$1,585 per resident — the total budget ($24,495,487.05, FY 2025-2026) divided by the latest population (15,451, 2025).

Our arithmetic on the two cited figures — population · compare with other cities

Deep dive: department by department

Department totals and the category subtotals the city's budget book prints — nothing estimated.

What the money is spent on — by department · 2026

Where the money comes from

What kind of spending? (salaries, utilities, equipment…)

Sales tax paid to the city, by year

What is the city budget?

The City of Rio Grande’s adopted FY 2025‑2026 budget shows a property‑tax increase of $607,150 (14.11 %) over the prior year, adds $186,948 from newly‑taxed property, and records a total debt obligation secured by property taxes of $1,204,500. The document also compares tax rates for FY 2025‑2026 and FY 2024‑2025, explains how the city’s funds are organized, and outlines priority programs such as hiring more firefighters, expanding a food‑pantry, and creating a street‑paving department.

Is it accounted for? What the auditors say

The independent auditor’s report for the City of Rio Grande City covers the fiscal year ending September 30 2023. It states that, in an unqualified (clean) opinion, the city’s basic financial statements – government, business‑type activities and all major funds – fairly present its financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The report highlights a $3,042,331 (7 %) increase in total net position, with governmental activities up $1,625,658 and business‑type activities up $1,416,673. Sales‑tax revenues grew by $581,107 in 2023 (after a $370,175 rise the prior year). The audit also notes the city adopted GASB Statement 96 on subscription‑based IT arrangements, but this does not affect the opinion. The audit was performed by Raul Hernandez & Company and included a separate internal‑control compliance report dated April 15 2024.

The documents, year by year