2025 Year in Review

2025 YEAR IN REVIEW

2 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

IN 2025, the City of College Station continued to build on its commitment to transparency, financial sustainability, and community engagement, delivering meaningful projects, programs, and services to residents.

Through strategic investments and careful planning, the City maintained a competitive tax rate while achieving significant operational and economic milestones.

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FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY Financial sustainability is a key indicator of an organization’s health, and the City achieved multiple milestones this year: Bond Rating: Upgraded from Aa Stable to Aa Positive, saving taxpayers’ money through lower borrowing costs.

This upgrade is a result of stable management, strong financial practices, and steady revenue growth.

Transparency Trailblazer Award: Recognized by the Texas Comptroller for the highest standards in financial transparency, including finances, contracts, economic development, and pensions.

Our Strategic Plan in action: Citizens know where the City’s revenue comes from and how it is spent.

TAMU Fire Services Agreement: For over 50 years, the City has provided emergency fire protection services to the Texas A&M campus. After renegotiations initiated by the City, A&M will compensate the City $7.3 million over the next five years for fire services.

Community Services Reorganization: Internal restructuring resulted in about $450,000 in annual savings.

Grants: City revenue from grants increased 250% since 2023.

Without these measures, the property tax rate would need to increase by one cent to maintain current services.

4 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

Our Strategic Plan in Action: FUND BALANCE

DEBT CAPACITY

$95.9 million

$95 million

TAX RATE $0.5118

The City maintains diverse sources of revenue and a competitive property tax rate.

Did You Know?

Our strategic plan in action: •

Staff will recommend an annual balanced budget and a diversity of revenue sources.

•

Maintain and improve the City’s bond ratings.

•

Seek grants and other outside funding.

The City’s budget has received the Government Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Award for 35 consecutive years, and the Annual Certified Financial Report has achieved Excellence in Financial Reporting for the past 42 years.

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EXTERNAL RECOGNITION In 2025, College Station earned recognition that highlights environmental stewardship, historic preservation, tourism, and quality of life. The achievements reflect staff dedication and citizen participation.

6 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

Bird City Texas College Station was recognized for conservation efforts through citizen-led initiatives, including habitat protection and environmental education.

Tourism Friendly Texas City The City’s tourism industry employs more than 5,600 residents and contributes approximately $470 million to the local economy.

College Station has also been certified as Texas Music Friendly (2023) and Texas Film Friendly (2020).

Lone Star Legacy Park Brison Park, the City’s first municipal park, was recognized for its historic design, natural features, and community significance.

Tree City USA For 35 consecutive years, College Station has been named a Tree City USA, one of only 15 Texas cities to maintain that distinction.

Bicycle Friendly Community Designated bronze by the League of American Bicyclists in 2024, College Station has more than 40 miles of shared-use paths, 21 miles of bike routes, and nearly 58 miles of bike lanes, supporting the highest percentage of bicycle commuters (2.2%) in Texas.

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ACCREDITATIONS College Station is among the few cities in the United States with eight nationally accredited departments: Police, Fire, Public Safety Telecommunications, Public Works, Water, Parks & Recreation, Capital Improvement Projects, and Facilities Management.

Our Strategic Plan in Action: Maintain program accreditations and certifications.

8 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

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Connecting with Our Community:

COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT At the City of College Station, open communication is the foundation of good government. In 2025, the Public Communications team worked behind the scenes to ensure residents had clear, timely access to information and meaningful opportunities to engage with their local government. From public meetings to digital tools, newsletters, news media outreach, and special projects, the goal is to keep the community informed, involved, and empowered.

Type of Engagement

Number of Activities

Examples

Public Engagement Meetings

206

Overnight Parking Restrictions Seminar Suppers Active Transportation Planning Citizen's University

Committee Meetings

99

Parks Advisory Board Planning and Zoning Commission Historic Preservation Committee

Public Information Output

394

Newsletters and I Heart CS What's Up College Station Informational Blog Posts

Total

699

10 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

In 2025, the City launched a new website with resident input and modern technology, making cstx.gov faster, easier to navigate, and more accessible. Enhanced search, an AI-powered chatbot, and accessibility tools help residents find information and engage with services, reflecting our commitment to transparency and community-centered design. The new city website has already earned recognition, receiving an honorable mention in the 2025 MarCom Awards.

The I Heart CS newsletter was named the best in the state at the 2025 Texas Association of Municipal Information Officer’s Annual Conference. The colorful digital publication delivers news, events, and important updates in a clear, visually appealing format. From enhancing digital tools to producing award-winning publications, 2025 was a year of meaningful community connections, reflecting our dedication to listening, sharing, and building a stronger, more transparent College Station.

Our Strategic Plan in Action: •

The City will implement strategies to safely and effectively engage with the public.

•

Information will be shared and communicated with citizens about City issues through owned, earned, and paid media.

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CITIZEN PARTICIPATION 12 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

Stakeholder input is essential to ensure City plans reflect the needs of all residents.

In 2025, citizens had numerous opportunities to engage in strategic planning, including: Comprehensive Plan 5-year Update Baseball Steering Committee Rec Center Committee Tourism Committee Housing Action Plan Northgate Small Area Plan Economic Development Steering Committee Midtown Area Community Workshop

Our Strategic Plan in action: Provide immersive Learning Experiences for Citizens.

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ENVISIONING THE FUTURE In 2025, the City completed and initiated numerous planning efforts, each offering opportunities for public input to guide development for the next decade and beyond.

Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal: The five-year update assessed progress, identified areas for improvement, and adjusted goals to meet the community’s evolving needs.

Greater Northgate Small Area Plan: Residents, businesses, and stakeholders shaped a vision for Northgate, focusing on business support, pedestrian-friendly spaces, and the preservation of its unique character.

Housing Action Plan: Adopted and underway, this plan promotes diverse housing options and preserves affordable housing, guided by a 13-member steering committee.

Active Transportation Master Plan: Citizens helped shape a multi-modal network that enhances walking, biking, and connectivity across the community.

Economic Development Master Plan: Updated to align with insights from partners, business owners, and residents.

Tourism Strategic Plan: Guides Visit College Station in spending Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue and developing events, marketing, and tourism growth.

14 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

Thomas Park Master Plan: Redevelopment of Mabel Clare Thomas Park, a $5.94 million voter-approved project, enhances a beloved park while preserving its historic character.

Texas Independence Park Master Plan: Supported by a $750,000 Recreational Trails Grant, the plan was developed with Texas A&M students and public input.

Veterans Park Master Plan: Upgrades the 150-acre park and athletic complex, including signage, landscaping, shade structures, wayfinding, and access improvements.

Wolf Pen Creek Master Plan: Proposes a versatile event space with shaded seating, splash pad, food truck pads, updated restrooms, and redesigned entries. The Council approved a programming RFP in October.

Our Strategic Plan in Action: Continue to support fair and workforce housing programs.

Did You Know?

I Heart America Independence Day Celebration attendance doubled to 7,700.

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A DIVERSE AND GROWING ECONOMY College Station generated $6.67 million in one-time revenue from land sales and $35 million in new value through business recruitment and expansion. Key projects: FERA Diagnostics and Biologicals: Constructing a 51,855-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facility.

Hunton Trane College Station: Building two 70,000-square-foot facilities for warehousing and distribution.

Statacorp: Expanding with an additional 19,185-square-foot building.

16 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

The City renegotiated an agreement with Fujifilm, resulting in the company investing an additional $30 million in the community.

Beyond recruitment, the City supports regional entrepreneurship by fostering strategic partnerships and innovation. Initiatives include One Million Cups, connecting local entrepreneurs and business leaders, partnering with the global accelerator Plug and Play in partnership with Texas A&M, the Greater Brazos Valley Partnership, and the City of Bryan, and supporting Cannon Connect, which provides resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Our Strategic Plan in Action: • Expand and diversify efforts to generate job growth.

• Pursue workforce development to support economic development initiatives.

• Encourage diverse, business-to-business services.

• Maintain and increase relationships with local, regional, and public/private economic partners.

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TOTAL

2025* 2024

RESIDENTIAL

2025* 2024

MULTIFAMILY

$ 68,562,750

$ 163,441,009

2025* 2024

COMMERCIAL

$ 219,615,772

2025* 2024

VALUE OF NEW DEVELOPMENT

57% INCREASE

$ 343,767,242

$ 14,895,000

-78% DECREASE 10% INCREASE

$ 180,333,892

$ 451,619,531 $ 538,996,134 *2025 DATA IS JAN. 1-OCT. 31, 2025

18 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

19% INCREASE

(INCLUDES HIGHRISES)

2025* 2024

MULTIFAMILY

TOTAL

2025* 2024

RESIDENTIAL

2025* 2024

COMMERCIAL

2025* 2024

NUMBER OF UNITS PERMITTED

147% INCREASE

346 854

418 17

665

-96% DECREASE 10% INCREASE

733

1,429

12% INCREASE

1,604 *2025 DATA IS JAN. 1-OCT. 31, 2025

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EXPANDING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES In FY25, 31 new businesses opened in College Station, including 20 backfills.

Additionally, 16 of the newcomers were from the City’s target list.

20 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

REI Crunch Fitness The Little Gym CocoShrimp Sephora The Monk’s Indian Bistro J Crew Factory Cookie Dough Bliss Original Chopshop Red’s Icehouse Houston TX Hot Chicken Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet Lucky Goat Coffee La-Z-Boy Bubba’s 33 PJs Coffee of New Orleans

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Karma Kolache & Dessert (2 locations) The Dean Bunny Bites Arcade & Boba Drury Plaza Hotel Kay Jewelers Gong Cha Teahouse Zake Noodle House Bliss Nail Bar Tao’s Rice Roll Firehouse Subs De Baca Steakhouse Exotic Snack Guys Bo’s Ramen Crazy Top Deals Don Chente

Our Strategic Plan in Action: • •

Guide private and public land use for business development.

Support, expand, and diversify a consumer-oriented economy.

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GROWTH IN TOURISM Tourism and related revenue continue to grow in College Station. Visit College Station launched a refreshed brand and its first integrated advertising campaign, “Learn Why You’ll Love It Here,” highlighting the City’s spirit, hospitality, and sense of place. The new Tourism Committee now helps shape the future of regional tourism.

City staff also supported several major conferences, including the Texas Public Power Association and American Planning Association of Texas, and are partnering with Texas A&M to host the International Town and Gown Association conference next summer.

22 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

HOT REVENUE COMPARISON OF FISCAL YEARS SINCE 2020

Did You Know?

•

The Savannah Bananas will play in College Station on May 2, 2026.

•

Compete College Station welcomed 7,110 athletes from across the state for the Games of Texas in July and August. The nine-sport Olympic-style event generated an estimated economic impact of $6.5 million.

Our Strategic Plan in Action: •

Seek to increase weekday tourism.

•

Promote the College Station brand through business recruitment and destination marketing efforts.

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Council Requested Initiatives:

PRESERVING THE PAST, GROWING THE FUTURE 24 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

The City Council champions projects that preserve College Station’s past and enhance its future. Cooling College Station began in 2021 when the Council directed staff to research urban heat islands and develop strategies to reduce their impact, with a focus on tree planting. Staff analyzed the City’s vegetation and surface temperatures, identified priority planting areas, and recommended tree species and spacing to ensure meaningful results.

In 2025, the City distributed 2,950 trees to residents — 1,500 saplings, 1,000 three-gallon trees, and 450 fifteen-gallon trees — providing shade, improving air quality, and helping neighborhoods stay cooler.

The Council also championed a visual history book, “And They Called it College Station,” to preserve College Station’s unique stories, landmarks, and milestones for future generations.

With guidance from the Historic Preservation Committee and dedicated City staff, the project resulted in a stunning pictorial resource that celebrates the City’s heritage and strengthens community pride.

Did You Know?

Every tree distributed through Cooling College Station contributes to a greener, cooler, and healthier City, providing lasting benefits for generations to come.

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GREATER NORTHGATE SMALL AREA PLAN AND IMPROVEMENTS 26 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

The City of College Station continued its work to support the Greater Northgate area through a comprehensive small area planning process and targeted on-the-ground improvements.

In 2025, the City launched the Greater Northgate Small Area Plan, combining community input with targeted improvements. Between January and April, staff hosted seven public meetings, an interactive walking tour, and multiple online engagement opportunities, generating more than 275 map-based comments, hundreds of statements, and over 50 action recommendations.

Residents, business owners, and Texas A&M stakeholders prioritized walkability, lighting and safety, transit and bike connections, historic preservation, and support for local businesses.

These insights shaped a draft vision for a more connected, vibrant, and historically grounded Northgate.

Early improvements include refinished picnic tables, repainted restrooms, replaced seating, and temporary barricades to enhance parking flow and pedestrian safety. The draft plan, featuring over 50 community-driven actions, will be presented to the City Council in early 2026, reflecting the City’s commitment to preserving Northgate’s character and supporting its long-term vibrancy.

Did You Know?

The City hired its first Northgate District manager to balance growth with preservation and create a thriving, inclusive district.

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IMPROVING MOBILITY Residents and visitors depend on a transportation system that accommodates cars, transit, bicycles, and pedestrians.

28 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

In 2025, the City replaced all traffic network switches to maintain a stable system, now managed by IT. Public Works celebrated the 100th traffic signal in the City’s network with the completion of the FM 2818 project and continues to maintain 76 school zone flashers, over 16,000 signs, and more than 160 miles of traffic lines and pavement markings.

In partnership with TxDOT, the City completed a grantfunded separated bike lane on George Bush Drive, including intersection and driveway improvements to enhance safety for bicyclists along the heavily traveled route near Texas A&M. Our Strategic Plan in Action: •

Provide streets which safely accommodate multimodal transportation.

•

Ensure streets and sidewalks have features which promote pedestrian and bicycle safety.

•

Maximize the system’s efficiency, including intersection improvements, traffic signal timing, and signage.

Did You Know?

College Station now has over 40 miles of shared-use paths, 21 miles of bike routes, and nearly 58 miles of bike lanes.

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SUSTAINABLE CITY 30 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

Aging infrastructure, groundwater overuse, and drought present ongoing water challenges. In 2025, the City took key steps to protect and sustain its water supply: Infrastructure Expansion: Construction of three new water wells will support growing demand, enhance system resiliency, and meet regulatory standards, with operations expected by 2028.

Regional Groundwater Agreement: Partnering with Bryan, Brazos County, and Texas A&M, the City negotiated a 50% reduction in permitted exports, phased withdrawals, and secured over $180 million in mitigation funding.

Irrigation Rebate Program: A new rebate encourages adoption of water-efficient irrigation technologies, advancing conservation and long-term savings.

Did You Know?

The City maintains the TCEQ’s “Superior Water System” designation, reflecting our continued commitment to operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

Our Strategic Plan in Action: Protect potable water supply and its ability to meet projected demands.

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CORE SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE If it seems like construction is everywhere in College Station, it’s because it is. The Capital Projects team is currently managing 71 active projects. They have a further 42 in design, and completed 21 over the past year. The current value of all current projects is $500 million. Key project completions: Bee Creek Park Tennis Courts

CSU Entry Remodel

Anderson Park Pickleball Courts

Luther Street Rehabilitation

George Bush Drive Separated Bike Lanes

Rock Prairie East Widening (SH 6 to Townlake)

Gateway Sign No. 3

WD Fitch Phase 1

Bachmann Park

American Pavilion Structural Rehabilitation

Butterfly Alley

32 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

Public Works also completed maintenance on over four miles of roadway (the highest annual total ever), and earned the Operational Excellence Award for Solid Waste from the American Public Works Association.

Our Strategic Plan in Action: •

Maintain and rehabilitate equipment, facilities, and infrastructure on a strategic schedule.

•

Plan for, maintain, and invest in the infrastructure, facilities, services, personnel, and equipment needed to meet projected needs and opportunities.

•

Continue to invest in the maintenance and rehabilitation of neighborhood infrastructure and facilities.

•

Create and fund a multi-year capital improvement program.

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RELIABLE ELECTRIC SERVICE 34 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

College Station’s Electric Department consistently outperforms national averages: SAIDI (system-wide outage duration) is 24.2 minutes—compared with 171.98 minutes for municipal utilities and 376.9 minutes for all utilities.

CAIDI (customer outage duration) is 46.1 minutes—well below the municipal average of 130.85 minutes and the overall average of 180.13 minutes.

Did You Know?

College Station is a diamond-level reliable public power provider (RP3) by the American Public Power Association.

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PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY 36 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

The addition of 42 personnel over the past five budget cycles, including 22 in the Police Department and 20 in the Fire Department, demonstrates the City’s firm commitment to public safety.

CARE Team: In early 2025, CSPD launched the Crisis Assessment Response Engagement (CARE) team, a two-person unit funded by a state grant to focus on proactive intervention and community mental health. The team partners with the school district, conducts threat assessments, and follows up on mental health cases.

Fire Station No. 7 Groundbreaking: In April, the City broke ground on its seventh fire station on Greens Prairie Road, scheduled to open in fall 2026. The 18,200-square-foot facility will house 24 firefighters, four drive-thru bays, 12 dorm rooms, officer quarters, a full kitchen and dining area, fitness and training rooms, and a community use space.

Did You Know?

In response to severe Texas Hill Country flooding, Fire Department personnel logged 4,898 service hours through state deployments, while Police Department staff contributed 9,140 volunteer hours locally.

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STRENGTHENING SECURITY, EFFICIENCY, AND SERVICE 38 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

The City continued advancing core services by improving security, streamlining internal processes, and expanding smart tools that help employees serve the public more effectively.

New Employee Onboarding: Automated onboarding and offboarding ensure secure Microsoft 365 accounts, correct permissions, and ready-to-use tools on day one, boosting efficiency and cybersecurity.

M365 CoPilot AI: Rolled out citywide to support communications, document analysis, and information management under strict security and privacy safeguards.

Traffic Network Upgrade: All traffic signal network switches were replaced, modernizing and stabilizing the system.

Emergency Preparedness: A new emergency notification and panic button system at City Hall and Visit College Station enables rapid public safety response.

Physical Security: The citywide door access system was upgraded to Avigilon, integrating with cameras for stronger building security.

Our Strategic Plan in Action: Use technology to deliver services effectively and efficiently.

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EMPLOYER OF CHOICE 40 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

A dedicated team of public servants serves the citizens of College Station, and the City prioritizes supporting and retaining top talent. In 2025, the City piloted summer childcare for employees through its existing summer camp program and maintained employee contributions to insurance premiums at the same level for the fifth consecutive year, despite rising costs.

The efforts appear to be paying off as overall employee turnover fell to 11% (9% excluding retirements), the lowest in more than 17 years. As a Water Services employee noted, the City’s greatest accomplishment this year was “building a strong, engaged workforce by hiring skilled, collaborative team members, supporting morale through city-wide events, and retaining talent through merit-based and across-the-board pay increases.”

Our Strategic Plan in Action: Attract and retain professional staff and be an employer of choice.

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REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

42 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

Collaborating with neighboring organizations and institutions is vital to the region’s success. The City Manager joined the TAMU 2040 University and Community Relations Committee to explore ways to enhance quality of life on campus and nearby neighborhoods. A&M architecture students also assisted City staff with the design of Westside Park.

In addition to supporting 10 existing outside agencies, the City began a partnership with Brazos Transit District, serving on BTD’s Urbanized Area Committee.

To strengthen state-level advocacy, the City Council established a Legislative Engagement Subcommittee in preparation for the 89th Texas Legislative Session.

Committee members made five trips to Austin, and six individuals testified at hearings.

The efforts helped defeat legislation that would limit revenue sources and require existing resident to pay the costs of new development.

Our Strategic Plan in Action: •

Continue to support community development agencies who demonstrate good stewardship of public funds.

•

Explore potential partnerships to enhance core services.

•

Seek transit opportunities through partnerships.

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44 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

LISTENING TO RESIDENTS Every few years, College Station checks in with residents through an independent survey to understand what’s working well and where improvements are needed.

Conducted by the nationally respected ETC Institute, this year’s results show College Station is a safe, clean, and well-run community.

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Setting the Standard Compared with cities across Texas and the nation, College Station consistently ranks near the top. The City scored higher in 21 of 23 national service areas and 22 of 23 statewide, showing that most essential services—from public safety to utilities to infrastructure— perform at high levels.

A Great Place to Call Home Residents take pride in their community: 84% rated College Station as an excellent or good place to live, 83% said it’s a great place to raise a family, and more than 80% would recommend living here.

46 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

You Feel Safe — Day and Night Safety remains a priority. More than 99% of residents feel safe during the day, and nearly 90% feel safe at night. Fewer residents believe crime is increasing than in previous years, reflecting growing confidence in public safety efforts.

Public Safety Earns High Marks Police and Fire services continue to earn exceptional trust. Police received an 86% excellent/good rating, 42 points above the Texas average. The Fire Department led all services with a 93% approval rating.

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Reliable Services You Can Count On Residents also expressed strong satisfaction with everyday City services:

75%

rated overall quality of City services as excellent or good

81%

rated customer service as excellent or good

89%

satisfied with trash and recycling

48 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

86%

satisfied with wastewater service

84%

satisfied with water service

76%

rated electric service as excellent or good

Notably, residents rated the value of services received for their tax dollars 22 points higher than the national average, reflecting confidence in service delivery and responsible resource management.

Our Strategic Plan in Action: Conduct regular citizen surveys about City services and priorities.

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50 | CITY OF COLLEGE STATION | 2025

IN 2026, the City will continue its commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and public engagement, ensuring decisions reflect residents’ priorities. Through strategic planning, innovation, and community partnerships, College Station will enhance quality of life and prepare for sustainable growth.

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