Garland proposes FY 2026–27 budget: taxes, utility bill estimates, and the Bradfield Rec Center/Pool question
Garland’s City Council received the proposed FY 2026–27 operating budget during a July 6 work session, and the city posted its budget overview on July 10. If adopted as proposed, residents would see a proposed property tax rate of 67.09 cents per $100 of taxable value, a typical residential utility bill increase of about $7.13 per month, and additional staffing aimed at public safety and core city services.
Separately, the budget package keeps a decision open on whether to decommission the Bradfield Recreation Center and Bradfield Pool. City staff estimates the near-term repairs needed to keep the facilities viable, plus annual operating costs, would be substantial—though both facilities would remain open while council takes public input.
Taxes: a proposed rate of 67.09 cents, plus a November voter call
The proposed FY 2026–27 budget is built on a property tax rate of 67.09 cents per $100 of taxable value—about one cent lower than the current rate.
City staff say that rate direction depends on a November tax rate election. The city’s budget explanation says voters would be asked to shift three cents of the tax rate from debt service to maintenance and operations. Council is scheduled to hold a final public hearing and consider adopting the proposed budget and calling the election on Aug. 17.
Utilities: estimated +$7.13/month for a typical residential customer, no electric-rate change
The city’s budget preview includes utility rate adjustments expected to affect monthly bills for an “average residential customer.” Under the proposal, the average monthly residential utility bill would increase by about $7.13.
According to the budget preview presentation, the proposed changes break down across these base service line items: water, sewer service, trash collection, and stormwater. Electric rates set by Garland Power & Light are not proposed to change.
Important context for residents: the $7.13 figure is an estimate tied to usage assumptions shown in the presentation (for example, electric rates are modeled using 1,200 kWh per month, while water and sewer rates use average-gallon assumptions). Individual bills could differ.
What the budget funds: staffing adds aimed at core services
City officials describe the FY 2026–27 plan as focused on financial stability and core services. The proposed budget totals $1.028 billion overall, including a $271.6 million general fund that supports day-to-day operations.
Within public safety and city services, the proposal would add staffing including:
- Nine firefighters
- Ten police officers
- Eight emergency dispatchers
- Additional staff for Animal Services, Code Compliance, Municipal Court, and Parks
The budget overview also points to a $5 million investment in neighborhood revitalization and additional resources to support new city facilities built through recent bond programs.
Bradfield Recreation Center and Pool: decommissioning remains under consideration
As part of council’s budget discussions, Garland will continue considering a proposal to decommission the Bradfield Recreation Center and Bradfield Pool. The city’s budget overview notes the facilities opened in 1975 and would require significant investment to address aging infrastructure and building systems that have reached the end of their useful life.
Staff estimates approximately $2.2 million would be needed for near-term repairs, in addition to nearly $650,000 in annual operating costs. Even with that planning information on the table, the city says residents still have multiple opportunities to provide input before any final decision, and both facilities remain open with normal hours.
What’s next for residents
Before any final vote, Garland scheduled several meetings tied to the budget process:
- Saturday, July 25: budget workshop
- Tuesday, Aug. 4: public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate
- Tuesday, Aug. 11: second public hearing and city council discussion
- Monday, Aug. 17: final public hearing and scheduled consideration of adoption of the FY 2026–27 budget and the call for a November tax rate election
For residents trying to plan ahead, the key near-term questions are straightforward: whether council adopts the proposed staffing plan, how the tax rate election would shift three cents from debt service to maintenance and operations, and whether council moves toward decommissioning Bradfield’s recreation facilities despite the current plans to keep them open during the public input period.
Sources
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