Even with a proposed hike in Fort Worth's property tax rate, city officials said the typical homeowner could still owe a little less to the city in 2027, as home appraisals have leveled off while the city works to cover a growing budget deficit.
That unusual combination means residents may pay less on paper while still feeling the effects of a tighter budget through service cuts, delayed projects, and higher fees in other areas.
What's happening?
To address a projected $94 million shortfall for 2027, City Manager Jay Chapa is proposing a 3.2-cent increase in Fort Worth's property tax rate, which would bring the city levy to 70.2 cents per $100 of valuation, according to the Fort Worth Report as reported by KERA News.
City projections show the higher rate would add more than $18 million in property tax revenue to help support the $1.1 billion general fund that pays for core services. Still, Chapa told council members that the average homeowner's city property tax bill would decline by $21.34, to $1,630.48, because the average home value fell from $246,000 to $232,000.
The budget hole grew from an earlier estimate of $77 million after city staff revised revenue and expense projections. One major reason was weaker-than-expected property tax appraisals: Total taxable valuations rose by just 0.89%, well below the 2% to 3% growth staff had anticipated.
The City Council has set an Aug. 26 public hearing on the proposed budget and a Sept. 15 hearing on the tax rate, with votes expected immediately afterward.
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Why does it matter?
Fort Worth is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and that growth is putting increasing strain on public safety, infrastructure, public spaces, and neighborhood maintenance.
Chapa said staff had been considering "pretty hard community impacts like closing libraries, like closing community centers" before deciding to move ahead with a tax rate increase. Without additional revenue, Fort Worth was weighing cuts that could limit access to gathering spaces and educational resources.
The proposed budget still includes reductions that could be felt across the city. The Fort Worth Report said those include cutting 51 positions, leaving some vacant roles unfilled, scaling back mowing on public property, reducing the fire department's HOPE homeless outreach team, trimming Mobile Toolshed funding, and ending the volunteer Code Ranger program.
What's being done?
To close the gap, the city is combining the proposed tax increase with other steps, including fee hikes, spending cuts, and moving some costs into internal funds, the Fort Worth Report said.
The proposal would continue several major priorities. The Fort Worth Report said public safety — 57% of the general fund — would still receive expanded support through police pay raises, a placeholder 8.5% firefighter pay increase tied to negotiations, 77 police cadets in training, and full support for an Axon 911 translation pilot handling calls in more than 70 languages.
The proposal also would give all general fund employees a 3% raise in April 2027 and continue the city's PayGo infrastructure fund. Still, the Fort Worth Report said Chapa warned appraisal uncertainty could push the city's next bond program to 2031 and probably make it smaller.
"One of the goals we had was to not impact public safety," Chapa said.
But Council member Elizabeth Beck warned that "Code Rangers has a long-term impact on the cleanliness of our city," adding of the Mobile Toolshed cut, "I think it cascades."
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