Fort Worth council advances budget with restored cuts and higher tax rate

Fort Worth City Council members are progressing with a fiscal 2027 budget plan that reverses several proposed cost-saving measures and offers larger pay increases for city employees. This approach results in a higher property tax rate than the figure City Manager Jay Chapa originally presented in early August.

The council is scheduled to vote on the final tax rate and budget during their September 15 meeting.

Earlier objections from council members led to the reconsideration of specific cuts, including the closure of a pet adoption center in the Alliance corridor, the freezing of vacant positions in parks and libraries, and reductions to alleyway mowing schedules.

Chapa subsequently provided data showing that restoring up to $4.09 million in services would require a tax rate of 70.565 cents per $100 of appraised property value. This is higher than the 70.2 cents rate Chapa initially proposed, though both figures exceed the current rate of 67 cents.

Despite the higher rate, city staff indicated that the average homeowner would pay $1,643.62 in city taxes, which is $8.20 less than the current year’s amount. This decrease is attributed to a drop in appraised home values, with the average home value listed at $232,925. The proposed budget includes a $1.1 billion general fund, which finances most basic city services.

During a recent work session and public hearing, council members offered limited new direction beyond their mid-August stance, which favored restoring cuts at the cost of a higher tax rate. No council members have publicly opposed these restorations.

Council member Deborah Peoples, the only member to comment during the afternoon session, stated that the city is moving in the right direction based on feedback from her district. She also noted that staff presentations in her district were well-received.

The budget includes a 4.5% general employee pay raise, up from the 3% originally proposed. Employees at the assistant director level and above would receive a 4% increase. These raises take effect in April 2027. Police officers are excluded from this general raise, as they are budgeted for a 6% increase under their contract, while firefighters have a hypothetical 8.5% raise pending contract negotiations.

Council member Michael Crain praised the staff for their district presentations and encouraged residents to attend the remaining sessions on September 2 in District 3 and September 3 in District 10. Mayor Mattie Parker, along with council members Macy Hill and Charlie Lauersdorf, were absent from the recent meetings.

Source: Fort Worth Report.

Sources

https://fortworthreport.org/2026/09/01/fort-worth-moves-toward-budget-cut-restorations-higher-city-tax-rate/