Council passes FY23 budget

At its recent meeting on Sept. 22, the Aledo City Council unanimously approved a budget of more than $11.7 million for the Fiscal Year 2023. 

The budget includes a property tax increase to 38.3 cents per each $100 evaluation, an increase from 32.7 cents.

The theme of this year’s budget is “getting critical things done,” which is what City Manager Noah Simon said is exactly what the city staff is setting forth immediately to do.

“Now that the budget has been adopted, the staff team will be working on ‘getting critical things done’ towards successful implementation and completion of infrastructure projects,” Simon said. “Getting critical things done also means launching new longer-term initiatives, such as the creation of the Aledo Police Department, laying the foundation for solid long-term financial planning, and diversification of Aledo’s tax base through intentional economic development initiatives.”

City officials said the budget is the first in years to have been balanced without any reliance on reserves. Among the top priorities in the budget are:

• A new municipal complex, which will include the city’s future police department and ultimately reduce the city’s reliance on the Parker County Sheriff’s Department.
• Improved mobility through reconstruction of a vital segment of Bailey Ranch Road.
• More reliable future water and wastewater through the Clear Fork Interceptor Project and the planned expansion of the wastewater treatment plant.
• Communications program enhancements.
• The deployment of automated water meters for timely insights, transparency, and pinpoint accuracy. A pilot program testing the new meters at selected addresses will begin this fall, followed by a full city-wide rollout in the second half of 2023.
• Purposeful boosting of economic development efforts with residents bearing less of the future tax burden.
• Setting aside funds for capital projects, vehicles, and maintenance.

City leaders also have a goal of developing a long-term capital improvement plan over the next year.

Despite the increase, Aledo’s property tax remains lower than most other cities in the area. For example, others include Weatherford (45.8 cents), Springtown (48.7 cents), Willow Park (53.8 cents), Azle (62.3 cents), White Settlement and Fort Worth (71.2 cents each).

For an average Aledo home, valued at just more than $345,000, the new city property tax rate would mean a tax bill increase of about $205.

Aledo Mayor Nick Stanley said the new budget may not be flashy, but called it important fundamental for addressing the city’s most important needs. He also said the change in the tax rate can be connected to the city’s dynamic growth.

“Up until recently it’s fair to say we held the line as best we could, but not entirely faced up to the long-term implications of that growth,” Stanley said. “Today, we have a smart, sustainable budget that sets the stage for appropriately addressing long-term needs.”

Parks of Aledo addition

The council also approved a new Parks of Aledo addition that will consist of six commercial lots encompassing more than 8.8 acres in the general area of 400 Bailey Ranch Road. It will be anchored by The Prep, a premier 13,000-plus square-foot private early childhood education facility.  

Simon said The Prep has an estimated project valuation of $6.5 million He added the development will also include five proposed medical and general offices buildings ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 square feet.

The Prep of Aledo will be a locally-owned/locally-operated year-round private preschool. Classrooms will include a technology room, art studio, multi-purpose room/gymnasium and more. The outdoor area will feature several age-appropriate shaded playgrounds, a splash pad, and an outdoor classroom.