Denison council adopts FY 2026 budget after heated debate over fire staffing and grant timing

The Denison City Council adopted the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget on a 5-2 roll call after several hours of public comment and council debate about fire-department staffing, pay adjustments and reliance on a federal SAFER hiring grant.

The budget ordinance, presented by Miss Alsaba, city staff, was adopted after a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Adams and second by Councilman Thorn. The council voted to approve an ordinance adopting the City of Denison budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2026. Mayor Pro Tem Adams, Council member Court Wright, Council member Thorn and Mayor Robert Crowley voted yes; Council member Massey and Council member Thomas voted no.

Why it matters: The adopted budget assumes the current tax rate and does not include a property-tax rate increase. Council members and residents warned that the budget’s removal of a market adjustment for city employees and the delay of hiring for a planned fire station could hurt retention and public safety. Opponents urged the council to find alternative funding or accept a tax increase to cover the department’s needs.

Council heard that the budget is built using the current tax rate of 0.712034 and that state law requires adopting a budget before adopting a tax rate. Miss Alsaba said the presented budget “is based on our current…