Finance staff outlines tax‑rate forecast; Burleson earns Texas Comptroller transparency star

Finance staff presented the city’s tax‑rate calculations and budget timeline and highlighted the city’s progress in publicly posting financial documents.

Staff explained the no‑new‑revenue (M&O) rate calculations, the available unused increment, debt rate and voter‑approval rate math. Based on the staff analysis and updated certified values, staff presented a proposed total tax rate of 0.6989 that they said would fund priority items including additional public‑safety personnel without raising the M&O rate. The presentation included a schedule of next steps: budget submission Aug. 4, finance committee review Aug. 6, special session Aug. 11, public hearing Sept. 2 and final reading Sept. 8.

Deputy Director of Finance Michael Franklin told council Burleson received the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Transparency Star for traditional finances and said staff has applied for the debt obligations star and is preparing a pensions star application. Franklin described posting the check register, budget and annual financial reports on a single web page and noted benefits to residents and reduced security risk by limiting vendor name exposure in published check registers.

Council members commended finance staff for improved transparency and asked that the finance committee receive the full budget presentation ahead of final council discussion. No vote was taken on the proposed rate; council will consider rate and budget at posted public hearings.