Temple staff propose FY2026 budget that would raise maintenance tax rate to 69.99¢; council asked for follow-up

Temple City Council heard a presentation of a proposed fiscal‑year 2026 budget at a workshop that staff said would prioritize public‑safety pay adjustments, additional operational positions and a pavement‑management funding approach while keeping the proposed tax‑rate ceiling under 70 cents per $100 of assessed value.

City Manager (staff) and Tracy (finance staff) told the council that the city has a certified taxable value increase and that staff have prepared a proposal that funds police and fire market adjustments, increases solid‑waste and fleet capacity and preserves core services while holding the maintenance and operations (M&O) tax portion to a proposed 37.54¢ (part of a total proposed rate expressed to council as $0.6999). Tracy explained the truth‑in‑taxation metrics used to calculate the no‑new‑revenue and voter‑approval rates and said the unusual gap between those rates this year was driven by a recent change to sales‑tax policy tied to a one‑time calculation effect.

Nut graf: The proposal presented to council would, staff said, fund compensation increases for police and fire…