Coppell staff presents proposed FY26 balanced budget with targeted transfers, modest operating growth

The City of Coppell on Monday received a presentation of the proposed fiscal year 2026 general fund and debt-service budgets, which staff described as balanced and designed to maintain current service levels while using one-time fund balance for council-directed projects.

Finance staff member Kim said, “The proposed budget is a balanced budget,” and explained the presentation will first cover expenditures, then revenues and property valuations. The proposed general fund operating expenditures total about $76.1 million, up 2.33% from the adopted FY25 operating level after excluding one-time transfers, while total proposed expenditures (including one-time uses) are $83.8 million compared with $105.5 million in FY25.

Staff emphasized key drivers and policy choices. The proposed budget assumes property tax revenue will increase by 3.499% (the limit created by recent state law) and assumes the city must continue budgeting sales tax as if the local rule 3.334 remains in effect while litigation continues. The plan also includes a council-directed one-time transfer of $5.5 million from the general fund to the municipal drainage utility district (DUD) and $2.2 million in Vision 2040 one-time initiatives. Kim noted some staff reductions are proposed but said all are vacant positions.

Budget highlights presented department by department: public safety budgets (fire and police) were mostly flat, with targeted reclassifications and…