Fort Worth city council members reviewed a number of proposed increases for next fiscal year during a meeting Friday morning, including a possible 20% increase to residents’ solid waste bills.
According to the presentation, the average monthly charge would increase from $25.75 to about $30.90. For a whole year, the average family could pay more than $60 extra, increasing from $309 to about $370.80.
The presentation states the need for this increase is to build more fund balance for long-range capital needs and to keep closing the gap for the cost of services.
Residents can make their voices heard about the proposed budget at a series of town halls that will be held through Sept. 3. Click here for a list of all the upcoming town halls. Each meeting will include a short presentation followed by a question-and-answer session, according to the city. The meetings will also be livestreamed on the city’s website and YouTube channel.
Other proposed increases could see slight rises in property taxes, stormwater fees, water and wastewater charges, plus a potential 11% increase to environmental fees, from about $27 a year for a household to about $30 a year. The reason given for this increase would be to add an extra UpSpire Crew, two more street sweepers and capital investments to expand the city’s cleanup operations.
In a budget work session earlier this month, City Manager Jay Chapa introduced a revised budget with an even bigger funding hole than previously predicted. Part of the solution includes a tax rate increase and several cuts to programs and positions across the city.
The city’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.