Fort Worth's new budget is here, and it's a mixed bag for your wallet. Good news: property taxes might go down! Bad news: some city fees could be going up.
At a glance
Declining — being discussed less frequently. 3 mentions in the last 30 days, 17 the 60 before, 14 the 90 before that.
The city is currently $3 million over its adjusted budget, with ongoing efforts to reduce that gap.
Taxpayers benefit from the city's efforts to maintain fiscal responsibility despite revenue losses.
City departments may face service limitations due to the ongoing hiring freeze and discretionary cuts.
District 3 Budget Meeting City of Fort Worth, Texas (.gov)
District 9 Budget Meeting City of Fort Worth, Texas (.gov)
District 11 Budget Meeting City of Fort Worth, Texas (.gov)
The LGC is paying off bonds early for the A&M research building. This helps finalize the financial side of the project's design and pre-construction phase.
Residents expressed concerns about the transparency and management of Crime Control and Prevention District funds.
The city's pension fund is the primary way Fort Worth ensures retirement security for its employees. The current progress in paying down debt means the city is in a stronger position to meet these long-term promises without needing to hike taxes or cut services.
The city's health insurance fund is losing money. The council is debating how to cut costs, including potentially changing how they cover expensive weight-loss drugs.
The city is dealing with a $11.4 million revenue shortfall. They are using a hiring freeze and spending cuts to try and close the gap.
The city is struggling to keep up with road repairs, with a $66 million annual shortfall. Officials are proposing a new monthly fee to help pay for proactive maintenance and avoid more expensive road rebuilds later.
The city's health fund is running a deficit, and officials are looking at ways to cut costs without hurting employees. A big focus is on expensive weight-loss drugs that are driving up the bill.
Fort Worth Earns Highest Financial Transparency Designation in Texas Patch
'Really difficult conversations': Fort Worth stares down nearly $50 million budget shortfall WFAA
The audit found errors in employee termination payments and instances where employees exceeded their allotted personal paid holidays. These issues point to potential weaknesses in payroll processing and leave tracking.
Staff is proposing an earlier public survey to gather input on resident priorities for city services and potential trade-offs. This aims to make public input more meaningful before final budget decisions are made.
The city is actively pursuing federal funding for various projects, including $40 million in Community Project Funds and over $100 million in programmatic requests. This funding is vital for infrastructure and community development initiatives.
The bond package is the largest in Fort Worth’s history.
If approved by voters, Fort Worth’s 2026 bond package would fund specific public safety improvements. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report) "...
$845M bond package approved by Fort Worth voters, unofficial results show Fort Worth Report
The council is planning the city's budget, deciding how taxpayer money will be spent on services like public safety, infrastructure, and community programs.
Superintendent Peter Licata gave insight into changes shaping the district during a state takeover, including 5% raises for teachers.
Fort Worth Proposes $1.3 Billion in New Debt Texas Scorecard
The city is proposing an $845 million bond package to fund various capital projects, including streets, parks, libraries, public safety, and an animal shelter. Residents will vote on individual propositions, and the city assures it won't raise property taxes.
Voters will decide whether to approve an $845 million bond package for city improvements. The package covers streets, parks, libraries, public safety, and affordable housing, with city officials stating it will not increase property taxes.
The Texas Legislature is focusing on several key interim charges, with property tax reform being a major concern. Discussions involve potential changes to local spending limits, voter approval thresholds for tax increases, and appraisal processes, which could significantly impact local government finances and property owner burdens.
After I-Team report uncovering pattern of complaints, Fort Worth City Council discusses first responders workers' comp issues CBS News
The city is proposing an $845 million bond package to fund various capital projects. Residents need to understand how these projects will be financed and whether it will impact their property taxes.
The city is proposing an $845 million bond package to fund various capital projects. Voters will decide whether to approve propositions for streets, parks, libraries, affordable housing, public safety, and animal care.
A significant bond package is proposed to fund major capital projects across the city, including roads, parks, public safety facilities, and affordable housing. Voters will decide if the city should borrow money for these improvements.
City of Fort Worth implements immediate hiring freeze amid expected budget shortfall, memo says WFAA
A resident strongly criticized the allocation of CCPD funds, demanding an audit and greater transparency from the council and DA's office.
Fort Worth is looking to sell its renewable energy credits, potentially bringing in $1.6 million. This money is intended to help fund city capital projects and cover budget gaps.
The committee reviewed monthly financial reports, highlighting variances in revenue and expenditures, including impacts from property tax adjustments and departmental overtime.
The city's financial report for FY25 shows a strong financial position with a clean audit and multiple reporting awards. This transparency builds public trust and supports the city's financial stability.
An audit revealed control weaknesses in how the Housing Finance Corporation handles expenses, including issues with approving transactions, tracking client bus passes, and managing blank checks. Staff are working to fix these problems.
The board is approving changes to the CCPD's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. These adjustments cover health insurance costs, reallocations for crime prevention initiatives, and funding for new technology and positions.
Assessing Tax Trends in the City of Ft. Worth Texas Public Policy Foundation
An audit follow-up found that two out of three previously identified hotels that hadn't paid occupancy taxes have now paid. Enforcement actions are ongoing for the remaining non-compliant hotel.
The committee discussed implementing fees for non-emergency lift assist calls, especially from private facilities, to alleviate the burden on fire department resources.
A resident expressed strong concerns about the management and auditing of CCPD funds, alleging potential corruption and misuse of money.
The city is considering how to allocate funds for the 2026 bond program, which covers various infrastructure and community projects. Council members are debating whether to increase funding for affordable housing and how to potentially reallocate funds from other areas, such as public art, to address priorities like streets and public safety.
Less property taxes, but higher fees? Here's what the proposed Fort Worth budget says WFAA
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