Page 336 - Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

BENBROOK HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

dedicated reliable funding for drainage projects. Council approved $121,000 for this project in anticipation that in
future years the City can reduce the property tax rate - at a minimum the amount required for drainage project debt
service payments. This study was completed in 2006-07. In September 2007, the Council approved a $6.50 per month
fee for residences and a fee based on the impervious area on the parcel in square feet times $0.00204 per month for
businesses. Fees became effective October 1, 2007 and are collected by the Benbrook Water Authority. Certificates of
Obligation sold in September 2007 are scheduled for payment through the stormwater utility fees. In future years,
these fees are scheduled to finance current and proposed drainage projects.

2008

In early 2008, the City ended its funding for the Tourism Director at the Benbrook Area Chamber of Commerce. The
City had been reimbursing the Chamber for salary and other operating expenses for this employee through the City’s
Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax revenues. Council approved creating a new position and financing the expenses through
the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax. A full-time Marketing Director was hired in February 2008. The Marketing Director,
supervised by the Economic Development Director, is responsible for the following tasks: (1) expanding and enhancing
video programming for the City’s website and local government access channel, (2) enhancing current community
events, (3) investigating and implementing additional special events to promote Benbrook, (4) managing and
implementing the Benbrook Lake Development Plan, (5) partnering with the Benbrook Youth Baseball and Softball
Association (BYBSA) to host regional and national tournaments, (6) creating a webpage dedicated to attractions and
points of interest in Benbrook, (7) partnering with the Benbrook Community Center/YMCA to expand triathlon events,
(8) expanding the marketing of equestrian opportunities around Benbrook Lake, (9) acting as a liaison with local
businesses to insure that local hotels receive a share of training and travel events, and (10) creating and improving
printed materials about Benbrook to include Benbrook hotel options.

In August 2008, the Benbrook City Council authorized Staff to proceed with the implementation of the Compassion
Based Code Compliance Program. No funds were directly allocated in the 2008-09 Budget for this program. The City’s
Economic Development Director and the Code Compliance Officer provide Staff support for this volunteer-based
program that relies on donated supplies and services. Benbrook’s program is based on the “Beautiful Day” program
in San Jose, California and offers an alternative for the City to resolve code violations of physically and financially
incapable citizens in a more compassionate manner. The program mobilizes community volunteers and resources to
assist qualifying residents in site cleanups and repairs. City Staff serves to: identify and screen citizens, connect
volunteers with projects, provide insurance coverage through the City’s liability and workers’ compensation policies,
CITY OF BENBROOK 2018-19 ANNUAL BUDGET
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