Arlington Mayor Jim Ross speaks during a City Council meeting Sept. 15 in the council chambers. The council approved the 2027 fiscal year budget.
The Arlington City Council voted unanimously to adopt the fiscal year 2027 operating budget at Tuesday’s meeting.
The council also voted to keep the property tax rate at the amount it was raised to last year. Council members Brittney Garcia-Dumas and Jason Shelton voted against the resolution, wanting to raise the tax further.
Shelton said he didn’t want to raise the tax for no reason, saying that the increased revenue could go to city services.
Similarly, Garcia-Dumas said she voted against keeping the previous tax rate because it would defer maintenance and grow costs for the taxpayer in the future.
“I want to set Arlington up for a future in which we keep taxes low but also we care for our citizens and make sure that things are provided for them when they need them,” Garcia-Dumas said.
Property taxes remain one of the city’s largest sources of revenue.
Spenser Slider, Arlington director of finance and chief financial officer, speaks to City Council members during a meeting Sept. 15 in the council chambers. Slider discussed the finalization of the budget for fiscal year 2027.
Raul Gonzalez, council member and mayor pro tempore, said the city did not need to raise taxes because they were raised last year. He also said last year’s budget helped prepare the city for this year.
“We were ahead of the game, and that’s what it is,” Gonzalez said.
The $786.2 million operating budget consists of adjustments to utility rates, according to the fiscal year 2027 proposed budget and business plan.
For the average residential household, water utilities will increase approximately $61.20 per year, and garbage rates will increase about $8.16 per year, according to previous Shorthorn reporting. Stormwater fees will remain unchanged, and property tax rates will decrease by about $74.17.
Overall, the average household in Arlington will see an annual decrease of $4.81, or around 40 cents less per month, for city services, according to previous Shorthorn reporting.
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