City government · Galveston County, TX
Galveston's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended September 30, 2023), Galveston took in $328 million and spent $326 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Galveston's money comes from taxes other than property, sales and income taxes.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 7.2%.
City taxes42%
What's in other taxesOther selective sales taxes; public utility taxes and 3 more
- Other selective sales taxes$54.7 million
- Public utility taxes$5.1 million
- Other licenses$2.3 million
- Occupation and business licenses$167 thousand
- Alcoholic beverage licenses$63 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services41%
What's in fees for servicesPorts and waterways; water and 6 more
- Ports and waterways$67.5 million
- Water$26.1 million
- Sewer$20.2 million
- Parks and recreation$9.4 million
- Garbage collection$8.3 million
- Airport$1.2 million
- Other service charges$396 thousand
- Transit fares$365 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money5.5%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money0.8%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money5.1%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other6.2%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Galveston's spending goes to roads, transit and parking.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people spends 10%.
Spending by category100%
What's in roads, transit and parkingPorts and harbors; roads and highways and 3 more
- Ports and harbors$80.6 million
- Roads and highways$19.6 million
- Public transit$4.0 million
- Airports$2.0 million
- Parking$1.3 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$52.7 million
- Libraries$4.8 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
- Police$36.3 million
- Fire protection$18.4 million
- Courts and legal services$1.8 million
- Inspections and regulation$859 thousand
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; sewer systems and 1 more
- Water supply$26.0 million
- Sewer systems$20.1 million
- Garbage and solid waste$9.1 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and 2 more
- Other and not broken out$12.3 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$9.5 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$3.0 million
- Government buildings$1.4 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt
- Interest on general debt$8.3 million
- Interest on water supply debt$4.8 million
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to local governments: other and not broken out and sent to the state government
- Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$6.3 million
- Sent to the state government$177 thousand
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$1.1 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$174 thousand
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Galveston. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.
What this covers. The money of City of Galveston itself. Other governments that serve the same area (the city, county, school district and state) are separate and not included. Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, and pension trust funds are not counted as revenue.