Page 6 - Microsoft Word - FY 2020 Adopted Budget Document

Manager’s Message

INTRODUCTION

While growth in the Texas economy has slowed slightly over the past several months, economic growth in the Dallas-Fort Worth
metroplex remains robust and has even strengthened through the second quarter of 2019. Unemployment remains low, and
office demand is steady.

Arlington once again saw growth in assessed valuation, resulting in a tax rate reduction of $0.0108 cents per $100 of assessed
value from $0.6348 in FY 2019 to $0.6240 per $100 of assessed valuation in FY 2020 – the fourth year in a row with a lowered
tax rate. The FY 2020 Budget proposes prudent growth, keeping in mind that while the economy remains strong, legislative
changes and the fact that the economy can’t continue to grow forever must be at the forefront of our budget development.

Because of newly passed legislation regarding the collection of cable and telephone franchise fees, our revenue projections
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were lowered by $1.3 million, though the actual amount won’t be known until after October 1 . The Planning and Development
Services budget has increased by $259,434 to add two new full-time employees and one new part-time employee to implement
the changes the Legislature adopted in HB 3167, a bill implementing the new mandated “shot clocks” for processing all plats
and plat-related plans. Although not in effect until January 2020, new taxing legislation limits the amount of property tax growth
a city can realize in a single year. While it will have some impact on future budget cycles, my hope is that smart investment in
FY 2020 in key priority areas, economic development, public safety, and city facilities, will lessen its effect.

Recent strategic investment in the Entertainment District, including the opening of the premier Texas Rangers Golf Club, Esports
Stadium Arlington, the flagship Live! by Loews hotel and convention center and the 40,000-seat Globe Life Field, will further
bolster the economic impact of tourism in Arlington. The City will continue to pursue economic development efforts that aim to
bring employment, entertainment, and educational opportunities to our community while reducing the tax burden for our
homeowners.

The City’s investment into its vision of Downtown as a pedestrian friendly destination continues to pay dividends, with new
housing developments, offices, shops, bars and restaurants opening along or near the Abram Street rebuild.

Another core service area of significant investment in the FY 2020 Budget is public safety. The Police Department is adding 20
new positions, eight Police Officers and twelve Police Sergeants. Seven of the Police Officers and one of the Sergeants are to
staff the department’s domestic crimes, crimes against children and gun investigations units. A new Community Support Officer
is included, which was previously grant-funded. The final eleven Police Sergeants are the result of the culmination of the 2016
COPS Grant, which offset the initial costs of adding officers to our ranks. The Fire Department is also adding five new positions.
Two are to fully staff the department’s K9 unit, and three firefighters are to implement a brand-new Aircraft Rescue and
Firefighting (ARFF) unit at our municipally owned airport. Other public safety investments include funding for several police and
fire technology enhancements.

In 2020, we’re looking forward to the opening of a new 36,000-square-foot recreation center in southeast Arlington, the Mosaic,
as well as the completion of a first-of-its-kind, combined recreation center and library in east Arlington, the Alpha Center, that
will provide valuable services, programs and access to technology to residents of all ages. We remain committed to maintaining
our award-winning parks system, our medians, our libraries and other public facilities.

Arlington is able to invest in priority services, while still reducing the tax rate, in part because the tax base continues to grow
each year. In FY 2020, the assessed valuation grew by 12.9% from the previous year.

we provide an elevated level of service at the lowest cost possible. We are continuously looking for new ways to innovate, to
save, and to provide the highest value to our residents. Operating in today’s environment while keeping a constant eye on the
future positions Arlington as America’s Dream City.

The table on the next page shows positions added in the FY 2020 Adopted Budget.

2020 Adopted Budget and Business Plan iii City of Arlington, Texas