City Of Irving Fy 2020-21 Proposed Budget And Input Opportunities

Press release from the City of Irving:

September 8, 2020

Each year in August, the City Manager submits a proposed budget to City Council for consideration for the city’s following fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The proposed budget is Council’s jumping off point to begin budget deliberation until the final budget is adopted in September.

Several considerations informed the City of Irving’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 budget, including the effects of COVID-19, the 2020 resident survey and the Irving City Council’s dedication to providing continued community improvements and exceptional service.

The city entered 2020 in a strong fiscal position as a result of prudent policy decisions over the years and a solid business tax base. Unlike many other cities, Irving’s sound fiscal standing allowed the city to work through COVID-19 with minimal impacts to overall city operations.

The proposed budget continues to support all essential services, including public safety, solid waste services and water delivery, and sewer and drainage maintenance. As the top resident priority in the 2020 survey, the proposed budget includes the city’s Road to the Future projects and street improvements.

COVID-19 has dealt a blow to Irving businesses, particularly retail businesses, causing a decline in sales tax collections. However, Irving has fared much better than the top 300 cities average, because of its strong and diversified commercial base.

Anticipating a continued downturn due to coronavirus and uncertainty as to the length and unforeseen impacts of COVID-19, the city identified possible expenditure reductions that include potential service reductions and a continued hiring freeze.

Public Input and Budget Calendar

Residents can provide input and ask questions regarding the proposed budget by emailing the Budget Fiscal Friends (BFFs) at AsktheBFFs@CityofIrving.org.

Residents also are welcome to attend budget meetings either in person or virtually to participate in the budget process. The dates below are subject to change; check the website for details.

• Sept. 10 - Second Budget/Tax Rate Hearing
• Sept. 17 - Budget/Tax Rate Adoption

Visit CityofIrving.org/Agendas to view meeting times, agendas and Zoom links to virtual meetings. n

Read through the proposed budget in detail at CityofIrving.org/Budget.

This press release was produced by the City of Irving. The views expressed here are the author’s own.