Page 373 - FY 2023-24 ADOPTED BUDGET
P. 373

building boom between 1974 and 1985 with a ninety percent increase in the number of single family
               houses built and a forty-fold increase in the number of multi-family dwelling units built.  A bond

               election in 1985 approved funds for a police station, streets, and drainage improvements.  However,
               building activity slowed considerably in the last half of the 1980s.  The Benbrook Area Chamber of
               Commerce was created in 1986.  In January 1989, voters turned down a bond election for streets,
               drainage, and a library.

               1990s

               By 1990, the City's population had reached 19,564 and the number of businesses had grown to over

               400. However, the large majority of workers in Benbrook worked elsewhere.  In 1991 the Defense
               Base Closure and Realignment Commission recommended the closure of Carswell Air Force Base
               and realignment as a Naval Reserve Center.  The Air Force Base officially closed in December 1993.
               Voters also defeated a one-half cent sales tax for a library in May 1992.  In March 1993 the Lockheed
               Corporation purchased the General Dynamics Aircraft Plant.  In September 1997, voters approved
               an $8 million bond issue for streets, drainage, and an indoor community/recreation center.  Also, in
               1997,  the  community  constructed  Castle  Park  Playground  using  volunteer  labor  and  donated
               materials; Castle Park's completion was part of Benbrook's 50th Year of Incorporation Celebration.


               In 1998, Benbrook joined with Bled, Slovenia to sign a formal Sister Cities Agreement.  Also, in this
               year, Benbrook's voters approved a half-cent sales tax for the Benbrook Library District; this separate
               governmental agency has the authority to collect funds for the construction and operation of a
               library.  In 1999 Benbrook began a street overlay program with the assistance of Tarrant County to
               restore and prolong the useful life of residential streets.  Also, in 1999, the City held Benbrook's first
               Household Hazardous Waste Collection.


               2000’s

               Benbrook effortlessly emerged into the year 2000 without experiencing any glitches, downtime, or
               interruption of services as a result of Y2K.  In 2000, the Benbrook Community Center/YMCA opened
               and began operating through a joint venture between the City of Benbrook and the YMCA.  The
               Whitestone Golf Course also opened in the spring of 2000; this privately-owned golf course serves
               as a cornerstone for development and is attracting new homeowners and businesses. In 2002 voters
               allowed the sale of alcoholic beverages at Benbrook restaurants.


               In 2005, the Benbrook Council approved the issuance of $2,500,000 in certificates of obligation to
               provide funds for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects.  TIF projects include: the Interstate 20
               Ramp Location that was completed in the summer of 2006, the Walnut Creek Sewer Line, and the
               Benbrook Town Crossing project.


                                                            266
   368   369   370   371   372   373   374   375   376   377   378