Brownwood officials are proposing a $49.27 million budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, with the first public hearing held during the City Council’s Tuesday morning meeting on August 25, 2026. The plan would increase the property tax rate while directing more money toward public safety, city services, employee compensation and infrastructure.
The proposed budget allocates $11.7 million to Police, Fire and Dispatch—about $740,000 more than in the current year. City officials said the additional funding is intended to cover public safety personnel, compensation, equipment, vehicles and the rising cost of providing those services in the Brownwood community.
Public safety spending and new equipment
The spending plan includes four new patrol Tahoes and a new fire engine. It also proposes 4% pay adjustments for Police and Fire employees, while other city employees would receive a 3% cost-of-living adjustment.
City Manager Marshal McIntosh described public safety as a central priority in the proposal, while also pointing to essential services, infrastructure needs and transparency about the tax rate. The city’s employee health plan would remain in place without an increase in employee premiums.
“Public safety is one of the most important services we provide, and this budget reflects that priority,” City Manager Marshal McIntosh said.
Proposed tax rate and utility charges
To help pay for increased public safety and service costs, Brownwood is proposing a property tax rate of $0.7175 per $100 of valuation. That compares with the current rate of $0.6925.
For customers inside the city limits, the proposal does not include increases to water, sewer or sanitation rates. The budget also adds no new full-time positions.
The tax-rate proposal is part of a budget still moving through the public process. The August hearing was the first public hearing on the proposed plan, so residents should review the city’s budget materials and follow subsequent city actions for the final budget and tax decisions.
Parks, downtown and long-term planning
Beyond public safety, the proposed budget includes continued community investment. Funding is identified for parks and recreation, downtown improvements, utility infrastructure planning and development of a new Comprehensive Plan.
The Comprehensive Plan is intended to help guide Brownwood’s future growth and investment. Residents can review the complete proposed budget, the City Manager’s budget letter and additional budget information at brownwoodtexas.gov/budget.