Frisco’s proposed fiscal year 2015-16 budget is $439 million—about $43 million more than the previous fiscal year—and the proposed property tax rate remains steady at $0.46 per $100 of valuation. The budget must be approved by City Council no later than Sept. 15.
Editor’s note: List does not include all city departments.
Public works:
• $57 million budget proposed, an increase from $49 million.
• Three additional positions are proposed.
• For its Streets Division, sidewalks, traffic signage and other street-related materials account for more than 74 percent of operations appropriations.
Frisco Public Library:
• $4.33 million budget proposed, a decrease from $4.35 million.
• Budget will continue to support staff and maintenance.
• A proposed $114,506 for technical services including, software platforms and electronic materials for library members.
Frisco fire:
• $29 million budget proposed, an increase from $27 million.
• Department proposes to add 10 new positions at a salary and operational cost of $1.52 million.
• 90 percent of emergency calls were incidents responded to by FFD in 6 minutes and 20 seconds during FY 2014-15.
Public arts fund:
• $96,000 budget proposed, an increase from $18,000.
• The proposed budget seeks to continue the “Art in Atrium” and other temporary art shows; goal is to increase number of art shows.
• Funding is intended to support a diverse public art collection in city parks, along the roads and in facilities.
• The public art program aims to promote tourism and economic vitality through the artistic opportunities and destinations as well as the enhancement of public spaces.
• The public art program will also include informational art presentations and materials.
• Funds sought to be appropriated consist of operating support for the public art program. Funds to buy actual sculpture/art items are appropriated as part of the capital projects.
• The proposed budget also appropriates for a public art manager, a position that has been vacant for several years. The position is expected to be filled by 2016.
Frisco police:
• $30 million budget proposed, an increase from $26 million.
• Department proposes 18 new positions at a salary and operational cost of $1.96 million.
• Average response time for FY 2014-15 emergency and urgent calls was 6 minutes and 33 seconds.
• Proposed capital appropriations include the replacement of 10 patrol units. The replacements are necessary to keep patrol units on a four-year rotation.
• Salaries and benefits account for a significant portion of the proposed FY 2015-16 budget. The majority of operations appropriation consists of costs associated with personnel, such as uniforms, protective gear and computer replacements.
• There was an increase of 10 crossing guards in the School Resource Officer Division for the FY 2014-15 to accommodate the new school campuses opening. Crossing guards are Frisco ISD employees with the city funding a portion of the expense each year.
Administrative services:
• $6.86 million budget proposed, an increase from $6.81 million.
• The department plans to hire four new employees, including a housekeeping supervisor and a fleet supervisor, who is responsible for overseeing maintenance and repair of city-owned vehicles and equipment.
Parks and recreation:
• $14 million budget proposed, an increase from $12 million.
• The department manages 48 park sites totaling 1,470 acres. The proposed budget includes hiring about seven new employees to help with maintenance and to purchasing new equipment.
• The department plans to revise the Hike and Bike master plan for the city.
Capital projects:
• $490 million budget proposed, an increase of 11 percent.
• Capital projects usually take two to six years to complete. Of the projects that are either in design or under construction from FY 2013-14 to FY 2015-16, facilities projects total more than $322 million, roadway projects total $116 million, and parks and hike and bike trail improvements total more than $52 million.
• Most of the funding for the projects comes from voter-approved bonds.
General government:
• $5.7 million budget proposed, a decrease of 0.5 percent.
• This item includes the City Manager’s Office, Communications and Media Relations, City Secretary’s Office, Legal Services, City Council and Records Management.
• The proposed decrease comes from an expected decrease in legal services for Exide Technologies.
Convention and Visitors Bureau:
• $2.4 million budget proposed, a decrease from $2.2 million.
• Proposed budget contains funding to increase direct sales staff efforts into new markets, including development of an international program, an update to the 2012-13 tourism economic impact study and a new website.
• Budget appropriates for one communications manager, who will support the public relations and marketing efforts.
Economic development:
• $6 million budget proposed, an increase from $5 million.
• 3,100 jobs created and retained in FY 2014-15.
Development services:
• $7 million budget proposed, an increase from $6 million.
• Department plans to hire six new employees to enhance customer service and decrease wait time.
Information technology services:
• $3.3 million budget proposed, a decrease of 7 percent.
• The department plans to add three new positions-two applications systems administrators and one network engineer.
Engineering:
• $4.3 million budget proposed, an increase from $3.9 million.
• Salary and benefits accounts for 9 percent of appropriations.
