Page 16 - Microsoft Word - Budget FY 19

CITY OF FOREST HILL

September 30, 2018

Honorable Mayor Thomas and Members of the City Council:

In compliance with state law and the Home Rule Charter of the City of Forest Hill, Texas, I am pleased to
submit to you the Proposed Annual Budget and Plan of Municipal Services for the fiscal year beginning
October 1, 2018 and ending September 30, 2019.

At a Special City Council Budget Workshop held on August 13, 2018, the City Council expressed the desire
to maintain the current tax rate and levels of service offered to the citizens of Forest Hill. The City Council
also expressed desire for a balanced budget without using fund reserves in the General Fund. From those
comments, City Staff continued developing the budget, and now feel confident we have accomplished the
task given.

The state of our national and local economy continues to be of concern; although some of our economic
indicators are showing signs of a slow but steady growth. Several considerations, goals, and priorities
were identified with the development of this budget. Those priorities addressed in the FY 2018‐2019
Budget are:

1) Continue to maintain current ad valorem property tax rate.
2) Reposition staff and staffing levels to better reflect the demands for service throughout the
organization and City.
3) Maintain adequate funding for street infrastructure needs and other capital projects.
4) Continue funding adequate pay and benefit to City employees
5) Address improvements to municipal facilities
6) Fleet replacement particularly at the Police and Public Work Departments.
7) Continue promoting economic development activities and make Forest Hill an ideal place to live,
work and to do business.

Transmitted herewith is the approved FY 2018‐2019 budget for the City of Forest Hill. The budget totals
$17,841,431 of which $9,520,704 is for the General Fund, $5,469,101 for the Enterprise Fund, $677,044
for the General Debt Service Fund, $356,203 for the Community Development Fund, $32,000 for the
Municipal Court Technology Fund, $7,000 for the Municipal Court Safety Fund, $6,594 for the Juvenile
Case Manager Fund, $432,860 for Street Capital Improvement Fund, $64,849 for Motel Tax Fund,
$809,318 for the Storm Water Fund, $464,058 for the Sanitation Fund and $1,700 for the Forest Hill
Memorial Park Fund.

LONG‐TERM GOALS

During the Budget process, the Council reviewed the goals for the upcoming budget year and beyond.

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