The Tyler City Council on Wednesday heard the city's proposed budget for 2025 that addresses public safety, redeveloping public spaces, roadways, traffic and infrastructure. "Every year we do the budget, it's always been my philosophy and is the philosophy of the staff, that this budget is for all of Tyler," Mayor Don Warren said. The City of Tyler's 2025 budget presentation is titled "All of Tyler," a testament to its focus on serving the entire city while maintaining responsible spending.
The budget focuses on four key areas: public safety, fortifying streets and stormwater while optimizing traffic flow, upgrading water and sewer systems, and enhancing solid waste management and quality of life. The 2025 budget year starts on Oct. 1.
The proposed budget totals $255.9 million, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year. Of this, $50 million will be designated for capital expenditures to upgrade water and sewer systems, and $41.
4 million will be allocated to improve traffic signals, reconstruct streets, increase drainage capacity and redevelop the downtown square funded by half-cent sales tax revenues. Opportunities for public input are available by attending the council meetings on Aug. 28 and Sept.
11, held at city hall, 212 N. Bonner Ave. The final adoption is scheduled for the Sept.
11 meeting. A tax rate of $0.240085 has been proposed, maintaining Tyler's position as having the lowest tax rate in Smith County and among Texas cities with populations over 15,000.
Projected property taxes are about $30.5 million, or 32% of the general revenue fund. Property values in the city have risen by 10%, with the average home now valued at $255,811.
While the proposed tax rate is lower than last year, the increased value will cause an annual tax increase of $35.12 for the average homeowner. This will generate an additional $1.
7 million invested in public safety and infrastructure. Public safety remains a top priority, accounting for 67% of the General Fund expenditures. The Tyler Police Department will receive $37.
9 million, and the Tyler Fire Department will receive $25.8 million. Public safety continues to be a top priority for the city, Tyler City Manager Ed Broussard said.
Tyler Fire Department has an ISO Class 1 rating , placing it in the country's top 1% of fire departments. It is expected to add two trucks to its fleet: one engine and one ladder truck. The projected cost is $2.
6 million, and the trucks will become available in 38 to 40 months. Tyler Fire Department has an ISO Class 1 rating, placing it in the country's top 1% of fire departments. It is expected to add two trucks to its fleet: one engine and one ladder truck.
(Tyler Morning Telegraph File) The budget also includes funding for equipment, a portable burn building for specialized training, systems, property for a new training facility, and an upgrade for Fire Station 2. Tyler Police Department is CALEA accredited , a distinction held by 3% of law enforcement agencies nationwide. The former National Guard Armory will be converted into a $1.
3 million regional training facility to service all of East Texas, and an AXON replacement program will ensure officers have state-of-the-art body cameras and tasers and hire two new officers for the Downtown beat. Tyler Police Department is CALEA accredited, a distinction held by 3% of law enforcement agencies nationwide. (Tyler Morning Telegraph File) "Our first responders are truly among the finest in the notation," Warren said.
"We are committed to continually innovating, training, and daily compensating these exceptional individuals." Additionally, the Animal Shelter will receive its first year of kennel updates, and Code Enforcement will continue to encourage the demolition of substandard commercial buildings. In January 2025, the city will begin Phase 1 of its downtown improvement projects .
Over the next three years, $25.7 million will be invested to revitalize the downtown area. The first phase will enhance the west side of the square with expanded green spaces and right-of-way improvements, all while working to ensure minimal disruptions.
As part of the revitalization efforts downtown, the City of Tyler formulated a cohesive direction for the future layout of downtown’s public areas, sidewalks and thoroughfares in partnership with the new Smith County Courthouse. (Fitzpatrick Architects/Artist Rendering) "Phase 1 piece is on the west side of the square and is really kind of developing out of the park ..
. as well as the street components, the traffic circles we've been talking about, the narrowing down of Broadway," Broussard said. Construction and traffic management measures will be implemented at Broadway and College Avenue, Ferguson and Erwin Streets.
Traffic flow will be directed to the outside lanes, and a perimeter of fencing will be installed to enclose the square. The Smith County parking garage is set to open this fall , alleviating parking issues downtown. Until the garage is operational, parking on the square may present a challenge.
Visitors are encouraged to consider alternative parking options, such as the free Fair Plaza Garage. Everyone will experience some inconvenience from the onset of the project until late 2027, Broussard said. Employees, residents and visitors will need to be cognizant of sidewalk and street improvements and events traditionally held on the square, like the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival and the Tyler Rotary Christmas Parade, which have been relocated until the project's completion.
The city will finish the Legacy Trails trailhead at Stewart Park , enhancing connectivity between parks, neighborhoods and commercial areas. About $775,000 from the Parks Capital Improvement Fund will be used for landscaping, restrooms and signage upgrade improvements. The city will finish the Legacy Trails trailhead at Stewart Park, enhancing connectivity between parks, neighborhoods and commercial areas.
(Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph File) Renovations at the Rose Complex will involve demolishing outdated fairground facilities to make way for future upgrades. Additionally, plans include hiring a horticulturist for the Rose Garden to care for its 38,000 rose bushes and maintain its status as one of the largest and most beautiful municipal rose gardens in the U.
S. The city plans to bolster Tyler's maintenance efforts by reallocating vacant positions and increasing capacity in departments that manage extreme weather events, including street tree crews and stormwater management. "This is about resilience through preparation," Broussard said.
"In the face of extreme weather, we must be prepared for whatever nature brings." Tyler will continue its commitment to the street fund by maintaining the two-cent tax rate to seal streets and preserve historic brick roads. An additional $20 million from the Half-Cent Fund will finance street reconstruction and traffic improvements, including the fifth year of the Traffic Signalization Modernization Project.
Tyler will invest $50 million in water and wastewater capital projects next year, focusing on customer experience. This includes an additional $1 million to the current water-meter replacement project , taking the total number of new meter installations to approximately 11,000 by December 2025. The city will also pilot a taste and odor study at the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant to improve smell and taste.
Water pressure across town will be boosted by elevated storage tanks and upsizing old water lines. On the wastewater side, improvements to treatment plants and infrastructure to enhance capacity, efficiency, and reliability will ensure Tyler can meet growing community demand. Tyler Water Utilities will implement Phase 3 of the uniform rate structure, increasing water and sewer costs between an estimated $10.
90 and $24.49 for the average customer. "We've completed studies on our water and sewer systems outlining improvements needed to meet federal, state, and our own expectations," said Broussard.
"The rate increases we put in place now are necessary to provide funding for these critical services to our residents, businesses, and other customers." Residential trash collection rates will increase by $0.91 monthly for the average cart, maintaining twice-weekly pickups.
People can view the city's official budget presentation and proposed tax rate at the City of Tyler website at www.CityofTyler.org .
To view the property tax calculator, visit https://smith.truthintaxes.com .
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