Garland, TX – The following information has been provided by Vote Yes Garland.
What Voters Need to Know
On November 3, 2026, Garland voters will decide whether to approve a City Council proposal known as “Swap and Drop,” which would provide approximately $11 million in annual funding to maintain City services and address high-priority needs, including public safety. At the same time, the City’s overall property-tax rate would decline by approximately 1 cent from the 2025 rate. Garland’s declining debt payments make the proposal possible, allowing the City to use a portion of the savings to address critical service needs while still lowering the overall property tax rate.
If Voters Say YES
The additional $10 million is badly needed to maintain existing City services and address high-priority needs, particularly in public safety. Major funded items include:
- Additional police officers
- Additional firefighters
- Additional 9-1-1 dispatchers
- Animal Services personnel
- Code Compliance personnel
- Library materials and resources
- Parks landscaping
- Park security
- Capacity to fill vacant positions
The additional funding is not limited to new positions or expanded programs. A significant portion would go to maintain services Garland residents already receive and provide the recurring funding needed to operate City facilities which were renovated and expanded as part of the 2019 bond program.
At the same time, the City’s overall property-tax rate would decline from approximately 69 cents in 2025 to 68 cents. For the average Garland homeowner, the 1-cent reduction represents savings of approximately $28.56 per year, or $2.38 per month, compared with the 2025 rate.
Why Do City Services Need More Funding?
The City estimates that the cost of maintaining existing municipal services has been increasing 7% annually, driven largely by many of the same inflationary pressures affecting households and businesses. Costs of vehicles, fuel, insurance, construction materials, technology, and specialized police and fire equipment have all increased significantly. At the same time, Texas law generally limits annual growth in the City’s operating property-tax revenue to 3.5% without voter approval. The proposed swap would use part of the savings from Garland’s declining debt payments to help address this gap and maintain City services.
What Could Happen If Voters Say NO?
If the proposal fails, the proposed additions of police officers, firefighters, 9-1-1 dispatchers, and other service-support personnel would not be funded as proposed. Existing service levels would also have to be reevaluated. Other services likely to be affected include:
- Library hours and materials
- Park and landscaping maintenance
- City festivals and special events
- Operating hours and programs at City facilities
- Other services determined by the City Council
At the same time, the tax rate would decline from approximately 69 cents in 2025 to 64.3 cents — a reduction of about 4.7 cents. For the average Garland homeowner, that represents savings of approximately $134.88 per year, or $11.24 per month.
The Choice in a Nutshell
YES VOTE: Approximately $11 million in additional annual funding would be available to maintain City services and address public safety and other essential needs. The property tax rate would also decline approximately 1 cent.
NO VOTE: The City would have approximately $11 million less in annual funding, affecting proposed service improvements and triggering the need to reduce selected service levels. The property tax rate would decline approximately 4.7 cents.
For the average Garland homeowner, the difference between the YES and NO rates is approximately $106.32 per year, or $8.86 per month.
What Voters Will See on the Ballot
The ballot will state, “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE,” because Proposition A would allow Garland’s property tax revenue for operations to increase beyond the state-imposed 3.5% limit unless approved by voters. This required wording applies only to the operations portion of the tax rate, not the debt-service rate. Since the debt-service rate would decrease by more than the operations rate would increase, the total tax rate would decline.
Notes: Prepared by Vote Yes Garland, information from City of Garland FY 2026–27 budget, tax-rate and election materials. Tax rates are rounded for readability. Homeowner calculations use an average taxable homestead value of approximately $325,951 less homestead exemption of $35,855 = $290,096. Individual tax bills will vary based on taxable value, exemptions, and appraisal limitations. More information is available at VoteYesGarland.com.
