Page 6 - Bedford-FY25-26 Budget

Transmittal Letter

Andrea Roy, City Manager

October 1, 2025
Honorable Mayor, Council Members, and Bedford Community Members –

I respectfully submit to you the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 Budget for the City of Bedford. This represents the annual
nancial plan and allocation of public resources for the coming year. The budget was developed with a focus on progressing
toward the City’s goals and providing excellent day-to-day services to Bedford residents.

The total budget for FY 2025-2026, including capital purchases, debt service commitments, Street Improvement Economic
Development Corporation’s maintenance projects, and transfers between funds, is $104,365,070. This represents a decrease
of $687,363, or 0.65% when compared to the FY 2024-2025 amended budget. This decrease is primarily related to one-time
items in the FY 2024-2025 budget.

The City’s objective is to provide quality services that re ect the community’s goals and vision within reasonable scal limits.
The program of services, which is the City’s annual scal budget, is developed in alignment with the City Council’s strategic
plan, as well as the desires of Bedford residents. The budgeting process seeks to allocate nite resources to maintain quality
service levels. As such, Bedford must continue to assess how the decisions of today impact the ability of the City to be
successful over the long-term.

We experienced some budget challenges this year. The Tarrant Appraisal District’s re-appraisal plan froze residential
appraisals until 2027. This resulted in residential appraisals decreasing 0.37% when compared to the prior year. Commercial
values increased 2.36% and industrial values increased 0.50%. Overall, the City’s estimated net taxable values did grow by
0.58% or $38.7 million. Therefore, the total net taxable values included in this year’s budget is $6,758,161,241.
The tax rate for the FY 2025-2026 Budget will be $0.526212 per $100 assessed valuation. This is an increase over the prior
year’s tax rate. While the City experienced increased costs in health insurance, worker's compensation insurance, and
utilities, this budget allows for the continuation of the Public Safety Step Pay Plan and adds funding for the TMRS COLA for
retirees. The budget funds an additional Senior Neighborhood Services Enforcement Of cer, and improvements to cyber
security. Additionally, there are several one-time items as well, including an ambulance remount for the Fire Department,
personal protective equipment for the Fire Department and Honor Guard Uniforms and sidearm replacements in the Police
Department. In an effort to keep costs down, city departments reviewed historical averages and made budgetary reductions
in supplies, maintenance and contractual services. This resulted in savings of 4.57% in supplies, 6.94% in maintenance, and
0.88% in contractual services.
This past year was a busy one for the City. The grand opening to the newly renovated Senior Center was held in January.
Both the Residential and Commercial properties of the Campus West properties sold. This much anticipated project broke
ground in the spring of 2025. Fire Station 3 was renovated to allow staff better sleeping quarters and improved kitchen and
workout facilities. Staff moved back into the facility in the spring of 2025. Station 2 renovation plans are currently under plan
review and will be bid in the fall of 2025.

This budget would not be possible without the efforts the Mayor and City Council for their guidance and support
throughout the development of this document. It is a collaborative effort and involves employees at all levels of the
organization, City Manager’s Of ce, Department Directors, and their staff. A very special thanks goes to Senior Budget
Analyst, Anda Upchurch, for all the hard work, patience, and determination she has demonstrated throughout this process.
Thank you to Assistant City Manager Caryn Riggs, Finance Director Brady Olsen, and Accounting Manager Kimberly
Robinson, who spent long hours providing thoughtful and detailed analysis in producing this comprehensive document for
your consideration. I’d also like to thank the other staff members that helped contribute to this plan to provide excellent
services to the residents of Bedford.

Respectfully,
Andrea Roy
City Manager

City of Bedford, TX | Proposed Budget FY 2025-2026 Page 6