Southlake approves FY 2026-27 budget, lowers tax rate, will see utility rate increase

The Southlake city council approved the city’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget of $133.65 million and lowered its tax rate to $0.29 per $100 valuation during its Sept. 15 meeting.

What it means: The city adopted a tax rate of $0.29 per $100 valuation, which is a $0.005 decrease from the current rate of $0.295 per $100 valuation.

The FY 2026-27 tax rate means a resident who has a home with the average value of $1,085,031 would have a tax bill of $2,483. This is a decrease from the current tax rate which would result in a bill of $2,526, according to the city.

The city is also continuing its 20% homestead exemption, which will lower the taxable value of an average valued home by $217,006, resulting in an effective tax rate of $0.231 per $100 valuation, according to city documents.

Budget explained: The city also approved its budget, which has increased projected revenue to $159 million and decreased expenditures to $133.7 million.

While expenditures are lower in the FY 2026-27 budget, no city services have been decreased and the budget includes steps to increase employee benefits and retention, including a 3% cost-of-living pay adjustment for employees, according to the city.

Co-owners Ruth and Bryson Nokes have opened their second New York Butcher Shoppe location in Southlake.

The overview: Customers can purchase a selection of fresh-cut meats, including steaks, sausages, lamb, veal and seafood. New York Butcher Shoppe also carries wagyu beef products, spice mixes, condiments, craft beer and wines.

What they're saying: Ruth Nokes said one thing that sets New York Butcher Shoppe apart is its commitment to customer service.

“One of the things that I'm really proud about is when I go to Google and check our reviews, they rave about our customer service,” she said. “They name our employees by name, and that is what we're trying to bring back with that traditional neighborhood butcher.”

Before you go: The Southlake location will hold a grand opening event Sept. 28 that will include giveaways and meat and wine samplings. The first 50 customers will also receive a free New York strip.

• 2001 W. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 149, Southlake

As part of the Tarrant County fiscal year 2026-27 budget, county employees and police officers are set to get a raise.

The Tarrant County Commissioners Court approved the nearly $843.08 million FY 2026-27 budget and the tax rate of $0.186 per $100 valuation by a 3-2 vote with County Judge Tim O’Hare and commissioners Matt Krause and Manny Ramirez voting to approve. Commissioners Alisa Simmons and Roderick Miles Jr. voted against.

The details: The budget is broken into three funds: the general fund, the road and bridge fund and the debt service fund, according to county documents. Both revenues and expenditures in the FY 2026-27 budget are $843.08 million, representing a balanced budget. Expenditures and revenues both increased by $10.59 million.

Zooming in: The adopted rate for FY 2026-27 is $0.186 per $100 valuation, a decrease from $0.1862 per $100 valuation for FY 2025-26.

Check out five upcoming, ongoing and completed transportation projects in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Upcoming projects

1. Mount Gilead Road improvements

Project: Surface improvements are planned on Mount Gilead Road from US 377 to Bourland Road in Keller. The work features three lanes with turn lanes, a trail along the north side of the road, a sidewalk along the south side of the roadway and a single-lane roundabout on Bourland Road, according to a council presentation on Aug. 4.

Update: Alonzo Liñán, director of public works, provided an update during the Aug. 4 council meeting. He said the design by firm Kimley-Horn was 98% done and the next step would be to award the contract in September.

• Timeline: estimated construction is from January 2027 to January 2029

• Cost: $12.5 million-$13 million

• Funding source: city of Keller