The Forney City Council met on August 18 to address a packed agenda, setting the stage for the upcoming fiscal year while greenlighting significant new commercial developments in the Village at Gateway. From tax rate discussions to the expansion of public safety infrastructure, here is what you need...

Forney City Council Eyes No-New-Revenue Tax Rate, Approves Major Gateway Developments

The Forney City Council met on August 18 to address a packed agenda, setting the stage for the upcoming fiscal year while greenlighting significant new commercial developments in the Village at Gateway. From tax rate discussions to the expansion of public safety infrastructure, here is what you need to know about the latest decisions affecting Forney residents.

City Proposes No-New-Revenue Tax Rate for FY 2026-2027

In a move aimed at fiscal responsibility, the Council set a public hearing for September 1 to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget. The proposal includes a tax rate of $0.441281 per $100 of taxable value. Notably, this figure represents the "No-New-Revenue Rate," meaning the city is not seeking to increase the total amount of property tax revenue compared to the previous year.

The proposed budget focuses on bolstering public safety, enhancing city staffing, and addressing critical infrastructure and capital needs. The city plans to supplement these efforts through CCPD sales tax revenue and various grants. Residents are encouraged to review the full budget proposal at forneytx.gov/budget ahead of the September 1 public hearing.

Infrastructure Upgrades: Outdoor Warning Siren Expansion

To enhance emergency preparedness, the Council approved a $150,000 project to improve the city’s outdoor warning siren network. The plan includes the installation of two new sirens—one in the North Gateway area and one in the Bellagio development—along with the relocation of one existing siren to optimize coverage. The project is funded through the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) fund balance.

Commercial Growth at Village at Gateway

Forney’s retail landscape continues to expand with two major approvals for the Village at Gateway development:

• BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse: The Council approved a site plan for a new 6,888-square-foot restaurant located north of U.S. Highway 80 and west of N. Gateway Boulevard. The facility will feature an outdoor dining area and 129 parking spaces.

• Brake Masters: A conditional use permit was granted for a new 5,900-square-foot automotive repair facility. The business will offer routine maintenance services including tire, brake, and oil changes, but will not provide collision repair or wrecker services.

Public Comment and Next Steps

While the meeting covered a variety of administrative items, the focus remained on responsible growth and public safety. No major contested items were reported from the evening's proceedings.

The next Forney City Council meeting is scheduled for September 1. Residents can find additional information, agendas, and streaming links at forneytx.gov/meetings.