It’s budget time for the city of Garland, and City Manager, Judson Rex, has presented the 2024-2025 proposed budget to Mayor Scott LeMay and the City Council members. They are now holding public hearings and discussing items.
The total consolidated proposed budget is the largest ever at $1.04B, an increase of $88.7M over last year.
Rex added that property and sales tax has increased considerably, but he does see a shift and believes that the economy is changing.
“While we are still growing, it’s at a slower pace,” he said.
Council was previously asked to evaluate and prioritize each of the following functions, and the results are:
- Safe community
- Well-maintained infrastructure
- Reliable, cost-effective utility services
- Sound governance and finances
- Vibrant neighborhoods and commercial centers
- Customer-focused city services
- Growing economic base
- Future-focused city organization
- Enhanced quality of life – amenities, arts, events, etc.
- Commercially thriving downtown
Rex said that his priorities are:
- To have the ability to adequately staff and operate the new and expanded facilities that were approved in the 2019 bond such as the West Garland Branch Library, Holford Recreation Center & Aquatics Center and the Granger Recreation Center.
- Maintain compensation and merit increases so that salary levels are competitive; a 3% merit increase for employees is proposed as well as market adjustments for Police and Fire departments; addition of hazmat technician; urban search and rescue certification pay for eligible employees; no increase in health insurance contributions.
- Enhance infrastructure and maintenance funding; street and alley infrastructure funding of $8M in additional tax notes to bring total program funding to $41.6M; transportation signs and marking program improvements; public safety improvements; funding for fire PPE replacement, hazmat equipment; police investigation extraction software.
- Maintain high levels of reserves to respond to anticipated financial challenges – increase the general fund available reserves to 59 days of operation expenses to meet anticipated long-term financial commitments and unforeseen financial challenges; add $1M to sanitation fund reserves above 45-day fund balance requirement for future natural disaster debris removal; maintain utility fund balance above minimum fund requirements because of volatility in electric market and weather patterns
- Miscellaneous items:
- TMRS COLA financial strategy
- Mental health clinician
- External support for city website
- Two residential and two commercial drives to support additional sanitation demands
- Additional funding for facilities maintenance and modernization
- Senior network administrator and desktop systems specialist to fortify city’s network
The certified property tax base is $26.8B, an increase of $2.7B over last year.
The proposed tax rate is 68.97 cents, which is not an increase from 2023.
Proposed increases for cost of services:
Water $1.66
Sewer $1.51
Trash/recycling $.50
Stormwater fee $.65
Total $4.32 per month
The proposed budget will be discussed at a special budget Work Session at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17 and public hearings at regular Council meetings at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3. Council is scheduled to adopt the 2024-2525 budget Sept. 3.