Glenn Heights adopts $35.3 million 2025–26 budget and ratifies property tax revenue increase

The Glenn Heights City Council on Sept. 16 voted unanimously to adopt the city's fiscal year 2025–26 budget and to ratify a property‑tax revenue increase reflected in that budget.

City Manager Clifford Blackwell told the council the revised operating budget brings total combined operating funds to $35,318,466 with total revenues of $34,706,200. He said the general fund is balanced with about $15.1 million in revenues and $15,095,476 in expenditures before one‑time items, and that one‑time items totaling $580,381 would be funded from fund balance, leaving an estimated reserve equivalent to 282 days of operating expenses. "Staff recommends funding approval for the fiscal year 25, 26 budget," Blackwell said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the adopted budget sets spending and service levels for the coming fiscal year, including staffing and capital priorities. Council and staff said the plan maintains current service levels, adds prorated personnel during the year, and includes investments in grounds maintenance and public‑safety equipment.

Key details the city manager presented: - Revised combined operating funds: $35,318,466 (total operating combined funds). - Total revenues shown to fund operations: $34,706,200. - General fund: $15,100,000 in total revenues and $15,095,476 in total expenditures prior to one‑time items. - One‑time items funded from fund balance: $580,381. - Estimated reserve: about 282 days (city policy requires 60 days). - Water and sewer fund revised revenues and expenditures were presented to meet the fund's reserve policy; drainage fund changes are limited to personnel step increases.

Blackwell reviewed supplemental requests the council considered during budget workshops, including phased hiring (a fire marshal and additional dispatcher prorated into the year), a property technician and grounds worker added later in the fiscal year, and a Lexipol subscription for the police department at $16,006. He also described a plan to move police and fire frontline pay ranges to 100% of the market range beginning in November, and step increases tied to employee anniversary dates. Council members asked questions about the city's ability to meet financial obligations; Blackwell responded that, barring unexpected events, the budget is structured to meet obligations.

Record votes: Ordinance O‑14‑25 adopting the FY2025–26 budget was approved 6–0. Later in the meeting the council adopted Resolution R‑27‑25 to ratify the property‑tax revenue increase that appears in the adopted budget; Blackwell noted that "even though the tax rate physically went down, we still recognize an increase in tax revenue for this budget." That resolution passed 6–0.

What comes next: The adopted ordinance is the formal budget adoption for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The council directed staff on public communications; council members requested information graphics and social‑media materials to explain the tax information to residents.

Ending: Councilmembers voting in favor were Garrett, Bruton, Hale, Lightfoot, Binford and Mayor Sonya A. Brown; the motions passed by unanimous roll‑call. The city manager and finance staff will implement the budget and return to council with any required follow‑ups or updates.