Euless council adopts FY2026 budget, raises tax rate and approves drainage, water and wastewater changes

The Euless City Council on Aug. 18 adopted the fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget and approved a new property tax rate that reflects an increase from the prior year.

The council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 24-32, the city operating and capital budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and to ratify the property tax increase reflected in that budget. Finance Director Janina Jewell said the FY26 operating budget totals $9,485,864 for the Euless Development Corporation and that the overall city budget is based on a tax rate of 47.6466 cents per $100 of assessed value — an increase of 2.9766 cents from the current rate. Council also adopted Ordinance 24-33 levying the tax rate and Ordinance 24-34 adopting the Tarrant Appraisal District tax roll; all votes passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Council members and staff said the budget supports public safety, utilities, and capital projects while keeping reserves. Jewell told the council the budget funds 24-hour police and fire protection, maintenance of more than 300 acres of parks, library holdings and street maintenance. The proposed tax-rate increase was presented as necessary to fund the…