On September 3rd, 2024, the City of Forney City Council debated and proposed a new tax rate increase to the current city tax rate for the 2024-2025 budget year. The proposed budget prepared by city staff was to raise the current tax rate of $0.36 cents per $100 valuation, to $0.40 cent per $100. This new rate would cover the proposed budget including many items listed in the presentation.
The full videos of the proposed budget and proposed tax rate can be watched here:
City Council Meeting Sept 3rd, 2024 Video
After a lengthy discussion regarding the proposed tax rate, Councilwoman Sarah Salgado suggested raising the rate by an additional $0.02 from the proposed $0.04, to a total increase of $0.42 cents for roads and fire budgets. Councilwoman Zahnd Schlensker requested information from Director of Public Works, Kyle Groves, just how much roads this additional $0.02 would benefit the city. Mr. Groves response was approximately $450,000 would be enough to remodel and improve a 1/2 mile of 2 lane asphalt road. If the full $0.02 were applied solely to the roads budget, it would almost pay for 1 mile of improved 2 lane asphalt road per year. After more discussion, Councilwoman Zahnd Schlensker and Councilman Greg Helm both made statements they did not feel comfortable adding the additional suggested $0.02 by Mrs. Salgado without having it clearly defined by council what the monies would go to. Mrs. Salgado made a motion for the new proposed rate, and Councilman Jay Weatherford gave a second to the motion, and then the resulting vote was tied. At this time per the new adopted city charter amendment, the Mayor Jason Roberson was the tie-breaking vote, and voted to approve the new proposed tax rate increase.
Voting Results for the tax rate increase of $0.06 cents for a total rate of $0.42 cents per $100 valuation:
Nays:
Greg Helm
Zahnd Schlensker
James Traylor
Yays:
Sarah Salgado
Jay Weatherford
Cecil Chambers
Jason Roberson – Mayoral tie-break
When questioned by the finance director for the public notice for who voted how, Councilman James Traylor stated “I voted no because I don’t think it’s high enough.”
This vote to approve a $0.06 cent increase to the proposed city tax rate is in stark contrast to Mayor Roberson’s statement made in the summer of 2023. While discussing the tax rate for the 2023-2024 budget year, during the council meeting on August 15th, 2023, Councilman Traylor proposed a $0.02 tax rate increase and the funding would specifically go to the Forney Police Department Budget for more officers. During this meeting while there was no motion approved to increase the rate, Mayor Roberson stated he did not feel comfortable raising the tax rate of $0.02, which was for public safety.
The proposed budget and proposed new tax rate of $0.42, an increase of $0.06 from last year, for 2024-2025 year will be on the agenda. This item will be a Public Hearing on September 17th, 2024 during the normally scheduled City Council meeting. Citizens who wish to speak may sign up before the meeting with the city secretary.