29-07-2025
Corpus Christi City Council approves 2026 budget for crime control, prevention
The next fiscal year budget for the city of Corpus Christi's Crime Control and Prevention District will increase from the current budget in part for fund more police officers, though planned expenditures are projected to exceed sales tax revenues that support the district.
The district, established by voters in 1997, collects a portion of sales tax revenue to help fund law enforcement efforts in the city.
The fiscal year 2025-26 budget, which the Corpus Christi City Council adopted on July 22, includes about $9.75 million in spending to support 78 sworn police officers — a $400,000 increase from about $9.27 million spent last year, according to a budget presentation made by Corpus Christi Assistant Police Chief David Blackmon.
It also includes $1.4 million for public safety vehicles and equipment and $7,876 for increases in overtime pay.
Most of the budgeted revenue derives from one-eighth cent sales tax, which accounts for almost $9.3 million in the proposed budget.
With more than $11.2 million in proposed expenditures exceeding a total of about $9.36 million in total sales tax revenues, the board will dip into an ending fund balance of $1.88 million to pay for officer salaries.
'The previous council had agreed that we were going to pay additional officers out of this Crime Control budget and spend out of the fund balance, so that is what we're doing — which will leave us an ending balance of $2,128,858,' Blackmon said.
During the meeting, several council members and Corpus Christi residents commented on the budget presentation and the police department's decision to invest in more uniformed officers as a crime prevention tactic.
District 2 Councilwoman Sylvia Campos said that she would like to see the police force spend crime prevention funding on community programs offered through the Corpus Christi Police Athletic League and activities that engage people, such as the police department's bike patrol unit.
'I think it does make a difference when the police officers are actually in the community — not in their cars, but engaging with the community,' she said.
Marilena Garza, a resident of District 1, said during public comment in the council meeting that funding would better be spent on lighting installation, drone programs or social services for people struggling with homelessness.
She said that after attending meetings of the Crime Prevention Board, she'd been disappointed to find that local community organizations didn't have enough of a voice there, and that some advisory board members have not been aware of crime prevention programs offered by service providers in the area.
'I'm not against adding police officers — we need to assist the police,' she said. 'The police are not in control of reducing or increasing crime. It takes the entire community.'
Police Chief Mike Markle acknowledged the importance of social programs in preventing and addressing crime, noting that the department dipped into the fund balance to 'catch up' with the department's needs, and that when the general fund pays for officers in the next few years, Crime Control funding could be spent on community programs.
More: How is a recently formed police unit trying to reduce violent crime in Corpus Christi?
More: Seeking to attract officers, Coastal Bend police departments increase pay, incentives
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpuc Christi crime prevention funds to support more police officers
