Residents can attend two public hearings to discuss Celina’s proposed property tax rate and city budget for fiscal year 2024-25, which starts Oct. 1.

In a nutshell

Celina City Council members discussed the proposed budget and tax rate during an Aug. 13 meeting.

Here’s a quick look at what is being considered:
  • $366.34 million total budget, including a $54.32 million general fund budget
  • $0.598168 per $100 valuation property tax rate


The public hearings will be held during council's Sept. 10 meeting inside council chambers at 112 N. Colorado St., Celina.


Budget breakdown

The roughly $0.60 property tax rate is allocated toward:
  • $0.287061 to maintenance and operations
  • $0.311107 to interest and sinking, which pays back the city’s bond debt


Celina’s property tax rate has been steadily dropping for the past few years, and fiscal year 2024-25 is no exception—the proposed rate is around $0.01 less than the city’s FY 2023-24 rate of $0.612154 per $100 valuation.


Even with the slightly lower rate, the city expects to gain $20.95 million in property tax revenue, a little over $4 million more than the previous year, as property values in the “fastest-growing city in America” keep climbing, City Manager Robert Ranc said.


Celina’s population is expected to jump by another 11,000 people in FY 2024-25, more than enough to fill the Celina Athletic Complex football stadium, which can seat 6,500.

Property taxes make up 39% of the general fund’s revenue, according to a meeting presentation. The general fund pays for the city’s primary operations.

Here is what is being included in the FY 2024-25 $54.32 million general fund:
  • 25 out of 34 new full-time equivalent positions, including new school resource officers
  • $23.09 million for Celina’s police and fire departments


What else?


Included in the overall budget is $173.14 million in the capital improvement projects fund, more than double FY 2023-24’s, which was $61.23 million.

Projects the city has scheduled for design or construction in fiscal year 2024-25 include: