TYLER, Texas — The Tyler City Council on Wednesday approved its $255.9 million budget focused on public safety improvements, water and sewer infrastructure and redevelopment in downtown efforts.
The theme of this budget is "All of Tyler," which means to be focused on spending responsibly for roads, drainage, water and sewer, and public spaces throughout the city. The council also approved a new tax rate of $0.240085.
While it is a lower tax rate, property values in Tyler rose by 10 percent and this results in an annual tax increase of $35.12 for the average homeowner, according to the city of Tyler. Actual changes to a person's tax bill will depend on their home value.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Public safety, which includes the Tyler Police and Fire Departments, will receive $63.7 million between the two of them -- police receiving $37.9 million and the fire department getting $25.8 million.
A significant part of the police department's budget is $1.3 million going toward transforming the old National Guard Amory into a regional training facility for police officers who can go off to serve in several East Texas cities. This project will be funded through the Half-Cent Sales Tax Fund.
Tyler police also plans to hire two police officers dedicated to the downtown beat. This is expected to cost $194,213, but it would also depend on funding from federal grants or the Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Fund.
The police department will receive $523,768 to fund state-of-the-art body cameras and tasers.
The city of Tyler will begin the process of getting a new fire engine and ladder truck for about $2.6 million. These vehicles would not arrive until a little over three years later, but taking this action now would set up financing plans and reduce overall costs, the city said.
City officials will purchase a portable Class A burn building to help with the training of Tyler firefighters for a cost of $130,000. The city is seeking out property for a new training facility that would be funded through the Half-Cent Sales Tax Fund.
Planning is also underway for the demolition and rebuilding of an upgraded Fire Station 2, located at the intersection of Old Bullard and Rieck Roads. Additionally, the city of Tyler wants to use $25,000 for equipment to allow TFD to participate in the Texas Interstate Fire Mutual Aid System, meaning firefighters would be able to be send out to places in need of assistance.
STREETS, STORMWATER AND TRAFFIC
A part of the proposal for the streets of Tyler is repurposing vacant positions to prepare for extreme weather events, such as an additional leader on the tree crew and the stormwater management department.
"This is about resilience through preparation," said City Manager Edward Broussard. "In the face of extreme weather, we must be ready for whatever nature throws our way.”
According to the budget, about $2.3 million will go toward sealing miles of streets and preserving historic brick streets.
A total of $20 million from the Half-Cent Fund will support street reconstruction projects and traffic improvements, including the fifth year of the Traffic Signalization Modernization Project.
WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
The city plans to invest $50 million in water and wastewater capital projects next year. An additional $1 million is set to be given to the current water meter replacement project taking the total number of new meter installations to approximately 11,000 by December 2025.
Those meter replacements began Aug. 19.
Tyler Water Utilities customers will see a rise in water and sewer rates between about $10.90 and $24.49 for the average customers. This is happening as the city enter the third phase of using the uniform rate structure, meaning customers are charged based on how much water they use.
Residents will also see a $0.91 monthly increase for garbage pickup to maintain twice-weekly pickups.
"We've completed studies on our water and sewer systems outlining improvements needed to meet federal, state, and our own expectations," Broussard said. "The rate increases we put in place now are necessary to provide funding for these critical services to our residents, businesses, and other customers."
Officials plan to conduct a taste and odor study at the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant to help improve the smell and taste. The city says water pressure will strengthen across town because of an elevated storage tanks and upsizing old water lines.
DOWNTOWN CHANGES AND PARKS
The city plans to launch the first phase of the Downtown Improvements project in January 2025. This phase should cost $10.3 million from the Half-Cent Sales Tax Fund, while the three-year cost should be $25.7 million to revitalize downtown.
These plans to transform downtown are working in tandem with Smith County as progress for a new courthouse continues. The city of Tyler will work on the west side of the square by expanding green spaces and right-of-way improvements, while seeking to make minimal disruptions.
Also a part of the budget is the creation of the new Stewart Park and crews will add another Legacy Trails trailhead to connect parks, neighborhoods, and commercial areas for all of Tyler. The cost is planned to be $775,000.
The city plans to demolish outdated Fair Ground facilities around the Rose Complex at a cost of $150,000, add a horticulturalist for the Tyler Rose Garden for $85,965 and continue adding concrete garden beds at the Rose Garden (instead of plastic) for $100,000.
The horticulturalist will maintain the garden's 38,000 rose bushes to make sure it remains the one of the most beautiful municipal rose gardens in the U.S.