Euless presents FY2026 budget with proposed water rate, stormwater and tax changes; council sets final vote for Aug. 18

City staff presented the City of Euless proposed fiscal year 2025–26 operating and capital budgets during an Aug. 4 public hearing, outlining proposed changes to utility rates, stormwater fees and the property tax rate. After the hearing, the City Council voted to place the budget ordinance on the Aug. 18 agenda for final consideration.

The presentation, delivered by Finance Director/Controller Melissa Jewell, summarized revenues, operating expenses and capital requests across multiple city funds. Jewell said the proposed property tax rate is 47.6466 cents per $100 of valuation, split into 38.9 cents for maintenance and operations and 8.7 cents for debt service. She said the city’s “no new revenue” rate calculates to 46.73 cents. The council was told the proposed rate is below the voter-approval rate.

Jewell outlined specific utility and fee changes in the budget presentation. The Water and Wastewater Fund would reflect a $1 increase to the standard base meter charge for residential customers and an increase to volume charges to cover higher pass-through costs from suppliers and treatment: an increase of $0.47 per 1,000 gallons described for water collection costs and $0.54 per 1,000 gallons noted for Trinity River Authority wastewater pass-through charges. The presentation also proposed a one-year rebate of $0.75 per 1,000 gallons for residential customers using up to 15,000 gallons monthly, subject to annual review.

On stormwater, the budget presentation proposed a 50-cent increase for single-family residential customers; staff discussed corresponding adjustments for commercial impervious-acre fees during the presentation.

Jewell also described transfers to capital improvement programs: the water and wastewater fund’s annual contribution for line replacement would rise by $25,000 to $1.15 million, and the general fund transfer for annual street improvements would increase by $75,000 to $1.2 million. The presentation listed proposed capital projects including curb-and-gutter drainage improvements, street projects, traffic signals and various water and wastewater line replacements. Jewell said the draft budget maintains required reserve levels and funds 20 sworn police officers through the Crime Control and Prevention District allocations presented earlier in the meeting.

During the public hearing, resident Daryl Easton of Fayette Drive urged clearer budget presentation and expressed concern about rising city debt, saying the city's total debt had increased in recent years and that the budget documents are difficult for citizens to reconcile with the city’s audited statements.

After the public comment period, Councilmember Perry Bynum moved and Mayor Martin seconded a motion to place the proposed FY2026 budget ordinance on the Aug. 18 City Council meeting for consideration; the motion passed unanimously.

The council will take the final vote on the budget and related tax-and-fee ordinances at the Aug. 18 meeting. The full proposed budget and detailed project lists are posted online and available in the library and the city secretary’s office.