The Tyler City Council Approved Its 2025 Budget, Here's What They Plan To Do.

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Tyler City Council approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) which plans to address improved roadways and traffic flow, enhanced drainage systems, upgraded water and sewer infrastructure, and redeveloping public spaces. To see the complete budget, CLICK HERE.

The FY25 budget totals $255.9 million, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year. Of this, $50 million will be allocated to capital expenditures upgrading water and sewer systems, and another $41.4 million will be devoted to traffic signal improvements, street reconstruction, increased drainage capacity, and the redevelopment of the Downtown Tyler square funded by Half-Cent Sales Tax revenues.

The Tyler Police Department will receive $37.9 million, and the Fire Department will receive $25.8 million.

Public safety remains a top priority, accounting for 67% of the General Fund Expenditures. The City will convert the former National Guard Armory into a $1.3 million Regional Training Facility funded by the Half-Cent Fund.

The AXON replacement program will continue, ensuring officers have state-of-the-art body cameras and tasers. They will also hire two new officers for the Downtown Beat, contingent on funding from Federal grants or the Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Fund.

The City will invest $2.6 million in one new fire engine and one ladder truck plus a portable Class A Burn Building for specialized training. Planning for the upgraded Fire Station 2, funded by the Half-Cent Fund, is also underway.

Tyler will continue its two-cent tax rate commitment to the street fund, equivalent to approximately $2.3 million.

The money will be used for sealing miles of streets and preserving historic brick streets. An additional $20 million from the Half-Cent Fund will support street reconstruction projects and traffic improvements, including Year 5 of the Traffic Signalization Modernization Project.

Tyler will invest $50 million in water and wastewater capital projects next year.

This includes an additional $1 million allocated to the current water-meter replacement project. Tyler Water Utilities will implement phase three of the uniform rate structure, increasing water and sewer costs between an estimated $10.90 and $24.49 for the average customer.

Residential trash collection rates will increase by $0.91 monthly for the average cart, maintaining twice-weekly pickups.

Over the next three years, $25.7 million will be invested to revitalize downtown.

Starting with $10.3 million from the Half-Cent Sales Tax Fund in the coming year to launch Phase I of the Downtown Improvements project in January 2025. This phase will enhance the west side of the square with expanded green spaces and right-of-way improvements.

The City will also complete the Legacy Trails trailhead at Stewart Park, plus spend $775,000 from the Parks Capital Improvement Fund to improve landscaping, restrooms, and signage at the park to improve accessibility. Continued renovations at the Rose Complex will include demolishing outdated Fair Ground facilities to make room for future improvements.

The city will also hire a horticulturist for the Rose Garden, to maintain the garden's 38,000 rose bushes.