Let us know your priorities for the FY2027 budget

Each year, the City of Fort Worth must make decisions about how to use limited resources to provide services for the community. The Budget Priorities Survey is a new opportunity for residents to share which services matter most to them and provide input on possible changes. The survey is anonymous and the feedback collected will help City leaders understand community priorities during the FY27 budget development process.

Access the survey.

The City’s budget is the financial plan for how it provides services each fiscal year, running from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. Based on current estimates, the City will need to overcome a shortfall of $49.3 million to deliver a balanced general fund budget for FY27. The total expected revenue is $1.13 billion and total expected expenses equal $1.18 billion.

To reduce projected expenses, all departments were directed to balance to a 1% reduction in their target budget and also identify another 3% in potential cost-saving options. A 1% reduction would allocate $7.8 million toward the shortfall, and the 3% reduction would provide $14.1 million, leaving a $27.4 million gap remaining. City staff will work throughout the summer to close the gap and balance the budget by early August.

Budget work sessions will be held through August and are conducted to share updates at City Council work sessions and allow residents to see what is shaping the budget until it gets adopted. The following budget work sessions are scheduled:

May 19

June 2

June 16

Aug. 11: City manager’s recommended budget

Aug. 18

On May 1, preliminary budgets were submitted by all departments and are currently under review. Budget projections will be updated as new tax revenue data is released throughout the summer. The city manager’s recommended budget will be presented to the Council in August. Community events will occur during the month of August, with the budget adoption in September.