Page 351 - Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

BENBROOK HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2015

The City of Benbrook’s primary goal in 2015 was “Building a Brighter Future” with the emphasis on improving and
expanding infrastructure and public facilities without issuing or incurring additional debt. All of Benbrook’s capital
projects in 2015 were constructed with cash reserves instead of issuing debt. The City’s commitment to operate in a
lean, responsive, and financially sustainable way offers flexibility in making sound financial decisions. As a result,
Benbrook enjoys an AA+ credit rating. According to Standard and Poor’s financial services: “Benbrook offers a
consistently strong financial profile indicated by its very strong budgetary flexibility and liquidity, supported by strong
management practices.”

In 2015, Benbrook experienced opportunities and embraced challenges in enhanced infrastructure through the City.
Work began on the widening of Benbrook Boulevard/U.S. 377 by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
creating trials and tribulations for motorists and businesses. Also in 2015, TxDOT completed the reconstruction of RM
2871 and installed a traffic signal at the intersection of RM 2871 and Jerry Dunn Parkway; the City funded a sidewalk
to connect the pedestrian crossing at the improved intersection to the Westpark Subdivision. Benbrook crews rebuilt
Timberline Drive - a major street that had experienced significant road base failures - by re-stabilizing the street,
replacing curb and gutter, and providing a fresh layer of asphalt; the project was engineered and managed in-house
and used the assistance of Tarrant County and the Benbrook Water Authority in construction. The Benbrook Economic
Development Corporation (BEDC) completed the extension of Winbrook Drive and Benbrook Parkway to facilitate
future development for the northeast corner of Winscott Road and I-20 and to create enhanced street connectivity into
and within the Benbrook Industrial Park. The last unpaved alley in Benbrook, between Usher Street and Benbrook
Boulevard, was reconstructed with concrete. A drainage project was completed on Plantation East Creek and
Springbranch Drive to protect and to preserve the abutments of the bridge.

City crews completed the lighting project for the ballfields at Dutch Branch Park by replacing all wooden poles with
metal poles.

The walking track and hike/bike path in Dutch Branch Park were re-surfaced and re-striped; benches were added at
strategic locations within the park.

The first steps toward construction of a new animal shelter were taken when the Benbrook City Council set aside
$500,000 from General Fund reserves for the future construction of this facility and approved funding for a conceptual
CITY OF BENBROOK 2018-19 ANNUAL BUDGET
350