Page 18 - Mansfield 2019 Operating Budget

The budget that accompanies the service program maintains this focus and priority of recognizing that
growth must produce value and quality.

Public Input

The City conducted two public hearings, August 13 and August 27, 2018, on the budget and the tax rate
to receive public input regarding the budget and tax rate. Prior to the hearings, the City Manager
presented the annual service program which included program priorities, staffing, equipment and
proposed infrastructure improvements for the upcoming fiscal year. Several citizens and groups spoke
regarding the use of Hotel/Motel revenues and requested or petitioned the City Council for use of these
funds to promote tourism, historical preservation and the arts within the City. There was very little
commentary regarding the burden of property taxes or the budget from other members of the citizenry at
these hearings.

On September 12, 2018, after the public hearings, City Council discussed the budget and the tax rate.
There was considerable discussion by the City Council regarding property tax relief, as City Council
heard from some in the City outside the public hearings, and hearing from top State legislatures that
citizens in state of Texas needed property tax relief. City Council calculated the impact of providing
property tax relief in the form of homestead exemptions and tax rate reductions. They measured and
weighed the proposed forms of relief against the impact or cost of the reduction in city services and then
focused on the impact or cost of City services compared to and in relation to the cost of other public
services supported by the same taxpayer within in City, the County and State of Texas. After significant
discussion, City Council voted unanimously to adopt the tax rate as proposed by the City Manager,
stating that property tax relief for the citizens needed to come from the State of Texas. Separately, the
City Council voted to approve the budget as presented by the City Manager. However, two of the seven
members of City Council voted against the budget, while the remaining five members of City Council
supported the passage of the budget. The nays were in favor of amending the budget as presented by the
City Manager in some form to accommodate the idea of property tax relief without jeopardizing the
service program or harming City services.

Management Strategies

Management monitors all development activity within the City during the year to manage the resources of
the City. The economic climate in the City of Mansfield continues to prosper along with the improving
economies of the state and nation. Well-timed infrastructure improvements, stringent development
standards and aggressive economic development strategies have created additional opportunities for
commercial and retail expansions. The residential market continues to add new development throughout
the City.

2018-2019 Budget Highlights

• City Council maintained the current tax rate of $0.71 per $100 of valuation.
• The City will improve programs in Public Safety, Community Services and infrastructure maintenance.

• The City will provide a 3% salary adjustment for all employees.
• New industrial, commercial and retail opportunities are being developed by the Mansfield Economic
Development Corporation, including site development and construction for the Shops at Broad retail
center and other retail establishments throughout the City.

• Continued emphasis on planning and infrastructure improvements.

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