Celina plans to hire nine firefighters and paramedics and 10.5 law enforcement officers in the coming fiscal year, a significant public safety expansion for a city that has more than doubled in population since 2022.

The positions are part of a proposed $529.1 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27 that City Manager Robert Ranc presented to council at an Aug. 11 meeting. The spending plan represents a $146 million increase over the current year's budget.

"Obviously for Celina, population growth is the biggest driver of our budget," Ranc said.

The city's population has grown 119% between 2022 and 2026, according to Ranc's budget presentation. U.S. Census Bureau estimates released in May ranked Celina the fastest-growing city in the nation for the second consecutive year, reaching 64,427 residents as of July 2025.

What the new hires mean

The nine new firefighters will allow the Celina Fire Department to move from three-person to four-person crews on all engine companies. Fire Chief Shawn White told council at a June 9 meeting that the change would help "save lives and property" by aligning with standards recommended by the National Fire Protection Association and OSHA.

The 10.5 law enforcement positions include officers and support staff. The budget also sets aside $831,547 specifically to keep public safety salaries competitive with other Dallas-Fort Worth cities.

That matters. Celina added 12,710 residents between July 2024 and July 2025 alone.

In all, the proposed budget adds 39 new full-time general fund employees, including 11.5 staffers for the Downtown Center opening in February, four development-related positions, three service positions for Ousley Park and one facilities maintenance technician. Another 10 utility fund positions bring the citywide total to 49 new hires.

Tax rate drops slightly

Despite the spending increase, the proposed property tax rate of $0.571677 per $100 of valuation is slightly lower than the current rate of $0.576401. The average Celina homeowner's monthly property tax bill would drop from $289.95 to $277.48, according to Ranc's presentation, partly because average home taxable values fell from $603,648 to $582,454.

The city still expects to collect 13% more in total property taxes because of new homes and businesses added to the tax roll. Nearly one-third of the city's general fund revenue currently comes from one-time development fees, and about half of raw sales tax revenue goes toward paying out economic incentive agreements along Preston Road.

Ranc said relief will come as commercial development catches up to rooftops, noting that while population grew 119%, sales tax revenue is expected to grow only 71% over the same period.

What's next

Celina City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on the proposed budget and tax rate at its Tuesday, Sept. 8 meeting.