CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The city’s proposed budget has passed a first vote.
District 5 Council Member Gil Hernandez was the only "no" vote.
The new $1.1 billion proposal is higher than the city’s current budget, by about $18 million.
The budget would add 25 more police officers over the next five years and more cadets for the fire department.
More than $128 million is budgeted for street maintenance and reconstruction.
Some of that would come from a 2 percent property tax increase.
With the elimination of contract help, the city is looking to save $5 million.
The proposed budget also calls for no rate increase in storm water or wastewater and would eliminate fees at city pools.
