A Message From Mayor Chris Riley

LETTER TO LEON VALLEY CITIZENS 

From Mayor Chris Riley  

June 5, 2026 

                                HAPPY SUMMER VACATION!

              The following are highlights of council actions from the June 2^nd  Crime Control and Prevention District Board of Directors meeting which began at 5:33 pm, followed by the City Council meeting which ended at 10:48 p.m.

          CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION DISTRICT BOARD OF

                    DIRECTORS MEETING BEGAN AT 5:33 p.m.

       The City Council serves as the Board of Directors, which oversees money collected through a ¼ cent local sales and use tax.  The tax funds a special district authorized for small municipalities. The purpose of this fund is to improve crime prevention and reduce crime. This tax was approved by vote of our citizens in 2013 and renewed in 2023. A detailed budget was presented by Finance Director Carol Goering, who summarized eight programs within two initiatives, Equipment & Technology and Law Enforcement.

       For the FY 27 Budget, total revenues budgeted are $446,777 and total expenditures are $585,685. (Excess paid from balance in the fund).  This fund covers, among other things, the salary and benefits for 50% of the Assistant Police Chief, one patrol officer and one investigations sergeant. The remaining reserve balance of this fund is over $650,000 which will help fund needed police radios. The Council unanimously approved a resolution to adopt the Crime Control FY 27 budget in August.

               CITY COUNCIL MEETING –began at 6:03 pm 

                                         PRESENTATIONS 

Presentation of the Oath of Office to Presiding Municipal Judge Lawrence G. Morales and Municipal Court Judge Leslie C. Kassahn by Mayor Chris Riley to serve a additional a two-year term. Judge Morales has been the City’s Municipal Judge since 1982 and Judge Kassahn since 2020.  They preside over municipal court, working with our staff in resolving the various issues presented to them, from traffic tickets to code enforcement violations. Municipal Court is held on Thursdays, twice a month from 9 am to 3 pm at city hall.

Discussion of the Preliminary FY 2027 Community Budget Survey Results – Citizens were encouraged to fill out a budget survey over the month of May on their priorities in two areas: City Infrastructure/ Operations and Quality of Life.  A total of 74 eligible responses were submitted, 65 online and 9 by paper.  City Infrastructure/Operations top three priorities were 1) Support improving water and sewer infrastructure needs – Cost $40 million; 2) Increase police personnel by 3 – Cost $320,000 (annual salary and benefits) with continued funding; 3) Park Restroom Renovations to comply with ADA requirements – Cost $300,000.

Quality of Life top three priorities: 1)  Address the erosion in the Huebner Natural Area Park.  Cost:  $2-3.5 Million; 2) $1.4 Million Forest Oaks Pool remodel (City cost $752,852, grant funded $752,852); 3)  Saving Community Events:  4^th of July  Cost - $150,000-$200,000; 75^th Anniversary Celebration of the City – Cost:  $100,000 - $130,000.  The Council will address the survey results as it relates to the FY2027 Budget at the City Council retreat on Saturday, June 6^th .

Presentation, Discussion and Workshop on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Proposed Budget by Dr. Crystal Caldera – The city manager went through a two-hour first read of the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. In the General Fund, currently total revenue is projected at $15,711,995 and total operating expenditure is $16,326,256.  This leaves a deficit of $614,261.  Last year at this time, we were at a deficit of $1.3 million.

       The Enterprise Fund – Leon Valley Water Company budget is balanced.  Revenues are projected at $5,555,955 with operating expenditures at $4,969,254. There are no new personnel recommended to be added to the 123.5 current employees. The manager recommends a 2% merit raise (for those employees who are eligible) and a 2% Cost of Living increase in next year’s budget, plus longevity pay for all qualifying full-time employees (based on their years of service). The medical insurance program, which provides medical, dental, vision and life insurance to employees at no cost, is projected to increase by 15%. Employees retirement funding at 20.32%, a 1% increase from last year, is also included.

        The value of homes has decreased from last year’s assessment by $5.3 million year over year, and total real estate value, reflecting reductions from protests and litigation is $41.8 million. The projected decrease in value will reduce the city’s property tax income by about 2.5 %. This budget is predicated on our current tax rate of 0.545.  The average home value is $218,019 and the average Leon Valley levy is $1,188.29, which funds 24% of the FY 26-27 budget. For FY 2027 the projected fund balance in the General Fund is $5.19 million in capital reserve + $1.25 million in the emergency fund + $275,000 in future capital purchases = $6,715,088 total fund balance.

      The City Council will meet on June 6^th  for its annual council retreat and begin to dive into the numbers to reach a balanced budget, as required by law.  At the July 21, 2026 council meeting, the updated FY 26-27 budget will be presented.  You can review the city manager’s budget presentation from last Tuesday’s council meeting on YouTube.
 

                                   REGULAR AGENDA 

Council Unanimously Approved a petition for Preliminary Acceptance of John Marshall Drive extension at John Marshall High School – The city engineer performed a final inspection of the public improvement plans.  The applicant posted a Maintenance Bond in the amount of $54,169.83 (10% of the actual cost) to guarantee compliance with the one-year maintenance agreement. After one year, correction of any deficiencies will be performed by the owner prior to City Council’s final acceptance. The driveway improvements should be completed prior to the beginning of school, weather permitting (and any other delays). Residents of Monte Robles will have access to their homes through John Marshall Drive, following any detour signs.  Thank you for your patience while this improvement has progressed.

Presentation and Discussion on an Ordinance to Amend a Change to Zoning from Planned Development District with B-3 Multiple Family Dwelling Base Zoning to a Planned Development District with R-6 Garden House Base Zoning at 6612 and 6618 Sawyer Road –Mr. Chehade, developer of Seneca West and Trilogy, was approved by the city council in April, 2025 to build 166 condominium units on 6.8 acres of land on Sawyer Road. He is requesting an amendment for another option to develop 74 garden homes with 6 variances reducing lot size homes and two variances for private street minimum right of way reduced from 50 ft. to 32 ft., and pavement width reduced from 30 feet to 26 feet. Staff and Council had concerns following his presentations on May 5^th and May 19^th and this item was tabled until the June 2^nd meeting. After an hour and half discussion between Council and developer (there was a public hearing with no citizens in attendance), a motion and second was made as follows:  Approve the R-3 Multiple Family Dwelling base zoning and add the R-6 Garden Home plan within the base zoning of R-3; accepting all variances requested except the tree mitigation fee.  The developer offered to pay $50,000 to clear cut the land, but the tree mitigation fee according to our ordinance was payment of $97,100.  Council agreed to $95,000. Additionally, the developer must correct all of Fire Chief Naughton’s and the City Engineer’s comments for safety concerns. The Developer will add and maintain a 10-foot driveway along Sawyer Road as a safety measure for 18 homes whose driveways will exit Sawyer Road, if the R-6 is the final product being built. The developer asked the Council to help with a sewer easement off of Criss Cross street, but this was declined by Council.  This motion passed unanimously.

Discussion on an Ordinance Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Development Agreement between the City of Leon Valley and developer RC Bandaru (BRG) for the sale of .552 acres of land, known as the Silo Property on Huebner Road– Council moved unanimously to authorize the city manager to enter into an agreement with the developer BRG on the Silo property.  The agreement is for 20 years, selling the .552 acres of land for $1,000; including a claw back agreement that if the HOA cannot maintain the silos, the responsibility will revert to the City.   The developer will move the sewer, develop a second entry into the property, follow the revitalization plan for the silos including spending $62,000 for painting, stabilizing, and adding fencing around the silos. The HOA will maintain the silos as per this agreement.  The City will purchase a plaque commemorating the history of this site and the developer will install.  This is a win-win for our city whereby the property is developed bringing in future property and sales taxes from homeowners and saving and beautifying the silos, which were built in the 1920’s.

Council Approved Seven Resolutions Appointing 34 Volunteer

Committee members: 5 members to the Board of Adjustment; 7

members to the Citizens Police Advisory Committee (3 appointees from

Mayor Riley, 2 members each from Councilors Heyl and Orozco); 13

members to the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

(representatives from each council member and the mayor); 2 members

to the Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee; 4

members to the Library Advisory Board; 7 members to the Park

Commission and 3 members to the Planning and Zoning

Commission.  Additionally, each council member was assigned as a council

liaison to one of these committees.  We still have openings on a number

of committees.  If you’d like to give back to your community an hour or two

of volunteer time per month, please let me know!

       JUST A REMINDER…. 

June 6, 2026 – Annual City Council Board Retreat, 9 am in the Leon Valley city hall large conference room.  Citizens are invited to attend and observe; the discussions will be limited to the council members.

June 16^th and July 7^th Council meetings are cancelled for a summer break.  The next city council meeting will be on July 21^st . 

Hope to see you at the July 4^th festivities at the Community Center from 9:30 a,m, to 12:30 p.m.  The Historical Society will sponsor a 5 K Run/Walk at 7:30 am at the Hike and Bike Trail on Shadow Mist.

Please do not hesitate to call me or any of the councilors if we can assist you. Enjoy your summer and be safe!

Sincerely, Chris  

(210) 618-2092 (cell);  

mayorriley@leonvalleytexas.gov