FY 2023-24
A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
I’m pleased to present this year’s Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), which provides an overview on our city’s financial position, departmental activities, and organizational accomplishments over the past year.
Our focus remains on balancing the needs of our growing community with responsible management of city resources. Through strategic planning and strong fiscal stewardship, we continue to prioritize high-quality services and essential infrastructure investment that enrich the lives of all residents.
This past year, the city took steps to advance this commitment with the adoption of a new Strategic Plan, an updated Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and a Parks Master Plan. These initiatives ensure that growth and development are both thoughtful and sustainable. Additionally, the city secured grant funding and forged key partnerships to enhance our community while maintaining ongoing investments in roads, utilities, and public spaces.
I am also proud to report that our strong financial management has earned the city an AA+ bond rating. The City Council and I remain committed to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
I invite you to stay involved by attending city council meetings, sharing your ideas and staying informed on the city’s progress. Together, we will continue making Schertz an even better place to live, work, and enjoy. Whether new to Schertz or a long-time resident, we are grateful for your trust and support as we look forward to exciting opportunities ahead.
Ralph Gutierrez
Mayor, City of Schertz
SCHERTZ GOVERNANCE
Schertz is governed by a council-manager form of government where the City Council sets city policy, and the City Manager is responsible for city operations. The Schertz City Council consists of a mayor and seven councilmembers who are elected for three-year terms.
Council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays
MEET YOUR CITY COUNCIL
/ Councilmember
of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz TX 78154. Council meetings are live streamed and published on the City of Schertz YouTube Channel. For information about upcoming meetings, dates, or agendas go to Schertz.com
Ralph Gutierrez Mayor Mark Davis Councilmember
Michelle Watson Councilmember
Paul Macaluso Councilmember
Benjamin Guerrero Councilmember
Robert Westbrook Mayor Pro Tem
Allyson Heyward Councilmember
Tim Brown Councilmember
A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER
In FY 2023-24, Schertz’s financial health remained strong, with an improved credit rating from AA to AA+, underscoring our commitment to responsible fiscal management. In this publication, you will find that significant progress is being made across the city, supported by our new Strategic Plan and updated Comprehensive Land Use and Parks Master Plans, which will guide future growth while ensuring fiscal sustainability. Looking back, it’s clear that our focus on responsible governance and long-term success continues to position our city positively for the future.
In 2024, our parks and recreation programs saw exponential growth with exciting new offerings like archery, pickleball, and summer camps – expanding opportunities for our community to stay active and engaged. We also secured $1.73 million in grant funding to develop Hilltop Park and the West Dietz Creek Trail, further enhancing outdoor spaces.
Economic growth also remained strong, and the Schertz Station retail development is an example of our thriving business environment. This new retail center will bring expanded shopping and dining options to our area while strengthening the local economy. Additionally, progress continued on the $26 million reimagining of Main Street, aimed at attracting community activity and investment.
Several city departments earned state, regional, and national awards this past year for their efforts in providing top-tier services and programs. These achievements highlight the hard work of our city staff and their commitment to excellence in service.
I am proud of what the city staff has accomplished and look forward to building on this success going forward. Thank you for your continued trust and support.
Steve Williams City Manager
MISSION, VISION & VALUES
MISSION
Leading, improving, and serving a livable, sustainable, and financially sound community.
VISION
Community. Service. Opportunity.
CORE VALUES
Treat others the way you would want to be treated
Do the right thing
Do the best you can
Work cooperatively as a team
GOALS
Sustainable Government
Safe and Livable Community
Infrastructure Investment Sense of Community Thriving Economy
The City of Schertz is a premier community located along the I-35 and I-10 corridors. Nestled between two of the fastest-growing metros in the country, Schertz has been nationally recognized for its family atmosphere, foresight and innovation, and commitment to economic prosperity and workforce opportunities.
A welcoming community for all, Schertz is also known for its high quality of life, safe neighborhoods, and prosperous business industries. Founded in 1958, Schertz is home to over 43,000 residents and hundreds of thriving businesses.
FOUNDED IN 1958 SCHERTZ, TEXAS
43,969 RESIDENTS
38.22 SQ. MILES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The City of Schertz’s Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) offers a comprehensive snapshot of the City’s financial condition at specific points in time, covering the fiscal years ending on September 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022. This publication serves as a valuable resource for understanding the City’s financial position and guiding future planning and decision-making. The following data is a helpful tool for taxpayers, enhancing their understanding of public services and the fiscal decision-making process. Through easy-to-understand summaries and charts, the PAFR effectively conveys the City’s financial well-being, detailing tax rates, net position, long-term debt, as well as city-wide revenues and expenses.
FY 2023-24 TAX BILL
CITY-WIDE: NET POSITION
CITY-WIDE: STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
REASON FOR INCREASED NET POSITION:
The government’s net position increased by $28,702,437 during the current fiscal year. The primary cause for the increase was increased revenues; the City recognized approximately $11.7 million of capital contribution revenue related to dedicated infrastructure assets and also experienced sharp increases in property and sales taxes. These increases stem from the City’s continued rapid population growth; continued new housing and business developments resulted in increased assessed value for property taxes and resulted in the creation of infrastructure that was dedicated to the City. The related population increases resulted in increased economic activity that increased sales tax revenues.
CITY-WIDE: MAJOR REVENUE SOURCES
$60,000,000
$50,000,000
$40,000,000
$30,000,000
$20,000,000
$10,000,000
$0
CHARGES FOR SERVICE
$30,000,000
$25,000,000
$20,000,000
$15,000,000
$10,000,000
$5,000,000
$20,000,000
$19,000,000
$18,000,000
$17,000,000
CITY-WIDE: LONG TERM DEBT
Business-Type Activities
LONG TERM DEBT:
At the end of the current fiscal year, the City of Schertz had total long-term debt outstanding of $122,484,521. The related principal and interest payment for the bonds are backed by an annual ad valorem tax levied against all taxable property within the City. The City of Schertz maintains an “AA+” rating from Standard and Poor’s. Total debt increased compared to the prior year due to the issuance of the City’s Series 2024 Certificates of Obligation.
FY 2023-24 GENERAL FUND REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
COMPARISON OF GENERAL FUND REVENUES & EXPENDITURES WITH UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
• GENERAL FUND: The main operating fund for the city.
• NET POSITION: The net position of the city is equal to city assets and deferred outflows reduced by liabilities and deferred inflows.
• RESERVES: Amounts of fund balance that are not available for appropriation or are setaside for a specific future use.
• FRANCHISES: Charges to utility companies for the use of public rights-of-way.
• DEBT SERVICE: The amount set aside annually in a fund to pay the interest and the part of the principal due on a debt.
DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
In the following pages, you will find a brief snapshot of some key data points for each of the City departments. These insights provide a look at the city’s performance during FY 2023-24. From public safety to quality of life, we hope that residents feel the positive impact our city government has had on the lives of those we serve. The city encourages engagement and input from residents and welcomes any feedback on our endeavors.
*Data is based on estimates from FY 2023-24.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Estimated 6,180 Calls For Service
• 425 Fire Inspections
• 340 Plan Reviews
• 5,320 Hours of Training
POLICE DEPARTMENT
• Estimated 31,929 Dispatch 911 calls
• 8,356 Citations/Warnings Issued
• 212 Total Cases Cleared
• 1,260 Animals Taken in By Animal Services
• 360 Animal Adoptions
EMS DEPARTMENT
• 14,824 Calls for Service
• 9,358 Hospital Transports
• 150 Enrolled in the EMT Certification Class
PUBLIC WORKS
STREETS
• 1,750 Signs Produced
• 1,000 Hours on Special Road Project
• 5,000 Hours spent on Roadway Maintenance
• 190 Centerline Miles
DRAINAGE
• 8.68 Acres of Alleyways Maintained
• 90.11 Acres of Rights-of-Way Maintained
• 220 Acres of Drainage Ditches Maintained
WATER/WASTEWATER
• 17,683 Water Connections
• 250 Miles of Water Main Maintained
• 138 Miles of Sewer Main Maintained
• 2,275 Water Service Calls
• 1,650 Water Main Breaks/Service Repair Calls
• 750 Sewer Backup and Repair Calls
ENGINEERING
• 20 Active Capital Improvement Projects With a Total Value of $12.0 Million
• 60 Non-Construction Plan Reviews
• 8 Residential Subdivision Constructions
• $13.5 Million in Residential Construction Public Improvements
INTERNAL SERVICES
FLEET
• 1,260 Public Safety Vehicle/Equipment Work Orders
• 1,917 Hours Worked on Public Safety Vehicles/Equipment
• 2,700 Completed Work Orders
FACILITIES SERVICES
• 301,656 Sq ft of Space Maintained
• 27 City Buildings Maintained
• 1,800 Completed Work Orders
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/GIS
• 3,200 Completed Work Orders
• 67 Projects
• 1,239,530 Emails Received
PARKS & RECREATION
• 457 Acres of Park Land Managed
• 25.6 Miles of Trails Managed
• 36 Playscape Units Managed
• 164 Special Events/Programs
• 28,426 Special Event Attendance (Total)
• 1,750 Program Participants
• 18,362 Aquatics-Pickrell Park Pool Visits
• 928 Booked Events at the Schertz Civic Center/Community Centers
LIBRARY
• 223,000 Library Visit
• 747 Total Programs
• 19,700 Program Attendance
• 170,000 Total Materials Collection
• 411,000 Total Circulation
HUMAN RESOURCES/ PURCHASING
• 110 Job Announcements Posted
• 5,000 Job Applications Received
• 10 Retirements
• 20 Tuition Reimbursements
• 20 Bids and Proposals Drafted
• 75 Contracts Reviewed
• 65 Gov Deal Items Processed
MUNICIPAL COURT
• 1,327 Traffic Citations Filed
• 450 State Law Citations Filed
• 126 Municipal Ordinances Filed
CITY SECRETARY
• 150 Ordinances Passed
• 140 Resolutions Passed
• 700 Open Records
PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING/INSPECTIONS
• 32 Plat Reviews
• 30 Site Plans And Master Plans
• 375 New Residential Construction
• 4,850 Total Permits Issued
• 14,000 Standard Inspections and Re-inspections
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
• 7,493 Code Enforcement Cases
• 224 Other Permits (Food, Foster, Pool)
• 436 Health Inspections
AWARDS
AWARDS
TML AWARD
— In 2024 the City of Schertz received a Texas Municipal League (TML) Municipal Excellence Award in the City Spirit category for cities over 25,000 in population. This award recognized the City for its Adopt-A-Grandparent program. For this program, the Schertz Public Library partnered with Legacy at Forest Ridge, a local senior living community, to create an adopt-a-Grandparent for the holidays event. This low-cost program allows Schertz citizens to adopt residents of the senior community and provide them with gifts for the holidays. Over 325 items were distributed last December at a celebration reception. The City was also recognized as a finalist in the Management Innovations category for the Schertz Emerging Leaders Program, which fosters the next generation of city leaders.
ETC INSTITUTE AWARD —
The City of Schertz received the Leading the Way Award from the ETC Institute. The award was created to recognize local governments for outstanding achievement in the delivery of services to its residents. Recipients of the award rank in the top 10% of all local governments in the United States with regard to their composite performance in three core areas that are assessed on ETC Institute’s DirectionFinder Survey including satisfaction with overall quality of services, satisfaction with customer service provided by employees, and satisfaction with the value residents think they receive for their local taxes and fees.
DEPARTMENT AWARDS
PARKS & RECREATION —
In 2024, The Schertz Parks and Recreation Team won four awards at the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) Central Region conference. Highlights include Parks & Recreation Director Lauren Shrum being named Park Professional of the Year, and the Great Springs Project receiving the Conservation Award. Additionally, photography awards were given for photos of the Veterans Memorial Plaza and a Foam Party event.
LIBRARY —
The Schertz Public Library received the 2023 Achievement of Library Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association (TMLDA), an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League. Of the 545 public libraries in Texas, only 84 received this award in 2023.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS —
In 2024, the Schertz Public Affairs Department was recognized for its creativity and hard work on some key communication projects. Staff earned six awards from the Texas Association of Information Officers (TAMIO) including a 1st place award for Best External Magazine for Schertz Magazine and 1st place for Best Educational PSA for the State of the City Video. They also received an Award of Excellence and three Awards of Honor. In 2023 there were over 650 submissions for the TAMI Awards.
FINANCE
— Finance earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report FY 2022-23 from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES —
Schertz Neighborhood Services was awarded the Wes Castolenia Community Service Award for the 2023 Clean the Creek event from the Code Enforcement Association of Texas, which recognizes collaborative community projects that make a positive impact. The Neighborhood Services Division also received two Certificates of Achievement as part of the Ruth Hendy Award of Excellence in Food Safety.
PLANNING —
For the 11th year in a row, the Planning Department has earned the Richard R. Lillie, FAICP Achievement for Planning Excellence from the American Planning Association (APA )Texas Chapter.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT —
The Schertz Economic Development Corporation (EDC) was honored with two awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Schertz EDC received Bronze Awards in both the Special Events and Regional or Cross-Border Partnership categories, highlighting our community’s commitment to innovation and cooperation in economic development.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
COMPREHENSIVE CIP PROGRAM
In FY 2023-24, a top priority for city staff was the development of a comprehensive Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP is a vital tool that allows Schertz to strategically plan for the future, ensuring that the city’s infrastructure and services are ready to meet the needs of its growing population. Capital improvement projects stand out due to their scale, impact, and cost, often requiring extensive planning and time to complete. These projects may include the addition or replacement of water and wastewater systems, construction or repair of roads, development of new parks or trails, and the building of new public facilities. The city’s comprehensive CIP document was developed in FY 2023-24 and is included in the FY 2024-25 budget. The document can be found by going to Schertz.com/budget
UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN & PARKS MASTER PLAN
Beginning in March of 2023, City of Schertz staff along with planning consultants Freese and Nichols, Inc. worked to update the Comprehensive Plan. The goal of the project was to create a Comprehensive Plan that is streamlined and easy to use and help provide direction for the future development of the city. The Schertz City Council adopted the new Comprehensive Plan on April 2, 2024. The new Comprehensive Plan provides a vision for the future that aligns with Schertz’s goals and values. Along with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails (PROST) Master Plan was also updated and adopted.
CITY ANNEXATIONS
In 2024, the City of Schertz grew by approximately 3,325 acres within the counties of Bexar, Guadalupe, and Comal with annexations completed in July and November.
BROKE GROUND ON THE GROUND WATER STORAGE TANK
At the end of 2023 the City broke ground on the Corbett Ground Storage Tank. The Corbett Ground Storage Tank ($7 million), a 3-million-gallon facility to provide additional water storage capacity that will, along with the elevated water tank constructed a few years ago, help to ensure steady water supply and pressures to the southern part of Schertz. This project is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2025.
STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE
Schertz adopted a new strategic plan in 2024, focused on managing growth, enhancing community spaces, and maintaining fiscal responsibility. The plan sets clear goals for growth and service.
PARKS & RECREATION GRANTS
In 2024, the City of Schertz announced the acquisition of $1.73 million in grant funds for two park and trail projects. A $750,000 Texas Parks & Wildlife grant will help fund the development of Hilltop Park, which will feature accessible trails, a hilltop overlook, mountain biking trails, and more. Additionally, a $980,000 grant from the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization will support the construction of a 1.76-mile concrete trail along West Dietz Creek. Schertz officials are grateful for the support and see these projects as an important step in promoting an active lifestyle for residents.
For updates, visit Schertz.com/parkdevelopment
VIBRANT ECONOMY
5 FORTUNE 100 COMPANIES
• SYSCO
CATERPILLAR • AMAZON
UPS
FED EX
ACCESS
• INTERSTATES IMMEDIATE ACCESS is available to the I-35 and I-10 transportation corridors. I-35 runs north to south and nearly border to border, while I-10 spans the country from east to west.
• PORTS SCHERTZ is located 190 miles from the Port of Houston and 150 miles from Port Corpus Christi, which provide access to a variety of international markets and supply chains.
• AIRPORT SCHERTZ is conveniently located 15 miles from the San Antonio International Airport (airport code SAT), which provides both air cargo and passenger services.
• RAIL: There are five transload facilities located with 40 miles of Schertz. Additionally, active Union Pacific rail lines run along the north side of the city as well as through Central Schertz at FM 78.
40,831
DAYTIME POPULATION
95%
POPULATION EMPLOYMENT RATE
1,200+
NUMBER OF BUSINESSES
2023-24
• Soccer Ball Field Lights (Schertz Soccer Complex)
BUSINESS EXPANSIONS AND
DEVELOPMENT
• Core 5 Logistics Center Construction
• Park 35 Construction
• Schertz 35 Construction
PROJECTS
• STX Frio Sewer Line
• Mile Hi Distribution
• Boss Products Expansion
• MEI Rigging & Crating Expansion
• Hollingsworth Logistics Expansion
TOP 10 SCHERTZ EMPLOYERS
• Schertz- Cibolo- Universal City Independent School District (SCUC ISD) 1,522
• Sysco 800
• Amazon 700
• FedEx Ground 650
• Republic National Distribution 600
• Brandt Companies 500
• City of Schertz 480
• Visionworks 403
• Hollingsworth Logistics 400
• HEB 350
STAY INFORMED
Through various forms of communication, the Schertz Public Affairs Office aims to be the primary source of City information for all current and potential residents and businesses, to disseminate accurate and timely information to residents and the media during an emergency and non-emergency situation, and to provide excellent customer service to all inquirers of City information. The city manages numerous communication outlets including Schertz Magazine, Schertz.com, City Headlines and several social media channels.
*Data from FY 2023-24
WEBSITE Schertz.com
• Annual Visits 435,134
• Page Views 1,378,873
311 – CUSTOMER CARE
• 564 Work Orders Initiated
• 13,547 Inbound Calls
CITY HEADLINES
• Open Rate 54.7%
• Click Rate 2.6%
• Subscribers 10,609
• 1,956 Customer Care Inquiries (Online)
SCHERTZ MAGAZINE
Schertz Magazine is an award-winning monthly community publication wholly owned and operated by the City of Schertz and produced internally by the Schertz Public Affairs Department.
• Mailed to over 15,000 households in Schertz and 700+ businesses.
• Rated the #1 communication tool for the past 7 years (2016, 2019, 2021, and 2023 Resident Satisfaction Surveys)
SOCIAL MEDIA
107,668 TOTAL FOLLOWERS
ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
• 551 Posts in 2024
• 1,503 New Followers
• Total Reach in 2024: 829,030
NEXTDOOR
• 55 Posts in 2024
• 35,507 Impressions
• 20,125 Subscribers
• 346 Posts in 2024
• 332 New Followers
• Total Reach in 2024: 85,951
BECOME A SCHERTZ INSIDER BY SEARCHING: @CITYOFSCHERTZ AND FOLLOWING OUR PAGES!
• 81 Posts in 2024
• 109,742 Impressions
• 1,546 Total Followers
YOUTUBE
• 56 Posts in 2024
• 13,656 Total Views in 2024
• 85 New Subscribers
