Burleson council approves budget first reading, removes dry sauna from 4B capital plan

The Burleson City Council voted unanimously Sept. 2 to approve the city’s FY2025–26 budget on first reading and to remove a proposed dry sauna from the Type B (4B) capital plan. Councilmember Adam moved to adopt the budget tied to the voter‑approval rate of 0.7218 per $100 of assessed value and to exclude the sauna; Alexa seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Interim Director of Finance Kevin Hennessy told the council the proposed budget aligns with the city’s strategic plan and reflects inflation and staffing increases since 2019. The presentation used a $300,210 average home value to estimate homeowner impact: Hennessy said a Burleson homestead with that value would see an annual increase of $179.56, or about $14.96 per month, under the proposed rate.

Hennessy outlined tradeoffs tied to the rate. He said reducing the proposed rate would require cutting capital projects and delaying or eliminating staff increases; staff estimated that returning to lower rates could reduce available CIP funding by roughly $46.3 million over the plan horizon and could require removing a $1,000,000 one‑time street maintenance supplemental.

Councilmember Scott asked that the proposed dry sauna be pulled from the 4B capital plan on the grounds it is an unnecessary debt for that fund; staff recommended making the change in the proposed budget and carrying the amended item through the required follow‑up ratification. Adam’s motion to approve the budget with that modification passed on the council floor.

The meeting included the required public hearings on the budget, ad valorem tax rate and fee schedules. Resident William Beckham told the council his property appraisal rose by nearly 10% and said the combined effect will make his effective tax increase about 8.9%; he urged the council either to lower the rate or to place the question on the ballot. Longtime resident Bill Janus praised council and staff for recent fiscal work but told residents to check valuations and appeal erroneous appraisals if necessary.

Council also took first‑reading action on related ordinances: adopting the proposed rate for first reading, approving the 2025 tax rolls, and taking first‑reading votes on the fee schedule, water and wastewater rates, and solid‑waste rates. Each of those motions passed unanimously; final adoption of the tax rate, ordinances and fee schedule is scheduled for the Sept. 8 council meeting.

What’s next: The council will return the budget and related ordinances for final votes on Sept. 8; staff said the manager’s office will implement any council direction tied to the adopted package.