City Council Work Session 6-8-26

The City Council of North Richland Hills held a work session on June 8, 2026, focusing primarily on the city's fiscal year 2027 proposed budget and long-term financial planning. Staff provided an overview of the city's various funds, including operating, capital, and internal service funds, and discussed the stability of operating fund balances alongside a decline in capital fund balances. The session included a detailed presentation of planned capital projects totaling approximately $20 million for FY 2027, covering street and sidewalk improvements, water and sewer utility projects, park and recreation upgrades, and fleet and IT equipment replacements. Funding sources for these projects include grants, reserves, operational transfers, and recommended issuance of Certificate of Obligation (CO) debt for high-cost fleet replacements such as ambulances and fire trucks. The council was also briefed on the city's debt management strategy, highlighting the use of COs and General Obligation (GO) bonds, debt capacity, and the impact of recent legislative changes on property tax rates and debt service. No formal votes were taken during this work session, but staff outlined next steps for budget adoption and upcoming public meetings, including a bond election planned for November 2026.