Midland staff propose lower FY26 property tax rate; public hearing to be set

City staff presented a proposed FY26 budget that would lower Midland’s property tax rate while directing funds to water, roads, public safety and parks.

At a council meeting presentation, Christie Weekland, the city’s chief financial officer, said the proposal would set a tax rate of $0.347999 per $100 of assessed value and leave roughly $2.2 million in residents’ hands through what staff called a “Midland Citizen Fund.” Weekland also told council that the city’s general fund relies on sales and property taxes for roughly two-thirds of revenue and that property tax collections for the city are roughly $64 million this year.

Why it matters: staff said the proposed rate continues a three‑year trend of lowering the city’s rate while responding to rising costs—especially in public safety—and funding capital priorities. Council and staff framed the budget around the city’s strategic goals, emphasizing long‑term fiscal stability and a five‑year forecasting approach meant to signal upcoming shortfalls and guide decisions.

Budget context: presenters told the council the five‑year forecast shows expenses running ahead of revenues and that the budget closes much of the next‑year gap through a mix of expense reductions, fee adjustments and new revenue ideas (airport and golf fees were cited as examples). Staff said the general fund is about $187.5 million, up roughly $11.1 million from the prior year, with most increases driven by public safety and pay and benefit changes.

Public process and next steps: the meeting opened with a staff read of a resolution “recording a vote on a proposal to consider an ad valorem tax rate … and to establish a date to hold a public hearing on the proposed tax rate, establishing dates when there will be a record vote on the tax rate, and authorizing and directing the city manager to post all appropriate notices.” The provided transcript contains staff presentations and questions but does not record a formal council vote on that resolution or a selected public‑hearing date.

Quotes: Christie Weekland said, “The property tax rates for Midlanders are lower than most comparative communities,” and that the proposed rate “provides $2.1 million more than the no new revenue rate,” citing new property valuations as part of the increase.

What to watch: council will need to set a public hearing date before adopting a rate; staff said the public may participate in upcoming hearings and see the tax‑rate decision process in real time. Additional five‑year capital improvement plan updates and more detailed CIP timing will be presented to council in follow‑up briefings.