Celina City Council approved additional funding for public safety and other city departments in its fiscal year 2023-24 budget.

Council members approved a $54.32 million general fund budget and a roughly $0.60 per $100 valuation tax rate for fiscal year 2024-25 during a Sept. 10 meeting.

The gist

Included in the budget is a new $0.598168 per $100 valuation property tax rate, a roughly $0.01 drop from last year’s $0.612154 per $100 valuation.


Even with a lower rate, the city expects to raise more in revenue from property taxes as both property values and the city’s population continue to climb. Another 11,000 people are projected to move into Celina, pushing the city population to 54,000, according to budget documents.


The new residents are projected to bring $8.3 million in property tax revenue to the city as the new properties are added to the tax roll next year.

Here is where the money from property taxes goes in Celina:
  • $0.287061 to maintenance and operations, which goes toward day-to-day operations
  • $0.311107 to interest and sinking, which pays back the city’s bond debt
Revenue from property taxes is the main funding source for the city’s general fund, which pays for the city's day-to-day operations. The general fund for fiscal year 2024-25 is $54.32 million, a $10 million increase from last year, and will pay for:
  • 25 new full-time equivalent positions across all departments
  • Increased funding for all departments


Something to note

Around $23.09 million, or 43%, of the general fund is earmarked for the city’s public safety departments. Public safety was named as one of the city’s top budget focus areas for fiscal year 2024-25 alongside:The budget includes $173.14 million in the capital improvement projects fund, which will go toward the multiple city projects on the horizon, including Fire Station No. 4 and the government center building.