Plus, grab tickets to Shaq's Fort Worth music festival.
 
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💸 Show me the money

By the numbers: Fort Worth’s approved FY 2025 budget
FTW-current-city-hall
Be part of the budget decisions by attending public meetings at City Hall and around town. | Photo by @fortwortharchitecture
The city’s general spending fund could go up by nearly 5% in 2025. Yesterday, city manager David Cooke presented the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget to City Council — and we’re here to turn the 70-page presentation into a quick morning read.

Tax changes

The proposed total operating budget is just under $2.79 billion — $190 million higher than last year — and will include a 0.48-cent property tax increase. The new tax rate will be set at $0.68 cents per $100 valuation. Last year, property taxes decreased 4% in the largest reduction in decades.
FTW-property-tax-rates-revenue-2025

The city’s taxable property value is set to increase, so with a slightly higher tax rate, the city can bring in $783 million of property tax revenue.

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Graphic by FTWtoday

Budget biggies

This year’s theme — “Focusing on Foundations” — reflects the city’s priorities for responsible growth, economic development, infrastructure, community safety, and community investment. Here are some of the highlights for the $1.062 billion general fund.

$555 million for Police and Fire departments
Increase from 2024: $20 million
Proposed funds aim to add a new Meet and Confer contract and create an Emergency Medical Services division to absorb service from Medstar, using over half of the general fund for public safety.

$76.5 million for the Park and Recreation departments
Increase from 2024: $5.6 million
Mowing and litter removal, centralized community center customer service, enhanced youth programs + staffing the new Northwest Community Center and Meadowbrook Golf Course, which is set to reopen next year, are where this money could be headed.

$106 million for the Transportation & Public Works Department
Increase from 2024: $8.3 million
Funds will address street repair programs, traffic engineering services, and high-priority capital flood mitigation.

$29.61.2 million for the Fort Worth Public Library
Increase from 2024: $1.7 million
The department’s budget compensates for the transition of the Fort Worth Public Art program management to the library.

$12 million for the City Attorney
Increase from 2024: $2.3 million
Organizational restructuring of the Legislative Affairs committee under the City Attorney’s office is the proposed use of these dollars.

Have thoughts?

Over 10 public budget discussions will take place from Saturday, Aug. 24 to Saturday, Sept. 7. City Council will review the proposal and adopt the final budget on Tuesday, Sept. 17 before the start of the fiscal year on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
 
Events
Wednesday, Aug. 14
  • Knitting 101 | Wednesday, Aug. 14 | 6-7:45 p.m. | Grapevine Public Library | Free | Learn fundamental techniques with instructor Linda at this beginner class.
  • Seafood with Hatch Chiles | Wednesday, Aug. 14 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Central Market Fort Worth | $105 | Learn how to make dishes like hatch corn and crab cakes + fish tacos with hatch-lime aioli.
Thursday, Aug. 15
  • “American Pie” Theme Party | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 8 p.m. | Rooftop Cinema Club | $25 | Relive the iconic moments of this 1990s movie followed by house party games, trivia, and music for the 18+ crowd.
Friday, Aug. 16
  • “Big Fish” | Friday, Aug. 16 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Theatre Arlington | $5-$40 | See this musical adaptation of Tim Burton’s 2024 film that follows Edward Bloom’s heartwarming, larger-than-life stories, that yes, include a very large fish.
Saturday, Aug. 17
  • Kings of Leon | Saturday, Aug. 17 | 8 p.m. | Dickies Arena | $79-$468 | See this Grammy Award-winning rock band known for songs like “Use Somebody” with opening support from Phantogram.
Sunday, Aug. 18
  • Artist/Vendor Night Market | Sunday, Aug. 18 | 6-11 p.m. | McFly’s Pub | Free | Shop local during this inaugural monthly market with shaved ice, food trucks, and games + doggos are welcome on a leash.
Tuesday, Aug. 20
  • Public Comment Meeting | Tuesday, Aug. 20 | 6 p.m. | Old City Hall | Free | Register at least two hours in advance to share your opinion on City Council agenda items.
Events calendar here
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News Notes
Theater
  • Digital lotteries start today to see “Sister Act” the musical at Bass Performance Hall. Enter every day through Saturday, Aug. 17 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the chance to purchase two $25 tickets for the following day’s performance by Jubilee Theatre.
Concert
  • The lineup has been released for the second edition of Shaq’s Bass All-Starts Festival at Panther Island Pavilion. On Saturday, Nov. 16, 17 DJs will take the stage, including Shaquille O’Neal himself as DJ Diesel, Dion Timmer, and Dirt Monkey. Tickets go on sale on Friday, Aug. 16 at 10 a.m.
Health
  • Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth just tricked out its pad — with a new helipad, that is. The hospital’s fifth landing space is located on the ground level next to the emergency department + will help meet patient needs at the Level 1 trauma center. (Fort Worth Report)
Legacy
  • A candlelight vigil will be held today at 7:30 p.m. in honor of Sgt. Billy Randolph, a Fort Worth Police officer that died in the line of duty while assisting a car crash scene on Monday. Randolph served with the Fort Worth Police Department for 29 years. The vigil will take place at the Fort Worth Police South Patrol Division on Risinger Road. (WFAA)
Sports
  • No. 4. That’s what the Texas Longhorns ranked in the AP Preseason Poll, following Georgia, Ohio State, and Oregon. Hook the latest updates and things to look out for this football season from the Locked On’s daily podcasts.
    Real Estate
    • We can’t stop drooling over Willow Park North — a master-planned community in Parker County (read: one of the state’s fastest-growing counties). Located ~30 minutes away, this neighborhood offers the perfect mix of small-town charm and urban amenities. Find your new home.*
    Finance
    • Good news: Rates are expected to go down soon. Compare fixed-rate loans and HELOCs to find your best way to borrow — calculate your payment.*
    Shop
    • These THC gummies tap into the body’s endocannabinoid system and get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.*†
     
    Health

    🩺 Check the charts

    Cook Children’s tops charts for medical care and employee satisfaction
    FTW-cook-childrens-mascot
    Peaks the Dragon is the main character of Peaks Tech Zone, where patients can peek into the dragon’s world on a 90-inch interactive touch screen. | Photo courtesy of Cook Children’s
    The (nationally ranked) doctor will see you now. Cowtown has one of the nation’s best resources for pediatric medicine: Cook Children’s Health Care System.

    Dating back to a 30-bed facility in 1918, Cook Children’s is now one of the largest pediatric health care systems in the southwest, treating over two million patients annually with nearly 10,000 staff members across 60 medical offices and specialty clinics.

    The healthcare system tops the charts in both patient care and employee satisfaction. According to recent data from the U.S. News & World Report, Cook Children’s Fort Worth Medical Center is nationally ranked in five pediatric specialties including:
    • Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units
    • Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Services
    • Onsite Pediatric Emergency Department
    Additionally, the hospital ranked No. 3 on Forbes’ list of Best Large Employers in the country + No. 1 in the healthcare industry. Cook Children’s was also included on Newsweek’s 2024 list of America’s Greatest Workplaces, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars.
    Recent hospital expansions
    Asked

    What was Cook Children’s originally called?
    The hospital system has had a few names over its 106-year history. Do you know its original name when it opened in 1918?

    A. Walton Lawrence Cook Hospital
    B. Fort Worth Children’s Hospital
    C. Fort Worth Free Baby Hospital
    D. W. I. Cook Memorial Hospital
    In the records room
    The Buy

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    The Wrap
     
    Kate Mazade

    Today’s edition by:
    Kate
    From the editor
    Ready for a weekend in the country? Head one hour west of Fort Worth to visit Mineral Wells, which was recently listed on WorldAtlas’ roundup of “10 Best Small Towns in Texas to Visit in 2024.”

    The city gets its name from the, you guessed it, mineral wells in the area, which can be explored at Lake Mineral Wells State Park.
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