The 2027 budget proposal boosts funding for public safety, infrastructure and tech improvements while also maintaining a flat property tax rate.
ARLINGTON, Texas — The City of Arlington has released details on its proposed 2027 budget, which is to include investments and cuts in city spending scheduled to begin this Oct. 1.
Comprising an expected $765.8 million operating budget for the 2027 Fiscal Year, according to the city, the budget was detailed in a release Friday and information on the budget has been published online for the public to examine.
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The city says its property tax rate will remain flat. As property values also dropped slightly this year for the first time since 2011, property taxes will go down for many people.
Funding will also be restored for services such as Animal Services and the Public Library, both of which saw cuts during last year’s budget. Also on Arlington’s agenda with this budget is additional investments in public safety, street maintenance and enhanced technology for 9-1-1 Dispatch, the Municipal Court and public parks.
Regarding public safety, the budget expects to earmark $1.1 million to increase the police department’s fleet by 10 patrol vehicles and 65 combined first responders and police officers will now be paid through the city’s general fund after their salaries previously being funded by grants.
Other improvements the city expects will come through information technology investments which are expected to add up to $4.6 million in total. That money will go into areas such as a beginning phase to replace the current computer-aided dispatch system for emergency calls along with adding video cameras in parking lots at some public parks.
On the flip side, the budget also forewarns small increases in residents’ water and wastewater rates and garbage and recycling collection rates, but no increases in the stormwater fee. The city also expects to eliminate 22 already vacant positions in 2027, saying most of the positions were in Convention and Event Services and will not impact current levels of city service.
Arlington’s City Council will vote on the budget and property tax rate in September after a series of public meetings, including town halls scheduled for Aug. 13 and Aug. 26, 2026. A video produced by the city explaining the budget has also been released and can be watched below.