Page 28 - Benbrook FY20 Approved Budget

CITY OF BENBROOK 2019-20 ANNUAL BUDGET

TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY AND VALUES

Neighborhood quality and values are protected and enhanced through the funding of programs designed to make Benbrook streets more
attractive and safer, passage of ordinances to improve the quality of life, and programs and purchases to make neighborhoods more secure.
When Benbrook leaders originally identified this goal as one of the primary concerns of the City, they developed a strategy to form
neighborhood associations to work with residents to strengthen and improve relations between neighborhoods and the City of Benbrook. A
list of the neighborhood associations currently active in Benbrook is included on page 303 of the 2019-20 Budget Document.

SAFER AND MORE ATTRACTIVE STREETS, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND FACILITIES

The 2019-20 Budget includes funds to re-surface streets within Benbrook through joint efforts with Tarrant County in the City/County street
overlay program. The 2019-20 Budget includes expansion of the City’s street overlay program and the rebuilding of Benbrook streets by
increasing the budget allocation by $250,000 and by transferring $100,000 from the Road Damage Fund. This special revenue fund was
established to repair City streets damaged from the transport of natural gas equipment and vehicles. Funds are also included as General
Fund revenue for street cuts and repairs for projects completed with the Benbrook Water Authority.

PUBLIC SAFETY RELATED PROGRAMS AND PURCHASES FOR 2019-20

New programs and purchases are financed in the 2019-20 Budget to improve the quality of life in Benbrook by enhancing public safety. The
Budget includes the addition of one Police Officer, four vehicle light bars, seven new Taser Devices, eleven SWAT Ballistic Helmets, incentive
pay for Out-of-State applicants, and a Mobile Incinerator for property and evidence destruction. All purchases are funded through the
General Fund. Also, a new Animal Control vehicle is budgeted and paid from the Asset Replacement Fund.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

New Equipment and Continued Special Programs

The 2019-20 Budget includes the replacement of sixteen Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Bottles and an Opticom Traffic Light system for
intersections allowing safe and expedited travel through intersections for emergency vehicles.

In 2019 an improved and upgraded communications system that is compatible with the City of Fort Worth’s system was purchased and
installed.

CodeRED and CodeRED Weather Warning are available to Benbrook residents, businesses, and schools; a Benbrook street address is required
for the system to issue the proper notices. These programs provide an additional layer of communicating warnings to Benbrook; the City’s
emergency warning sirens serve as the primary system for emergency and crisis alerts.

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