Page 32 - Hurst FY20 Approved Budget

level five leadership qualities within our circle of influence. We are empowered to develop an
exceptional quality of life for our community through professional and ethical public service.
Second, Customer Service, we do our very best to serve our customers selflessly, no matter what
title we hold or whom we are serving. We are committed to providing exceptional service while
being responsive to the needs of the community. Third, Financial Sustainability, we responsibly
manage our resources allowing the city to provide a desirable level of programs and services to
the public now and in the future. We employ the Hurst Way as the lens we use to evaluate and
deliver programs and services.

Under this framework and following the retirement of our Deputy City Manager I reorganized
our executive team and promoted two Executive Directors into the role of Assistant City
Manager in 2018-2019. I have adjusted their responsibilities to align with their strengths and
allow me to focus on expanding our cultural initiatives through leadership and innovation.
With the assistance of our Executive Director of Human Resources we revamped our employee
orientation and recognition programs last year. This year, the city will continue to develop
programs encouraging employees to apply The Hurst Way to their daily work lives through
process improvement efforts and storyboarding. These programs will support City Council
priorities in leadership and innovation coming directly from Team Hurst members through the
newly formed Hurst Way Advocacy Team. The senior leadership team is championing these
efforts under the guidance of two Assistant City Managers.

Public Safety: Public Safety continues to be widely supported in our community. I have previously
discussed some recent investment in our police and fire operations to continue to provide
excellent public safety operations and programs. Our priority is to ensure positive community
awareness and well-being. We will continue to provide community based programming and
services which contribute to the high survey responses on police and fire services. Our annual
survey also continues to reinforce that people feel safe in Hurst. In the Police Department we
are implementing new crime reporting standards under the National Incident-Based Reporting
System (NIBRS). While the NIBRS change was required by the State of Texas and the FBI, it will
improve crime reporting and improve incident related details. In the Fire Department we have
transitioned to a 48-96 rotating shift which we expect to reduce fire fighter leave and increase
recruitment as the department continues to provide high levels of fire and EMS services.

Fiscal Management Plan

The imperfect economy, natural disasters, and dynamic energy costs have been the primary
influences on the operating budget in recent years. The city’s financial policies include a Fiscal
Management Plan that was adopted to guard against resulting financial instability. The plan has
four levels that progressively emphasize budgetary discretion in staffing levels, compensation,
capital outlay, user fees and overall service levels. Redevelopment efforts and conservative fiscal
policy helped stabilize the city’s financial outlook in recent years. There were enhancements
in service levels, and all budget objectives were accomplished during very difficult economic
times.

Various stages of the Fiscal Management Plan have been in place since the economic downturn
in 2001. In September 2005, several provisions of Level II were implemented due to escalating
fuel prices and the dramatic economic impact of hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast. Capital
projects and purchases were delayed and spending was reduced where possible. For budget
year 2006-2007, the economy experienced a recovery with positive market indicators and
rising interest rate yields. The city’s Fiscal Management Plan returned to Level I and spending

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