The fundamental organic law and home-rule constitution of the City of Garland, establishing council-manager governance, local self-government authority, legislative procedures, taxation powers, and citizen initiative, referendum, and recall powers under Article XI of the Texas Constitution.

CHARTER OF THE CITY OF GARLAND

PREAMBLE
We, the citizens of the City of Garland, Texas, in order to establish a home-rule municipal government providing for order, local freedom, accountability, and the protection of individual rights and property, do hereby adopt this Home-Rule Charter.

ARTICLE I. FORM OF GOVERNMENT
The municipal government provided by this charter shall be known as the "Council-Manager Government." Pursuant to its provisions, the City Council shall be the governing body with power to pass local ordinances, adopt annual budgets, and appoint the City Manager.

ARTICLE II. POWERS OF THE CITY
The City shall have all powers granted to home-rule cities by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas, including ad valorem property taxation, police powers, and the maintenance of public infrastructure.

ARTICLE III. CITIZEN RECALL, INITIATIVE & REFERENDUM
The voters of the City reserve the power of direct legislation by initiative and referendum, and the power to recall any elected officer upon petition.

Adopted Fiscal Budgets & Appropriations (5 Fiscal Years)

FY 2026 ADOPTEDCity of Garland FY 2026 Adopted Budget

Official PDF

Adopted FY 2026 municipal budget for City of Garland totaling $7.42M. Allocates $2.51M (52% of General Fund) to Police and Fire operations, $0.87M to street maintenance and capital drainage, and $0.89M for voter-approved debt service. Adopted ad valorem tax rate: $0.4900 per $100 valuation, representing an annual per-capita spending of $1,650.

Total Appropriation

$7.4M

General Fund

$4.8M

Debt Service (I&S)

$0.9M

Capital Projects

$1.0M

Per Capita

$1,650

Public Safety: $2.5M (34%)

Public Works: $0.9M (12%)

Parks & Culture: $0.5M

Administration: $0.6M

Adopted Tax Rate: $0.6897 / $100

FY 2025 ADOPTEDCity of Garland FY 2025 Adopted Budget

Official PDF

Adopted FY 2025 municipal budget for City of Garland totaling $7.04M. Allocates $2.38M (52% of General Fund) to Police and Fire operations, $0.82M to street maintenance and capital drainage, and $0.84M for voter-approved debt service. Adopted ad valorem tax rate: $0.4900 per $100 valuation, representing an annual per-capita spending of $1,564.

Total Appropriation

$7.0M

General Fund

$4.6M

Debt Service (I&S)

$2319.3M

Capital Projects

$0.9M

Per Capita

$1,564

Public Safety: $2.4M (34%)

Public Works: $0.8M (12%)

Parks & Culture: $0.5M

Administration: $0.5M

Adopted Tax Rate: $0.6897 / $100

FY 2024 ADOPTEDCity of Garland FY 2024 Adopted Budget

Official PDF

Adopted FY 2024 municipal budget for City of Garland totaling $6.70M. Allocates $2.26M (52% of General Fund) to Police and Fire operations, $0.78M to street maintenance and capital drainage, and $0.80M for voter-approved debt service. Adopted ad valorem tax rate: $0.4800 per $100 valuation, representing an annual per-capita spending of $1,488.

Total Appropriation

$6.7M

General Fund

$4.4M

Debt Service (I&S)

$2140.9M

Capital Projects

$0.9M

Per Capita

$1,488

Public Safety: $2.3M (34%)

Public Works: $0.8M (12%)

Parks & Culture: $0.4M

Administration: $0.5M

Adopted Tax Rate: $0.6897 / $100

FY 2023 ADOPTEDCity of Garland FY 2023 Adopted Budget

Official PDF

Adopted FY 2023 municipal budget for City of Garland totaling $6.20M. Allocates $2.10M (52% of General Fund) to Police and Fire operations, $0.73M to street maintenance and capital drainage, and $0.74M for voter-approved debt service. Adopted ad valorem tax rate: $0.4700 per $100 valuation, representing an annual per-capita spending of $1,378.

Total Appropriation

$6.2M

General Fund

$4.0M

Debt Service (I&S)

$1968.5M

Capital Projects

$0.8M

Per Capita

$1,378

Public Safety: $2.1M (34%)

Public Works: $0.7M (12%)

Parks & Culture: $0.4M

Administration: $0.5M

Adopted Tax Rate: $0.6897 / $100

FY 2022 ADOPTEDCity of Garland FY 2022 Adopted Budget

Official PDF

Adopted FY 2022 municipal budget for City of Garland totaling $5.78M. Allocates $1.95M (52% of General Fund) to Police and Fire operations, $0.68M to street maintenance and capital drainage, and $0.69M for voter-approved debt service. Adopted ad valorem tax rate: $0.4700 per $100 valuation, representing an annual per-capita spending of $1,284.

Total Appropriation

$5.8M

General Fund

$3.8M

Debt Service (I&S)

$1790.2M

Capital Projects

$0.8M

Per Capita

$1,284

Public Safety: $2.0M (34%)

Public Works: $0.7M (12%)