FY 2026 Budget

Preparing the Budget

Each year, the City of Arlington works diligently to create a budget that supports City services, is fiscally responsible and focuses on the City Council’s priorities. For Fiscal Year 2026, several unique challenges are influencing how City staff are approaching the budget:

ARPA Funding: After COVID, the City gradually eased expenses covered by ARPA funding back into the general fund. FY2026 is the last year of this process.
Senior Tax Freeze: Arlington’s increasing senior population enjoys a senior tax freeze once they turn 65, meaning even if their property increases in value, the City portion of their tax bill will stay the same.
Conservative Valuations: Arlington is projecting growth in property values lower than recent historical norms and notably lower than adjacent counties.
Property Tax Protests: The City has seen significant loss in property value through protests, particularly in multi-family residential and commercial properties. The historical loss during the protest period has been between 0.5% and 1%. Last year, the loss was 3%.
New Reappraisal Plan: Following a freeze this past year, Tarrant Appraisal District’s plan is to not reappraise residential properties for two years means Arlington can assume there will be no increase in property values for that period of time.

As City staff works to craft the FY2026 budget, they are keeping the City Council’s new priorities in mind:

Enhance Mobility
Grow Our Economy
Preserve Financial Stability and Resilience
Strengthening Our Communities

Budget Documents

Piecing It Together

Through August, our “Piecing it Together” budget series will provide a high-level overview of the unique situational and economic factors impacting Arlington’s budget this year. Have a question or topic you’d like to see included? Send us a message.

Arlington’s Slowing Sales Tax Growth Expected to Continue Next Year

To date, City of Arlington sales tax revenue is about $4 million lower than the Fiscal Year 2025 budgeted amount that was approved by City Council last September. Based on current trends, that shortfall could be as much as $7 million by the time final sales tax data for the fiscal year is available to the City in November.

Senior Tax Freeze Impacts City’s General Fund Growth

The growing impact of the senior tax freeze, which removed $4.3 billion in taxable value from the City’s property tax base this year alone, is one of the challenges city leaders face as they work to balance a projected $25 million General Fund budget shortfall in Fiscal Year 2026.

How Entertainment District Growth Helps City Provide Core Services

While Arlington's Entertainment district is a key piece of helping fund programs and experiences that make Arlington a stronger community, it’s not the only piece of the larger budget puzzle.

More Than Property Taxes: How Arlington Funds City Services

Arlington’s operating budget is funded by eight distinct revenue sources, with the General Fund covering essential services like police and fire, while the remaining funds are legally restricted for specific uses such as water, debt service, tourism, and street maintenance.

From Parks to Pipes: The Scope of Arlington's City Assets

The City of Arlington is responsible for maintaining thousands of acres of public land, more than 190 public buildings, thousands of pieces of equipment and public infrastructure both above and below ground throughout the 99-square mile city.

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