Fort Worth’s Audit & Finance Committee provided an update on the city’s budget at a June 2 meeting, highlighting a budget shortfall. The briefing was a review of the monthly financial report for April 2026, with a focus on the general fund and special attention given to revenue.

Budget Update

Cristi Lemon, assistant director of the FWLab, provided the update and noted that property tax has been adjusted downward an additional $4 million. She explained the downward adjustment is due to value loss resulting from litigation and arbitration.

Sales tax revenue improved with an uptick of $2 million, but while that offsets the loss in property tax revenue, the city continues to operate with a shortfall. City expenditures were reduced by $6.4 million over the past month, achieved by analysts working closely with city departments to identify discretionary cuts. The city’s ongoing hiring freeze was also implemented to slow spending.

Salary and benefits continue to remain over budget, with the primary cause being police and fire overtime. Fleet costs for the fire department are also higher, contributing to the overage. The police department was able to cut expenses by $2.8 million, and the fire department cut about $850,000.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.