Page 20 - Hurst FY19 Approved Budget
P. 20

Alternative Funding Sources

                       Each department evaluates service fees on an annual basis, and they are adjusted when
                       necessary.  The city also considers alternative funding opportunities and applies for state
                       and federal grant funding each year.  Grant funds received by the city generally average
                       $300,000 per year.  In 2017-2018, total grant revenue generated was approximately
                       $1,324,854.  Grant programs included a Mental Health Coordinator, the Tarrant County
                       Auto Theft Task Force, and Highway 10 landscaping.  Grant proceeds vary from year-to-
                       year and grants for fiscal year 2018-2019 are expected to fall within traditional levels
                       and will primarily fund infrastructure and public safety needs.


                       Major Operating Funds

                       The 2018-2019 primary operational and debt service budgets listed in the table below
                       total $74,701,127, which represents a 0.99% increase from the previous year.


                                  Fund               Budget  2017-2018  Budget  2018-2019  % Change
                           General Fund                      $35,975,355      $37,045,966       2.98%
                           Debt Service Fund                   3,225,276        3,226,086       0.03%
                           CS Half-Cent Sales Tax Fund         5,391,416        5,657,288       4.93%
                           Enterprise Fund                    22,977,402       23,178,124       0.87%
                           AC Half-Cent Sales Tax Fund         5,948,874        5,593,633       -5.97%
                           Total                            $73,518,313      $74,701,127        0.99%

                       General Fund

                            City leadership will continue to addresses challenges that impact the City’s
                            General Fund.  With the exception of economic recessions, sales tax has continued
                            to be a strong revenue source for Hurst.  However, recent activity in the region has
                            begun cannibalizing local sales tax dollars and the City has a regional mall with
                            anchors struggling in the new economic environment.  In spite of positive signs
                            in the regional economy, the City Council is concerned about recent local trends
                            and continues to budget a sales tax reserve to protect the City from economic and
                            market driven changes in sales tax. The reserve was carried forward in the FY 2018-
                            2019 budget. Recent economic news regarding closures of Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies
                            ‘R’ Us are having an impact upon sales tax while the future of Sears continues to
                            be a concern and may require use of our budgeted sales tax reserve.  If the reserve
                            is not utilized in the FY 2018-2019 budget, the City will transfer the reserve to the
                            Special Projects Fund for future capital projects.  Under the visionary leadership of
                            our City Council, staff has been active in the business community recruiting private
                            partners for new developments and rehab of existing commercial properties.  In







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