WACO, Texas — The Waco City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2025 budget during yesterday’s meeting, on Wednesday, August 28.
Despite ongoing inflation and reduced tax revenues, the tax rate remains at its lowest point in over 16 years, building on historic property tax exemptions for homeowners, senior citizens, and the disabled, along with three consecutive years of tax rate cuts.
The budget reflects the city’s priority of attracting and retaining top talent by providing a 7% pay raise for fire and police personnel and a 3% raise for all other city employees.
Key projects funded in this budget include the ongoing construction of Fire Station 15 at Ritchie Road and Panther Way, which began in December 2023 and is expected to be completed by spring 2025. This new station will improve fire response times in West Waco.
Additional projects for the upcoming fiscal year include:
- Construction of the Regional Park and Heritage Trail at the old Floyd Casey Stadium site.
- Development of a new animal hospital at the City of Waco Animal Shelter on Circle Road.
- Construction of a new fire station on LaSalle Avenue.
- Establishment of a new STEAM Center in the former Bledsoe-Miller Community Center.
- Reconstruction of the Riverwalk from Webster Avenue to Baylor Law School.
- Implementation of railroad quiet zones from the Brazos River to South 11th Street.
- Launch of Phase 1 of the Downtown Strategic Road Map.