Frequently Asked Questions

  • Voters are deciding whether the City Council’s 2026-27 adopted rate of $0.679900 will take effect. If the proposition is not approved, the voter-approval rate of $0.643254 will take effect. For each $100,000 of taxable value, the difference between the two rates is approximately $36.65 annually. The 2026-27 adopted budget allocates the additional revenue associated with the adopted rate to identified positions, operating expenditures, programs and reserves. See Appendix H of the 2026-27 Proposed Operating Budget.

  • If the election passes, the tax rate would be $0.679900. If the election does not pass, the tax rate would be $0.643254. These rates are approximately 1 cent and 4.6 cents lower than the 2025-26 rate of $0.689746, respectively.

  • CITY OF GARLAND PROPOSITION A - THIS IS A TAX INCREASE

    Approving the ad valorem tax rate of $0.679900 per $100 valuation in the City of Garland, Texas for the current year, a rate that is $0.036646 higher per $100 of valuation than the voter-approval tax rate of the City of Garland, Texas, for the purpose of increasing staff for the police department, fire department, 9-1-1 dispatch department and parks department, increasing funding for roadway construction and maintenance, maintaining and enhancing levels of city-wide services and competitive pay for public safety and city personnel. Last year, the ad valorem tax rate in the City of Garland, Texas was $0.689746 per $100 valuation.

  • State law requires voter approval because the adopted M&O rate is above the voter-approval M&O rate. For 2026, the voter-approval M&O rate is $0.283354 and the Council-adopted M&O rate is $0.320000.

  • For a representative Garland residence located in Dallas County and Garland ISD, the City’s rate constitutes approximately 29% of the combined rate imposed by applicable taxing entities. The taxing entities and percentages applicable to a particular property may differ depending on its location. This Tax Rate Election will only impact the City of Garland’s portion of your tax bill.

  • No. If your taxable home value rises, your bill can rise even when the tax rate is lowered. Check your appraisal notice for your actual taxable home value.

  • The City of Garland is only responsible for setting its tax rate, not your appraisal value. That’s set independently by the County Appraisal District. 

  • The City estimates that the 2026-27 adopted rate would produce approximately $10.6 million more in M&O revenue than the voter-approval rate. The 2026-27 adopted budget allocates approximately $7.1 million of the additional M&O revenue associated with the adopted rate to the following positions, expenditures and programs:

    Animal Services

    • $47,559 for three new full‐time Animal Services Technician positions

    • $22,733 for ongoing operating funds

    Code Compliance

    • $139,566 for one new full-time Operations and Special Projects Administrator position

    Fire

    • $1,128,160 for nine new full-time Firefighter positions

    • $594,400 for Firefighter overtime

    Library

    • $554,500 for books, digital resources and materials

    Municipal Court

    • $56,045 for Magistrate services

    • $18,773 for ongoing operating funds

    Parks & Recreation

    • $675,821 for parks maintenance and City landscaping

    • $347,155 for Parks vehicle replacements

    • $165,970 for one new full-time Field Supervisor position plus 1 new vehicle

    • $90,000 for parks security

    • $10,500 for the Wildflower Planting Program

    Police

    • $2,098,762 for 10 new full-time Police Officer positions plus 4 new vehicles

    • $756,424 for 8 new full-time 9-1-1 Dispatcher positions

    Special Events

    • $396,855 for the following City-produced special events: Art Made Here, Asian American Heritage Festival, Juneteenth, Fall Fest & Guzzler Run, Día de los Muertos, Sensory-Friendly Christmas and 12 Music Made Here concerts

    Transportation

    • $48,990 for ongoing operating funds

    • $15,527 for Crossing Guard salary market adjustments

    The remaining $2.5 million of the additional M&O revenue is allocated for General Fund reserves to fund unforeseen operational expenses, emergencies and increased costs in the future.

    Please note: Based on historical collection rates, the City assumes a property tax collection rate of 98% and assumes an additional percentage due to historically high valuation appeals, leading to approximately $1 million of unbudgeted potential revenue.

    If voters do not approve the proposition, Section 26.07(e) of the Texas Tax Code will reduce the City’s property tax rate to $0.643254, which will result in a budget amendment adopted or directed by the City Council to provide for removal or reduction of the positions, services and programs listed above.

  •  The Annual Budget Documents page on the City’s website details the entire 2026-27 budget adoption process, and Appendix H of the 2026-27 Proposed Operating Budget document lists an itemized breakdown.

  • The Tax Rate Election will not impact the funding or completion of projects previously approved by voters. The City of Garland would continue paying debt associated with voter-approved projects while reducing the portion of the tax rate needed for debt as older obligations are paid down.