Southlake council approves first-reading budget, moves to cut city tax rate by 1 cent

The Southlake City Council on Tuesday approved on first reading the city's revised 2025 budget and the proposed 2026 budget and voted 5-2 to set a preliminary property tax rate of 0.295, a reduction of one cent from the current rate.

City Manager Allison Orkowski and Chief Financial Officer Sharon Jackson presented the budget package, telling the council the proposal reduces the tax rate while preserving services and funding capital needs. Jackson described the rate change as a deliberate step to provide relief to residents while continuing to invest in infrastructure and public safety. "The 20 sixth budget proposes reducing the property tax rate by 1 cent 95, again, which is a 1 tax rate reduction," Jackson said during her presentation.

The proposal includes continued use of a 20% homestead exemption, several targeted exemptions for seniors and disabled residents and a mix of cash funding and short-term certificates of…