Page 19 - Forest Hill FY21 Annual Budget

THE CITY OF FOREST HILL

Recommendations

The FY 2020-2021 Annual Program of Services is divided into the following areas: Administrative
Services, Financial Services, Emergency Services, Municipal Services, and Utility Services. The
program areas outline the respective roles of the departments and their associated divisions based
upon the services they perform. This allows the creation of individual cost centers and better overall
monitoring of fund expenditures. Owing to the delivery of services to business and residential interests
in the community, the following are recommendations for FY 2020-2021:

◊ Adopt a tax rate of $.997342 for FY 2020-2021 and establish fiscal accountability for
growth in the assessment of property valuation in order to create additional capacity for
future debt service.
◊ Review job compensation plan to ensure a market based approach for employee
recruitment and retention.
◊
Complete street improvements to Forest Hill Drive, Truett, Griggs and Wanda Lane.

◊ Submit the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Annual Program of Services publication to GFOA to
detennine its eligibility for the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The City
received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Award for the first time for its FY 2010-2011
and has received the award consistently every year for its Annual Program of Services

These recommendations will assist the City of Forest Hill in meeting basic service needs, accounting
for operational deficiencies and preparing to meet future growth.

Summary

The outcome of our budget process satisfies the City mission statement, which states: "In our on-going
commitment to the citizens and businesses in the City of Forest Hill, we endeavor each day to be
fiscally responsible, knowing that we are held accountable for our actions to move the city in a
forward progression of economic development, to provide the best customer service to those who live,
work and play within our city limits, and to be fair and honest in all that we do. With passion,
integrity and professionalism, from within City Hall to our elected officials, we will be the leaders of
Community Driven spirit that will guide the success of Forest Hill into the Future." The Fiscal Year
2020-2021 offers much promise for improving the overall financial condition of the City.

Forest Hill is poised to benefit from the location of our City Hall as it brings needed visibility and
creates opp01iunities for business expansion for commercial and retail growth on the vacant 82 acre
site across I-20 on Forest Hill Circle. This will lessen our dependability on ad valorem taxes, as the
primary means of supporting maintenance and operations of the City now and in the future.

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