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Editor's Note: This story has been corrected to reflect the city's $169,968,734 in budgeted expenditures for 2025-2056. Here is the link to the Proposed Budget in Brief.
A city council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, saw the approval of an almost $170 million budget overshadowed by an unusual public rebuke from a senior council member who condemned recent leadership failures without revealing what prompted her criticism.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Tina Bennett-Burton delivered a scathing assessment of her colleagues' recent conduct during the meeting's board liaison reporting portion, calling their actions "unacceptable" and demanding higher standards of professionalism.
"The way activities were handled over the past couple of weeks were unacceptable and fell far short of the leadership this community deserves," Bennett-Burton said during the agenda item where council members typically report on their activities with outside organizations. "Your trust is not guaranteed in us. It is a must for us to earn that and preserve that through our actions."
Bennett-Burton's pointed criticism suggested behind-the-scenes tensions, though she declined to elaborate on specific incidents.
"I will not accept anything less from myself, and neither should you," Bennett said, demanding that the entire council "rise to the level of our community's expectations."
Despite the internal discord, the council voted 4-1 to approve the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, with Councilmember Roger Neal casting the lone dissenting vote. The spending plan maintains the property tax rate at 54.35 cents per $100 of assessed valuation while preserving a healthy $2.3 million surplus.
The budget represents months of strategic planning and community input, focusing on four key priorities: public safety, infrastructure, economic development and neighborhoods. City Manager Ben Williamson said the plan reflects careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
"But the budget also absorbed every increase in priority the council was looking for, all cost increases, and that was done by the efficient management of the city based at council's direction to making sure we don't have bloat. We don't have things that need to be trimmed," Williamson said.
The most significant investment targets the city's aging infrastructure. Water and wastewater systems will receive $9 million, a substantial increase from last year's $5.8 million allocation. To fund these improvements, residents will see a 15% increase in water rates.
Williamson emphasized the city's commitment to maintaining infrastructure for long-term sustainability.
Public safety enhancements total more than $1.2 million and address concerns raised throughout the budget process. The package includes $100,000 for LED streetlight conversions, $840,000 for traffic signals and school beacons, and $300,000 for improved lane striping.
The police department will grow by five officers, with three positions funded through federal grants. New roles include specialists in commercial vehicle enforcement and criminal intelligence.
Economic development receives a boost of $450,000, including funding for business attraction programs, engineering studies, and cultural investments such as a $50,000 grant to Firehouse Theatre.
The budget also allocates $100,000 for studying blockchain and artificial intelligence integration and $150,000 for comprehensive facility assessments.
Councilmember Elizabeth Villafranca praised the budget team's work, calling it "a phenomenal budget" and expressing pride in being part of the collaborative effort.
The meeting included recognition for Budget Manager Suzanne Pritchard, who is retiring after 38 years with the city. The 2025-26 budget marks her final contribution to Farmers Branch financial planning.
Williamson praised Pritchard's dedication and noted the budget represents "a neat transition from where we are today into the future." The city has streamlined operations in recent years, reducing department heads from 14 to nine.
Despite increased spending, the general fund balance stands at $22.2 million, exceeding the target of $20.5 million. The revenue stabilization fund holds $4.6 million.
Property taxes remain the city's most stable revenue source, generating an estimated $46 million annually from assessments that are 74% commercial and 26% residential. Sales tax revenue is projected at $23 million, up from $21.7 million last year.
The budget process included community engagement through surveys, town halls, and digital outreach that helped shape spending priorities.
The budget's passage caps an eight-month process that began with strategic planning sessions in February and included multiple public hearings and community input opportunities.
The new fiscal year begins October 1.
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