Residents can learn more about the City of Arlington's $471.8 million proposed Fiscal Year 2017 operating budget at two upcoming town hall meetings.

Proposals for next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, include significant investments in public safety and technology as well as the first year of a three-year plan to make city employee salaries and benefits more competitive with area north Texas cities. The budget, which the Council will vote on in September, also calls for the creation of 40 new employee positions.

The City's proposed budget could include a possible property tax rate reduction for the first time in 17 years. The City Council has scheduled a public hearing during its Tuesday, August 23 evening meeting on whether to reduce Arlington's property tax rate, which has been 64.80 cents per $100 of assessed value since 2001, to 64.48 cents per $100 of assessed value. A second public hearing on the proposed property tax rate is scheduled for September 1.

The proposed budget and business plan is built around supporting the City Council's five priorities: Champion Great Neighborhoods, Support Quality Education, Invest in Our Economy, Enhance Regional Mobility and Put Technology to Work.

Visit the Budget Business Plan website

Town Hall Meeting #1

• 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 25
• Arlington Municipal Airport, 5000 South Collins Street

Town Hall Meeting #2

• 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, September 1
• Arlington Convention Center, Salon A, 1200 Ballpark Way