Plano can't grow much more — and that could strain the city's budget

Plano has less and less room to grow, and that could hurt the city's budget.

Plano City Manager Mark Israelson recommended a lean budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with no funding for new services or pay increases for city employees who don’t work in public safety. There is a one-time payment of $1,000 in December for all employees, including public safety, in the proposed budget.

Karen Rhodes-Whitley, Plano's budget director, told the City Council during Monday's meeting that Plano has less and less land to develop, which means less revenue for the city.

“The city of Plano is starting to fill up, and we don't have much land left,” Rhodes-Whitley said.

The Plano School District is also facing budgetary pressures. The district has been operating in a budget deficit since 2017. The school board recently voted to close four schools due to financial concerns.

Councilman Anthony Ricciardelli said Plano's needs change as the city grows.

“I think one of the big talking points in this budget has been a philosophical shift from a growth mindset to a maintenance mindset,” Ricciardelli said.

The Plano City Council has two more meetings to discuss the proposed budget and tax rate, on August 11 and 15. There is also a council meeting on the budget on August 22 and a public hearing on the tax rate on August 26.

The city is expected to adopt the budget and set the property tax rate on Sept. 9. The budget will take effect for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

Have a tip? Email Caroline Love at clove@kera.org.

Caroline Love is a Report for Americacorps member for KERA News.

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