“Putting this referendum on the ballot puts the choice directly in the hands of those who live, work, own businesses, raise families, and invest in this community.”
— Mayor Dylan Hedrick
At its Aug. 17 Regular Meeting, the Garland City Council voted unanimously to call a special election for Tuesday, Nov. 3, putting the City’s adopted property tax rate for 2026-27 on the ballot. Council called the election following public meetings, City Council discussions and community input.
If voters approve the Garland Tax Rate Election:
2026-27 Property Tax Rate = $0.679900
If voters do not approve the Garland Tax Rate Election:
2026-27 Property Tax Rate = $0.643254
Budget differences associated with the election:
If voters approve Proposition A, the City’s 2026-27 adopted tax rate of $0.679900 per $100 of taxable value will take effect. The 2026-27 adopted budget allocates approximately $7.2 million of the resulting additional M&O revenue to specified positions, programs and operating expenditures, including:
10 Police Officer positions and four vehicles
Nine Firefighter positions and Firefighter overtime
Eight 9-1-1 Dispatcher positions
Three Animal Services Technician positions
$554,500 for library materials and resources
$396,855 for the following City-produced special events: Art Made Here, Asian American Heritage Festival, Juneteenth, Fall Fest & Guzzler Run, Día de los Muertos, Sensory-Friendly Christmas and 12 Music Made Here concerts
$765,821 for parks maintenance, City landscaping and parks security
If voters do not approve Proposition A, the voter-approval rate of $0.643254 per $100 of taxable value will take effect, and the City would receive less in M&O revenue than anticipated in the adopted budget. The City Council would then consider and adopt any budget amendments necessary to account for the reduced revenue. Those amendments will most likely affect the positions, programs, services and operating expenditures listed above, as well as other available budgetary resources or expenditures.
Need more information before heading to the polls? Watch our on-demand recording of the Citywide Tax Rate Election Town Halls.