Page 302 - Benbrook FY20 Approved Budget

CITY OF BENBROOK 2019-20 ANNUAL BUDGET

1980s

In 1980, Benbrook had a total population of 13,579. A $4.1 million bond issue for streets and drainage was defeated at the polls in 1980.
In May 1980, numerous homes were damaged by a hail storm; a tornado was sighted but not officially confirmed. Loop 820 was completed
from Hulen Street to U. S. Highway 377 in 1981 and the remainder opened in 1982. In 1981 an election to merge the City with the Benbrook
Water and Sewer Authority failed. Benbrook experienced a tremendous building boom between 1974 and 1985 with a ninety percent
increase in the number of single family houses built and a forty-fold increase in the number of multi-family dwelling units built. A bond election
in 1985 approved funds for a police station, streets, and drainage improvements. However, building activity slowed considerably in the last
half of the 1980s. The Benbrook Area Chamber of Commerce was created in 1986. In January 1989, voters turned down a bond election
for streets, drainage, and a library.

1990s

By 1990, the City's population had reached 19,564 and the number of businesses had grown to over 400. However, the large majority of
workers in Benbrook worked elsewhere. In 1991 the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission recommended the closure of Carswell
Air Force Base and realignment as a Naval Reserve Center. The Air Force Base officially closed in December 1993. Voters also defeated a
one-half cent sales tax for a library in May 1992. In March 1993 the Lockheed Corporation purchased the General Dynamics Aircraft Plant.
In September 1997, voters approved an $8 million bond issue for streets, drainage, and an indoor community/recreation center. Also, in 1997,
the community constructed Castle Park Playground using volunteer labor and donated materials; Castle Park's completion was part of Benbrook's
50th Year of Incorporation Celebration.

In 1998, Benbrook joined with Bled, Slovenia to sign a formal Sister Cities Agreement. Also, in this year, Benbrook's voters approved a half-
cent sales tax for the Benbrook Library District; this separate governmental agency has the authority to collect funds for the construction and
operation of a library. In 1999 Benbrook began a street overlay program with the assistance of Tarrant County to restore and prolong the
useful life of residential streets. Also, in 1999, the City held Benbrook's first Household Hazardous Waste Collection.

2000

Benbrook effortlessly emerged into the year 2000 without experiencing any glitches, downtime, or interruption of services as a result of Y2K.
Prior to the beginning of the year 2000, the City replaced the City Hall telephone system, the Police Department's tape back-up system, the
communications system for the Fire Department, and the Fire Department's telephone system. In 2000, the Benbrook Community Center/YMCA
opened and began operating through a joint venture between the City of Benbrook and the YMCA. The Whitestone Golf Course also opened
in the spring of 2000; this privately-owned golf course serves as a cornerstone for development and is attracting new homeowners and
businesses. In 2000, the Benbrook Library moved into its permanent home, the former Senior Activity Center. In 2006 the Benbrook Library
requested proposals for a construction project to expand the Benbrook Public Library facility.
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