POTD: Richardson's Budget Workshop - Day 2

Source: City of Richardson.

The Richardson City Council held a two day budget workshop to set the 2025-2026 budget.

On the first day, they reviewed the General Fund. on this, the second day, they focused on the five other largest funds: water/sewer, drainage, solid waste, golf, and hotel/motel.

The City summary of budget recommendations from Day 1:

• Property tax rate remains unchanged. Because of rising property values, this will result in new tax revenue.
• Senior Tax Exemption increase from $145,000 to $160,000
• 2.5% merit-based pay adjustments for all employees and an additional 2.0% in April 2026 for sworn public safety
• Increasing the minimum starting salary for full-time and permanent part-time positions to $21.00
• No change to the Streets and Alleys Rehabilitation, Facilities Maintenance, or Parks Maintenance Programs
• No change to the Economic Development Fund

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The City summary of budget recommendations from Day 2:

• 6% water and sewer rate increase
• $1 per month increase in the residential drainage fee to $6.25
• move towards a more sustainable strategy for drainage projects and less reliance on bond programs
• $0.50 per month increase for residential solid waste collection
• The golf fund revenues are projected to increase by $185,000, based on both courses being open for 12 months
• No fee adjustments will be made to Sherrill Park Golf rounds
• Hotel occupancy taxes are projected to decrease (4.4%) as a result of less activity
• The Eisemann Center is receiving a $1 increase to its facility maintenance fee
• Eisemann Center revenues are expected to be down substantially
• The Eisemann Center Presents series will have a reduction in programming and funding by about a third
• The annual arts grants will be maintained at $375,000
• The hotel/motel fund will continue to support the Wildflower Festival, including funding for entertainers
• The 2026 bond program target is about $200 million

Combining a city charter amendment election and a bond program election in May 2026 could save $175,000. The council will decide on the timing in the coming weeks.

The City Council set a public hearing date of September 8, 2025, for the proposed tax rate of 0.54218 per $100 valuation for fiscal year 2025-2026. That's no change from the current tax rate.

The City Council set a public hearing date of September 15, 2025, for the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-2026.

"City budget weighed.
Streets, parks, alleys hold their course.
Tax rate stands unchanged."
— h/t ChatGPT