Finding out what the public wants in the city's budget is no small feat, but Fort Worth's innovative approach through the 'Steer the Budget' campaign offered a platform for just that. As the city gears up for its Fiscal Year 2025, it's diving into the collective mind of its population. Residents were invited to share their voices, quite literally, by submitting a photo of Molly, Fort Worth's official city mascot. According to the City of Fort Worth, these efforts weren't just for show; they were a meaningful peek into the civic wishes of Fort Worth's denizens.
The 'Steer the Budget' campaign urged the locals to pinpoint where they felt their tax dollars should go, and after a month and a half of collecting feedback, several clear priorities emerged. From pressing for the completion of started road projects to changing rogue purple streetlight bulbs – the city's residents had a laundry list of items, which included pothole repairs, infrastructure maintenance, and even the addition of more dumpsters for bulk waste. Emphasizing the importance of strategic city development, the people also voiced a need to preserve small businesses, revitalize neighborhoods, and devise youth programs centered on trade skills.
As far as numbers go, Fort Worth staff are eyeing a $1.049 billion budget for FY25, marking a $35 million, or 3.5% increase from the previous year. This uptick is attributed to factors such as the need for competitive employee salaries and rising insurance costs. City Council's budget priorities for FY25, which include economic development, community safety, and responsible growth, will have to find balance with these citizen-led demands amid these financial forecasts.
