Page 334 - Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

BENBROOK HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In November 2005 during a planning work session, the Benbrook City Council enumerated its goals and objectives for
the upcoming fiscal year and beyond. Several goals, particularly in municipal finance, were discussed for establishing
a clear policy direction for the long term. To articulate these policies on a formal basis, City Staff developed a Core
Value Statement. The Core Value Statement is intended to: (1) express the over-riding priorities of the City, (2) state
the character and nature of government in Benbrook, and (3) serve as a guide for future City Councils.

2006

The City Council met in two work sessions to review and refine the Core Value Statement. The Core Value Statement
also establishes specific financial goals and includes written commitments by the Council. The Core Value Statement
represents the fundamental policy of Benbrook governance. The City Council approved the Core Value Statement at
the January 19, 2006 City Council meeting.

In 2006, the Council deliberated adopting an ordinance to prohibit smoking in public buildings; a public building was
defined as any facility that was not a private residence. Council passed the ordinance in August 2006; with an effective
date of November 1, 2006. The primary intention of this ordinance was to protect citizens and visitors from the harmful
effects of secondary smoke. The ordinance not only prohibited smoking within twenty-five feet of any exit or entrance
to a public building but also made it unlawful to carry a lighted tobacco product or to light a tobacco product; owners
or operators of public buildings were prohibited from displaying ashtrays, smoking paraphernalia, or signs that
indicate that smoking is permitted. Council weighed and seriously considered the rights of private citizens to smoke
versus the effects of secondhand smoke on members of the community. In 2007, the Council agreed to a one-year
exception for specific businesses and organizations; the one-year exception ended in November 2007.

During the summer of 2006, Benbrook’s City Manager, Cary K. Conklin, announced his intention to retire. Mr. Conklin’s
career with the City spanned over thirty years. He began his service with the City as the Parks Director in 1974. In 1979
he was promoted to Community Services Director. Mr. Conklin became Benbrook’s Assistant City Manager in 1988.
Upon the retirement of Kennith Neystel in 1996, Mr. Conklin was appointed as City Manager. Mr. Conklin’s
retirement was effective in January 2007. Benbrook’s new City Manager is Andy Wayman; during his career with
the City, Mr. Wayman served as the City’s Assistant to the City Manager, Public Services Director, and Assistant
City Manager. David R. Gattis was promoted from Assistant City Manager to Deputy City Manager.

CITY OF BENBROOK 2018-19 ANNUAL BUDGET
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