Fort Worth city staff presented data on Friday showing that the city could restore several proposed budget cuts and increase employee pay raises while still lowering the city tax bill for average homeowners. This outcome is possible due to soft property appraisals, according to city manager Jay Chapa, who told council members that the average tax bill would remain below the current level.
Chapa initially proposed a balanced budget on Aug. 11 to address a $94 million shortfall in the $1.1 billion general fund. That proposal included eliminating a pet adoption center in the Alliance corridor, freezing or cutting vacant positions in parks and libraries, and reducing alleyway mowing schedules.
Council members pushed back against these reductions, prompting staff to present options for restoring up to $2.4 million in expenses.
The new financial plan includes a 4.5% midyear pay raise for general employees, up from the previously proposed 3%. This increase does not apply to police or fire departments, which have separate contractual raises. Additionally, employees at the assistant director level and above would receive a 4% raise.
The fiscal 2027 budget would cover half of these pay increases, with the remainder shifting to the 2028 budget.
Restored services would span multiple departments, including code compliance, development services, library branch services, parks and recreation, and transportation and public works. Chapa stated that including these restorations and higher pay raises would require a city tax rate of 70.56 cents per $100 of appraised value.
