A Message From Mayor Chris Riley

LETTER TO LEON VALLEY CITIZENS

From Mayor Chris Riley

June 6, 2025

CITY COUNCIL MEETING –June 3, 2025

      The following are highlights of council actions from the June 3, 2025    council meeting which began at 6:30 p.m. and ended at 8:55 p.m.

PRESENTATIONS

A Proclamation Declaring June 21, 2025 as Audie Leon Murphy Day in Leon Valley in Recognition of Audie L. Murphy’s 100^th Birthday – was presented to Ms. Cleo Aufderhaar, cousin of Audie L. Murphy, and to members of the American Legion, Post 336. He was an American soldier, actor and songwriter.  Audie L. Murphy was a hero of World War II and the most highly decorated enlisted soldier in US history. A celebration will be held in the city plaza in Farmersville, Texas  on June 21^st to honor Audie L. Murphy’s contributions during his short life (died at 46 in a plane crash).

Council  tentatively approved a request by Northside I.S.D to close Robin Road and to construct John Marshall Drive – Sean Smith, P.E, Senior Vice President of MTR Engineers, presented plans for improving traffic flow at the high school due to backups on Robin & Lobo Lanes which have caused difficulty entering and exiting the street. Construction will occur in 2026, to remodel the school and increase the size of the parking area.  A traffic signal will be installed, Bluebird Lane renovated, and the traffic signal at Bluebird and Eckhert Road reconfigured.  The Leon Valley City Engineer, Planning and Zoning Commission & City Council will consider the re-platting and the City Engineer, Building and Fire Inspectors will review the plans for building renovations and parking lot expansion.  

Update of 4^th of July Celebration – Crystal Miranda, Community Relations Director shared the following information:

Pioneer Firecracker 5K Fun Run/Walk beginning at Northwest Little League. Starts at 7:30 a.m. (no late starts) and concludes at 9:30 a.m. Register at lvhistoricalsociety.org.

Celebrate Freedom in Leon Valley on July 4^th will begin in Raymond Rimkus Park  at 6 pm with a featured jazz musician.  At 7:30 pm

the Mayor and City Council will welcome everyone and the National Anthem will be sung.  At 7:45 pm – Finding Friday, the featured band will play until 9:30 pm, when the fireworks display will begin. Finding Friday will continue to play after the fireworks at 9:45 pm. There will be food and craft vendors and children’s activities.  A shuttle service will be available from DPS, Leon Valley Elementary and Bandera Bowl, where participants can park and ride to the event.  This is a free event. Bring your blankets, chairs and ice chest.  Hope to see you there!

Discussion of Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 -2026 Budget as presented by Dr. Crystal Caldera, City Manager – This was a preliminary budget based on last year’s tax rate.  The updated no-new tax rate will be released at the end of July.  The no-new revenue tax rate is the tax rate provided by Bexar County Appraisal District which the city can set in order to receive the same ad valorem tax dollars as in FY 25.  As presented, the FY 26 General Fund budget is not balanced (operating deficit of $1.3 million). The city manager reports that the Appraisal District market value of Leon Valley for 2025 decreased by $46 million over tax year 2024.  Ad valorem tax revenues for FY 26 are projected to be decreased by $167,979 over FY 25. This is even though the average home value in Leon Valley increased by $6,594.

       According to the city manager, other factors contributing to the deficit are increasing tax exemptions to 20% in 2023, reducing the tax rate from .53 cents to .48 cents in 2023, and the continued increase in costs for personnel, supplies and contractual services. Besides projected ad valorem receipts decreasing, so have franchise fees, building permits, court fines and grants. The manager and finance director presented a very detailed and transparent budget, with very specific numbers.  Over the next week, the manager will meet with the council members to see where consensus can be found to close the deficit. The Council also set another budget meeting for June 19^th. The City has a reserve in the General Fund of $4.17 million, plus $1.25 million set aside for emergency.

      The Enterprise Fund for Leon Valley’s water company is balanced, with a reserve fund balance of $3.179 million.

       An update will be forthcoming as we continue the budget process.  We anticipate adopting a balanced budget on August 19, 2025.  

REGULAR AGENDA

The following volunteers in our community were appointed to these Committees/Commissions:

• Citizens Police Advisory Committee: 

Place 1 appointee:    Darby Riley

Place 3 appointees:  Ann Sawyer and Andrea Roofe

Place 5 appointees:  Raymond Diaz and Melanie Munoz

Council Liaison – Rey Orozco

• Planning & Zoning Commission:

Commissioners: David Perry, Abraham Diaz, Cynthia Koger

Alternate 1 – Olen Yarnell

Alternate 2 – Russell Hernandez

Council Liaison – Philip Campos

• Library Advisory Board:

Members appointed: Ashleigh Johnson, Maryanna Christensen, Travis Leech and Clare Brown.

• Park Commission:

Commissioner : Jennifer Pecina

Council Liaison – Danielle Bolton

Discussion to Amend the Leon Valley Code of Ordinances related to Animal Control fees to add Dog Microchipping – After review of city services, it was determined that dog microchipping should be offered to the public. Statistics show this is an effective way to reunite dog owners with lost pets. The Code will be amended by adding a new fee. For Leon Valley residents – Free with an active pet license (limit 4 per address) and $15.00 per dog without an active Leon Valley pet license.  Non-Leon Valley resident is $20 per dog (up to 5 dogs).This service will be provided by our Animal Control officers.  Please call city hall to make an appointment at (210) 681-1391 Ext.229 or 230. This agenda item will be voted on at the July 15^th city council meeting on the consent agenda.

          Our next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 beginning at 6:30 pm at city hall.

 CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF SET SUMMER MEETINGS

The annual Council-Manager Retreat was held on Saturday, May 31^st from 9 am – 3 pm. We initially spent 3 hours on the proposed FY 25-26 budget and discussed 5 out of the 14 agenda items before concluding for the day.  The City Council will continue the budget discussion on Thursday, June 19th at 5 pm in the large conference room in city hall. On July 1^st at 5 pm in the Leon Valley large conference room, the City Council and Manager will continue addressing the unfinished topics listed on the Retreat agenda.  Citizens are invited to listen and observe, but this will be only a discussion among the council members. 

DID YOU KNOW?

You can call Jennifer Magallanes, city hall receptionist at (210) 681-1391, Monday – Friday between 8 am and 5 pm to report any neighborhood concerns you may have. Jennifer will relay to the appropriate department for action. After 5 pm and on weekends, please call the Non-Emergency Number at (210) 684-8897.  Please note – download the My Leon Valley App (Go Gov)  to report your concern. Councilor Mursch used the App on Memorial Day to report a sign down in her neighborhood and the next morning it was repaired.

Leon Valley Critical Period Drought Management Rules -  Leon Valley water system now mirrors watering restrictions used by SAWS since 1/3 of our citizens are connected to SAWS, and the other 2/3rds are serviced by the Leon Valley Water System. Currently the city is in State 3 water restrictions which means landscaping watering with an irrigation system, sprinkler or soaker hose is allowed only once a week from 5-10 a.m. and 9 pm – midnight.  Hand-held hose is allowed any time on any day. Know your day to water by the last digit of your address. (Mon.: 0 or 1; Tues.:  2 or 3; Wed.: 4 or 5; Thurs.: 6 or 7; and Fri. 8 or 9.

        Enjoy your summer.  Stay safe and hydrated. The Council and I are here to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can assist you in any way.

Sincerely, Chris

(210) 618-2092 (cell)