Government
BY MARK FADDEN, COLBY FARR & CODY THORN
Proposed city of Keller budget for FY 2024 25 includes pay increases The proposed budget for the city of Keller in scal year 2024-25 could see a 3.29% increase compared to FY 2023-24 if approved by council. During an Aug. 6 work session, council exam- ined the budget proposal from Interim City Manager Aaron Rector that would go into e ect Oct. 1. The proposed budget totals $112.2 million—$3.6 million more than FY 2023-24, according to city documents. Rector said the budget is proposing a tax rate under the no-new-revenue rate of $0.298552 per $100 valuation. The current tax rate is $0.312 per $100 valuation. By the numbers The budget features a 3.8% increase in person- nel services, which was $1.3 million more than
Fort Worth city manager to retire
Adopted FY 2023-24 budget Proposed FY 2024-25 budget
$109,204,129
+3.29%
City Manager David Cooke, who has served as Fort Worth city manager since June 30, 2014, will retire at the end of February. The overview A city news release stated Cooke’s tenure has
$112,801,478
$0 $20M $40M $60M $80M $100M $120M
SOURCE: CITY OF KELLER COMMUNITY IMPACT
FY 2023-24. Rector said the city providing pay increases would keep up with neighboring cities to stay competitive. The funding for personnel is in the general fund, which accounts for $50 million of the $107.2 million total. According to city documents, the water and wastewater fund is the second largest with $31 million. Rector said the cost of city services for an average residential taxpayer is $114.49 a month. During the Sept. 17 council meeting, the budget and tax rate will be voted on by council.
David Cooke
been marked by achievements such as: • Managing the $2.3B government budget • Leading approximately 8,100 employees • Accommodating growth of approximately 20,000 new residents per year • Fostering public/private partnerships The news release states city o cials will announce details of their transition plan soon.
West Nile virus activity increases in Tarrant County More than halfway through the 2024 season, Tarrant County of icials have noticed a signif- icant increase in West Nile virus activity com- pared to last year, according to an Aug. 12 news release. What’s happening That’s more than twice the 2023 season total that ended with 12 human cases, according to the news release. The West Nile virus season typically runs from April to November each year. The release states 24 people have been
“If you are going to be outside, keep the air moving by using a fan. Mosquitoes
surprisingly do not y well.” DR. BRIAN BYRD, TARRANT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR
2023 season ended with 244 positive mosquito samples.
hospitalized with the virus this year, and one death has been reported. County of icials have already found more than 500 mosquito samples that tested positive for West Nile virus. The
Since the season started in April, 28 human cases of West Nile virus have been reported.
Advertise in the Voter Guide
ADS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM PRINT + DIGITAL PACKAGES | DIRECT MAIL
8
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook