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The Fort Worth City Council has been presented with a recommended operating budget for the fiscal year 2024. Crafted by city staff and City Manager David Cooke, the budget reflects a concerted effort to enhance public safety, environmental sustainability, and overall quality of life for the residents of the nation’s 13th-largest city.
One notable aspect of the proposed $2.6 billion budget is a decrease in the property tax rate.
The budget allocates resources to expand the police and fire departments. Furthermore, it emphasizes the improvement of parks and green spaces, aligning with the city's vision for a cleaner and greener environment.
The City Council will engage in reviews of the budget over the coming weeks. The final budget adoption is slated for September, preceding the commencement of the fiscal year on Oct. 1.
The $2.6 billion figure represents a 12% increase over FY2023.
City officials highlighted the economic challenges faced by the city due to inflationary increases but assured the public that the budget would manage these by striking a balance between financial sustainability and meeting the city's needs.
The recommended property tax rate of 67.25 cents per $100 assessed valuation represents a 4-cent reduction compared to the previous year.
“Not unlike other businesses, we are dealing with inflationary increases,” Cooke said in a statement. “We can’t pass on all the costs, but we can do things more effectively and efficiently, and find a balance.”
For the first time in its history, the city's general fund budget surpasses $1 billion. Initiatives in the budget include:
- the opening of the new Northwest Community Center and expanded hours at five other centers,
- the addition of a second neighborhood improvement project,
- a new branch library on the City’s northwest side, and
- expanded efforts to reduce homelessness.
The proposed budget also addresses crucial priorities set by the City Council earlier in the year. It further expands on programs initiated in the previous fiscal year that focused on enhancing street lighting, pavement markings, and litter abatement, which contribute to the overall safety and cleanliness of the city.
In tandem with the Crime Control and Prevention District, the budget outlines plans to hire 106 new employees for the Police Department, primarily focusing on patrol officers, and an additional 76 employees for the Fire Department.
The budget proposal includes the creation of an Environmental Services Department, responsible for solid waste management and maintaining health and environmental quality standards. Moreover, efforts to improve and maintain green spaces and parks are prioritized, with investments in maintenance, mowing, litter pick-up cycles, and the creation of gateways to enhance the visual appeal of these areas.
“It’s not just a physical difference we are going for,” Cooke said. “People have to see a visible difference. We are going for the visible difference in how we manage and maintain green spaces and parks.”
Additionally, the budget calls for:
- adding $2 million to help an additional 200 low-income residents fix their homes under the Priority Repair program,
- spending $500,000 to buy eight, brand new 15-passenger vans for the community centers,
- spending $2.9 million on cleaning and inspecting culverts citywide to reduce flood risks, and
- adding $1 million toward homeless services, including a voucher program that finds permanent housing.
The first public budget meeting begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, in the City Council Chambers, 200 Texas St. The meeting will be in-person and virtual.
A series of budget talks will also be held at various locations across the city between Aug. 17 and Sept. 18. Additionally, the Council will hold budget discussions this month and in September. The meetings are open to the public.