Willow Park City Council members discussed a proposed 43 cents per $100 2024-25 property tax rate at their meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 27
The proposed rate is an increase from the 40 cents of the previous year, which came on the heels of a 14 cent tax reduction in 2023.
“I still think overall we’re one of the lowest tax rates in Parker County and the area,” Willow Park City Manager Bryan Grimes said.
Grimes also noted that the largest part of a tax increase would go to funding officer salary increases and purchasing equipment for the Willow Park Police Department. He said in the proposed new budget, the police department’s portion is between $2.1 and $2.3 million, adding the proposed new tax would bring in an additional $199,000, increase the overall property tax income to around $1.8 million.
Sales tax revenue covers the rest of the police department increase. However, because of inflation, sales tax revenue is down slightly from previous years, thus creating the need for the property tax increase.
“We take back the blue very seriously here,” Grimes said.
The new tax rate goes into effect on Oct. 1 and runs through Sept. 30, 2025, as would the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The council is still working on finalizing the budget.
Both the tax rate and the budget are pending a public hearing, which will be held at the Sept. 10 meeting. The council is expected to vote on both that same night.
Due to rising costs in the water and wastewater systems, along with construction of a much-needed wastewater plant, in August of 2023, NewGen Strategies and Solutions proposed a plan to maintain the city's water fund and allow the wastewater fund to become independent of the water fund within three years. The first year of that plan was implemented for FY 2023-2024 with an increase in wastewater rates to both residential and commercial, and by establishing a multi-family wastewater rate.
Year 2 is set to begin with the new fiscal year.
“I’m going to say we’re on track,” Public Works Director Michelle Guelker said.
In the study, it was recommended the city address:
NewGen officials said the cost to the city to create a balance would be approximately $35.4 million. To help offset that cost, the average monthly bill will see a modest increase.
For example, the increase this coming fiscal year will be 10 cents per 1,000 gallons for both residential and commercial accounts. Senior rates will remain unchanged for any use under 9,000 gallons per month.
Willow Park had not increased either rate since 2017.
Assistant Public Works Director Chase McBride updated the council and those in attendance on the progress of the new wastewater treatment plant. He said the main plant is about 80 percent complete, and everything is still on target for an October 2025 opening.
“Everything has been running smoothly,” McBride said. “The biggest thing we’ve run into is weather, but that’s the case with any outdoor project.
“This is a great contractor (Gracon Construction). They had a lot of hurdles to jump, but they’re great.”
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