The Wichita Falls City Council opened a public hearing Aug. 19 on the proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget and approved a resolution to set the date for adoption. Separately, the council approved a motion to place a proposal on its Sept. 2 agenda to consider adopting a property tax rate of 0.6825 per $100 of assessed value.
City finance staff member Steven (presenting the items) explained that state law requires the council to set a hearing and a proposed rate in advance and reviewed the recommended numbers. "Please note, we'd like for you to fill in the blank with this one, with the tax rate 0.6825," Steven said, adding that the figure is lower than the current rate and below the voter-approval rate calculated under state law. Staff also said the proposed rate, combined with higher property appraisals, still results in an increase in total tax revenue this year due to appraisal growth.
Council members discussed the mechanics and future implications of choosing a rate. Staff explained the Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act of 2019 framework and described an "unused increment" provision that can allow the city to use differences in future years. Council then amended the resolution to specify the 0.6825 rate and to schedule Sept. 2 for the formal vote.
A recorded roll‑call-style vote followed the amendment and passage. Mayor Tim Short and council members Brooks, Flack, Browning, Taylor and Battellino stated "Aye" during the recorded sequence; the motion passed. The council also set the date for adoption of the FY2026 budget and closed the public hearing at 9:15 a.m. as required by the city's budget timeline.
Staff said a second public hearing will be held on the date of adoption, giving citizens another opportunity to comment. No final adoption occurred on Aug. 19; the council simply scheduled the adoption vote and the tax‑rate hearing required by state law.