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Coppell staff present balanced FY27 forecast that relies on one-time transfers and service changes
Summary
City staff told the council a proposed FY27 General Fund forecast balances operating revenues and expenditures while using one-time fund-balance transfers (including a proposed ~$5M public-safety replacement fund) and service reductions such as cuts to recreation programs and reduced Core hours.
Coppell — City staff on Tuesday presented a draft Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund forecast they say balances operating revenues and expenditures but depends on one-time fund-balance uses and program changes. Finance presenter Tian Kim told the council the forecasted operating expenditures increase 3.33%, “which is less than inflation,” and includes planned staff reductions that bring the total headcount reduction between FY26 and FY27 to 14 positions.
The forecast assumes property-tax revenue will be budgeted using the 3.499% cap the council directed staff to apply and models any sales-tax receipts above budget as one-time dollars to avoid building potentially temporary revenue into ongoing programs. “Anything that’s over budget would be used for one-time capital cost,” Kim said, adding the assumption keeps ongoing services from depending on revenue that could disappear.
Staff also proposed creating a public-safety equipment replacement fund and initially funding it with a transfer of about $4.95–5.0 million from the General Fund. Kent, who led the departments presentation, said the fund would cover five years of expected equipment replacements — mobile radios, cardiac monitors, Knox key secure systems and rescue/extrication gear — and allow annual contributions thereafter to smooth future replacement cycles.
To close the gap between forecasted expenditures and recurring revenues, staff recommended a set of service adjustments. For the community experiences program, recommendations included discontinuing adult athletic leagues (179 players in 2025) and the child-watch “sunshine room” (93 members, 2,047 check-ins in 2025), and shortening weekday facility hours to close at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Staff estimated the direct salary savings from the hour change at about $24,000 and projected additional but currently unquantified utility savings.
Council members pressed staff on the rationale and impact of service reductions and asked for follow-up reporting on implementation and potential offsets: some members urged protecting core hours and childcare services and suggested offsetting any cuts by trimming other council discretionary spending or reallocating special‑revenue funds when legal constraints allow.
Staff stressed that the forecast includes both recurring operating numbers and visible one-time fund-balance uses such as the Infrastructure Maintenance Fund transfer and Vision 2040 work-plan items; the final proposed budget will return to council on August 4. The council ends the strategy session charged staff to bring back clearer cost–benefit metrics, contract terms for one-time grants, and options for preserving particular services where possible.
