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Home My WebLink About2020-11 Euless TodayLinda Martin Mayor Tim Stinneford Place 1 Jeremy Tompkins Mayor Pro Tem Place 2 Eddie Price Place 3 Perry Bynum Place 4 Harry Zimmer Place 5 Salman Bhojani Place 6 Euless Today is published by the City of Euless. 201 N. Ector Dr. • Euless, TX 76039 • 817-685-1400 • eulessinfo@eulesstx.gov Uverse Ch. 99 • Euless Cable Channel 16 The EulessCity Council WATER 817-685-1471 October WATER 817-685-1471 October Did you know…? Voting is at the Euless Family Life Senior Center? Election Day is November 3. WATER 817-685-1471 October November FY 2021 Budget Highlights The Euless City Council has approved a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21, which leaves the City’s property tax rate unchanged at 46.25¢ per $100 of valuation. This is the 27th year that your Euless City Council has maintained or reduced the tax rate. The budget provides funding to continue the day-to-day operations of the City including 24-hour police, fire and EMS service, public works, parks and recreation, library services, building inspections, code compliance and other essential City services. However, unlike previous years, this budget has been developed with an unprecedented amount of uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. After reviewing all of its programs and services, the City has made adjustments to address safety concerns and to identify cost savings to offset the economic impact of the pandemic. The City expects significant revenue reductions from sales tax, car rental tax, hotel/motel occupancy tax and interest income. To offset the loss of revenue, the City has made cuts across all departments without sacrificing funds for public safety. Among other cost-cutting initiatives, it has eliminated two full-time positions and frozen 12 vacant positions until economic conditions improve. In addition to providing for basic City services, the budget provides funding for capital projects including: • Construction of a new Fire Station to replace Station 1, which is approximately 35-years-old. This station is located in an area with a lot of residential growth and the new station will allow the Fire Department to maintain a quick response time and service level within that district. • The Parks at Texas Star Sports Complex is expanding and now encompasses Softball World. The name will change and renovations will include new synthetic turf infields, natural turf outfields, fencing, irrigation system, backstops, dugouts, LED lighting and a new building for concessions and restrooms. • The replacement of wastewater lines on El Camino Real and Euless Blvd. at Main St. • Dickey Drive waterline replacement • 2021 Street Improvements Dear Citizens, I am pleased to share some positive news with you about our budget. Even with the uncertainty created from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have once again created a balanced budget without raising the property tax rate. To be sure, we have made some sacrifices to reach this budget, such as eliminating two full-time positions and placing a hiring freeze on open positions. However, our budget reflects our continued dedication to focusing on Euless’ core needs like public safety, street maintenance and waterline replacement which are key to providing the services you have come to expect from this great City. In addition, capital expenditures include construction of a new Fire Station in District 1 to replace the existing station and improvements to the Parks at Texas Star. In the spring, knowing that the pandemic was likely to have significant financial impact, we immediately implemented budget reductions. The Euless City Council is keenly aware of the financial hardships to our families and businesses during this time and strives to remain fiscally responsible while providing essential services you’ve come to rely on. WATER 817-685-1471 October WATER 817-685-1471 October Property taxes are the largest revenue source for the City. Using the average home value of $239,187 and the adopted tax rate of 46.25¢ per $100 of taxable valuation and applying the 20% homestead exemption, total City property taxes on the average home will be $885 this year. The average value of a home in Euless owned by a senior is $229,232. A senior with this home value along with the 20% homestead exemption and the $35,000 senior exemption, would pay $686 in taxes this year. The City also has approved the over 65 tax ceiling which means that senior citizens pay no more than they paid at age 65 even though the home value may change, excluding improvements. You, or your spouse, will qualify for the senior exemption and tax ceiling on the date you turn 65. To receive this benefit, you must complete the homestead exemption form and return it to Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD). To obtain the form you can call TAD at 817-284-0024 or visit www.tad.org. TAD applies the information on your form to all taxing entities, so you do not have to complete additional forms to receive senior benefits from the school district or county. You do not have to reapply each year. Water and wastewater rates are increasing due to increased costs from Trinity River Authority to purchase water and wastewater treatment services. The residential volume rate for water will increase 14¢ per 1000 gallons and the volume rate for wastewater will increase 5¢ per 1000 gallons. To help offset these increases, the City Council approved a 30¢ per 1000-gallon rebate from the rate stabilization fund for residential water usage up to 15,000 gallons. The City property tax represents approximately 20% of a resident’s overall property tax bill. The total tax bill also includes the school district, county, hospital district and the college district. Sales tax revenue is the second largest revenue source. Of the 8.25% sales tax rate, the State of Texas receives 6.25% and Euless receives 2%. The City’s portion is allocated as follows: • ¼¢ is dedicated for property tax reduction • ¼¢ is dedicated to crime control and prevention • ½¢ is used for economic development, parks and library • 1¢ funds general government operations Currently, the ¼¢ of voter-approved sales tax that is dedicated to Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD) is used towards a crime control and prevention program. This program funds public safety equipment, technology and police personnel. This sales tax district is set to expire in 2020 and the City Council and CCPD Board have called for an election on November 3, 2020 to provide citizens the opportunity to consider its continuation. To avoid any transaction fees, the City of Euless accepts payments in a variety of other ways: For water bill payments, you may enroll in automatic bank draft, and that amount will be debited from your bank account on the due date of each month. To enroll please contact the Water Office by calling 817-685-1471. WATER817-685-1471 October WATER 817-685-1471 October The City of Euless has traditionally accepted credit and debit cards for Utility Billing, Municipal Court and Permit Fees and has absorbed the processing fees imposed by credit card companies on those transactions. As the use of credit cards continues to increase, the cost of those transaction fees has increased as well. The City of Euless will begin imposing a transaction fee on credit card transactions: Transaction Fees CCPD Programs include: • 15 Police Officer’s salaries, uniforms and training • Community Relations Programs such as Neighborhood Crime Watch and Coffee with a Cop • EPIC-Euless Police Inspiring ChampionsProgram designed for Euless elementaryschool students • Police Summer Camp (free to participants) • Crime Victim Liaison • Mental Health Peace Officer • Interoperable communications equipment and technology These are some of the ways the CCPD funds are used in our City. In recent years, CCPD has purchased a training simulator, evidence lockers, crime scene cameras, 911 dispatch center recording equipment and safety equipment for Police Officers. You may view the annual budget on the City’s website at at www.eulesstx.gov or at City Hall. Department: Percent of Transaction: Municipal Court Utility Billing Planning & Development Thanksgiving Trash Collection Schedule November 27 – 28 During the Thanksgiving holiday, normal Thursday trash and recycling collection will shift to Friday, November 27. Friday service will shift to Saturday, November 28. •Cash•Check (not temporary)•Debit card (with PIN in person)•Money Order 1% 1.75% 2% WATER 817-685-1471 October Small Business Saturday November 28 For the past 10 years, Small Business Saturday has been designated as a day to shop at local small businesses. However, this year shopping local is more important than ever. Euless merchants and restauranteurs are struggling. And, the people who work for them are struggling too. Your favorite restaurants, retail stores or service providers need our help to stay afloat. Although they are doing their best to adapt to these new conditions, such as offering takeout, curbside delivery or home delivery – they need us to make it work. Small business owners are the foundation of Euless’ economy. Because these folks live and work in Euless, they usually provide excellent customer service that big chains can’t emulate. So, on Small Business Saturday (and every day), we encourage you to shop and dine locally. Our Euless businesses, their employees and our neighbors need your support. On average, the Dallas-Fort Worth area gets nearly three inches of rain in November, so now is a great time to create a rain barrel to capture and store rainwater. Just a half inch of rain falling on a 1,000-square-foot roof yields 300 gallons of water. Besides saving money on your water bill, using rainwater instead of municipal water is better for your plants. Rainwater is naturally soft, and free of chlorine and other chemicals. It has a nearly neutral pH, and is free from disinfection by products, salts, minerals and other natural and manmade contaminants. How to Make an Affordable Rain Barrel Shopping List - Installed gutter system on home - 32-gallon trash container with lid - Male threaded brass hose bib - 3/4-inch conduit locknut - 1 1/2-inch conduit locknut - 1 1/2-inch PVC male adapter - Two 1 1/2-inch, 90-degree PVC elbows - 10-inch PVC pipe Instructions: 1. Drill a 3/4”-hole approximately 2 inches from the bottom of the 32-gallon trash container and thread the hose bib through the trash can. Secure the hose bib (faucet) with a 3/4-inch conduit nut on the inside of the container. 2. Cut a hole out of the lid for the rain gutter to drain into the barrel. 3. Drill a 1 1/2-inch hole approximately 1 1/2 inches off the top of the barrel. Thread the1 1/2-inch male adapter and secure with a 1 1/2-inch conduit nut. 4. Attach the 90-degree elbow to the adapter. Connect both PVC pipes with the other 90-degree elbow. This will allow any excess rainwater to drain out of the barrel. Do not use PVC glue or cement, so you can adjust the direction of the overflow to flow away from mulch or your home’s foundation. Tools You’ll Need - Drill with 3/4-inch bit - Wrench