Page 13 - City of Mansfield FY22 Operarting Budget
P. 13

September 13, 2021

               To the Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council:

               The Administration is pleased  to present to you the  City  of Mansfield’s Operating and Capital
               Improvement Programs for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.  This document is a comprehensive, in-depth, and
               easy to read text that provides the foundation and footing for the entire organization’s fiscal activities
               during the next year. The  budget  document reflects  current industry trends  using  performance
               measurement data and expanded illustrations to enhance the overall document.

                 It represents a statement of the City’s Fiscal Policies.

                 It represents a statement of the City’s Service Policies.

                 It aligns with the City’s revised Strategic Plan.

                 It communicates the priorities of Mansfield’s citizens, City Council, and Management for Fiscal Year
                  2021-2022 and future years.

               The accompanying statements and analysis tell a great story about the strength of our economy and the
               dividends that each citizen is receiving as a result of sound planning and effective management of fiscal
               resources.  It is a story that has been told many times to the rating agencies, to prospective industries, and
               other entities. By nature, the Budget Message contains forward-looking projections. An examination of
               past projections and estimates add credibility to what is presented.

               The  City  of Mansfield  is committed  to  conservative budgeting practices,  including utilizing one-time
               revenues for one-time expenditures, developing new revenue sources, adding staff as needed in various
               departments and managing operational costs while maintaining or improving current service levels.

               Despite  the impact of Covid-19,  we have  grown revenue, improved debt ratios,  increased  financial
               reserves, expanded the tax  base,  and built a  sustainable  local economy.  We have built a world-class
               transparency and community engagement model to ensure that all citizens and those outside the city are
               able to access city services, access information  regarding city programs and events,  and  provide full
               financial transparency to residents.

               City Council, working with Staff, is committed to quality development. This has only been accomplished
               through the concentrated efforts of many individuals making difficult business decisions to ensure that
               our goals to create value are  achieved. More specifically, the  City  Council has  been  aggressive in
               establishing impact fees or development fees that require new development to pay for its share of new
               improvements and services. Tough decisions requiring minimum standards in the zoning of properties
               and types of construction have created value that has benefited not only the City, but also the Mansfield
               Independent School District. Economic development efforts have resulted in several new commercial and
               industrial developments including The Shops at Broad, a variety of new restaurants, the Market Street
               shopping center, and many other projects currently in progress. Public/private partnerships including Big
               League Dreams, Hawaiian Falls and Fieldhouse USA continue to add quality recreational venues for our
               parks and recreation  system.  Simply put, the efforts of  the  City  Council, the  Planning and  Zoning
               Commission, the Mansfield Economic Development Corporation,  the  Mansfield Park Facilities
               Development Corporation and all other boards and commissions have assisted the entire management
               team in building quality and value for our City. First-class builders are attracted to this community, its
               services,  and  its school system. Commercial  and  retail developers  are keenly interested in the  City’s
               progressive development policies.

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