Second Century

Background 

Like many communities, meeting ongoing capital requirements and operational expenses has become increasingly challenging with each fiscal year for the City of University Park. To keep the City on a sustainable path, staff created Second Century, a budget initiative involving a thorough review of revenues, expenses, and policies.

FY2026 Approved Fee Changes 

As part of the Second Century financial review, the City of University Park has adjusted several fees to ensure long-term financial sustainability. These changes help cover rising costs from service providers and ongoing capital projects, while ensuring fees are shared fairly among those who directly use the services. All fee changes below are effective as of October 1, 2025 with the adoption of the FY2026 Budget. 

Department/ServiceFee Change
Water & Sewer4% increase to rates due to higher wholesale costs from Dallas County Park Cities MUD (water) and Dallas Water Utilities (sewer).
Sanitation9% increase to cover higher operating costs and future landfill fees.
Stormwater50% increase ($10.50/month for the average household) to help repay debt for major drainage improvements along Turtle Creek.
Fire Department 
  • Higher rates for fire code re-inspections, ambulance transport, and permits. 
  • Commercial properties will be charged false alarm fees.
  • New $100 residential false alarm fee applies after the third false alarm.
Building PermitsIncreased fees for new construction, remodels, and additions to stay consistent with neighboring cities.
Courts & Parks
  • Tennis/Pickleball instructor fee raised to $500/year.
  • New special event rental fees: $200 for tennis courts, $600 for pickleball courts for two hours.
Block PartiesNew $50 fee for approved neighborhood block parties.
Recycling Containers32-gallon containers increasing from $40 to $50; lids from $13 to $15.
Utilities 
  • Higher fees for utility taps. 
  • New $175 water flow test fee for contractors/residents.


Why These Changes Matter

These adjustments allow the City to recover costs tied directly to services, reducing the burden on all taxpayers and helping keep University Park financially strong for years to come.