City Council Work Session - September 1, 2026

The City Council Work Session for the City of San Marcos held on September 1, 2026, focused extensively on the fiscal year 2027 capital improvements program (CIP) and preliminary park design updates. The council received a detailed presentation on the CIP, highlighting funding challenges such as constrained general and stormwater funds, rising construction costs, and the complexity of projects like Sunset Acres and Wallace Edition. The presentation emphasized the importance of grant funding, which has brought in approximately $48 million since 2022, helping to offset the need for tax or rate increases. Several large-scale infrastructure projects were discussed, including water and wastewater system upgrades and shared-use path projects, with timelines extending into 2029 and beyond. The council also reviewed updated concepts for the Riverfront and East Side Regional Parks, including maintaining existing ball fields, adding game tables, and considerations for pools, splash pads, parking, and floodway restrictions. Discussions included potential funding strategies such as bond issuances and economic development incentives. No contract awards or vendor selections were reported, but the session included significant policy and budget planning that will influence future procurement and capital projects. The meeting concluded with an executive session on a legal matter unrelated to procurement.