Rowlett council delays FY2026 budget vote; tax-rate hearing scheduled for Sept. 17

The Rowlett City Council on Sept. 16 heard a detailed presentation of the proposed FY2026 budget and then voted unanimously to postpone the adoption vote until Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at 4000 Main Street.

Finance Director Wendy Badgett told the council the revised proposed budget shows combined expenses and revenues of about $262,000,000 and a capital improvements program totaling roughly $183,000,000 (approximately $82 million carryforward and $101 million of new allocations). Badgett also described staffing adjustments, pay-plan enhancements for public safety and a mix of revenues that include a 0.75¢ increase to the maintenance and operations tax rate and a 3¢ I&S debt rate approved by voters in the May 2023 bond election.

Council Member Jonathan Reeves, speaking in favor of presenting the budget to the public for final consideration, sought to put the proposed tax impact in practical terms: "So for every $100,000 of your property value, that's an increase of $38.20 a year," he said, adding that much of the increase is tied to voter-approved debt rather than ongoing operating spending.

Shoop moved to postpone the adoption vote to Sept. 17 at 6:00 p.m.; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously 7–0. Shoop also announced the council will vote on the ad valorem tax rate at that same meeting. The council opened and closed the public hearings on the budget and tax rate the same evening with no members of the public speaking during those hearings.

Council members signaled additional discussion and public comment opportunities at the Sept. 17 meeting; a final vote and any formal amendments are expected at that time.