Where the Money is Spent

Texas cities use taxpayer dollars and other citywide revenue on a wide variety of government functions. According the Texas Municipal League, cities perform by far the greatest number of functions among all the different types of local governments.

City expenditures include roads and bridges, city jails, utility systems, garbage and waste services, health and sanitation services, police and fire departments, parking, zoning, recreational facilities, and much more.

City government officials work with city budget departments and public stakeholders to evaluate the level of funding needed to be appropriated for city services over the next fiscal year. Once a preliminary budget is drafted, deliberated, and a final version is approved, the budget serves as a citywide guideline as a basis for the expenditures in each city department.