[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6481251,"mediaKeyId","5776748-002730deffc8c1de40f7d8307c659eb7","parentId",5776748,"title","Sunnyvale adopts 2025–26 budget, funds three firefighters and approves modest tax increase","audioSeconds",4155,"startMs",896000,"endMs",5051000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776748-002730deffc8c1de40f7d8307c659eb7&start=896&end=5051","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776748-002730deffc8c1de40f7d8307c659eb7/thumbnail_896000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6481251/Sunnyvale/Dallas-County/Texas/Sunnyvale-adopts-202526-budget-funds-three-firefighters-and-approves-modest-tax-increase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481251-67d37100856e5af44b45a3b18504ed99/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873258&Signature=c0r3PDCPKR5ddxJ-aYIPxFprKxEVHqvx2jElzuew2b6mvsImgSg1mU355WJKtKv~1dMI~lRQ-6IC4LD~HHQYJ6qlrxUTbr1EwqJLXntrwlMeJ2PV9YtutdTc35hOOfTvDTolqjnmBFZCsxScfSq3iJaoYc~iClVX~CEKHWaRwtSZZeKDf5tROUrIx5~5tEAg6vvmaSJlUbwtHXEG0RriCIMgVci8y7o1DXw8Xofp6marJAkHCiCefrv9xPh7agTMP3kHGYsKRxjNaw72Z5Sl7Am~qBJK4uLB0VQkMs5c~g8nGc0E1QCK4rRodA8cINiO0cBX6wa-KjzWzNDs~D9sdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sunnyvale","date","2025-09-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Sunnyvale Town Council on Sept. 15 adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approved a 3.5 percent pay increase for all employees and voted to raise the property tax rate as part of a package of actions to fund ongoing operations and capital projects.

On separate votes the council approved: (1) the annual budget and a $220,000 appropriation to add three full‑time fire department positions to improve minimum on‑apparatus staffing (motion carried 5‑2); (2) an ordinance adopting a tax rate of 0.4630 per $100 of assessed valuation (motion carried 5‑2); and (3) a statutory ratification of the budget revenue increase tied to the adopted rate (motion carried 5‑2). Councilmembers recorded those votes in roll calls following the motions.

Staff presented the budget as balanced for the fiscal year while showing projected revenues of about $73,900,000 and projected expenditures of about $87,200,000, reflecting bond proceeds and planned capital spending in the construction/bond funds. The adopted budget funds the $36,000,000 certificates of obligation approved earlier in the meeting, provides a 3.5 percent pay increase for all employees (including police and fire) and extends the fire pay scale to 10 steps so top‑out firefighters also receive the 3.5 percent increase. Staff said the budget also assumes an 8.5 percent water and sewer rate increase and a 4.9 percent trash increase already discussed earlier in the meeting.

Council debate focused on public safety staffing and compensation. The fire chief told the council that current funded positions are filled but that additional staffing is needed to ensure minimum on‑apparatus staffing when personnel are absent; the requested three positions were described as providing one additional person per shift to preserve a four‑person engine crew in common absence scenarios. Council voted to fund those three positions at an estimated recurring cost of about $220,000.

The police department had earlier withdrawn a separate request for one additional officer; staff told the council that police currently have two unfilled positions and are actively recruiting. Staff estimated the cost for a single additional police position at about $70,000 plus benefits (~$82,000) but said the department’s specific request was not funded in the adopted budget.

Councilmembers and staff discussed compensation policy. Lily (Human Resources) said she will conduct a comprehensive compensation study and return with midyear recommendations. Staff reiterated that using fund balance to pay ongoing recurring costs is not recommended; staff noted the town’s general fund balance equates to about 97 days of operating reserves under the current policy (the utility fund policy is higher, at about 120 days). Councilmembers discussed midyear options, the town’s recent sales‑tax gains from new businesses and the possibility of adjusting compensation later in the fiscal year if revenues exceed conservative projections.

Capital project discussions tied to the budget included an $8,000,000 allocation for Jobson Park work and a $5,000,000 allocation for an animal shelter shown in the bond plan. Staff said those allocations are preliminary and the bond was structured for flexibility so money can be reallocated among projects if final bids differ from estimates. KSA is the consultant working on preliminary animal shelter designs; staff said the current 2021 designs call for a facility similar in size to the present shelter and that the final design and bids will be returned to council for review.

Public comments included a speaker from animal control who described current kennel capacity and operational constraints; staff and design consultants said further design work and bids are needed to determine final scope and cost. The adopted budget will be implemented and staff will return to council with midyear compensation study results and project bid outcomes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sunnyvale - Special Town Council","oneSentenceSummary","The Sunnyvale Town Council adopted the fiscal 2025–26 budget, approved a 3.5% across‑the‑board pay increase, added funding for three full‑time firefighters and voted to raise the property tax rate to 0.4630. Council approved budget and tax ratification items with 5‑2 votes on key motions.","taxTitle","Sunnyvale, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",69453,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6481256,"Sunnyvale council approves wastewater rate adjustments tied to Texas Water Development Board increases",164,734000,898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776748-002730deffc8c1de40f7d8307c659eb7&start=734&end=898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776748-002730deffc8c1de40f7d8307c659eb7/thumbnail_734000.jpg","/articles/6481256/Sunnyvale/Dallas-County/Texas/Sunnyvale-council-approves-wastewater-rate-adjustments-tied-to-Texas-Water-Development-Board-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481256-82ca6657a84124fd6ec2f58b3ddf9040/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873258&Signature=PycIpSpchZRUxtTdlI0l7hORFmp~Hf4l8ZijNMmgrXsUz5uJOML-t8tHT9J6li0UMi47gPr3ROzW5QSzR4THauEz~yjSGq~t34gXYH9MKxGXhOzthFIoxy7f9QUqi9AE-WIIpBEWNhilBU2TcJNqVc~zKS7nza4SVYsLXTJ~9XZ7S8olohPVPS2IUNuDD0ExBRCg3pRmfjUTGlYmEZjmaYcl8yOPogLHQ6ZccA8vCBj3lYMRDLVtjaWqc3nEhA-WVQPDsm1I0jmXv99mC5aEKEghk1foR0Y1GXRuK4U0H6XQVAW4AJTggnNRqHGOAfIwmE94aKKpneXJ6GJFzkZ~ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sunnyvale Town Council voted 7‑0 on Sept. 15 to approve the second reading of an ordinance amending the town’s fee schedule for utility‑related fees, including wastewater and sewer rates.

Finance staff (Mikayla/Michaela) told the council the change reflects an increase from the Texas Water Development Board that will affect the town this year and is expected again next year. Staff said the town’s consultant reviewed the fees and that the council should expect an 8.5 percent increase this year and another 8.5 percent next year, with a lower projected increase later in the five‑year forecast (a figure near 6 percent was presented for later years).

Staff said the rate update also supports the debt service from the certificates of obligation the council approved earlier in the meeting. A council member reiterated that the increase comes from the water facility and associated debt and is not a discretionary new town tax or fee being imposed by council.

There were no public speakers on the item and the council approved the ordinance on second reading by voice vote 7‑0.","On second reading the council approved changes to the town fee schedule that staff said reflect rate increases from the Texas Water Development Board and support utility projects and recent bond financing; vote was 7‑0.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6481261,"Sunnyvale approves $36 million certificates of obligation after strong investor demand",539,194000,733000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776748-002730deffc8c1de40f7d8307c659eb7&start=194&end=733","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776748-002730deffc8c1de40f7d8307c659eb7/thumbnail_194000.jpg","/articles/6481261/Sunnyvale/Dallas-County/Texas/Sunnyvale-approves-36-million-certificates-of-obligation-after-strong-investor-demand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481261-ecc63065f52be3abf0640dd182218f64/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873258&Signature=Mk6QKYOlXeDz4YxwluB0h0Z7cgT9-SZmmMNeQczgZ80oFqZwAAOC11aDMaF9x8JLnDKQ7hesDgNE-ua-VxHPzUYQWFEOBSQmRy9HGaSiyU4LAvZsBSyjHxPVlnnW2qBNX94bW-kQM84aykzSwTME9PDbh3A3l4I1yqp4xjsBZJ4R9jHbqUdHA7c2-nOr~iqTnNY2QS08Lk36UcQywBSXYlSsGZG~hFsauafzLuTNIqP7eUX4Q4BD2STnI1hoBJVv2CUo6GcXhwe2d3C6w2Mb4~xzO0I1FPtWnY11N1vctr0uif87WE9V1kb~XMv~Gdy3-nheEMaCaFGq~F5wHrTnUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sunnyvale’s Town Council voted unanimously on Sept. 15 to authorize the sale of combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation series 2025 that will fund a package of utilities, parks and facilities projects.

Council approved Ordinance 2025‑17 by voice vote, 7‑0. Presenters told the council that investor demand allowed the town to sell the certificates at a premium so the par amount the town will repay was reduced to $33,810,000; that principal plus the premium will provide the town roughly $36,000,000 into the project fund. Eric Maha of Hilltop (presenting as the town’s financing advisor) said the sale produced an all‑in true interest cost of about 4.36 percent.

Maha said underwriters for the transaction were Frost Bank (lead), BOK Financial and Raymond James. He told the council that orders significantly exceeded the amount offered: the packet shows investor orders totaling roughly $106.3 million for $36.0 million of certificates. A copy of the town’s rating report presented to the council shows the town’s rating was affirmed at AA+. Closing of the transaction is scheduled for Oct. 15, according to the presentation.

Councilmember Clark thanked staff and the underwriting team for the outcome. Town staff noted the proceeds will be used on a mix of utility, parks and facility projects and that the town structured the sale to allow flexibility among project uses if actual bid costs differ from estimates.

The presentation included timing and payment information: the packet shows the first debt service payment beginning in February 2026 and an annual payment schedule through final maturity, and it notes the town would have the option to retire or refinance the certificates early. The specific callable/refinance date stated in the presentation was unclear in the transcript of the meeting packet.

The council vote on the ordinance was recorded as a 7‑0 approval. With council approval, staff will file the documents with the attorney general and proceed to closing on Oct. 15.","The Sunnyvale Town Council on Sept. 15 approved an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of $36 million in combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation. Presenters said the certificates sold at a premium and produced an all‑in true interest cost near 4.36%; the closing is scheduled for Oct. 15.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sunnyvale adopts 2025–26 budget, funds three firefighters and approves modest tax increase

Sunnyvale council approves wastewater rate adjustments tied to Texas Water Development Board increases

Sunnyvale approves $36 million certificates of obligation after strong investor demand