Cleburne council adopts FY2026 budget, sets tax rate at $0.612548 per $100 and ratifies revenue increase

The City of Cleburne City Council on Tuesday adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget, voted to set the 2025 ad valorem tax rate at 0.612548 per $100 of assessed value and ratified the property‑tax revenue increase required by state law. Each action passed unanimously following required public hearings and a citizen comment.

During a public hearing on the proposed tax rate, resident Kim Jones urged the council to limit tax increases and encouraged wider civic engagement, saying it is “the hardest thing ever—balancing the needs of the community and the finances that it takes to do it.” Mayor Scott Kane thanked her and described the long‑running structural issues underlying property tax levels, saying, “it is a shame that in the great state of Texas we have to rent from our government,” and noting the city’s portion of an average property tax bill is roughly 23 to 24 percent.

City staff presented the proposed budget and tax rate. The proposed tax rate the council adopted is 0.612548 per $100 of assessed value; staff and the mayor used the state‑required wording and calculations during the motion to set the rate. Staff said the proposed rate represents an increase over the no‑new‑revenue rate and thus required the public hearing and statutory language.

Key points in the FY2026 budget presentation: citywide revenues are projected to increase by about $6.2 million compared with FY2025, mostly from sales tax growth, property‑tax revenue and charges for service; the budget includes approximately $5.1 million for maintenance projects (street and waterline maintenance) and $2.2 million in supplemental general‑fund requests including aesthetic and safety enhancements at Don Moore Field and acquisition of a pothole truck. The budget incorporates the implementation of a compensation and classification study, a 1 percent cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for staff, and funding for 12 new full‑time positions, two new part‑time positions and two regraded positions. Staff estimated the average homeowner (median home value cited as $186,000) would pay an additional $4.83 per month under the adopted package, per the presentation.

Staff also discussed increases in health insurance premiums (approximately $1.1 million) and rising retirement contribution costs (TMRS and firefighter relief fund contributions cited in staff presentation as increasing to roughly 19.09% and 25.09%, respectively, producing about $450,000 in additional retirement costs). Council members discussed employee compensation and the ongoing classification study; Councilman John Warren requested the study’s outcome and further consideration of midyear adjustments if necessary.

The formal votes: Councilman Derek Weathers moved to approve the FY2026 budget (item 9.2); Blake Jones seconded; the council then took a roll‑call vote and approved the budget unanimously. Council then set the tax rate at 0.612548 per $100 (item 9.3) using the statutorily required language and a separate recorded vote; the motion and second carried unanimously. Finally, the council ratified the property‑tax revenue increase required by state law (item 9.4); that motion also passed unanimously.

Authorities and legal context: staff said the public hearing and separate vote on the tax rate were required under Chapter 26 of the Texas Tax Code because the proposed rate exceeds the no‑new‑revenue rate. Staff noted the council had earlier adopted a resolution of intent in August to set a rate not to exceed 0.612548 and that required notices were published in the Cleburne Times‑Review.

Clarifying details: proposed tax rate adopted 0.612548 per $100 valuation; staff estimated an average monthly impact to an $186,000 home of about $4.83; budget includes funding for infrastructure maintenance and classified compensation adjustments; the budget and tax votes were taken separately in compliance with state law. All votes were recorded and unanimous.

Votes and motions (summary): 9.2 Adopt FY2026 budget — motion by Derek Weathers, second by Blake Jones; roll‑call: Weathers — yes; Jones — yes; Cosby — yes; Warren — yes; Mayor Kane — yes; outcome: approved. 9.3 Set 2025 ad valorem tax rate at 0.612548 per $100 — motion in required state language (resulting effective increase described in the motion as 5.35% per the required calculation); second by John Warren; roll call unanimous. 9.4 Ratify property‑tax revenue increase — motion by Derek Weathers; second by John Warren; roll call unanimous.