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Fort Worth adopts FY2026 budget and lowers tax rate by a quarter-cent; average homeowner to save about $20
Summary
The City Council approved the fiscal year 2026 budget and set a property tax rate of 67 cents per $100 of taxable value, a quarter-cent reduction from 2024. Council called the change a modest tax relief; staff and council discussed revenue trade-offs and the effect on the typical homeowner.
The Fort Worth City Council approved the city's fiscal year 2026 budget and adopted a property tax rate of 67 cents per $100 of taxable value during its Sept. 16 meeting.
Council Member Flores, who moved the tax ordinance, noted the adopted rate is a reduction of one-quarter cent from 2024, when the city's tax rate was 67.25 cents per $100. "When combined with changes in property values, the average homestead's tax bill for 2025 is projected to be about $20 less than in 2024," Flores said as she introduced the motion adopting the tax rate ordinance.
Nut Graf: Council debated and approved the fiscal 2026 budget and the accompanying tax ordinance. Staff told council the quarter-cent reduction equates to roughly $3 million in foregone city revenue; staff also outlined how different rate choices would affect the average taxpayer.
During the budget discussion, Council Member Nettles asked staff how the quarter-cent reduction affects city revenue. A city staffer reported the quarter-cent reduction reduces city receipts by a little over $3 million. Staff also explained the estimated effect on an average homeowner's bill: the quarter-cent reduction lowers the average homeowner's city tax bill by about $20 per year; adopting the "no new revenue" rate instead of the proposed rate would have reduced the typical bill by about $46 per year.
Council members thanked budget staff and city management for multiple work sessions, outreach and revisions. Council Member Peoples and others praised the staff for responses during the budget hearing and the citywide outreach the council held.
Votes and motions: Council moved, seconded and recorded votes for the budget ordinance and the tax rate ordinance. The transcript records the council adopting the FY26 budget (M&C 25-5445) and adopting the tax rate (M&C 25-5441) with council votes recorded as carried.
Ending: The budget takes effect for fiscal 2026 and the tax rate will be applied to property valuations per state schedule; council members said they will continue monitoring budget priorities and community feedback through town halls and district meetings.
Note: State law requires specific motion language when a proposed rate differs from the "no new revenue" rate; the council's motion used the statutorily required phrasing while noting the adopted rate is a quarter-cent lower than last year.
