Engineering and architectural services are proposed to increase from approximately $960,300 to $2.71 million. Planned work includes downtown parking design and much more. File art

Wylie Economic Development Corporation presented its proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget and organizational overview to Wylie City Council during a work session at the council’s regular meeting Monday, July 14.

Executive Director Jason Greiner was scheduled to outline the corporation’s mission, governance, staffing, financial outlook and budget priorities for the coming fiscal year.

Created in 1990 after Wylie voters approved a half-cent sales tax (4a) authorized by the Texas Legislature, the Wylie Economic Development Corporation uses dedicated sales tax revenue to promote economic development and expand the city’s commercial tax base. The corporation’s primary objectives are to increase local employment opportunities while enhancing and diversifying Wylie’s tax base.

The corporation currently operates with five full-time employees under the direction of the executive director. Oversight is provided by a five-member board of directors appointed by the Wylie City Council. Blake Brininstool, a wholesale underwriter/broker, is the board’s president. 

The mayor and city manager serve as ex-officio board members. The council also approves the corporation’s bylaws, board appointments, annual budget and economic development projects, while the city’s finance department manages financial operations and coordinates an annual independent audit.

According to the proposed budget, the WEDC estimates $26.83 million in available resources for FY 2026-27, including a beginning fund balance of approximately $8.32 million. Projected revenues total about $18.51 million, including $5.5 million in sales tax receipts, nearly $13 million from the anticipated sale of WEDC-owned property, $22,800 in rental income and $10,000 in interest earnings.

Total expenditures are projected at approximately $13.58 million.

Among the most significant changes in the proposed budget, personnel costs are expected to decrease from about $777,900 to approximately $709,900 as staffing returns to five full-time employees following temporary cross-training associated with a retirement.

Economic development incentives are proposed to increase significantly from $1.51 million to more than $5.5 million. Planned incentive funding includes projects involving SCSD, Cates Control Systems, TexStone and several confidential economic development projects.

Infrastructure-related special services spending is projected to decline from $3.2 million to $1.1 million. Planned projects include downtown striping and parking improvements along Ballard Avenue, Oak Street, Jackson Street and Marble Street, water and sewer improvements associated with the Alanis project, and natural gas and parking improvements within the State Highway 544 Gateway area.

Engineering and architectural services are proposed to increase from approximately $960,300 to $2.71 million. Planned work includes engineering for the Highway 544 Gateway project, downtown parking design, downtown building improvements, Highway 544 corridor planning, environmental studies and surveying.

Advertising expenditures are expected to increase from $276,125 to $336,125 to support additional funding for a regional marketing initiative.

Debt service is projected to increase from approximately $1.88 million to $2.67 million following the addition of the 2026 WEDC land acquisition loan approved during the previous fiscal year. The proposed budget does not include funding for additional land purchases during FY 2026-27, compared with more than $12.25 million budgeted for that purpose in FY 2025-26.

If adopted, the budget is expected to end the fiscal year with an estimated fund balance of approximately $13.25 million.

The WEDC Board of Directors was expected to approve the proposed budget at their regular meeting July 15.

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