BY CONNOR PITTMAN
City staff projects water and trash rate increases As part of the proposed budget, Magner said city staff project a 3% merit-based pay raise for all employees, including public safety personnel. Some police and fire employees within the five- year step plan are also expected to receive a raise. Revenues for the city’s general fund are estimated at $180.7 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year, per the presentation, while expenditures are $180.3 million. Digging deeper As part of the proposed budget, residents can also expect increases to their utility bills. Budget Officer Bob Clymire said there are planned 3% increases for water and sewer service because of increasing cost from the city’s utility providers, including the North Texas Municipal Water District. Residential drainage fees are expected to increase by $1 to $5.25 per month. Trash service fees will increase by $2 per month and $1.47 per month for
Crosswalks, school zone signs redone To address changing school attendance boundaries and maintain existing infrastruc- ture, the city of Richardson has replaced and updated crosswalks and school zone markings. The overview The changes to school zone boundaries are necessary in part because of Project RightSize, which included the consolida- tion of four elementary school campuses. Because of new school attendance bound- aries, the city needed to place new school zone signage and paint crosswalks. As part of the city’s infrastructure mainte- nance program, school district signage and crosswalks are part of an ongoing two-year update and replacement cycle, according to a staff presentation.
Description FY 2023- 2024 cost
FY 2024-25 proposed cost
Annual dollar change
Property tax (city portion)
$1,970 $2,102
+$132
Water charges Sewer charges
$1,081
$1,110
+$29
$573
$587
+$14
Drainage fee $51
$63
+$12
Residential solid waste
$300
$326
+$26
Total
$3,975
$4,188
+ $213
SOURCE: CITY OF RICHARDSON/COMMUNITY IMPACT
customers age 65 and older. Magner also presented a proposed tax rate of $0.54218 per $100 of assessed value for the 2024- 25 fiscal year. The maintenance and operations component—which covers most city operating expenses—would be $0.32439 and the interest and sinking component—used to pay off debt—is estimated to be $0.21779.
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RICHARDSON EDITION
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