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 adopted budget; staff emphasized the rate is below the voter-approval threshold.

Key details: Jewell said taxable assessed value rose about $7 million (roughly 0.1%) for a total taxable value near $6.26 billion and that the tax rate includes an interest-and-sinking component and a maintenance-and-operations component. She noted the average homeowner would pay about $1,294 at the proposed rate (staff provided comparisons and exemptions, including a 20% homestead exemption and a 35,000 senior exemption). The council separately moved and approved a resolution to place the budget for public comment at the Aug. 18 meeting and to finalize public hearings as required by state law.

Utility and fee changes: The proposed budget includes water and wastewater rate changes to pass through increases from the Trinity River Authority (TRA). Jewell said TRA advised a purchase cost increase of $0.47 per 1,000 gallons for water and $0.54 per 1,000 gallons for wastewater; the budget reflects those pass-throughs. The budget also proposes a $0.50 increase in the single-family storm drainage fee and a change to commercial drainage charges (to $40 per impervious acre) to fund curb-and-gutter drainage improvements that will be coordinated with the annual street program. Staff noted a one-year, $0.75-per-1,000-gallon rebate for single-family residential customers up to 15,000 gallons, subject to annual review.

Other fiscal items: The council approved the Euless Development Corporation FY26 budget and three Public Improvement District (PID) annual assessment plans. The Glade Park PID No. 1 and No. 2 require no assessment for FY26 because obligations were paid off early; Midtown PID will levy a $129,292 annual installment as described in Ordinance 24-37. Council also heard that car-rental revenues at DFW Airport remain strong and continue to offset part of the city’s property-tax reliance.

Council reaction and public comment: A resident raised questions about growing city debt and requested clearer budget presentation for public review; council members acknowledged the comment and staff noted capital and debt details are available online and in the city secretary’s office. Multiple council members asked clarifying questions during the fiscal presentation; all budget-related ordinances passed by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 24-32 (Adopt FY26 operating and capital budget): motion made by Councilmember Price; seconded by Councilmember Eads; result: passed unanimously. - Ratify property tax increase per Local Government Code §102.007(c): motion made by Councilmember Bynum; seconded by Councilmember Tompkins; result: passed unanimously. - Ordinance 24-33 (Adopt tax rate 47.6466¢ per $100): motion made by Councilmember Bynum; seconded by Councilmember Paddell; result: passed unanimously. - Ordinance 24-34 (Adopt tax roll from Tarrant Appraisal District): motion made by Councilmember Tompkins; seconded by Councilmember Bynum; result: passed unanimously. - Ordinance 24-35 (Glade Park PID No. 1 annual service plan — no assessment FY26): passed unanimously. - Ordinance 24-36 (Glade Park PID No. 2 annual service plan — no assessment FY26): passed unanimously. - Ordinance 24-37 (Midtown PID annual service plan — $129,292 installment): passed unanimously.

Ending: City staff said full budget documents, capital-improvement project lists and fund details are available online and at the city secretary’s office and the public library. Council members directed staff to continue public outreach and posted documents for citizen review.