Flower Mound proposes $4.9M in decision packages for public safety and parks

The Flower Mound Town Council held a work session on August 21, 2025, focusing on the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The meeting began with a review of capital project funds, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy fund balance, which is projected to exceed $155 million. Council members discussed the necessity of ensuring that ongoing expenditures do not surpass ongoing revenues, a principle that currently holds true across all funds.

The budget presentation highlighted various revenue sources, including property tax, sales tax, and miscellaneous revenues, with property tax contributing 22% and sales tax 13% to the overall budget. Expenditures were categorized, revealing that 32% of the budget is allocated to personnel costs, with significant portions also directed towards contractual services and capital outlay.

A notable concern raised during the session was the debt service fund, which requires attention to align with financial policies. To address this, the council proposed increasing transfers from the fire district fund to cover debt related to fire stations.

The budget also included discussions on decision packages, which are specific funding requests for various projects. This year, decision packages accounted for 0.2% of the budget, while new capital projects represented 34%, largely due to voter-approved bonds. Key focus areas for these projects include public safety, parks and recreation, infrastructure, and economic development.

Among the proposed decision packages, funding for a new asset management analyst position in public works was highlighted, aimed at improving capital project tracking. Additionally, the police department requested funding for enhanced encryption systems to protect sensitive information during communications, addressing concerns about confidentiality and interoperability with neighboring agencies.

The council also discussed the Independence Fest, a community event, which was initially proposed to be funded from the Parks 4B sales tax fund. However, due to procedural oversights, it was recommended to remove this funding until proper approvals are secured.

Economic development initiatives were also on the agenda, with plans to utilize hotel occupancy tax funds to promote tourism and attract businesses to Flower Mound. A tree rebate program was proposed to encourage residents to plant native trees, contributing to the town's environmental goals.

In conclusion, the work session underscored the council's commitment to fiscal responsibility while addressing community needs through strategic budgeting. The discussions set the stage for further refinement of the budget as the council prepares for the upcoming fiscal year, with an emphasis on balancing service delivery and financial stability.