The city of McKinney discussed a recommended general fund budget increase and a tax rate decrease for fiscal year 2019-20. During a city budget workshop Aug. 9, city staff recommended a budget of $157.9 million for FY 2019-20. This is a proposed $8.8 million increase from the fiscal year 2018-19 general fund budget, which was set at $149.1 million last year. Staff also proposed a property tax rate of $0.51560 per $100 valuation—a little over a $0.01 decrease from the current rate of $0.52517 per $100 valuation. City departments will receive more funding this year compared to last year, according to a presentation given during the work session. See how they fared: • Police: $39.7 million • Fire: $32.6 million • General government: $34.6 million • Parks and Recreation and libraries: $14.2 million • Public Works: $12.8 million • Development: $12.7 million An additional $11.4 million has also been budgeted for flexible funds that can be transferred to cover remaining expenses. Public safety is expected to receive the biggest piece of the pie, as it makes up almost 50% of the total budget with just over $72.2 million allocated toward the Police and Fire departments for 15 new personnel, training, equipment and more. Other expenses to be funded by the budget include hiring more city staff, improving salaries and benefits for employees, reconstructing existing streets, buying additional parkland and more. Before the budget and tax rate can be set, a series of public hearings will take place. Dates to know: 

• Aug. 20: first public hearing on tax rate
• Sept. 3: first public hearing on budget, second public hearing on tax rate
• Sept. 17: second public hearing on budget, tax rate adoption, fee and rate change adoption, final budget adoption