Fort Worth residents can expect to see a change in their city service bills starting next year, as the City Council has approved an array of fee adjustments. According to the City of Fort Worth, the adjustments will impact everything from water rates to garbage pickup costs, and they're all part of a strategy to support capital planning and environmental sustainability.
Starting in 2026, homeowners will be digging a little deeper into their pockets, facing an estimated average annual increase of $56.88 in user fees. Despite this increase, their property tax bill will see a slight reduction thanks to a cut in the property tax rate by a quarter of a cent, from the current rate of 67.25 cents. The tax reduction should lighten the load by about $20 per year; however, the overall impact will hinge on property values and service usage.
Water efficiency is at the forefront of the City’s agenda, with rate adjustments crafted to promote conservation, particularly in outdoor watering. Commercial, industrial, and irrigation customers will see increased fees in 2026; however, residential customers are spared from such hikes. Instead, the tiered structure for residential water consumption has been modified, where efficient users shouldn't see a change in their monthly bill, but those exceeding 12 CCF (8,977.2 gallons) per month will face higher charges.
With flooding and property damage in mind, officials have bumped stormwater utility fees by 5%, a decision they expect will garner an additional $2.4 million. This pool of funds is earmarked for channel restoration and upgrading old equipment to help protect the city's infrastructure. For average residential properties (Tier 2), the stormwater rate climbs a modest 35 cents to $7.29/month. Non-residential property rates will also increase, pegged to the size of impervious surfaces they possess.
Moving on to solid waste, Fort Worth is tossing out old rates, introducing new ones for garbage pickup that will have residents paying anywhere from $1.25 to $3 extra per month, depending on their cart size. Additionally, the environmental protection fee tagged onto the water utility bill is going from $1.50 to $2.25 each month, a 50% increase effective the first of the new year.
Food service operations aren't exempt from these changes, with the harmonization of health- and food-related fees following Texas Senate Bill 1008. The City has consolidated and elevated certain fees to fall in line with state standards, having already taken effect on September 1.
Emergency medical services (EMS) rates remain stable, with the City choosing to continue the pricing previously established by MedStar since taking over EMS service provision in July. Development service transactions will also include a new fee covering credit card processing costs.
Finally, squeezing in amidst the fiscal reshuffles are incremental adjustments to the rental rates for public event spaces like the convention center. Rates will dance to the tune of construction schedules, dropping when availability shrinks and climbing as facilities rebound, aligning with market benchmarks once this juggling act is over.
