Page 332 - Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

BENBROOK HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2001

In 2001, Benbrook signed a Friendship Agreement with Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. Later in the year, Benbrook’s
citizens and employees mourned the loss of those who perished on September 11, 2001. The Benbrook Fire
Department led a community drive to collect funds and personally delivered more than $60,000 to the City of New York
Fire Department.

2002

In 2002 after obtaining the necessary number of registered voters in a petition drive, Tarrant County conducted an
election to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages at Benbrook restaurants; in September, voters approved the measure.
The effort to obtain voter approval for a similar proposition to allow the sale of wine in grocery stores failed to make
the ballot by a small margin; a greater number of registered voters was required than the number that was obtained.

Also in the 2002-03 fiscal year, the Fire Department added three additional full-time Firefighter/Paramedic positions to
insure that trained and competent Staff was available for fire and medical emergencies on a twenty-four hour per day,
seven-day per week basis.

2003

In 2003, the City of Benbrook and the Benbrook Economic Development Corporation worked together to develop a
"Town Center" concept; grants funds were obtained and plans were drafted. The City hired a full-time Information
Technology Coordinator to implement and complete a variety of projects including: developing a paperless packet and
agenda for City Council meetings by making all materials and information available on CDs and on-line through the
City’s website; updating software to streamline communications and data transfers; replacing computer equipment
for Staff; procuring lap-top computers and providing training for all City Councilmembers; and coordinating a City-
wide information technology study.

CITY OF BENBROOK 2018-19 ANNUAL BUDGET
331