Fort Worth District 8 Budget Meeting – August 25, 2026

Councilman Chris Nettles hosted a district-wide budget meeting on August 25, 2026, to present the City Manager’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027. City Manager Jay Chapa and Budget Director Christine Simmons detailed a $4.35 billion total budget facing a $94 million gap driven by Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) activities that froze residential values and increased protests. The recommended budget includes a 3.2‑cent property tax rate increase (to 70.2 cents), a 1% departmental cut, and a subsequent 3% reduction round, followed by deeper cuts after certified values arrived 25 July. Public safety (police and fire) receives the largest additions, while other departments see reductions intended to minimize service‑level impacts. Residents asked about tax base composition, executive compensation, program priorities, and economic development.

Public Comments & Questions

• A resident asked why the city faces a gap despite growth; staff explained TAD’s reappraisal plan and property value erosion.
• A Highland Hills resident requested revitalization assistance for the entrance of their community and asked about water usage from a fire hydrant at a nearby construction site. City Manager Jay Chapa confirmed the hydrant is metered and the contractor pays for water used.
• A questioner asked about the city’s strategy to shift from 60% residential / 40% commercial tax base toward a more balanced mix. Jay Chapa noted an active economic development program and a slow shift of about 5% over 15 years, hindered by TAD’s actions.
• Another resident inquired whether executive compensation is being reduced during austerity. Staff responded that the City Manager’s office is eliminating one executive and two managerial positions, and general employees are receiving only a 1.5% pay increase.
• A question about tree‑planting (26% reduction) versus municipal golf (13% increase) was answered: golf is self‑funded by users, while tree‑planting’s reduction reflects the absence of vehicle purchases in the coming year.
• A final question asked what types of businesses the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (FWEDP) attracts. Jay Chapa stated FWEDP focuses on headquarters and manufacturing, not warehouses; warehouses locate in Fort Worth due to transportation infrastructure.

Discussion Items

• Budget Context & Gap: Christine Simmons explained that Fort Worth’s growth is not translating to property tax revenue because TAD appraises residential property every other year and granted record protests. Taxable home values have fallen, while Dallas and Collin counties continue annual reappraisals and growth. Commercial values grew 2.5–3% but were offset by residential declines. The total operating budget is $3.3 billion; the general fund is $1.15 billion. The highest gap reached $94 million. Reductions included a 1% departmental cut ($7.8M), a 3% reduction menu ($14.5M), and additional cuts after certified values worsened. A $37 million gap remained, leading to the proposed 3.2‑cent tax rate increase (from 67 cents to 70.2 cents).
• Public Safety: The budget repurposes the fire HOPE homeless outreach program by moving four firefighters back to suppression and partnering with the mobile integrated health team, saving overtime. Additions include 76 patrol officers, 30 patrol corporals for a new promotional path, and funding for an Axon 911 call‑triaging pilot. Fire growth ($52.6M) includes $30M for the EMS subsidy (now $30M from $20M), a placeholder for a new fire bargaining agreement, and contractual pay increases.
• Infrastructure: PAYGO (pay‑as‑you‑go) capital maintenance is kept at the same rate (7.25 cents), but due to falling values it yields $2.8 million less. A street maintenance fee is authorized but not yet implemented; it is renamed the Pavement Management Fee and will appear on water bills in the future.
• Community Investment: The budget avoids widespread library or community center closures. Original recommendations included closing the Alliance PetSmart Adoption Center (council members have asked for alternatives), a small reduction to the Priority Repair Program, and a reduction in the Mobile Tool Shed program (from four to three staff). The Neighborhood Improvement Program is phased to match actual spending ($4M to $1M in year one). The budget continues the Net Force nuisance‑abatement pilot.
• Economic Development: The general fund transfer to the Economic Development Initiatives Fund is reduced by 90% (from $5M to $500,000). The city continues chamber partnerships, small business programs, and adds a position for neighborhood revitalization coordination.
• Responsible Growth: Vehicle/equipment replacements are moved to debt financing via tax notes, relieving the general fund. Group health fund employer contributions are increased to cover rising claims. Fee increases across departments are included.
• Enterprise Funds & Special Revenue Funds: Water, solid waste, stormwater, airports, parking, EMS, CCPD, golf, and tree‑planting funds are described. Most are self‑supporting. EMS requires a $30M general fund subsidy. The public events fund temporarily declines due to convention center expansion.
• Taxpayer Impact: For an average home with homestead exemption, taxable value falls from $246,541 to $232,925; even with the tax rate increase, the city property tax bill decreases by $16.69 annually. Combined with fee changes, the average monthly water bill increases by $7.09.

Key Outcomes

• The budget is presented as a proposal; council will hold a public hearing on September 1 and adopt the tax rate and budget on September 15.
• Council members have already asked for changes, including alternatives to closing the PetSmart Adoption Center and exploring CCPD as a funding source for general fund costs.
• Additional budget work sessions continue; Friday’s session was moved to 1:00 PM to accommodate a funeral.
• Residents were encouraged to direct further questions to Councilman Nettles’ office and to watch past work sessions on Connect Fort Worth or the Fort Worth Lab website.