On Tuesday, the Coppell City Council discussed municipal finances going into the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The council rejected the proposed 2024-25 budget ordinance while approving a new property tax rate, which is lower than the current rate.
Prior to rejecting the budget ordinance, the council went over the proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which would increase expenditures by 7.75%. This includes a $5.4 million increase in operating expenditures, 69% of which would come from the salaries and benefits of public employees like firefighters and police officers.
On the other hand, 21% of the revenues would be acquired via sales tax with this new budget, and revenue would exceed money spent.
The budget was rejected with three votes in support of the motion and four against it.
Even though it was rejected, the council expressed gratitude for the effort put in by the finance team.
“What I love about what you guys do is that you are following the direction of the counsel,” Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Nevels said. “We appreciate the consistency, the long term visioning and consideration that the staff has to look out for the future benefit of the city of Coppell.”
Afterward, the council talked about the proposed property tax rate for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The new rate of $0.45862 per $100 evaluation is projected to rake in over $2 million for the city amidst $1.2 billion of property value increases in Coppell.
The tax rate passed unanimously.
“I’m confident in the proposed tax rate that has been so eloquently explained and appreciate everyone that has been a part of this budget process,” councilmember Brianna Hinajosa-Smith said.
Additionally, the board discussed the crime control and prevention district budget, which would affect funding for aspects of public security such as school resource officers. The budget covers vehicle expenses and includes a contract with Axon for body cameras and tasers. The operating expenditures for this budget are expected to total $5,466,063 which will be covered by revenue collected via sales tax. However, this was not approved by the council
The council also granted a distance variance to St. Ann Catholic Parishl, enabling it to sell alcohol during the St. Ann’s Carnival on Friday Sept. 6 through Sunday Sept. 8.
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