Tuesday night, the City of Fort Worth approved its $3.33 billion budget and tax rate increase for the 2027 fiscal year.<\/p>\n
The city said the growing population of more than a million people and the deteriorating property tax landscape locally and across Texas are attributed to the way the budget looks.<\/p>\n
Fort Worth City Council approved the FY 2027 budget. \u2014 City of Fort Worth (@CityofFortWorth) September 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n “These are tough decisions, but as your mayor of the city in 2026, we\u2019re going to be okay,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker.<\/p>\n In a vote 7-to-4, the Fort Worth City Council approved a $3.33 billion budget. It’s an increase of of 10.81% about $241 million up from the 2026 fiscal year budget, according to the city. <\/p>\n \u201cAffordability in this country is the topic of conversation around every kitchen table around every city. And it should be inflation, cost of living. Your salaries are stagnant. All of those things we have to take into consideration. But we still have to be a top ten city. We still have to provide police and police and fire services, build sidewalks and streetlights,” said Parker before the vote as she thanked city staff.<\/p>\n They also agreed to an increased property tax rate.<\/p>\n The current rate is 67 cents; the increase adds 3.565 cents to make it $0.70565 per $100 valuation. The city claims that, even with the higher tax rate, the tax bill on the average property will decrease by $8.19 because of the changes in taxable value of $13,616.<\/p>\n In other words, according to a city example, a house valued at $246,541 at the tax rate of $.067 during fiscal year 2026 paid $1,651.82. In fiscal year 2027, the home, which decreased by nearly $13,616, would have a value of $232,925, and with a tax rate of $.070565 would pay $1,643.64.<\/p>\n Fort Worth said the population growth is not translating into increased values and property tax revenue, “largely due to a new reappraisal plan implemented by the Tarrant Appraisal District, which has not reappraised residential property since 2024,” said the city in a news release. It said the number of property tax protest increasing every year, also contributing.<\/p>\n The city had to close a $94 million gap. There were some programs that were on the chopping block were reinstated. Fort Worth said that includes a PetSmart satellite adoption center in Alliance. It also includes employee positions to avoid service disruption. The city said it also restored employee Pay for Performance increases in the 4-4.5% range to be paid out in mid-year, in April 2027. Putting this back in place cost about $4.09 million.<\/p>\n Those who voted in favor of the budget and tax rate included Mayor Mattie Parker, District 2 Council Member Carlos Flores, District 5 Council Member Deborah Peoples, District 6 Council Member Dr. Mia Hall, District 8 Council Member Chris Nettles, District 9 Council Member Elizabeth Beck, and District 11 Council Member Jeanette Martinez.<\/p>\n Four people voted no, including District 3 Council Member Michael Crain, District 4 Council Member Charles Lauersdorf, District 7 Council Member Macy Hill, and District 10 Council Member Chris Jamieson.<\/p>\n “Voting for the budget ensures that we do not disrupt critical funding, essential safety operations for the men and women who protect our neighborhoods every single day. However, supporting public safety does not require raising taxes. I acknowledge that the city faces a budget shortfall, but that deficit should not be solved on the backs of our hardworking taxpayers,” said Hill. <\/p>\n To see the city’s full budget click here<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
The approved operating budget is $3.33 billion. This year\u2019s budget is shaped by an increase in population growth, and by the deteriorating property tax landscape locally and across Texas.
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