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Fort Worth projects $15.2 million FY26 shortfall after April property‑value estimates; state bills could deepen gap
Summary
At a May 13 budget work session Fort Worth staff said April appraisal estimates and expected midyear value loss put the city on track for a roughly $15.2 million FY26 general‑fund shortfall; staff warned two pieces of pending state legislation (HJR1 and SB1008) could reduce revenue further and asked council to plan adjustments.
Fort Worth finance staff told the City Council on May 13 that April property value estimates and anticipated midyear protests have reduced expected FY26 property‑tax revenue and left the general fund with an estimated $15.2 million shortfall heading into budget season.
"We think about 5 and a half percent is gonna come off as value loss between now and July," said Brady, assistant director in the Fort Worth Lab who leads revenue and special‑district analysis, describing how appraisal protests and exemption applications typically reduce the April estimates before final values are certified in July.
Brady said current April values show 8.6 percent growth compared with last July’s roll but that the city cannot capture all of that increase because of the 3.5 percent voter‑approval rate cap for existing properties. He described two near‑term legislative risks: HJR 1, which staff said would raise the business personal‑property exemption from $2,500 to…
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