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Farmers Branch council gives staff direction to allocate $2.3 million FY25 surplus, earmarks set for parks and economic development
Summary
Council provided guidance on how to allocate a $2.3 million FY25 budget surplus, suggesting specific amounts for a columbarium, a Justice Center fitness park, economic development and Mercer Park, and asking staff to return with an action item.
At the Oct. 21 Farmers Branch City Council meeting, staff sought council direction on how to allocate a $2.3 million fiscal-year-2025 surplus. Council members debated multiple options and settled by consensus on a funding framework while instructing staff to return with a formal item for approval.
Finance Director Jay Patel told council the surplus arose from conservative revenue projections and stronger-than-expected results mainly in interest income, court fines and sales tax. Staff presented a list of suggested one-time uses — consistent with best practice that one-time revenues should fund one-time expenditures — including a columbarium, park projects, a Justice Center fitness park and an economic development (ED) fund increase.
Mayor Flores outlined a proposal that council members discussed and refined: $200,000 for the columbarium project; $200,000 for the Justice Center fitness park (previously approved project costs remain separate); $500,000 to increase the economic development fund; $1,000,000 earmarked toward Mercer Park; and $400,000 to be held in the general fund or park CIP for broader needs. Council members clarified that the $1,000,000 earmark for Mercer Park would not complete the park to the originally discussed scope but would move the project substantially forward.
Council members differed on whether to earmark funds for specific parks now or hold more in the general fund until exact costs are known. Councilwoman Bennett and others urged caution and suggested saving at least part of the surplus until final project estimates are available, while Councilman Reid and Councilwoman Villafranca pressed for a stronger commitment to Mercer Park, citing delays and resident expectations.
Staff said the allocation guidance would be used to prepare a regular-agenda item returning to council with the formal budget amendment or ordinance needed to implement the direction.
No formal appropriation vote was taken at the meeting; council gave staff majority direction to bring back an actionable item that reflects the consensus allocations described above.
