Fort Worth Budgets $51.6M for IT Department, Funds Projects

Fort Worth, with almost 1 million residents, has proposed a $2.6 billion budget for 2023-2024, an 11.5 percent increase.

Its proposed IT spend is $51.6 million, up from $45.4 million for FY 23; this budget is listed under the "Internal Services Fund" heading.

Now a trending subject, AI is included in the budget proposal. One line item in a separate budget presentation indicates the city plans to “use AI to assess pavement condition,” listed under transportation and public works.

Technology spending of interest includes an increase of $530,400 for thermal imaging cameras, an increase of $9,600 for a citywide fleet RFID reader project and “technology to assist with development efforts” for the Fire Department.

The department's budget also includes an increase of nearly $1.2 million to support nine new authorized positions. Those positions include a new audiovisual team, staff to support growing network needs, a PeopleSoft system administrator and a senior IT business planner to help ERP service levels.

The fifth-largest city in Texas starts the fiscal year on Oct. 1.