By LYNETTE SOWELL-STEVENS
Cove Leader-Press
The Copperas Cove City Council will hold two special workshop meetings next week to review and discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget and municipal services plan.
The first workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, at 5 p.m. at the Technology Center, located at 508 S. 2nd St.
City Manager Ryan Haverlah will present the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget and Plan of Municipal Services. Council members will receive an overview of the proposed budget and may provide direction to city staff.
A second budget workshop will be held Thursday, June 25, at 5 p.m., also at the Technology Center. During that meeting, Budget Director Ariana Beckman will present funding requests from non-city agencies seeking support through the city's General Fund and Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Fund.
Organizations requesting General Fund assistance include the Boys & Girls Club for $10,000 to aid with utilities (water, electric, internet), Children's Advocacy Center of Central Texas for $14,584 to assist with operations, Cove House Emergency Homeless Shelter for $50,000 for aid with operations, the Hill Country Community Action Association for $22,000 for the Senior Meals Program, the Hill Country Transit District for The HOP at $85,000, and the Noon Exchange Club for its annual Feast of Sharing, $5,000.
The requested total is $186,584, which is more than the available funds as earmarked by the City of $95,000 included in the proposed budget.
General Fund assistance allocations are approved annually by the council for organizations which serve a “public purpose.”
HOT Fund applicants include the Copperas Cove Historical Society, Cove House, Krist Kindl Markt, Rabbit Fest and the Copperas Cove Visitors Bureau.
The City has made available $190,000 of the HOT funds for the next fiscal year. HOT funds may legally be used by cities for tourism, supporting historical preservation, as well as sports events.
The Copperas Cove Historical Society is requesting $8,675 for the Ogletree Gap Heritage Festival. Cove House is requesting $3,500 for its annual Cove House Classic Bike Tour. The Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Bureau is requesting $15,000 for the 2026 Krist Kindl Markt, $35,000 for Rabbit Fest, as well as $133,000 to fund its tourism operations.
The total HOT funds requested, $230,550, is over the available $190,000 in HOT funds by $39,700.
According to the proposed 2026-2027 budget, the City’s HOT fund has a beginning fund balance of $389,943, and an ending fund balance of $408,743, even after $186,318 in contingencies.
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