City Manager Bryan Bradford presented the 2020-21 proposed budget to the City Council and Mayor Scott LeMay at the Aug. 3 work session. Bradford explained to council that changes brought about by Senate Bill 2, Garland, as well as other cities in Dallas County finds itself in a “truly peculiar situation.”
In years before, the city would have received the certified value of the tax base on or around July 25. The value of the tax base is what determines property tax revenues for the upcoming year, and that is the largest source of revenue.
But, this year, as allowed under SB 2, certified values do not have to be provided until Aug. 20.
However, under Garland’s charter, as well as state law, cities must present budgets to councils during the first week of August.
“We find ourselves more or less going through the motions tonight and presenting you what…I would call a “preliminary proposed budget,” realizing that the budget could significantly change one way or another on Aug. 20 when we get certified values,” Bradford said.
He added that what council was seeing tonight was simply their best guess.
Ron Young said that to arrive at these budget figures, they estimated a tax base of $17 billion, which is a $700 million increase over last year.
The city manager’s budget priorities are:
• Maintain current city service levels – accomplishing that includes banking 13 full-time and four part-time positions and eliminating five full-time positions as well as suspended 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 adequate support to implement the 2019 bond program.
• Address the need for additional 911 dispatchers. Five public safety dispatchers and two communications supervisors are proposed to assist in maintaining vital 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 respond to unforeseen financial challenges.
Other proposed budget items include:
• Improved access at the landfill
• Two landfill positions to replace temporary laborers
• One deputy marshal added 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.
The proposed consolidated budget is $772.9 million which is an increase of $5.3 million or .7%.
The proposed general fund budget is $184.6 million, which represents a decrease of $847,000 (-.5%).
Homestead and senior exemptions – council increased – homestead exemption from 8% to 10% and the senior exemptions from $51,000 to $56,000.
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