WACO, Texas — Waco City Manager Bradley Ford presented the proposed budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to the Waco City Council on Wednesday, July 3.
The proposed budget keeps the current tax rate at 0.7550 cents per $100 in valuation, the lowest rate in over a dozen years. The final tax rate may be adjusted upon receipt of the Certified Tax Roll from McCAD on July 25.
General Fund expenses, which rely on tax support, are reduced by $1.2 million from the previous year, while still accommodating salary increases for public safety and civilian employees. This was achieved through a $7.6 million (-8.4%) reduction in non-personnel-related expenses, ensuring that core City services to Waco residents remain unaffected.
Significant projects scheduled for completion and opening in the upcoming fiscal year include:
- A new regional landfill
- A new landfill transfer station
- Fire Station 15 at Richie Road and Panther Way
Additionally, projects initiated in the previous fiscal year that will be completed include:
- Three new fire engines and three brush trucks being put into service
- Completion of the design for the new regional park on Flat Rock Road
- Water and wastewater improvements to support ongoing investment and job growth in the Business Park near Bagby Avenue and Texas Central Parkway
Several new projects are expected to start in the upcoming fiscal year, including:
- Construction of the Regional Park and Heritage Trail at the old Floyd Casey Stadium site
- Construction of a new animal hospital at the City of Waco Animal Shelter on Circle Road
- Construction of a new fire station on LaSalle Avenue
- Construction of a new STEAM Center in the former Bledsoe-Miller Community Center
- Reconstruction of the Riverwalk from Webster Avenue to the Baylor Law School
- Implementation of railroad quiet zones from the Brazos River to South 11th Street
- Implementation of Phase 1 of the Downtown Strategic Road Map
For more information visit Waco's website.
