Fort Worth's city manager, Jesus "Jay" Chap, recently presented the fiscal year 2026 budget with a clear focus on accommodating the city's burgeoning populace, which has now crossed the million mark. As the city navigates an evolving tax landscape in Texas, Chapa highlighted the city's adherence to fiscal duty, citing 1% cuts and strategic reductions in department budgets. As per the City of Fort Worth, Chapa said, "The recommended operating budget is $3.09 billion, an increase of 10.93%, or just over $304 million, from the FY2025 adopted budget."
The proposed budget strives to increase support for key services such as Police, Fire, and EMS while adding resources to the Housing Priority Repair Program, Mobile Tool Shed Program, and animal shelters, ensuring the city's strategic goals continue to develop quickly in line with the Council's Strategic Priorities. Essential public safety elements are driving a significant portion of the General Fund growth, with public safety itself commanding $35.7 million, marking 68% of said growth. Considerable changes are also laid out in department funding, creating a new Emergency Management and Communications Department, among other shifts and reallocations.
In the proposed changes, eight departments are suggesting fee increases, including Transportation & Public Works to Park & Recreation, to align with market studies and with a view towards sustainability. This entails that a typical household would be paying an additional $4.74 per month for various services. The budget also addresses continued investments in emergency services and community programs, with the Special Revenue Funds seeing a sizable increase of 40.79%, amounting to $392.5 million.
Enterprise Funds, estimated to rise by 8.51%, will roughly total an increase of almost $67.4 million, accommodating city-run parking facilities, three airports, and utilities like stormwater and wastewater management. "The stormwater utility will continue implementation of the capital program focusing on flood mitigation projects," as per the City of Fort Worth, aiming to enhance service delivery, fleet operation, and improve overall city infrastructure with a mandated 5% fee increase, funding key maintenance programs.
