Page 254 - CityofArlingtonFY26AdoptedBudget
P. 254
Appendices
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Accrual Basis: A way of accounting where you record income and expenses when they happen, not when the money
changes hands.
Ad Valorem Tax: A tax based on the value of property.
ACFR: see Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report: A detailed report showing the financial status and activities of
the city.
Appropriation: Money set aside for a specific purpose.
Assessed Valuation: The dollar value given to property for tax purposes. Property values in Arlington are established
by the Tarrant Appraisal District. The assessed value in Arlington for FY 2026 is $43.71 billion.
Assumptions: Things believed to be true for planning the budget.
AV Tax: see Ad Valorem Tax.
BAR: see Budget Analysis Report.
Bifurcated Tax Rate: A tax rate split into two parts, one for general use and one for paying off debt. For example, the
proposed FY 2026 tax rate is 62.98¢ per $100 of valuation. The tax rate is then bifurcated into two smaller groups, the general
fund portion and the debt service portion, which are 44.46¢ and 18.52¢ respectively.
Balanced Budget: A budget where income equals or exceeds expenses.
Bond Election: A vote by citizens to approve funding for large projects through bonds.
Bond Rating: A score that shows how likely the city is to repay its debt.
Bond Sales: Selling bonds to raise money for projects.
Budget: A plan for how to spend money over a certain period.
Budget Analysis Report (BAR): A quarterly report showing expected income and expenses for the year.
Budget Document: The official plan for the city's finances.
Budget Proposal: A document from departments requesting money and explaining their goals.
Business Plan: A summary of how departments plan to achieve their goals.
Capital Budget: A budget designated solely for Capital Improvement Program.
Capital Expenditure: Money spent on big items or projects costing over $5,000.
Capital Improvement Program: A plan for maintaining and improving the city's infrastructure.
FY 2026 Proposed Budget and Business Plan 248 City of Arlington, Texas
