Burleson council adopts FY 2025–26 budget, sets property tax rate at $0.7218 per $100

The Burleson City Council on Monday adopted the FY 2025–26 budget and approved a property tax rate of $0.7218 per $100 valuation, the council said during a special meeting that began at 5:32 p.m.

Interim Finance Director Kevin Hennessy presented the second reading of the proposed budget and tax-rate package, telling the council the package includes a voter-approval-rate increment connected to capital projects and that the water and sewer rates are "proposed to be increased by 5% this year." Hennessy outlined options tied to alternative tax-rate scenarios and explained revenue and staffing trade-offs across the city’s five-year forecast.

Why it matters: city staff and council said the increase supports public-safety staffing, street maintenance and capital projects. During the presentation Hennessy showed the impact on a home with a $300,210 assumed value and provided a monthly example of roughly $14.96 in additional taxes for comparable properties tied to the proposed rate.

Council comment and public input: a resident urged the council to consider sidewalk and micromobility projects to improve senior-safety and left laminated illustrations with staff. Council member Victoria, who spoke in support of the budget, said the multi-month process had been thorough and that the measures were needed to retain public-safety employees and maintain roads: "this has been a tough budget year," she said, urging the council to invest in services the city relies on.

Votes at a glance - 4A — Ordinance adopting the FY 2025–26 budget (effective 10/01/2025–09/30/2026): motion to adopt the budget while removing a planned dry sauna from the CIP and adopting the 0.7218 tax-rate package was moved (mover announced as Larry) and recorded as passing unanimously. - 4B — Minute order ratifying the FY 2025–26 operating budget: passed unanimously (mover announced as Larry; seconder Phil). - 4C — Ordinance levying ad valorem property taxes for tax year 2025 at 0.7218 per $100 valuation (tax-rate adoption): motion recorded as moved by Dan, seconded by Alexa; motion carried unanimously. In the ordinance text the budget was said to raise $3,115,704 more in property taxes than the prior year (a 7.38% increase in total property taxes; the motion statement also referenced a 9.51% change in the tax rate figure). - 4D — Approve 2025 tax rolls: passed unanimously (mover Victoria; seconder Adam). - 4E — FY25–26 schedule of fees, including wastewater and water fees: passed unanimously (mover Phil; seconder Alexa). - 4F — FY25–26 water and wastewater rates: ordinance passed unanimously (staff noted a proposed 5% increase). - 4G — FY25–26 solid-waste collection/disposal rates: ordinance passed unanimously (staff noted a negotiated 4% CPI increase). - 4H — Resolution declaring intent to reimburse up to $82,500,000 for planned capital projects: motion recorded (moved by Dan; second Adam); the transcript does not include a separate roll-call tally line immediately after but the meeting proceeded with the item considered adopted in sequence. - 4I — Resolution declaring intent to reimburse up to $16,000,500 for FY26–27 capital projects: adopted unanimously (moved Victoria; second Phil).

What the actions do and next steps: council’s adopted 0.7218 tax rate ties to a capital improvement program (CIP) that includes one‑time and ongoing investments; staff and council directed implementation consistent with the adopted budget and scheduled fee changes. Council recessed briefly for executive session and reconvened; the meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.

Quotes and attributions in the public record: the resident who spoke during public comment said, "it's my first time doing something like this..." and emphasized ideas to improve "safety for... senior citizens." Kevin Hennessy, interim finance director, told council the water and sewer rates "are proposed to be increased by 5% this year." Council member Victoria said the budget process was careful and long-running: "this has been a tough budget year," and urged support for public safety and roads.

Limitations: where the transcript presents ordinance or resolution text (such as the $3,115,704 figure and percentage changes) those figures are reported exactly as stated in the meeting; one reimbursement vote (4H) was moved and seconded in the transcript but the line-by-line roll-call tally is not printed immediately after the motion in the provided excerpt.

The council’s adopted budget and rate ordinances take effect per the ordinances’ stated effective dates and staff will implement fee schedule and rate changes as directed by council.