At its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Willow Park City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget with a general fund of over $5.6 million. It will go into effect, along with a new property tax rate, on Oct. 1 and run through Sept. 30, 2025.
The budget includes a property tax of 43 cents per $100. While it is an increase from 40 cents in the current fiscal year, it comes after a reduction of 14 cents last year following the annexation of the Willow Park Fire Department into Parker County Emergency Services District 1.
City officials said the new budget will raise more total property taxes than last year’s budget by $199,171 for a total of around $1.8 million.
City Manager Bryan Grimes cited as a primary reason for the property tax rate increase being raises and equipment purchases for the police department. Sales tax receipts, which have primarily gone to fund this, are down roughly seven percent.
“With the lion’s share going to support the police department, this community is going to back the blue. We take it seriously,” Grimes said.
The budget also includes some capital improvements, which council can approve throughout the coming fiscal year.
The general fund total revenue of $5,699,910 minus the total expenses of $5,425,611 leaves an anticipated profit of $274,299. Along with the police department, some other cost increases include insurance and employee salaries.
The water fund has an anticipated net profit of just under $21,000. City officials say it is worth noting that the water fund has been transferring revenues to the wastewater fund to help subsidize that fund. However, while there is a transfer in the budget, it is not expected to be used and is there as a safeguard.
The wastewater has a budgeted net profit of nearly $11,000, a vast increase from the deficit of more than $22,000 the previous 12 months. Plans are, with the agreement with Hudson Oaks, this fund will have a partnership to help offset costs, and, in turn, will help the wastewater fund to be self-sustaining.
The drainage fund has a forecasted decrease in expected profit from the current year by $250. With more than three years of revenues collected, and the passage of the certificates of obligation to address drainage projects throughout the city last year, this fund will provide the proceeds to service the debt. Some drainage projects have been completed, and Phase 2 will be completed in the coming months.
The newly created tourism fund of $2,093,322 is expected to bring a profit of almost $30,000. Last year the tourism fund ran a deficit of more than $2 million.
“I think staff and council worked hard. I’m excited to see the progress the city made and I’m looking forward to the next 12 months being a banner year for the city,” Willow Park Mayor Doyle Moss said.
Council approved a special use permit for Canvas at Willow Park to have a temporary free-standing, off-premise sign on the corner of Kings Gate and Interstate 20 North Service Road on property owned by Larry Lawley.
The single-sided 5x10 wooden sign, which will advertise homes for rent at Canvas at Willow Park, was approved for 24 months, unless there is a change in the owner of the property. Also, the sign will have to be moved slightly to avoid encroachment on the right-of-way necessary for the replacement of Kings Gate Bridge, a project expected for construction beginning in the fall of 2025.
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