Page 16 - Forest Hill FY21 Annual Budget

THE CITY OF FOREST HILL

OFFICE OF THE

CITY MANAGER

MEMO

Date: September 15th, 2020

Honorable Mayor Joubert and Members of the City Council

In compliance with state law and the Home Rule Charter of the City of Forest Hill, Texas, I am
pleased to submit to you the Adopted Annual Budget and Plan of Municipal Services for the fiscal
year begi1rning October I, 2020 and ending September 30, 2021.

At a Special City Council Budget Workshop held on August 04, 2020, the City Council expressed the
f
desire to maintain the cunent tax rate and levels of service ofered to the citizens of Forest Hill. From
those comments, City Staff continued developing the budget, and now feel confident we have
accomplished the task given.

The state of our national and local economy continues to be of concern due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Although some of our economic indicators are showing signs of a slow but steady recovery, overall
economic growth during the last year was flat and we project the same for FY 2020-2021. Several
considerations, goals and priorities were identified with the development of this budget. Those
priorities addressed in the FY 2020-2021 Budget are:

1) Continue to maintain ad valorem property tax rate at 0.997342 per$ I 00 valuation;
2) Maintain adequate funding for street, water and sewer infrastructure needs and other
capital projects to include municipal facilities maintenance;
3) Continue adequate pay and benefits to City employees with a 3% pay raise;
4) Continue fleet replacement for Fire, Police and Public Work Departments;

5 ) Continue promoting economic development activities and make Forest Hill an ideal
place to live and do business;
6) Incorporate the TCEQ mandate at South Linear (Griggs Park);
7) Continue the Home Grant/Housing Rehabilitation Program;

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