The first review of the city of Garland’s 2015-16 proposed budget was held at the August 17 Garland City Council work session. There are several more opportunities to learn the details of the proposed budget.
Monday, Aug. 31 – Normal Work Session Budget Discussion
Tuesday, Sept. 1 – Regular Session Public Hearing
Thursday, Sept. 3 – Special Budget Work Session
Thursday, Sept. 10 – Special Budget Work Session (if needed)
Tuesday, Sept. 15 – Regular Session Public Hearing and Adoption of Budget
In-depth budget details are available at www.garlandtx.gov.
Highlights include:
The proposed budget includes funding for:
- Six police officers and five school resource officers
- Funding for fire certification pay and equipment
- Maintains funding recommendations for street program
- Provides funding for economic development initiatives
- Provides market-based salary increases
- Maintains current combined tax rate at 70.46 cents
- Addresses challenges in group health insurance fund
The proposed change in electric rate will include a 7 percent decrease along with an increase of 14.6 percent for water service. The net impact to the typical homeowner will be an increase of $2.77 per household per month.
City Manager Bryan Bradford’s priorities for the budget are:
- To address police staffing needs
- To improve the condition of city’s streets
- To continue emphasis on economic development
- To fund market-based salary increases for city employees
There are numerous positives regarding the city’s financial position:
- Market value (not tax-appraised value) for residential properties has increased by 16 percent over pre-recession levels.
- Building permit valuations are approximately 40 percent higher this year than in each of the two previous years which should represent higher new construction values in the future.
- Sales tax revenues have grown by 5 percent in three of the last four years and are at highest level on record.
- Other general fund revenues are showing growth as well.