Page 22 - FY 19 Budget Forecast 91218.xlsx
P. 22
Additionally, beginning this fiscal year and following the city’s trend of planning for future maintenance,
the Water Fund will begin setting aside money annually for tank maintenance. FY 2018‐19 will begin the
allocation process in the amount of $175,000, which will allow for tank maintenance every other year.
As mentioned in the list of one‐time expenditures, wastewater projects for FY 2018‐19 include extending
sanitary sewer to serve the North Hwy. 377 region between Johnson and Mt. Gilead roads.
Drainage
Drainage projects for FY 2018‐19 include improvements along Woods Drive and an update to the city’s
Drainage Master Plan. Design work also began in FY 2015‐16 on a drainage project on Barbara Lane with
construction to be completed in FY 2018‐19.
Economic and Business Development
Keller continues to see growth in its commercial sector with more than $47 million in projects expected
to finish up by the end of FY 2017‐18 and another $17 million estimated to have started this year. During
FY 2018‐19, the city anticipates a decline in new commercial growth as land availability in Keller decreases.
Still, we anticipate about $26.7 million in economic growth in the year ahead, bringing retail and office
square footage to over 6.6 million, according to Tarrant Appraisal District records.
This growth has occurred primarily along major arterials such as FM 1709 and Hwy. 377. Old Town Keller,
which stretches along both sides of Hwy. 377, has also experienced a resurgence in office, retail and
restaurant activity in the past few years. This is largely due to the $4.25 million investment the city made
in Fiscal Year 2016‐17 as a first phase of redevelopment and beautification in the area. That project is
already credited for attracting sit‐down restaurants Seven Mile Café, Roscoe’s Smokehouse and The
Station Patio Icehouse as well as a potential mixed‐use project.
Keller Town Center, too, has seen an increase in activity, and the commercial properties continue to be
approximately 97 percent occupied. What’s On Tap, Lavender Hill Spa, Summer Moon Coffee, Boca 31,
and Play Street Museum (coming soon) recently opened in Town Center, and construction anticipated in
the coming year includes Keller’s first hotel, a Hampton Inn & Suites, located behind Tom Thumb.
Keller also recently saw the opening of The Bowden on FM 1709, a private event center owned and
operated by the Greater Keller Women’s Club, and anticipates the opening of a second private event
center, Chandon Arbors, in Old Town Keller on land fronting Elm Street sold by the city two years ago.
The FY 2018‐19 budget includes $648,714 for economic development incentives with $301,195 related to
committed incentives and $347,519 available for potential new opportunities.
Investment in the Workforce
The City of Keller knows that the key to our services and success is our employees. Our community
receives an average of two awards or honors monthly for municipal excellence, which is the direct result
of the hard work and dedication of staff.
Accordingly, the FY 2018‐19 budget includes a 4 percent market adjustment for Public Safety
(sworn/certified) employees to bring us in line with other North Texas benchmark cities in addition to the
20