The city of Fort Worth may see a budget shortfall of nearly $50 million during the next fiscal year.

The context: During a Fort Worth City Council work session meeting on April 7, Brady Kirk, Fort Worth Lab finance assistant director, provided a long-term budget forecast to the council.

“We’ve known that fiscal year [2026-27] would be another somewhat tough year and that picture is always coming into focus,” he said.

His presentation unveiled rising costs and shrinking revenues. He mentioned economic conditions such as interest rates being near 25-year highs, three government shutdowns, Tarrant Appraisal District's reappraisal plans and national and global uncertainties.

By the numbers: Total revenue forecast for FY 2026-27 shows $1.13 billion in revenue and $1.18 billion in expenses, with an expected budget shortfall of $49.3 million.

In the following years, forecasts show budget shortfalls as well, ranging from $4.9 million to $8.7 million in odd years.

A new drive-thru pizza concept is coming to the north Fort Worth area in the fall.

What’s happening? Za Zoom Pizza will offer pizza slices and whole pies from a stand-alone drive-thru window, co-owners Sean Brown and Tyler DiGiovanni said.

The duo, who grew up in Southlake, said the inspiration for the concept came from window pizza slice shops all throughout New York City. 

“It's really a combination of a traditional drive-thru model and a New York slice shop,” Brown said. “We looked far and wide for anything that resembles this, and there's nothing really out there.”

Zooming in: Brown and DiGiovanni said north Fort Worth was the perfect location for the drive-thru pizza stand, which is new construction. Outside of DiGiovanni now living in the area, they said the Alliance area represents their ideal customer base, which is family and community oriented.

“I think the growth of Alliance speaks for itself,” Brown said.

• 4941 N. Tarrant Parkway, Fort Worth

A Keller organization will host a nonpartisan event for residents to get to know the candidates running for Keller City Council.

What residents should know: Keller City Council’s mayoral seat, Place 5 and Place 6 are up for election in May. Additionally, there is a special election on the same day for Place 4 after former council member Tag Green resigned to run for mayor.

The event is a forum hosted by the Keller Republican Club and is scheduled for April 16 from 7-9 p.m. at Keller Town Hall.

Looking ahead: Early voting for May elections will run from April 20-28, according to the city's website. April 20 is the last day to apply for a ballot by mail.

Voters will be able to vote at any center location from 7 a.m-7 p.m. on election day May 2.