Highland Village is rolling out several street improvement projects this fall. The 2026 Asphalt Overlay Project will resurface Shade Tree, Rain Tree and Meadow Crest Drive, as well as roads inside Copperas Branch Park. Sellmeyer Lane from FM 407 to Victoria will also receive a new overlay this month, while the stretch from Victoria to Foggy Glen will be tackled in two phases pending a future bond issuance.
Highland Shores Blvd. Reconstruction
The Highland Shores Blvd. Reconstruction Project is slated to begin later this year. The effort will replace the existing concrete section with new pavement, improve drainage, and add pedestrian‑safety features and traffic‑calming measures from the Briarhill Blvd. intersection to Twin Coves. Residents are asked to be patient and consider alternate routes while construction proceeds.
Fiscal Year 2026‑27 Budget Highlights
The city’s new fiscal year starts this month, and the FY 2026‑27 budget reflects a careful response to a shifting financial environment. Certified property‑tax values fell 2.8% from the prior year, and sales‑tax revenue is projected to be about 2.0% below last year’s budgeted amount. To offset the shortfall, the tax rate will rise from $0.500984 to $0.528541 per $100 of assessed valuation, adding roughly $377,615 to the General Fund and increasing the average homeowner’s property tax bill by $105.74 annually.
Total operating expenditures are set at $25,702,807, a 1.9% reduction from the FY 2025‑26 adopted budget. The budget includes a 2% salary adjustment and market adjustments for select positions to help attract and retain qualified staff. To preserve fund balance, the city imposed a hiring freeze on three vacant positions, suspended the intern program and nonprofit funding, trimmed recreation programming and lighting upgrades, and eliminated several community events, including The Amazing Race, Wine Down with the Grinch, Concerts in the Park, and Movies in the Park. Police and fire positions remain exempt from the freeze, and any remaining vacancies will be evaluated carefully before filling.
Financial Outlook and Reserves
Highland Village faces limited growth potential, with just over 70 undeveloped acres remaining—many of which present development challenges. Rising costs for goods, services, employee benefits and competitive compensation, combined with state limits on property‑tax growth, pressure the city’s ability to keep pace with expenses. Nevertheless, conservative financial planning has left the city with a projected General Fund reserve of approximately 34% of the FY 2026‑27 budget, comfortably above the policy target of 20%‑25%.
These reserves provide flexibility, but the city acknowledges they are not a long‑term solution for recurring costs. An upcoming Organizational, Workforce and Service Delivery Study will examine staffing, service delivery and efficiency opportunities to safeguard the city’s financial strength for the future.
Community Events and Veteran Support
In partnership with the Highland Village Business Association, the city will host the Salute Our Veterans luncheon, offering free meals to veterans and one guest each. Sponsorships start at $50, covering two veterans’ lunches, with larger contributions available in $25 increments. Over 250 veterans from Highland Village, Lewisville, Flower Mound and surrounding areas typically attend.
The first annual Village Fest is scheduled for Oct. 17 at Doubletree Ranch Park. The free family‑friendly event features food vendors, a mini‑midway, hay maze, petting zoo, face painters, pumpkin decorating and live music by “The Greatest Disco Band in the World.” Festivities begin at 6 p.m.
TXFallenPD 5K and Bike Race
The Highland Village Police Department will again host the TXFallenPD 5K and Bike Race on Oct. 17 at Doubletree Ranch Park, raising funds for the Texas Police Chiefs Association’s Fallen Officer Fund. Since 2008, the event has contributed nearly $664,000 to families of Texas officers killed in the line of duty. Registration is open for both the 5K run and the bike race, and a Kid Ride with a Cop is also offered. All proceeds go directly to the Fallen Officer Fund.
Residents can stay informed about project progress by signing up for The Villager newsletter and the City Manager’s Report at highlandvillage.org/staynotified. Detailed budget information is available at highlandvillage.org/Budget.
Original reporting: Cross Timbers Gazette — read the source article.
