Budget
The City of Fort Worth budget is the financial plan for how we provide services each year. It shows where money comes from, how it is organized, and how the city plans to spend it. By law, the city must adopt a balanced budget each year. This means planned spending cannot exceed projected revenues. The fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30.
Budget Structure
The budget has two main parts that work together:
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The Operating Budget funds the city's daily operations and services. It covers expenses such as employee salaries and benefits, supplies, and equipment. City Council adopts the Operating Budget for one fiscal year.
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The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) funds construction projects that can last many years. These include building roads, sewer lines, buildings, recreational facilities, and other infrastructure. City Council adopts the CIP annually as a five-year plan.
The city's budget is organized into several different funds. Most funding sources can only be used for certain purposes, so separating the money into funds helps the city make sure each dollar is spent appropriately. It also allows the city to track revenues and expenses based on the type of service or function they support.
The funds include:
- The General Fund is the City of Fort Worth’s largest fund. It receives revenue from property taxes, sales taxes, and various fees. It pays for core city services like public safety, libraries, parks, code enforcement and economic development.
- Enterprise funds support city-owned businesses that are mainly paid for through user charges. Examples include Water, Municipal Parking, Municipal Airports and Solid Waste.
- Special Revenue funds track money that must be used for specific purposes. For example, money in the Crime Control and Prevention District Fund comes from sales tax and goes towards community-based crime reduction programs.
- Debt Service funds are used to make annual debt payments. The city borrows money for voter-approved bond programs and other capital projects. This money is gradually repaid over time.
- Internal Service funds support the city's internal operations. These include information technology, fleet services, and employee healthcare.
Budget Development Process
Each year, the budget development process helps city staff plan how to use public dollars. The budget should fund services, programs and projects that the Fort Worth community cares about.
FWLab is the department that develops and manages the budget on behalf of the city manager. FWLab staff share updates at City Council work sessions from April through August. At these meetings, you can learn more about what is shaping the budget for the upcoming year.
In August, the city manager shares a recommended budget with the City Council. This is followed by community events held in neighborhoods across the city, and online. At these events, city staff will answer your questions about the recommended budget.
Then, in September, the council holds a public hearing where you can speak on the budget. After this, City Council votes on the final budget and tax rate for the upcoming year.
Get Involved
Throughout the year, you can share your budget feedback in several ways: