downtown.
An online version of the Adopted Budget will be published by mid-November. In the meantime, the Proposed Budget document can be found on the City’s website at www.KilleenTexas.gov/Budget and an updated version of the Proposed Fee Schedule, to include City Council changes, is located on the Finance page at www.KilleenTexas.gov/Finance.