The new property tax rate of $0.576401 per $100 valuation is just over 3% lower than the current rate of $0.598168 per $100 valuation.
What you need to know
Despite the lower tax rate, the average Celina homestead owner will see an increase of about $124 from last year on their city property tax bill due to increasing property values, according to city documents.
Celina officials have continuously lowered the city’s property tax rate since fiscal year 2020-21 as the city continues to experience rapid growth.
Additionally, due to new growth and increasing property values, city staff are projecting an increase of 3.5% in property tax revenue for next year, according to city documents.
The increased revenue will be used for enhancing public safety services and improving capital improvement projects and infrastructure, according to city documents.
The details
Celina’s budget is primarily funded by property taxes and development fees. However, City Manager Robert Ranc said at an Aug. 4 work session the city hopes to eventually generate more revenue through sales tax as major retailers start to open up over the next few years.
“Even in other fast growing cities, we are fast growing amongst fast growing,” Ranc said. “Growth is the name of the game right now in Celina.”
Ranc said although sales tax revenue varies based on the market, the city is aiming for it to eventually bring in more money than one-time development fees.
Also of note
As Celina continues to grow, one of Celina’s top priorities is addressing public safety staffing needs.
47% of Celina’s general fund expenditures is designated for public safety, which the city primarily plans to use to address staffing demands, according to city documents.
Ranc said city officials plan to add six new full-time public safety positions, including:
- Two school resource officers
- Community services sergeant
- Digital forensic detective
- Juvenile detective/victim’s advocate
- Crime analyst
Ranc said the SAFER grant aims to help rapidly growing cities by supporting increased firefighter services and staffing.
Looking ahead
The new tax rate and the proposed budget will take effect Oct. 1.
