Page 19 - Keller Budget FY21

City of Keller Growth

The City of Keller population continues to slowly grow each year as measured by the North Central Texas
Council of Governments. As of May 2020, the City of Keller has an estimated population of 45,400, which
is up 310 people or 0.68% from the prior year and 5,773 people or 14.6% from the 2010 Census.
Approximately $73 million in new construction was added to the tax roll this year and represents 1.2% of
the total taxable value of the city. Of the new value, $51 million was new residential construction and $22
million was new commercial construction. The new construction value is a decrease of 44.6% from the
current year and a decrease of 67.1% compared to the record‐setting 2016‐17 Fiscal Year.

Public Safety

The safety of our citizens continues to be one of our top priorities, and the adopted budget reflects that.
Our police and fire departments, both of whom continue to be recognized at the state and national levels
for their successes, make up 24.3% of the city’s total budget and 49.5% of the General Fund budget.

Keller regularly earns a spot among the 50 Safest Cities in Texas as well as the 100 Safest Cities in America.
The Keller Police Department was the first agency in Texas to be both nationally accredited and state
recognized, and the department recently re‐accredited at the national level for a third time, earning the
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies’ (CALEA) Advanced Law Enforcement
Accreditation with Excellence. NETCOM 911 followed suit in 2018, becoming the first regional dispatch
center in Texas to earn national accreditation from CALEA.

In FY 2020‐21, the city proposes adding an Animal Control Officer (ACO) related to the City of Roanoke
joining our animal control and detention regional partnership, and approximately three‐fourths of that
position will be funded by Southlake, Colleyville and Roanoke through the regional contracts.

Keller PD continues to invest in equipment and in its headquarters on Rufe Snow Drive. In FY 2020‐21, the
Keller Police Department will continue the process of upgrading their Computer‐Aided Dispatch and
automated Records Management System for $500,000 to meet new standards required at the federal
level; purchase Live Scan Fingerprinting system for the jail and in records; replace patrol vehicles; and
bring on new equipment.

The department also remains on the cutting edge of regionalization, finding cost savings and improved
service through working with our surrounding communities. By regionalizing 911 dispatch as well as jail
and animal services with our area partner cities, the total cost of police services will be offset by $3.2
million in annual revenue this year.

In 2016, the Keller Fire Department became the seventh fire department in the state and the first in
Tarrant County to earn status as a Recognized Best Practices Fire Department by the Texas Fire Chiefs
Association. The EMS capability of the department also continues to be recognized, receiving the
American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus recognition for a fourth time this year based
upon their success in treating heart attack patients. In FY 2019‐20 the department was awarded a grant
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for replacement Self‐Contained Breathing Apparatus.

This year’s Fire Department budget includes $14,350 for training costs and applicant fees associated with
applying for accreditation with the Commission on Fire Accreditation, and $10,500 for fire data analytics

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