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- Fiscal Responsibility – How Burleson Stretches Every Dollar
Fiscal Responsibility – How Burleson Stretches Every Dollar
How can residents know that the city is using their tax dollars wisely? In Burleson, we take fiscal responsibility seriously—and we’ve built strong systems to protect public funds, keep taxes reasonable and earn our resident's trust.
What Does Fiscal Responsibility Look Like in Burleson?
Fiscal responsibility is at the heart of how Burleson manages its budget. From safeguarding taxpayer dollars to offering meaningful tax relief, the city is committed to maximizing value while maintaining transparency, stability, and service quality.
Burleson uses a variety of tools and safeguards to ensure the best use of public funds:
Annual Independent Audit:
Each year, the city undergoes a comprehensive audit by a certified external accounting firm. This ensures accuracy, compliance with financial standards, and responsible fiscal management. Final reports are published to promote public accountability.
Internal Controls:
Strong internal procedures—like separation of duties, multiple levels of approval, and formal purchasing policies—protect the budget from fraud, waste, and mismanagement.
City Council Oversight:
City Council members publicly review and approve the budget and all major financial decisions, helping ensure spending aligns with community goals.
Resident Participation:
Citizens are encouraged to attend public meetings, explore budget documents online, and share feedback during the annual budget process. Transparency gives residents a voice in how their tax dollars are spent.
How Has Burleson Worked to Reduce the Tax Burden?
Burleson is committed to keeping taxes reasonable while still delivering high-quality services. Over the past decade, the city has implemented a variety of tax relief measures for residents.
Property Tax Rate Reduction:
The city has reduced the property tax rate by 10.4% since FY 2016—from $0.7400 to $0.6627 in FY 2025.
5% Homestead Exemption:
This exemption lowers the taxable value of qualifying homes and saves the average homeowner $111 annually.
Over-65 Tax Freeze:
Homeowners age 65 and older benefit from a property tax freeze, meaning the city portion of their tax bill will not increase—saving an average of $643 per year.
Disabled Tax Freeze:
Residents who qualify as disabled under Social Security guidelines also receive a city tax freeze, offering long-term financial stability.
Disabled Veteran Exemptions:
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability receive a full exemption from city property taxes on their homestead. Partial exemptions are available for other qualifying veterans, helping reduce annual costs and promote housing security.
Operational Cost Reductions:
Over the past two budget cycles, Burleson has identified sustainable cost-saving measures within the operating budget—allowing the city to control expenses without cutting essential services.
What Financial Awards Has the City Received?
Burleson’s commitment to strong fiscal management and transparency has earned local and national recognition:
Texas Comptroller’s Transparency Star – Traditional Finances
Only 8% of Texas municipalities have earned this designation for making financial data clear and accessible online.
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
Burleson has received this prestigious national award 35 times since 1989, recognizing excellence in budget preparation and public communication.
GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
The city has earned this award 33 times, with the most recent application (FY 2024) under review.
Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) Presented by the National Procurement Institute, this award highlights innovation and best practices in public procurement.
How Can Residents Stay Informed?
Burleson makes it easy to stay engaged and informed during the budget process. The city’s Budget Planning webpage includes:
- Dates for upcoming budget meetings
- Presentation materials and supporting documents
- Video recordings of city council budget discussions
This page is updated regularly throughout the budget season, so residents can follow along, understand key decisions, and participate meaningfully.