Bedford residents will have a chance to weigh in on the city’s next fiscal plan when the City Council holds a public hearing on September 8. The meeting will focus on a proposed property‑tax rate of 56.6599 cents per $100 of assessed value for the 2027 budget, up from the current 52.6212 cents.
What the numbers mean for homeowners
For a typical home appraised at $300,000, the proposed rate would raise the annual tax bill from $1,578.64 to $1,699.80 – an increase of $121.16. While modest, the increase pushes the rate closer to the city’s voter‑approval ceiling, the highest rate the city can adopt without triggering a special election.
Council’s stance and next steps
Mayor Dan Cogan described the proposal as “leaving some on the table and not taking more,” emphasizing a cautious approach to fiscal growth. Finance Director Brady Olsen noted that the rate still falls below the voter‑approval limit, a threshold the city has not met in at least a decade.
At the August 11 staff briefing, Olsen stressed that the council is only informing the public at this stage; no formal budget commitments have been made. “We are not committing to anything today,” he said. “We’re just letting the public know that we’re calling a public hearing for the budget on the eighth.”
How residents can get involved
City Manager Andrea Roy confirmed that staff will be on hand to answer questions before the hearing. Residents are encouraged to contact Bedford City Hall directly or visit the city’s official website for more information and to submit any concerns.
The total budget for fiscal 2025‑26, which includes capital purchases, debt service, and maintenance projects managed by the Street Improvement Economic Development Corp., totals $104,365,070. While the upcoming hearing will focus on the tax rate, detailed budget figures for 2027 have not yet been released.
Bedford’s approach reflects a commitment to fiscal responsibility while ensuring essential services continue without overburdening taxpayers. Community members who wish to voice their opinions should attend the Sept. 8 hearing or reach out to city officials ahead of time.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
