Page 305 - Benbrook FY20 Approved Budget

CITY OF BENBROOK 2019-20 ANNUAL BUDGET

During the summer of 2006, Benbrook’s City Manager, Cary K. Conklin, announced his intention to retire. Mr. Conklin’s career with the City
spanned over thirty years. He began his service with the City as the Parks Director in 1974. In 1979 he was promoted to Community Services
Director. Mr. Conklin became Benbrook’s Assistant City Manager in 1988. Upon the retirement of Kennith Neystel in 1996, Mr. Conklin
was appointed as City Manager. Mr. Conklin’s retirement was effective in January 2007. Benbrook’s new City Manager is Andy Wayman;
during his career with the City, Mr. Wayman served as the City’s Assistant to the City Manager, Public Services Director, and Assistant City
Manager. David R. Gattis was promoted from Assistant City Manager to Deputy City Manager.

2007

In January 2007, Benbrook published its first annual report; copies were distributed to all households and were available at City Hall, other
municipal facilities, and on the City’s website.

In 2007, Benbrook participated in the Joint Land Use Study. The Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) is a cooperative planning initiative between the
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) Fort Worth and the surrounding cities. The goal of the JLUS is to promote compatible community
growth that supports military training and operational missions. The inter-judicial partnership is expected to result in the identification of actions
that can be taken jointly by the community and installation to promote compatible development and address current and future encroachment.

In January 2007, the City of Benbrook began conducting quarterly joint work sessions with the Benbrook City Council, Benbrook Planning and
Zoning Commission, Benbrook Zoning Board of Adjustment, Benbrook Parks and Recreation Board, Benbrook Economic Development
Corporation, Benbrook Library. The City also held a work session with the Fort Worth Independent School District in May 2007. These work
sessions were taped and broadcast on the City’s cable channel and on the City’s website.

th
In October 2007, the City sponsored the Benbrook Heritage Festival to celebrate Benbrook’s 60 year of incorporation as a municipality and
th
150 anniversary of Benbrook’s settlement. The Benbrook Area Chamber of Commerce and other Benbrook organizations are participating in
the event. A portion of the funding was provided by the City’s cable provider in the form of a community grant. A second Heritage Festival is
scheduled for October 2008.

In October 2007 the City’s Stormwater Utility Fees became effective. The 2006-07 Budget included funds in the Community Development
Division for the performance of a Stormwater Utility Feasibility/Implementation Study. This analysis was to determine the equitable costs for
businesses and homeowners to pay in stormwater utility fees. This system shifts the funding from an annual property tax basis (since drainage
products are currently financed through capital projects and debt service and a portion of the property tax rate is dedicated to debt service
payments) to a monthly bill based on the amount of run-off that a specific property generates as stormwater. Drainage problems are not
always related to property value and reliance on general obligation bonds for drainage projects runs the risk that upstream property owners
are not supportive of drainage improvements to protect downstream properties. Many municipalities are converting to a stormwater utility that

306 | P a g e