The Garland City Council members and Mayor Scott LeMay held a special meeting Aug. 25 to hear budget presentations from city departments and discuss the 2020-21 proposed budget.
The Dallas County Appraisal has now certified the 2020 tax base and Garland’s total is $17.1 billion. That number represents a 5.1% increase over last year. New construction was responsible for $291 million of the tax base. The sales tax revenue is expected to decrease by $1.4 million in 2021 compared to 2020.
Contributions from Garland Power & Light is expected to increase by $705,000.
Property tax will make up 35.4% of general fund resources; sales tax will make up 15.6%; and GP&L will represent 11.4%. Other sources will make up 37.6%.
The proposed consolidated budget = $773.8 million. This is an increase of $6.1 million over last year.
The city manager’s budget priorities are:
- Maintain current city service levels – this includes banking 13 full-time and four part-time positions and eliminating five full-time positions, as well as suspending merit and salary adjustments excluding civil service step increases.
- Provide resources to maintain the implementation of the 2019 bond program. Three positions are proposed for the engineering department to provide support to implement the program.
- Address the need for additional 911 dispatchers. Five public safety dispatchers and two communications supervisors are proposed to help maintain 911 services.
- Maintain a high level of excess reserves for future needs. The $5.3 million reserves above the 30-day fund balance requirement is designed to ensure financial flexibility and a source of funds to meet unexpected challenges.
Other proposed budget items include:
- Improve access at the landfill
- Add two landfill positions to replace temporary workers
- Continue home improvement program
- Add one deputy marshal for parking enforcement
- Maintain scheduled benefit contributions
The property tax rate is estimated to stay at 76.96 cents per $100 of valuation.
Utility costs are expected to stay the same.
Homestead and senior exemptions – council increased – homestead exemption from 8% to 10% and the senior exemptions from $51,000 to $56,000.
The proposed consolidated budget is $773.8 million which is an increase of $6.1 million.
Schedule for budget discussions and public hearings includes:
Aug. 25 – Special budget session scheduled for Aug 25
Aug. 31 – Regular work session – discussion
Sept. 1 – Regular meeting – public hearing on budget and tax rate
Sept. 8 – Special session if needed
Sept. 14 – Regular work session
Sept. 15 – Regular meeting – public hearing on the budget, tax rate and adoption of the budget