San Marcos in Focus (03-18-25) - Budget Process

This month we interview city Budget Manager Trisha Patek and Community Resource and Engagement Coordinator Grisell Perez-Carey.The City of San Marcos is introducing a new way for residents to help shape the Fiscal Year 2026 budget with Polco’s Balancing Act, a suite of interactive tools that allow the community to explore budget allocations, adjust spending priorities, and provide direct input on financial decisions.“One of our primary responsibilities is to build a balanced budget that truly reflects the evolving priorities of our community and its diverse needs," said City Manager Stephanie Reyes. "We take financial stewardship seriously, and we're embracing innovative solutions to foster greater community inclusion in our budgeting process. This tool was sought as part of our commitment to transparency and collaborative decision-making, allowing residents to directly contribute their insights and ensure that our spending decisions are aligned with their needs, creating a more responsive and inclusive government.”Residents will be invited to provide feedback online through Balancing Act in two phases:Strategic Plan Priorities: Beginning February 27 through March 17, residents will rank their top priorities from the 2025 Strategic Plan, which was approved by City Council on February 18, 2025. This phase will use Balancing Act’s prioritization platform.Budget Simulation: Beginning in May 2025, residents will be invited to propose budgetary allocations. Using the budget simulation platform, residents will weigh in on real financial scenarios and navigate trade-offs to balance their own version of the FY2026 budget.The results from community members’ engagement with the Balancing Act tool will be shared with members of City staff and City Council. Results will also be made available to the public on the City of San Marcos website.The Balancing Act tool is available online in English and Spanish at www.sanmarcostx.gov/budgetengagement. In addition to the Balancing Act tool, community members may provide feedback on the budget at public meetings, including during public hearings scheduled for September 2 and September 16. The San Marcos City Council is expected to adopt the budget at their September 16 meeting.