Page 18 - CityofKennedaleFY26AdoptedBudget

social media and the official website. We will continue hosting town hall meetings, increasing our presence at
homeowner association meetings, and participating in other community events. Partnerships with the

Kennedale Rotary and the Kennedale Area Chamber of Commerce will also continue. Looking ahead to 2026,
we will collaborate with the YMCA to develop more community-driven programs aimed at strengthening our

neighborhoods.

We recognize the importance of keeping our citizens informed about issues affecting the community. The city

has made improvements in notifications for situations such as street closures or weather events, but there is
still work to be done. The city is committed to keeping every citizen informed to the best of our ability and will

explore additional ways to do so now and in the coming year.

Over the past year, we have made significant progress in supporting and funding a variety of city-sponsored

events. These included our Kennedale Hometown Christmas, Kennedale BBQ Showdown in partnership with
Kennedale Speedway Park, Kidfish and Bark in the Park at Sonora Park, the 911 Memorial Commemoration

at TownCenter Plaza, the Veterans Day Memorial at TownCenter Plaza, the annual Halloween Trunk or Treat

in TownCenter, and the Juneteenth Parade. We have received strong community support and positive feedback
for our efforts to add value through these well-organized, family-friendly events. We plan to keep improving

these events and possibly introduce more community-focused activities in the coming year.

Municipal Court

The Kennedale Municipal Court remains committed to statutory requirements and providing the highest

standards in customer service. It promotes the timely resolution of cases while ensuring accuracy to foster a

positive public perception of our local judicial system. This past year, the court implemented new software that
has increased efficiency within the department. The court also continues to participate in citywide events and

community education efforts. It took part in the Great Texas Warrant Roundup in March in cooperation with
the police department, Texas Municipal Courts Week in November, and met with community members at

various National Night Out neighborhood parties in October. Additionally, our court was recognized by the
Texas Municipal Courts Education Center and received the 2025 Municipal Traffic Safety Award. Along with

a focus on education and community outreach, the municipal court also introduced a diversion program aimed

at early intervention for at-risk youth, adults, and families in crisis. The program emphasizes identifying
underlying concerns and connecting participants with appropriate community resources. The court staff

experienced a 28% decrease in all court filings, maintaining a 96% disposal rate and a low case backlog last

year. There was also a 5% decrease in fines collected in FY 2024-2025.

In conclusion, I want to thank every employee of the City of Kennedale team. Our department directors and

CITYOFKENNEDALE.COM/FINANCE 17