Page 19 - NRH FY20 Approved Capital Budget

LOCATION & HISTORY

LOCATION

North Richland Hills is a growing community of approximately 67,980 people located in the heart of
the Dallas/Fort Worth area metroplex. The city is also home to over 1,200 commercial and industrial
businesses. North Richland Hills is only 10 minutes from downtown Fort Worth.

HISTORY

Our community began when W.S. Peters agreed to bring 600 families into the area within a three
year period as part of a land grant. The families began arriving in the summer of 1848. In 1849
Tarrant County was established and named for General Edward H. Tarrant.

In 1953 the North Richland Hills Civic League sought to have the area annexed to Richland Hills, but
voted to form their own city when annexation was denied. An election was held, and 268 acres of
Jones farm, with a population of 500, became officially incorporated as the City of North Richland
Hills. By 1957, the North Richland Hills’ boundary was within two miles of Smithfield. By 1960,
Smithfield was annexed by North Richland Hills.

North Richland Hills operates under a charter adopted in 1964, which provides for a "Council-
Manager" form of government. The City Council is composed of a mayor and seven council members
elected at large. The council determines the overall goals and objectives for the city, establishes
policies and adopts the city's annual operating budget. The city manager oversees the day-to-day
operations of the city.

19