Fort Worth City Council Approves FY2026 Budget with Key Increases in Public Safety and Community Development

Strategic Insights -

The Fort Worth City Council has approved the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) budget, which reflects a $300 million increase from the FY2025 adopted budget, totaling $3.09 billion. This budget adjustment is driven by the city's growing population, exceeding 1 million people, and the evolving property tax landscape in Texas. The approved operating budget sustains service levels for Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) while adding resources for the Housing Priority Repair Program, Mobile Tool Shed Program, and animal shelters. Additionally, the budget allocates funds for street and park maintenance, aligning with the City Council's Strategic Priorities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The approved operating budget for FY2026 is $3.09 billion, a 10.77% increase from the FY2025 adopted budget of $2.79 billion.
  • The budget increase sustains service levels for Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and adds resources for the Housing Priority Repair Program, Mobile Tool Shed Program, and animal shelters.
  • The General Fund budget has been increased by 4.56% to $1.11 billion, with significant changes including the establishment of a new Emergency Management & Communications Department and redistribution of funding and staff from the former Diversity & Inclusion Department.
  • The public safety budget has been increased to support contractual pay raises, as well as the addition of eight Neighborhood Police Officers (NPOs) and two School Resource Officers (SROs).
  • The FY2026 budget allocates funds for street and park maintenance, totaling $12 million, a 20% increase from the previous year.
  • The City Council's Strategic Priorities, including Economic Development, Community Investment, Community Safety, Infrastructure, and Responsible Growth, have guided the development of the FY2026 budget.

The approved budget for FY2026 allocates $12 million for street maintenance and $6 million for park maintenance, totaling $18 million, a 25% increase from the previous year.

Statistics:

  • FY2026 operating budget: $3.09 billion (10.77% increase from FY2025 adopted budget)
  • General Fund budget: $1.11 billion (4.56% increase from previous year)
  • Public safety budget increase: $18.5 million
  • Neighborhood Police Officers (NPOs) added: 8 new officers
  • School Resource Officers (SROs) added: 2 new officers
  • Property tax rate: $0.6700 (reduction of 1/4 cent from current tax rate of $0.6725)

Sources:

  • Fort Worth City of Fort Worth Texas, "Fort Worth City Council Approves FY2026 Budget" (September 16, 2025)
  • Fort Worth City of Fort Worth Texas, "FY2026 Budget" (September 16, 2025)