2023 Municipal Fee Survey
FY23 AATC MUNICIPAL FEE SURVEY
In October, Texas cities and counties adopted their fiscal-year budgets, including taxes and fees. Based on this information, AATC annually publishes on November 1 a Municipal Fee Survey for the twelve largest cities in Tarrant County. AATC’s Municipal Fee Survey includes population, ad valorum (property) tax rate, inspection/registration fee, and water rates.
AATC posts this information on the AATC website under our Advocate section. Click on the following link (https://www.aatcnet.org/local-fees-and-taxes) to view the results
Significant takeaways from this year’s data include:
- Tarrant County’s population continues to shift west and south;
- Fort Worth is the 13th largest city in the United States; and
- Every city lowered their property tax rate
Tarrant County experienced steady population growth this past year, with a total population of 2,126,500. Tarrant County’s population continued its southern and westward shift. Fort Worth gained the most residents (17,000) in 2022, while Burleson had the most significant percentage population gain—8.5%. Arlington, Bedford, Euless, Haltom City, & Hurst lost population, and Grapevine only grew by 275 people (a very modest 0.54% rate).
U.S. Census Bureau data shows that Fort Worth was the fastest-growing large city in America between 2010 and 2020. Fort Worth’s population increased by more than 177,000 citizens during this timeframe. Fort Worth’s population increased on average by 17,700 citizens each year for ten years—a 2.4% annual growth rate. This population gain continues the upward trend that began two decades ago. Since 2000, Fort Worth’s population has increased by approximately 375,000.
All twelve cities in this study reduced their property rate. But do not expect significant tax savings. Instead, expect to pay more city property taxes. Despite lowering the rate, every city surveyed will generate more property tax revenues in 2023 than in 2022 due to onerous increases in Tarrant Appraisal District’s proposed appraised values. Local elected officials reap the political benefits of reducing rates while increasing the tax burden on property owners.
Water rates increased in Arlington, and n, Euless, and North Richland Hills; were unchanged in Bedford, Burleson, Fort Worth, and Hurst; and decreased in Grapevine, Haltom City, and Mansfield.
Mansfield adopted a $15 per unit annual inspection fee earlier this year. Fort Worth raised its annual apartment registration/inspection fee from $10 per unit to $13 per unit for FY23. All other apartment inspection fees remained the same. Burleson, Grapevine, and Keller do not charge inspection fees. The average inspection fee in Tarrant County for FY23 is $13.70 per unit.
