Now that 2024 is complete, I wanted to take a moment to look back and reflect on the previous year. Across all departments, our City has worked diligently to enhance services, invest in community infrastructure, and strengthen the quality of life for residents. Below are some highlights from our year of progress, innovation, significant growth, and achievement in New Braunfels:
City Secretary
Transparency and engagement with residents remained a priority in 2024. The City processed over 1,000 Open Records requests, showcasing the City’s commitment to accessible information. Alcohol permitting grew by 9% over the previous fiscal year, reflecting the dynamic nature of our business community. Additionally, the City’s biannual boards and commissions application process continues to draw dozens of passionate residents eager to serve their city.
Communications and Community Engagement
The City amplified its efforts to connect with residents in 2024, ensuring they remain informed about city programs, events, and initiatives. A combination of broad and targeted social media campaigns generated more than 20 million impressions, the City’s website (www.newbraunfels.gov) topped 1.4 million user sessions, nearly 100 media releases were issued, and the City hosted numerous community events including Saengerfest, Live @ Landa, Wassailfest, Meet the Trucks, the Veterans Day Parade, the Downtown Tree Lighting, the 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular, and many others in an effort to keep New Braunfels residents engaged.
Economic and Community Development
Since 2018, the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation has invested over $68 million in community projects, with 60% focused on expanding parkland and recreation facilities. Eight active economic development agreements with local companies have created or retained 2,100+ jobs, contributing over $250 million in new capital investment and generating $25 million in net revenues over the next decade.
New Braunfels National Airport
Private investments have fueled the airport’s growth, increasing operations with more than 22,000 flight operations in 2024 and nearly $56 million in assessed value. Those investments enhance economic development while promoting self-sufficiency.
Finance
The Finance Department excelled in fiscal stewardship, once again earning the Triple Crown Award for Financial Reporting. The Finance Department secured 28 grant applications in 2024 and had monthly investment portfolio earnings exceeding $1 million, ensuring that New Braunfels maintained strong financial health despite a shifting economy.
Fire Department
Innovations like the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program reduced emergency call volume growth from 5% to 2% by redirecting frequent users toward appropriate care. This ensures our ambulances are available for critical emergencies while improving community health outcomes.
Human Resources
Employee development remained a cornerstone of our success, with increased participation in training programs focused on leadership and technical skills. And by addressing compensation concerns and improving policies, the City continues to address turnover while strengthening the City team.
Information Technology
Cybersecurity took center stage, with the City achieving its lowest-ever “Phish Prone” percentage, outperforming industry benchmarks. The IT team also maintained exceptional service standards, closing 84% of tickets within service-level agreements despite increasing demands.
Library
The New Braunfels Public Library saw record participation in programs and events, along with an impressive spike in circulation during the Summer Reading Program. Throughout 2024, nearly 900,000 materials were in circulation from the Library’s two branches (Main Branch and Westside Branch). Attendance at Library programs grew by 11% over the previous fiscal year, and the total number of people visiting library facilities grew by approximately 32% in 2024.
Parks and Recreation
Das Rec welcomed over 19,000 members, providing a clean and welcoming environment for fitness and fun. The Landa Park Golf Course also enjoyed record-breaking success, benefiting from exceptional course conditions and dedicated staff. Aided by a strong outreach campaign, more than 10,000 Resident River Parking stickers and over 6,000 Resident River Passes were issued to those that live in New Braunfels, ensuring that residents enjoy convenient access to local river parks.
Planning & Development Services
Nearly 11,000 permits were issued in 2024 for a wide variety of purposes, including Building, Fire, and Planning permits. The vast majority of issued permits (approximately 63%) were Sub-Trade Permits while only 11% of permits issued were for new builds, showcasing an ongoing focus on remodeling and community enhancements.
Transportation & Capital Improvement Projects
With 33% of projects funded by the 2019 and 2023 Bond Programs and additional funding from various state and federal agencies, the City advanced vital infrastructure projects. Significant progress was made in design and construction phases, especially for transportation and quality-of-life enhancements.
As Mayor of New Braunfels, I am proud of the hard work and dedication of our city staff, residents, and community partners who made 2024 a remarkable year. Together, we continue to build a thriving, resilient community that embraces our heritage while looking toward the future. Here’s to an even brighter 2025!
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Mayor Neal Linnartz