HEATH ADOPTS FY 2024-2025 CITY BUDGET
QUESTIONS
Contact: Jay Ayers,
Director of Finance at jayers@heathtx.com
Heath City Council adopted a FY 2024-2025 Annual Budget at the Regular City Council meeting on September 24 that prioritizes critical infrastructure needs including expansion of the water supply and delivery system.
The budget became effective October 1 and is based on a tax rate of 0.290311 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation.
“The budget planning cycle began for Councilmembers in June, with these volunteers investing over 75 hours across 13 meetings, bus tours, research trips and special sessions on the critical issues facing our City,” said Mayor Jeremiah McClure.
“Citizen input was also gathered through public hearings to guide us in preparing a budget that not only continues essential services, but elevates the ability to meet critical water, infrastructure, public safety, technology and staffing needs.”
“We are headed in the right direction with the new budget. But there is much to do. I thank my fellow councilmembers and City staff for their hard work, and our citizens for their support,” he said. “We take our fiscal stewardship and responsibility to the community’s needs today, and tomorrow, extremely seriously.”
FY 2024-2025 operational expenditures are budgeted at $13.8 million, with revenue from property taxes set at $6.091 million. This represents a total increase of $557,291 over the previous budget year, with $98,405 coming from new property additions.
Investments Included in the FY 2024-2025 Budget
EXPANDING THE WATER SYSTEM
A Water Capital Improvement Plan to:
- Increase storage capacity with new ground and elevated tanks
- Increase production potential through the drilling of potable water wells
- The plan will be presented at the November 12 City Council meeting
ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY
- Construction of a new Public Safety station that will have one of three new outdoor weather warning sirens and house a new fire truck.
- Addition of an emergency and general notification system.
- Retention of triple-certified officers in a highly competitive market with a pay adjustment and addition of a new scale classification.
IMPROVING CUSTOMER SERVICE AND PRODUCTIVITY
- Addition of staff positions in Community Development, Public Works and the City Secretary’s Office.
- Retention of staff in a competitive market with a cost-of-living adjustment.
- Addition of the TextMyGov system to enable citizens to easily access information on the City website.
- Addition of the SWAGIT system to improve the viewing of City meetings.
IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE
- A Fire Flow Improvement Plan accelerated to a 5-year timeline from 10 years beginning with Darr Estates.
- Construction of a new Public Works Facility to safely accommodate staff and storage of vehicles and equipment.
ENRICHING QUALITY OF LIFE
- Renovation of Towne Center Park with a Grand Re-Opening at Christmas in Heath 2025
- Focus on improving trail connectivity citywide in cooperation with the Parks And Trails of Heath (PATH) fundraising program.
MORE INFORMATION
Download the approved budget here.
You can watch the final meeting in which the budget was approved at the link below.
09/24/24 City Council Meeting – Budget section begins at 3:52:26
