Carrollton City Council Regular Worksession & Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Carrollton City Council convened on September 1, 2026, for a Worksession starting at 5:45 PM and the Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM. The meeting included presentations, public hearings, and adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and property tax rate. Key actions included unanimous approval of the consent agenda, a special use permit for surface parking, and adoption of a balanced budget with a reduced property tax rate for the 13th consecutive year.

Consent Calendar

• Items 9–12 approved unanimously:
  • Approval of the August 11, 2026 Regular Council Meeting Minutes.
  • Ordinance amending Chapter 31 Comprehensive Fee Schedule, effective October 1, 2026.
  • Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for additional tasers, fleet cameras, and software licenses, increasing the annual expenditure not to exceed $636,618 and a revised contract amount not to exceed $5,933,088. (The annual increase of approximately $33,699 is partially offset by a $5,000 annual transfer from Municipal Court.)
  • Resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an economic development incentive agreement with DK Village, LLC for renovation of 1933 East Frankford Road, not to exceed $180,423 (20% of eligible exterior improvement costs).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizen Comment (Consent Agenda): No speakers.
• Public Forum (Non-Agenda Items): Multiple residents spoke regarding the city’s Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR/FLOCK) camera program. Speakers supporting the program (Erby Bennett, Dick Calvert, Alexandra Fincher) cited its value in solving crimes, recovering stolen vehicles, and protecting children. Speakers opposing the program (Claire Niego, Hannah Faust, Kurt Booth, Dean Trammell) raised concerns about privacy, Fourth Amendment rights, and lack of transparency. Several requested a public hearing or town hall to discuss the program. The Council did not respond to these requests during the meeting.
• Public Hearing - Tax Rate & Budget (Item 14): No public speakers.
• Public Hearing - SUP Crowley Surface Parking (Item 13): The applicant, Skye Thibodeaux of Mission Ridge Consultants, presented the need for additional parking for the Great Oasis shopping center. No public speakers.

Discussion Items

• Worksession – Budget Overview: Finance Director Melissa Everett presented a summary of the FY2027 budget process, noting a balanced budget, a 13th consecutive year of tax rate reduction (flat at 53.75 cents per $100 valuation), and an average savings of $72 per homestead. The budget includes $118 million in capital projects, a 2% employee raise, and $98 million in public safety operating costs (exceeding the $91 million in property tax revenue allocated to the General Fund).
• Council Information Sharing: Council members reported on recent community events including the Boards and Commissions Meet & Greet, Metrocrest Golf Tournament, Fire Academy ribbon cutting, and the North Texas Infrastructure Summit. Councilmember Watters announced a new Youth and Government Commission program for high school students, with applications open on the city website.
• Axon Contract Clarification: Councilmember Watters noted a slight numerical discrepancy in the proposed contract amendment; staff clarified that the $636,618 limit is inclusive of the $5,000 Municipal Court transfer, and any higher amount would return to Council.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved (Items 9–12) – unanimous 7-0 vote.
• Special Use Permit Approved (Item 13, PLSUP 2026-117 Crowley Surface Parking) – unanimous 7-0 vote. The SUP allows a 147-space surface parking lot on an undeveloped 1.7-acre lot, with stipulations including prohibition of heavy load trucks and travel trailers between 12:00 AM and 6:00 AM.
• FY2027 Operating and Capital Budget Adopted (Item 15) – unanimous 7-0 vote. Total operating budget: $356,103,213; capital budget: $116,459,692.
• Tax Rate Adopted (Item 16) – unanimous 7-0 vote. Rate set at $0.537000 per $100 valuation (maintenance & operations $0.388023, debt service $0.148977), representing a 1.69% tax rate increase. However, overall property tax revenue decreased by $398,876 (0.31%) compared to the prior year due to lower assessed valuation.
• Property Tax Increase Ratified (Item 17) – unanimous 7-0 vote, as required by Section 102.007 of the Texas Local Government Code.
• Presentations: Mayor Steve Babick presented the Mayor’s Spotlight Award to Operation Kindness (animal welfare organization headquartered in Carrollton) and proclaimed National Payroll Week.
• Next Steps: The adopted budget and tax rate will be posted on the city website. The Council will convene in Executive Session after the Regular Meeting to discuss matters including the annual City Manager review.