Gainesville Government

The Gainesville City Council approved multiple Special Use Permits for short-term rentals and several zoning changes across the city. Key actions included rezoning properties on E. Broadway and Southland, approving engineering services for the Sump L Wine Street Project, and authorizing the purchase of new water meters. The Council also appointed a Charter Review Commission and approved proposed amendments to the City's Charter.

• Approved a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a Short-Term Rental (STR) at 115 E Pecan St.
• Approved rezoning approximately 0.2517 acres at 909 E. Broadway, 0.2351 acres at 917 E. Broadway, and 0.0497 acres on Gossett Street from Single Family (SF-2) to Commercial (C-2)/Loft Overlay District.
• Approved a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a Short-Term Rental (STR) at 1400 Jean St.

The Gainesville City Council is set to meet on January 6, 2026, to discuss several resolutions, including the assignment of an airport lease to Steve Deck, the adoption of a Federal Grant Procurement Policy, and support for an affordable housing development for older adults. Other key items include expanding the Frank Buck Zoo's animal habitats, creating a Charter Review Commission, and nominating a candidate for the Cooke County Appraisal District Board. Additionally, the Council will consider a grant application for rail safety improvements.

• Resolution to assign airport lease to Steve Deck approved by Airport Board.
• Adoption of a Federal Grant Procurement Policy to comply with federal requirements.
• Support for Gainesville Trails affordable housing for low-income adults aged 55+.

The Cooke County Commissioners Court has adopted the 2026 fiscal year budget, setting the property tax rate at $0.3355 per $100 valuation. This budget is projected to raise $2,479,906 more in property tax revenue than the previous year, an increase of 0.10%.

• The Cooke County 2026 fiscal year budget was adopted with a 4-1 vote (Commissioners Gary Hollowell, Jason Snuggs, Adam Arendt, and Matt Sicking voted FOR; Commissioner John Roane voted AGAINST).
• The adopted property tax rate for 2026 is $0.3355 per $100 valuation, an increase from $0.3155 in 2025.
• The budget is projected to raise $2,479,906 more in property tax revenue than last year's budget, which is a 0.10% increase.

The proposed Cooke County budget for Fiscal Year 2026 outlines $52.8 million in expenditures against $41.7 million in revenues, projecting an $11 million deficit that will likely be covered by existing fund balances. Residents are encouraged to review the detailed allocations for services like EMS, courthouse operations, and IT, and to participate in the upcoming budget discussion on August 15, 2025.

• Discussion and potential adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget, with total projected expenditures of $52,822,909 and revenues of $41,768,879, resulting in an $11,054,030 deficit.
• Review of major appropriations, including $5,138,443 for Emergency Medical Services, $1,169,967 for Courthouse operations, and $1,073,548 for Information Technology.
• Consideration of the General Fund's projected $3,272,920 deficit, which implies the use of existing fund balance to cover operational costs.

Cooke County has released its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025, outlining projected revenues of $39,172,307.00 and expenses of $52,988,108.00, resulting in a projected deficit of $13,815,801.00. This document serves as an agenda item for discussion and consideration of the county's financial plan for the upcoming year.

• Proposed total county revenue for FY 2025 is $39,172,307.00.
• Proposed total county expenses for FY 2025 are $52,988,108.00.
• The proposed budget projects an overall deficit of $13,815,801.00 for FY 2025.