Both Tarrant County and Fort Worth released details about their Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budgets last week, but while Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare’s proposal came in below the no-new-revenue rate, Fort Worth City Manager Jay Chapa has proposed a property tax rate increase.

O’Hare said that, if adopted, the county’s property tax rate of $0.1860 per $100 valuation would be the fourth straight year that the county has adopted a rate below the no-new-revenue rate, according to a press release shared with The Texan via email. The FY 2026 property tax rate was $0.1862.

The no-new-revenue rate, according to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, is the “tax rate that would produce the same amount of taxes if applied to the same properties taxed in both years.”

According to O’Hare, the county lowered the tax rate “responsibly while maintaining essential services.”

“Public safety is fully funded. Our law enforcement officers are getting a raise. Every county employee is eligible for a merit pay increase for the fourth consecutive year. We put serious money into mental health because the alternative is paying for it later in our jails and our emergency rooms. And at JPS Hospital, not one patient sees less support than they did last year,” he added.

The Tarrant County Commissioners Court will set the proposed tax rate at its September 1 meeting and will hold a public hearing on the budget and tax rate on September 15, according to the Tarrant County Budget Office.

Fort Worth Tax Rate and Budget

On Tuesday, August 11, Chapa presented the proposed FY 2027 budget to the Fort Worth City Council.

He indicated that the city faced several pressures in formulating the new budget, including a “deteriorating property tax environment, slowed existing property value growth and potential legislative changes that continue to create uncertainty for financial forecasting.”

According to the Tarrant Appraisal District data, existing property values decreased across the city while new construction caused an overall net taxable value increase of less than 1 percent.

The city’s proposed general fund budget would increase by 4.6 percent to $1.156 billion. Budget items Chapa highlighted include police and firefighter pay increases, new police patrol positions, and full funding for new 9-1-1 technology.

The proposed budget also includes eliminating some vacant positions, cutting non-essential contracts, reducing economic incentives, and reducing merit-based pay increases for employees.

Chapa is proposing a 3.2‑cent increase to the city’s property tax rate, from $0.6700 to $0.7020 per $100 valuation. Due to falling taxable home values, the average Fort Worth homeowner will still see a decrease in their property tax bill, paying an estimated $16.69 less per year compared to FY 2026.

The city is hosting a variety of budget presentations throughout the city council districts over the next few weeks. The full list of presentations can be found on the city’s website.

The public hearings on the proposed budget will be held on August 25, and on September 15, the city will hold the public hearing for the recommended tax rate. 

Settlement in Atatiana Jefferson Case

The City of Fort Worth also announced a settlement with the estate of Atatiana Jefferson for $11.25 million. 

Jefferson was fatally shot in October 2019 while babysitting her eight-year-old nephew. 

Fort Worth police said that the officer, Aaron Dean, was conducting a “welfare check” after a concerned neighbor called the department.

In December 2022, Dean was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 11 years and 10 months in prison, according to NBC News.

“Atatiana Jefferson’s family and loved ones have suffered a profound and unimaginable loss,” Mayor Mattie Parker said in a press release. “While no settlement can undo the devastating impact of this tragedy, we hope this agreement offers a meaningful measure of closure and allows everyone to move forward.”

The Fort Worth City Council will consider the settlement for approval at its August 25 meeting.