The Allen City Council has ratified the city's budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025, maintaining its precedent of having one of the lowest tax rates among Texas's large cities. As reported by the City of Allen, the new budget is set at $348.8 million and incorporates funding for key infrastructure projects, new public safety equipment, and terms negotiated with local police and fire associations. Residents will benefit from a tax rate now set at $0.4175 per $100 of taxable property value, down from the previous $0.4205.

Alongside this tax decrease, the city budget will support 20 new city positions, which include public safety roles such as three firefighters/paramedics and five police officers. Homeowners in Allen can also continue to enjoy a 5% city homestead exemption, which was approved in 2023, subtracting 5% off appraised home values for tax calculations. The table provided breaks down how the new tax rate will alleviate an estimated property tax bill, with reductions of up to $30 for homes valued at $1,000,000.

However, the council meeting also brought news of increased utility rates. Residential waste services will see a hike from $18.09 to $19.09 per month, justified by the addition of a Residential Waste Specialist to address concerns and improve customer service. This rate adjustment ensures Allen's commitment to offering the lowest cost for residential waste services when compared to neighboring cities like Plano, Frisco, and Richardson.

Furthermore, water and sewer rates are set to rise by about 7%, which, for an average monthly bill using 10,000 gallons of water, means an increase of roughly $9.95 per month. These adjustments come in response to the escalating costs faced by the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) as it expands its facilities to accommodate the needs of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions, detailed by the council as a necessary evolution of services.