Page 16 - CityofWataugaAdoptedBudgetFY25

that encourage citizen participation. Funding is included for a Citizen Survey this
year and the annual Watauga 101 Citizens academy.

➢ Goal #6: Improve the City Brand – The City is focusing on developing a marketing
strategy to promote the City. The continuous improvement of social media
platforms, additional advertising efforts by the Watauga Economic Development
Corporation to promote businesses, community events, and an evaluation of
programs to enhance community information sharing is planned for the upcoming
year.

➢ Goal #7: Make Watauga a Great Place to Work through attracting, retaining and
motivating staff – a Personnel Enhancement Plan identifies areas of staffing needs
for all City departments. With continued staffing challenges, a review of the City’s
recruitment and retention strategy will be conducted, and employee satisfaction
surveys will be conducted every two years. The employee satisfaction survey will
be rolled out in the fall/winter of 2024 to identify areas that can be improved to help
retain staff.

➢ Goal #8: Evaluate Technology and workplace solutions – Technology updates
continue this budget year and include new fleet software and the implementation
of AMI technology in the City.

Planning for the Future

The City’s financial condition remains strong, and the City has proven flexible to adapt to
changing conditions. Fiscal Year 2024 showed slowing economic activity that economists
predicted would emerge. Through sound fiscal management over the years, the City has
positioned itself to create a positive atmosphere for economic development. Planned
development includes a 67-home single family residential development that is underway
on Hightower Drive. The development will add significant benefit to the City by adding
new quality housing with improved streetscapes, new sidewalks, and greenspace. An
additional residential development along Bursey Road includes 61 single family homes.
Future growth includes a 132-home residential development at Capp Smith Park, and an
additional package liquor store. These developments will aid the City in future year
property valuation growth.

Over the last few years, the City has experienced property valuation increases and Fiscal
Year 2025 Certified values from Tarrant Appraisal District show a 7.3% increase over
prior year (including pending ARB accounts and Incompletes). In comparison, Fiscal
Year 2024 (Tax Year 2023) showed property valuation growth of 13% (including pending
ARB accounts). The continued growth has been a result of an extremely active real estate
market in recent years but is showing signs of a slowdown.

There are numerous variables that merit a cautious approach when developing the
current year budget with a long-term outlook. These include:

o The near build-out status of the City requires a strategic approach to attracting new
development and revitalization of existing businesses. The City is mindful of two

9