Haslet council reaffirms budget, adopts 0.31545 tax rate after public outcry over proposed benefits and garden

The Haslet City Council voted Sept. 15 to reaffirm its adopted fiscal year 2025-26 budget and to set the cityproperty tax rate at 0.31545 per $100 of assessed value after a public hearing and extended debate. The vote adopts the tax rate that was advertised earlier and represents an effective 5.5% increase compared with the no-new-revenue baseline cited at the hearing.

The discussion centered on proposed additions to the adopted budget: a $1,500,000 recurring placeholder described during the meeting as intended for additional employee pay and benefit stipends, and a $2,750,000 capital project described in packet materials as a community teaching garden/Farmers Market pavilion. Mayor Gary Halsey said the $1.5 million figure was a placeholder that would need to be narrowed and warned it would deplete reserves rapidly if funded. Finance Director Marcy Lamb explained the budget already included a 6% across-the-board pay increase and that the $1.5 million was intended to be refined into a specific program and cost estimate.

Residents spoke during the public hearing opposing reopening the budget and objecting to the garden and expanded benefits. Nicole Ewing and several other speakers told the council they did not support the added spending and urged officials to prioritize core infrastructure and services. Other residents urged better employee compensation and support for public safety staff, illustrating a divided public record.

Council members debated priorities and fiscal prudence before voting. Council motions first addressed whether to reconsider the adopted budget and then whether to adopt the advertised tax rate. After public comment the council approved the previously adopted budget ordinance and then adopted the advertised tax rate of 0.31545 (roll call: Councilman Orrick, yes; Councilman Carruthers, yes; Councilman Watkins, no; Councilman Gilbert, yes; Councilmember Morrow, no). City staff noted the lower tax rate proposed by some council members would reduce annual revenue and slow reserve growth by roughly $323,988 per year compared with the higher rate the mayor presented.

The council directed staff to continue work on the budget details, and to return with documented cost estimates for any newly proposed benefit or capital projects before making final commitments. The council closed the public hearing after receiving written comments and live testimony.

The council's action leaves the city with a formally adopted budget and the tax rate in place for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, 2025; staff were directed to present specific cost and funding details for any new recurring or capital proposals before the council will authorize them.