Balch Springs EDC board adopts FY 2025–26 budget, prioritizes Irvin Park field renovations

The Balch Springs Community and Economic Development Corporation (Type B) on Aug. 13 adopted its FY 2025–26 budget, approving a proposed revenue projection of about $1.447 million and a $5.3 million expenditure plan that draws on a roughly $3.9 million beginning fund balance to pay for capital projects, officials said.

The budget was approved by a motion from Director Wanda Adams and seconded by Director Kelvin Hill. The motion passed on a recorded roll call with President Katicia Bruner, Rick Bromfield, Wanda Adams, Helen Shelby, Kelvin Hill and Christopher Watson voting yes.

Board members and finance staff spent most of the presentation reviewing the city’s current revenue position and why the EDC is proposing to use prior fund balance to cover a large portion of next year’s projects. “The revenues for sales tax this year as of June are at $843,000, and that is at about 56% of what we budgeted,” finance staff member Rebecca told the board. Rebecca said total revenues to date are roughly $850,000 while expenditures are approximately $2.1 million, leaving a year‑to‑date net loss of about $1.2 million but a beginning fund balance of about $3.9 million.

Tanbaby, the city’s CFO, explained why the sales tax figures appear low in month‑to‑month comparisons: “Sales tax, we collect sales tax 2 months in arrears,” Tanbaby said, noting the city updated accounting processes and that sales tax collections have trended below earlier projections. Staff said the EDC’s FY26 revenue estimate was reduced from an earlier $1.492 million projection to about $1.447 million to reflect the recent trend.

The presentation and subsequent discussion made the EDC’s capital priorities clear: upgrades at Irvin Park (field surfacing and lighting), parking lot work at Oak Ridge Park, playground improvements (including shade structures), and other park amenities. Staff said a total of about $3.2 million in projects is proposed; $750,000 already approved this year will cover work on two fields under contract with Sports Field Solutions, with the remaining field resurfacing and lighting deferred or phased because lighting costs came in higher than expected.

“We budgeted it, of course, for the fencing, $150,000 to replace the chain link fencing,” Public Services staff member Freeman told the board while discussing Irvin Park. Freeman later described a related backstop alternative: the netting option that is substantially less costly than replacing all chain link backstops.

Board members pressed for detail on the large difference between proposed expenditures and projected annual revenues. Staff said the gap will be funded from the existing fund balance and that not all projects listed in the proposed budget will be completed in FY26. “Some of those may be moved to other years based on those priorities that you guys set,” Rebecca said.

On staffing and administration, presenters said the EDC currently has two full‑time employees funded by the EDC, one vacant position and additional city staff who spend a percentage of time on economic development projects. The draft administrative budget line for EDC administration is roughly $447,000 in the proposed expense plan, a number board members questioned; staff said the amount includes allocations split between the city general fund and the EDC fund and will be clarified with a more detailed line‑item presentation.

The board was also shown the debt service picture tied to park bonds: staff said the FY26 debt service portion of the parks bond is about $173,000 and that the remaining parks bond balance is roughly $2.9 million through 2042.

Why it matters: the budget directs how the EDC will use sales tax revenue and existing reserves to fund a multi‑year capital program focused on parks and facilities that staff and the parks board say will support organized sports and potential field rentals. Board members emphasized they will review each project before funds are expended and that some items in the packet are placeholders pending further prioritization.

The board approved the budget as presented. Staff said a fuller quarterly report in September will include the fund balance and more detailed line items. The EDC also directed staff to return with line‑by‑line salary figures once the new payroll/budget system fully loads personnel costs.

Clarifying details and next steps in staff reports include a follow‑up list of which projects will proceed in FY26, phasing of lighting work at Irvin Park, and a plan to present photographic updates on active projects at future meetings.

Board action: motion to adopt FY 2025–26 budget made by Director Wanda Adams, seconded by Director Kelvin Hill; roll call vote: Katicia Bruner — yes; Rick Bromfield — yes; Wanda Adams — yes; Helen Shelby — yes; Kelvin Hill — yes; Christopher Watson — yes. Motion passed.