Page 24 - CityofArlingtonFY26AdoptedBudget

Business Plan

The Long-Range Planning Division is responsible for the visioning and implementation processes for the City's land development
studies, assessments, programs, and policies. Specific responsibilities include Unified Development Code and policy updates,
special reports, land use analyses, public engagement initiatives, area plans, and the citywide comprehensive plan.

The Building Inspection Division is responsible for the plan review of all building permits, as well as the inspections of those
structures during construction and before issuing certificates of occupancy. The team ensures that structures are constructed
to adhere to the current building codes for the safety of those who utilize the structures. On average, this division handles 15,000
permits and 57,500 building inspections annually. The Building Inspection team aims to complete all building inspections within
24 hours of request. The Gas Well team is responsible for the land development, permitting, and inspections of gas well drilling
and production in the City of Arlington. Planning also handles sign permits and inspections, special events, Open Records
requests, and impact fees.

The Health Services Division supports development, tourism, economic development and community health by conducting plan
review, permitting, and inspections of food establishments, commercial childcare centers, boarding home facilities, hotels, onsite
sewage facilities, and public swimming pools. Health Services works collaboratively with general contractors, business owners,
property managers and other city departments to ensure that minimum health and safety standards are met and maintained.
The Health Services team plays an integral role in the city’s robust entertainment and event culture by guiding event
management and operators through the pre-planning and permit submittal stages as well as performing day of event inspections.
The division also promotes healthy communities by managing the mosquito borne disease mitigation program and empowering
business owners and citizens through public health education and harm reduction initiatives.

The Police Department (APD) is responsible for providing public safety services to nearly 400,000 residents and millions
of visitors who travel to Arlington each year to enjoy the city’s world class venues and amenities. APD is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), which is the gold standard for law enforcement agencies.
The department is also recognized nationally as a leader in community policing.

APD continues to make significant investments in technology and proactive policing initiatives which are yielding positive results.
In 2024, the city saw a five percent reduction in overall crime and reductions in all major categories: Crimes Against Persons (-
1%), Crimes Against Property (-6%), and Crimes Against Society (-5%). This marks the second straight year Arlington has
posted decreases across all three categories.

Recognizing the tremendous value and effectiveness Uncrewed Aircraft
System (UAS) technology brings to public safety, APD expanded its
innovative Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program during FY 2025.
APD employees who are licensed UAS pilots can fly a UAS to an incident,
scope out the area from above, and provide valuable, real-time
information to responding officers. Because UAS are often able to reach
scenes more quickly than a patrol vehicle navigating city roadways can,
this approach can help officers more swiftly identify and locate suspects,
make better-informed decisions, and better protect themselves and
community members. Additionally, APD was among the first law enforcement agencies in the United States to receive a Beyond
Visual Line of Sight waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration, allowing APD pilots to fly UAS greater distances and to
remotely pilot them from inside the department’s Real Time Crime Center.

As excitement builds for the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
World Cup 26, APD is already busy preparing for both events. The department’s Event Management Unit continues to meet
regularly with event organizers to develop robust security plans that will help ensure fans have a fun, safe time when they come
to Arlington. APD has also begun planning for staffing adjustments and is working with their local, state, and federal partners to
secure additional resources to ensure there are enough personnel to work the events and maintain normal police operations
across the city. It’s a significant undertaking, but the department remains confident they will rise to the challenge.

FY 2026 Proposed Budget and Business Plan 18 City of Arlington, Texas