Page 344 - Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

BENBROOK HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2013

The City upgraded and improved the broadcast of meetings through the installation of a new video system in 2013.
Meetings may now be viewed on the City’s website in real time. In addition to allowing citizens, City Staff, and other
interested viewers to watch City meetings on-line as they actually take place, the new system is less-costly to produce,
involves less Staff time, and is of higher quality.

In 2013 the City’s website was revamped, improved, and updated. The new website is more stream-lined, user-friendly,
and more concise. The new website address is www.benbrook-tx.gov.

In 2012 the City completed plans to expand the Benbrook Fire Station. The construction contract was awarded in the
summer of 2012 and work was commenced. The expansion of the Fire Station was completed in 2013 through the use
of reserves transferred to the Capital Projects Fund from the General Fund.

Three members of Girl Scout Troop 2507 dedicated their summer to improving the Benbrook Cemetery. The trio were
inspired to initiate the project when they learned that identifying burial plots at the cemetery was a cumbersome
process. Gold Award projects are intended to meet a need within a community; all planning, coordination, and
fundraising strategies are the responsibility of the participating Girl Scouts. The Benbrook Girl Scouts proposed
building a cemetery directory kiosk and markers to lead visitors to grave sites. The City of Benbrook approved the
design and location and agreed to work with the Girl Scouts.

In August 2013, the Benbrook Historical Society (BHS) - in partnership with the Benbrook Area Chamber of Commerce
(BACC), the Benbrook Public Library, and the City of Benbrook – hosted a community screening of “Once Upon a Time
in Benbrook” a fast-paced and highly entertaining broadcast quality documentary video. Presented as a series of
stories about the people and incidents that have intersected with, or originated in Benbrook, the forty-five minute video
depicts historical occurrences in relation to national and international events, as well as local accounts of a more
personal and heartfelt nature. From stage coach bandits, to a famous pilot/dancer, to the vast ranch land of a
President’s son, Benbrook is steeped in rich and entertaining history. The video was produced as a companion to the
recently published Images of America: Benbrook, an Arcadia Publishing book depicting Benbrook history in picture
form. Both the video and the book are available for purchase at Benbrook City Hall and through the Benbrook Historical
Society.

CITY OF BENBROOK 2018-19 ANNUAL BUDGET
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