Councilmember Melody Ryan - Pflugerville City Council, Place 5

Councilmember Melody Ryan - Pflugerville City Council, Place 5 Melody Ryan serves on the Pflugerville City Council,Place 5, where she focuses on transparency, collaboration, & responsible growth. Welcome!

A CPA & longtime resident, she brings financial expertise & years of community service to her work on behalf of residents. I’m Melody Ryan, your Pflugerville City Councilmember for Place 5. This page is dedicated to sharing updates, city projects, and information about the work of the City Council and City of Pflugerville. My goal is to keep residents informed, promote transparency, and encourage collaboration on the issues that shape our community. To contact me about city-related topics or to request a conversation or meeting, please use the Meet with Melody form here:
https://forms.gle/WbEUYChhN89tv3h39

If you prefer to reach me directly, you can email me at [email protected]. Stay up to date on city news by subscribing to the weekly Key to the City newsletter emailed each Friday and other information sources here: https://www.pflugervilletx.gov/184/Pf-Connect---Citizen-Communication

Review agendas, minutes and watch videos of meetings here: https://pflugerville.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Messages or comments on this page are not monitored for official service requests. For city services or maintenance issues, please contact the City of Pflugerville directly at https://www.pflugervilletx.gov/686/Report-a-Problem. Comment Policy:
Respectful discussion is encouraged! Comments containing personal attacks, profanity, spam, or political campaigning may be removed in accordance with city communication guidelines. Note: Communications through this page, including comments and messages, may be subject to disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act.

What We Pay Directly to the City Has More Than DoubledOver the last 10 years, what my household paid directly to the Cit...
09/08/2026

What We Pay Directly to the City Has More Than Doubled

Over the last 10 years, what my household paid directly to the City of Pflugerville for City property taxes and water/wastewater utilities increased from about $2,712 in 2016 to $5,837 in 2025 — a 115% increase.

A large part of the recent increase is tied to the major water and wastewater infrastructure projects Pflugerville has undertaken.

We need reliable infrastructure and enough capacity for future growth. But we also have a responsibility to make sure residents are not paying more than necessary, paying costs too early, or subsidizing other customer classes.

That is why I have spent so much time digging into our utility finances and pushing for changes.

I pushed for a comprehensive water and wastewater rate study because we needed to understand not only how much revenue the utility requires, but whether those costs were being allocated fairly.

One of the issues I had suspected was confirmed through that study: wastewater base fees were not being charged based on meter size. A single-family home could therefore pay the same base wastewater fee as a much larger apartment or commercial connection.

The rate study confirmed that this structure placed a disproportionate share of wastewater costs on single-family residential customers. Based on the billing data, the impact was approximately $4.8 million annually in recent years.

The proposed rate structure moves us toward rates that more closely reflect usage and system demand, which is a much fairer way to allocate those costs.

I have also been working on other ways to reduce pressure on utility rates:

-Using available utility surplus funds to reduce rates, rather than allowing large excess balances to remain while residents face significant increases.
-Reviewing the flexible repayment terms of the City’s federal WIFIA loan to determine whether debt repayment can be structured more appropriately over time as the new infrastructure is used and growth occurs.
-Pushing for realistic growth projections based on actual growth, rather than relying on overly aggressive assumptions in more recent master plans that can shift too much of the cost of future capacity onto today’s customers.
-Continuing to scrutinize capital project costs, timing, and financing so residents are paying only for what is actually necessary.
-Looking for opportunities to increase appropriate wholesale water use at rates that fairly recover costs, so capacity that has already been built can serve additional customers while Pflugerville’s own growth occurs over time.
-Reviewing whether each customer class — residential, multifamily, commercial and wholesale — is paying an appropriate share based on how it uses and places demands on the system.

There is no way to eliminate the cost of the major infrastructure Pflugerville has built.

But there is a big difference between simply accepting large rate increases and doing the detailed work to ask:

Are the costs accurate?
Are they allocated fairly?
Are we using available funds wisely?
Are repayment schedules structured appropriately?
Are our growth assumptions realistic?
And are we making full use of the capacity residents are already paying to build?

That is the work I will continue doing.

Affordability is not just about the property tax rate. It is about the total amount families have to pay to live here.

What do you think the City should be doing to help keep utility costs affordable while still building the infrastructure Pflugerville needs for the future?

Affordability Is More Than One Year's Tax RateAt our City Council meeting tonight, we are scheduled to make a final deci...
09/08/2026

Affordability Is More Than One Year's Tax Rate

At our City Council meeting tonight, we are scheduled to make a final decision on Pflugerville's FY2027 budget and property tax rate.

You may hear that the proposed rate results in a lower tax bill for the “average home.” That's useful information, but it doesn't mean every homeowner will see a decrease. Every property is different, and changes in taxable value — including the effects of the homestead cap — can produce very different results.

But there is a bigger reason I'm sharing the history of my own home.

Affordability isn't just about what happens in one year. It's about what has been happening over time and the cumulative impact on our families.

The attached graph goes back to 2008. My home is above the city’s average value, so this isn’t meant to represent everyone — it’s one real example of how taxes can change over time.

During that period, property values and tax rates have moved both up and down. What families ultimately experience is the actual amount they have to pay — year after year.

That's the perspective I'm bringing to this year's budget discussion.

There are real reasons the FY2027 budget is increasing. The City is taking on operating costs for three new facilities and a major park expansion, while also funding a significant market adjustment for police salaries and a 3% employee pay increase. Even with approximately 10 fewer City positions, personnel costs are still rising.

Those are significant commitments, and some are the result of projects and decisions already underway.

But that doesn't mean our only choice is to accept higher costs.

I know most people don't have time to read a 300+ page City budget — so I do.

City staff has already identified some efficiencies in the proposed budget, and I appreciate that work. I'm continuing to look at where costs are increasing, where additional efficiencies may be possible, and whether residents are getting the best value for every dollar. I've also identified several specific opportunities that could help lower the tax rate this year, and I plan to raise those during our budget discussion.

For me, affordability means continually asking:

Where have we already found efficiencies, and where can we find more?
Are we getting the best value for what we spend?
Can we reduce or defer expenses without reducing important services?
Can we continue working to lower the property tax rate?

No individual year's increase may seem dramatic on its own. But over time, property taxes, utility rates, insurance, housing costs and other expenses accumulate.

Families feel the cumulative impact, and our budget decisions should reflect that reality.

Before Council votes on the FY2027 budget and tax rate, I want to hear from you.

-What City services and investments are most important to you?
-Where do you think we should look for efficiencies or savings?
-How should we balance those priorities with keeping Pflugerville affordable?

Please share your thoughts below or send them to me directly at [email protected].

Public Safety, Privacy, and Community TrustLast night, City Council voted not to renew the City’s Flock camera contract....
08/27/2026

Public Safety, Privacy, and Community Trust

Last night, City Council voted not to renew the City’s Flock camera contract.

This was not a decision I came to quickly. For the past several months, I have been reviewing the contract and Police Department policies, pushing for stronger safeguards, and talking with residents across the spectrum as well as our Police Department to better understand the public-safety benefits, privacy concerns, and civil-liberties implications.

I have confidence in our Police Department. Our officers put their lives on the line every day, and ALPR technology has been used here in cases involving violent offenders, shootings, gun theft, missing persons, and people experiencing a mental-health crisis. I also appreciate the time our officers spent explaining why they value the technology and how they use it.

At the same time, my concerns have never been limited to whether our officers are using the system appropriately. They include how much vehicle-location data is collected, how it can be searched and shared, what future capabilities could be added, whether the safeguards and audits are sufficient, and whether we have enough data to demonstrate the overall effectiveness of the system.

The day before our vote, a citizen received the results of a detailed public information request regarding searches of Pflugerville’s Flock data. The information showed that more than 459 agencies (80 had been authorized) had searched our data, including state and federal agencies, even though staff reviewed the City’s software settings, which reflected that state and federal access was turned off. That discovery deserves further review.

My decision not to support renewal had already been made before that information became available. But it reinforced why I have been pushing for stronger data-governance policies, meaningful audits, clear access controls, and safeguards that work not just on paper, but in practice.

Months ago, Councilmember Coffman brought forward a Citywide data-governance policy, which I seconded so Council could discuss it. I supported moving that work forward because this issue is bigger than Flock or any single technology. As cities adopt more tools that collect and analyze high-risk data, we need consistent standards for how that information is collected, retained, accessed, shared, audited, and protected.

I also believe the community should have meaningful input on major issues like this before a final decision is made. It was encouraging to see so many residents show up, speak, share different perspectives, and participate in the process. I personally related to many of the stories and concerns that were shared, because they reflected concerns I had also been weighing throughout this process. That kind of civic participation matters. Our system of self-government depends on people being informed, engaged, and willing to make their voices heard.

Public safety and civil liberties should not be competing goals. We need to find tools that help our officers keep Pflugerville safe while also protecting the rights and privacy of the people they serve.

I am confident that we can continue working with our City staff, Police Chief, and community to be innovative, use technology responsibly, and keep public safety at the center of what we do.

What Does Pflugerville’s Proposed Budget Mean for Your Tax Bill?The City Council will hold a public hearing on the propo...
08/24/2026

What Does Pflugerville’s Proposed Budget Mean for Your Tax Bill?

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed FY2026-27 budget on Tuesday, August 25 at 7 p.m. at 1611 E. Pfennig Lane.

The budget snapshot I’m sharing focuses on the General Fund, which pays for most day-to-day City services.

For FY26, the City is projecting about $62.9 million in recurring revenue and $63.0 million in recurring expenditures. For FY27, the proposed budget includes about $65.8 million in recurring revenue and expenditures, plus approximately $2.8 million in capital and other one-time costs funded from existing fund balance.

Some of the major FY27 cost increases include a 3% salary increase, a 2.5% police step-plan increase, operating costs for new facilities, and general cost increases. These are partially offset by reductions in vacant positions and some outside contracts.

The Monarch is also important to the comparison. The new recreation center is being accounted for separately as an enterprise fund, similar to the utility fund. Some personnel and operating costs that were previously in the General Fund are moving to The Monarch Fund, so part of the General Fund reduction reflects costs being shifted to a separate fund rather than eliminated.

The General Fund reserve is projected to decline from about 31% to 26%, compared with the City’s 25% minimum reserve requirement.

The tax graphic shows:
• FY26 adopted rate: $0.5350
• FY27 no-new-revenue rate: $0.5407
• FY27 proposed rate: $0.5436

The no-new-revenue rate is a statutory benchmark designed to generate approximately the same property tax revenue from property on the tax roll in both years, after required adjustments. It does not mean every homeowner would pay the same amount because individual tax bills also depend on taxable value.

The City’s average taxable homestead value is projected to decrease from $378,234 to $362,231, but individual homeowners may see something very different.

My home is an example. TCAD significantly increased its appraised value in 2022, and because of the homestead cap, my value increased by 10% each year until this year, when it finally caught up to the appraised value.

That’s why the most useful number in the tax graphic is your own taxable value.

The public hearing on Tuesday, August 25 is your opportunity to comment before Council adopts the final budget on September 8.

What do you think is the right balance between funding City services and keeping the property tax burden affordable for residents?

Water Billing Improvements: You Speak, We ListenAt the last City Council meeting, I followed up on two water and wastewa...
08/24/2026

Water Billing Improvements: You Speak, We Listen

At the last City Council meeting, I followed up on two water and wastewater billing issues that residents have raised with me.

Average Billing

I asked whether Pflugerville could offer an average billing option, similar to what many electric and gas utilities offer, to help customers have more predictable monthly bills throughout the year.

The Finance Department confirmed that our billing software can support this option. If Council approves an average billing policy, staff can begin training for implementation.

Wastewater Customers Outside the City's Water Service Area

These customers have historically been billed based on average City water customer usage rather than their own winter water usage.

Staff obtained updated information from the Manville agreement, and with additional coordination, it appears these customers' actual winter averaging usage can be used to calculate their City wastewater bills. If Council approves this additional work, this could provide rate relief for lower-usage customers and better align their bills with their actual usage.

I've been concerned about both of these issues, and I want to thank the residents who reminded me that they still needed to be addressed.

This is a good example of why your feedback matters. You speak, we listen — and sometimes a question or reminder from a resident can lead to a practical change that makes things a little fairer for our community.

Should We Start the Budget at No-New-Revenue — or the Maximum Tax Rate?Instead of starting with a tax rate that brings i...
08/21/2026

Should We Start the Budget at No-New-Revenue — or the Maximum Tax Rate?

Instead of starting with a tax rate that brings in substantially more property-tax revenue and then asking Council to find things to “cut,” I would like us to begin with the no-new-revenue rate.

So what does “no-new-revenue” mean?

Despite the name, it does not mean the City receives no new revenue. The no-new-revenue rate is calculated to produce approximately the same amount of property-tax revenue from properties that were on the tax rolls in both years, after accounting for changes in property values. Revenue from new construction and property newly added to the tax rolls is separate.

That creates a much clearer starting point: What would it cost to provide our existing services with roughly the same property-tax revenue from properties already on the tax rolls?

Then, if staff recommends additional priorities or investments, bring them forward so Council can evaluate and vote on them.

Salary increases, higher operating costs, service priorities, or opportunities for greater efficiency? What is driving the increase, what can be done more efficiently, and what is worth asking taxpayers to pay more for?

Then residents can see more clearly why taxes would need to increase above the no-new-revenue rate and what they would receive in return.

This approach is already being used nearby. Williamson County and Hutto have both used the no-new-revenue level as a starting point in this year’s budget discussions.

I believe that is a more transparent way to build a budget.

For years, Pflugerville’s budget discussions have generally started much closer to the maximum amount of additional property-tax revenue allowed without voter approval. Texas law previously allowed most cities to increase maintenance-and-operations property-tax revenue by as much as 8% before the rollback process applied. Beginning in 2020, that threshold was generally reduced to 3.5%.

Starting near that maximum and then describing anything removed as a “cut” can make it difficult to distinguish between actually reducing an existing service and simply deciding not to fund a proposed increase.

Starting at no-new-revenue changes the question from:

“What are we willing to cut?”

to:

“What are we willing to ask taxpayers to pay more for?”

There may absolutely be investments worth making. Staff has also identified areas where costs can be reduced and operations made more efficient. I think both should be part of the discussion: what truly needs additional funding, and where can we continue finding better ways to deliver services?

That way, an increase above the no-new-revenue rate is a deliberate decision tied to specific priorities residents can see and evaluate.

How would you prefer the City build its budget?

-Start at the no-new-revenue rate and vote on what should be added?

-Start with a higher proposed rate and decide what, if anything, should be taken out?

-Or continue generally budgeting up to the maximum 3.5% increase allowed in maintenance-and-operations revenue without voter approval?

When Is the Right Time to Build?I’ve heard the argument that infrastructure should be built sooner because it will cost ...
08/19/2026

When Is the Right Time to Build?

I’ve heard the argument that infrastructure should be built sooner because it will cost more later.

There is certainly truth to the idea that roads, utilities, parks and public facilities generally become more expensive to build over time. But future construction cost is only one part of the financial equation.

Building infrastructure earlier also means paying for it earlier—often with decades of debt service—along with maintenance, utilities, staffing or other operating costs, and eventual replacement costs. It can also use borrowing capacity that may be needed for other priorities.

Here’s a simple hypothetical example:

If an $85 million project could instead be built for $65 million today, with $20 million of future capacity added 10 years later, the City could avoid borrowing that $20 million during the first decade.

At roughly 4.5% interest over 30 years, that could mean about $1.2 million less in annual debt service for those first 10 years.

There could also be additional savings from not operating and maintaining that future capacity before it is needed. Those savings would depend on the type of infrastructure and how the project is designed.

Of course, the second phase would cost more later because of construction inflation, financing and the added cost of phasing. That’s exactly why both options should be compared financially.

The timing of the borrowing matters too. In Pflugerville, debt for remaining 2020 bond projects and Downtown East was issued in 2023, and portions of those proceeds remained unspent for multiple fiscal years while debt service had already begun. That meant residents were paying property taxes on debt before all of the borrowed cash was actually needed for construction.

Timing also has to reflect what residents can reasonably afford. A project may be worthwhile and still not be the right project to fully fund in a particular year. In those cases, the question becomes what must be addressed now, what can be phased, and what can wait without creating greater costs later.

The answer may also be different depending on the type of project.

For roads, it may make sense to acquire right-of-way or build certain improvements before development makes them much more difficult and expensive.

For water and wastewater infrastructure, building some additional capacity can be prudent because major lines, treatment facilities and pump stations can be difficult to expand incrementally.

For parks and public buildings, there may be more opportunities to acquire the land or build the core infrastructure now while adding amenities, buildings or additional space as the community grows.

And sometimes building everything at once really will be the least expensive long-term option.

The point is not that we should delay infrastructure. It is that there should be a financial analysis behind both when we build and when we borrow.

For major investments, I think we should be asking:

What do we need now?
What will we need later?
What can reasonably be phased?
When will the money actually be needed?
What does building or borrowing early cost us in interest, operations, maintenance and debt capacity?
And what would waiting actually cost?

Good long-term planning means preparing for growth while recognizing that resources are limited, affordability matters and priorities have to be weighed against one another.

What do you think? How far ahead should a city build—and borrow—for future growth, and what factors should be considered when deciding whether to build now or phase a project over time?

🧵 Creativity, craftsmanship, and community are on display at the Pflugerville Library!The Pflugerville Quilt Guild has s...
08/17/2026

🧵 Creativity, craftsmanship, and community are on display at the Pflugerville Library!

The Pflugerville Quilt Guild has some of its beautiful work featured in the Public Art Gallery at the front of the library through the end of August. The creativity is impressive, but so is the precision and patience that goes into every piece.

I have a special appreciation for fiber arts because I love to crochet and make blankets for friends and family—especially when we’re welcoming a new little one into the family. There’s something meaningful about creating something by hand, stitch by stitch, that can be enjoyed for years.

I love seeing our library provide a place to showcase the talent of local artists and celebrate the creativity found right here in our community.

If you’re at the library this month, take a few minutes to enjoy the Quilt Guild’s work! Plus cast a vote for your favorite two 🧶🪡

**Update on the Proposed 2026 Bond Election**City Council did not place any bond propositions on the November 2026 ballo...
08/12/2026

**Update on the Proposed 2026 Bond Election**

City Council did not place any bond propositions on the November 2026 ballot.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback. The City received more than 500 responses to the three-day Flash Survey this past weekend compared to 375 during the two-week survey conducted in May, and the results indicated there was not enough community support for the proposed bond projects at this time.

Council discussed alternative locations for a future animal shelter and did not move forward with the proposal that would require demolishing the existing Recreation Center. I believe we need to plan a new animal shelter that the community will support, and I appreciate everyone who provided input on the location and other options.

Planning for high priority projects will continue in the future so options are "shovel ready" when we bring them to the voters.

The bond projects may be reconsidered in a future year. In the meantime, the City will continue moving forward with the 2020 bond projects and other previously approved major road and utility projects.

I look forward to seeing continued progress on these projects and residents being able to see and experience the value these investments will add to our community.

Thank you again to everyone who shared your perspective and told us which projects and priorities matter most to you. Your feedback made a difference.

Water Rate Update: Revised Plan Provides Relief for Most HouseholdsCouncil received another update Tuesday on the propos...
08/12/2026

Water Rate Update: Revised Plan Provides Relief for Most Households

Council received another update Tuesday on the proposed water and wastewater rate changes. Staff made several adjustments based on Council's previous feedback and provided more information showing how the proposed rates would affect customers at different usage levels throughout the year.

One important change is the addition of a lower-priced water tier that extends through 8,000 gallons of monthly usage. This helps keep typical household water needs more affordable before higher usage rates apply.

Under the revised proposal, approximately 75% of residential customers are expected to see either no increase or a decrease in their total monthly bill for FY2027. That's a significant change compared with the approximately 11% increase that would be needed in FY2027 if we maintained the current rate structure.

Staff also provided monthly bill comparisons showing how bills are expected to fluctuate for households that irrigate during the summer. The adjustments to the water tiers help reduce some of the increases that otherwise would have affected households with higher summer usage.

The proposed structure also changes how costs are distributed:

-Water base fees would decrease for all meter sizes, while more of the cost would be recovered based on actual water usage.

-Wastewater base fees would become more equitable. Under the current structure, residential, multifamily and commercial customers can pay the same flat $65 monthly wastewater base fee, regardless of meter size. The proposed structure would allocate wastewater base fees based on meter size, similar to water.

-Overall, the revised structure places greater emphasis on actual usage while reducing reliance on fixed base fees.

Although some customers will see increases, the revised structure provides real rate relief for smaller households and customers with lower water usage.

I also asked staff to explore an average billing option to help provide customers with more predictable monthly bills and reduce the impact of seasonal fluctuations. Staff will be researching options.

Looking Ahead

Our utility system still faces significant financial pressures. Water and wastewater revenue requirements are expected to increase in three of the next five years, driven largely by major utility infrastructure investments and growth that has been lower than originally projected.

We can't eliminate those costs, but we can be thoughtful about how those costs are distributed. The revised rate model is a meaningful improvement because it helps ease the burden for a large majority of our residential customers while more closely aligning charges with actual usage and customer size.

There is still more work ahead as we balance the cost of maintaining and investing in a reliable water and wastewater system with keeping an essential service affordable.

My goal is to make sure we're not simply asking everyone to pay more because additional revenue is needed. We should continue looking at who is paying, how much they're using, and how we can distribute those costs as fairly as possible.

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Pflugerville, TX
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