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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11 Euless Today1011 *November Dear Citizens, I hope you will take the time to read the article about the budget. After so many unknowns last year, we were pleased to be able to restore annual funding that will allow us to focus on the basics such as annual street maintenance, water and wastewater line replacement and saving for equipment replacement. This budget also allows us to reinstate positions that were frozen last year. It also provides funding for hiring three new firefighter/paramedics and three new police officers due to increased calls for service from our residents. The City has reduced or held the tax rate for 27 consecutive years, reducing from a high of 61.86(r in 1994 to the 2021 rate of 46.25C. In order to fund the additional public safety positions and maintain appropriate response times for emergency calls for service, we are increasing the tax rate by 1.25Q. For the average homeowner in Euless, this will result in an increase of $28.36 per year. That's a bargain in my mind for these vital first responders. THE OFFICIAL ' "" PUBLICATION OF E • Thanksgiving Trash '�ss Collection Schedule During the Thanksgiving holiday, normal Thursday trash and recycling collection will shift to Friday, November 26. Friday service will shift to Saturday, November 27. 1 FY2022 Budget Highlights The Euless City Council has approved a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22. This 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. Last year, the City made significant cuts to the budget that included annual funding for street maintenance and annual depreciation funding for vehicles, equipment and furnishings and fixtures. In addition, two full-time positions were eliminated and 12 vacant positions were frozen. The City continues to see an increase in the number of calls for service. This budget includes additional public safety personnel, including three Firefighter/Paramedics and three Police Officers. We believe these positions are necessary in order to maintain appropriate response times for emergency calls for service. For the first time in 27 years, the budget includes a small tax increase to fund these new public safety positions. The 2021 rate of 46.250 will be raised by 1.250 to 47.50 per $100 of valuation. Based on the average home value in Euless of $240,354, an average home owner will pay an increase of $28.36 per year or $2.36 per month. Water and wastewater rates remain unchanged. The City will continue to provide a 300 rebate per 1,000 gallons, up to a maximum of 15,000 gallons per month. In addition to providing for basic City services, the budget provides funding for the following: • Three new Firefighter/Paramedics • Three new Police Officers • One new Public Works Field Tech • Blessing Branch Park improvements • Bear Creek Elementary drainage channel improvements • The replacement of wastewater lines on Paula Lane/David Drive, Susan Street/Raider Court and Midway Park 3rd Addition • Huntington Drive waterline replacement • Replacement of a City water well • Street improvements including annual overlays and reconstruction of Harwood Rd., S. Pipeline Rd., W. Pipeline Rd., Highland Dr. and Mills Dr. 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 COUNTY Property taxes are the largest revenue source for the City. Using the average home value of $240,354 and the adopted tax rate of 47.50 per $100 of taxable valuation and applying the 20% homestead exemption, total City property taxes on the average home will be $913.35 this year. The average value of a home in Euless owned by a senior is $239,106. A senior with this home value along with the 20% homestead exemption and the $35,000 senior exemption, would pay $742.35 in taxes this year. I&". COMMUNITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL The City also has an 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 check the appropriate exemption on 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 remain unchanged. The budget continues a rebate of 300 per 1,000-gallon rebate from the rate stabilization fund for residential water usage up to 15,000 gallons. However, the monthly residential storm water drainage fee is increasing 250 per month, which is substantially lower than surrounding cities. The commercial drainage rate is also increasing proportionally by 9%, which is $22.72 per impervious acre and is also substantially lower than surrounding cities. The City property tax represents approximately 22% 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: • 1/40 is dedicated for property tax reduction • 1/40 is dedicated to crime control and prevention • %20 is used for economic development, parks and library • 10 funds general government operations HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION Euless has a 20% residential ' homestead exemption. SFNIOR FXFMPTION Euless has a $35,000 senior exemption on homes for those 65 and older. 47405C DISABLED VETERAN EXEMPTION S00 Disabled veterans receive an exemption 5f0-S121000 based on their disability rating from the branch of the armed service. You may view the annual 65+ CEILING, budget on the City's website FIF Set the year a resident turns Sets a cap on the amount of property taxes at www.eulesstx.gov, 'Ex(ludes improvements ' paid to the City of Euless in future years. at City Hall or at the Taxes may go below, but never above. Euless Public Library. SALES TAX REDUCTION 1/4 cent of sales tax is used for lowering the property tax rate. Exemptions are set up with Tarrant Appraisal District 1 817-284-0024 1 www.tad.org The Great Fall Scavenger Hunt "A, ` RRAIDL Saturday, November 20, 8 a.m. AND. Main Trail System Ytll © gla[.s4i cnunc HmpxlR[L CROS. CRANK m �� BLVD. HFRITALF W. MIDCITIESAVF. HWY SLID. ul E I THE GLADE PARKS ��� PRESERVE AT 80R EDEN MT-e MCCORMICK rrli mill PARK © PARK n' TRAILWOOD PARK a y... �© Y1. O YEA 8", COrk W. MID CITIES BLY0. MCCORMICK ni YT: W9 TRAILWODD — PARK MANSES AL DRIVE BLVD. R. MAIX ST. FULLED ©© YE' WISERRD. The City of Euless is partnering with Rita`s Italian Ice for this scavenger hunt! BEAR CRE K PARK xwr Search far and wide throughout Euless' Main Trail System to see if you can find '�° Rita` s merchandise. The Main Trail System begins at Heritage Avenue (in Glade RPEAR ARKWAYR Parks), then it winds through four city parks and ends at Bear Creek Parkway. If you find a hidden item, take it to Rita` s (501 N. Industrial Blvd.) to redeem for a free treat. There are multiple items to be found, but please only take one item to make this a fun experience for everyone. Shred Day Crud Day Saturday, November 6, 9 -11 a.m. Saturday, November 6, 9 -11 a.m. Euless Municipal Complex Euless Municipal Complex 201 N. Ector Drive 201 N. Ector Drive It's been two years since our last Shred Day, so now is your chance to get rid of personal documents that have been piling up in your home. The sponsor of this event, Euless Small Business Association (ESBA), is accepting your unwanted papers for two hours on Saturday morning. This is a drive -through disposal. You don't even have to get out of your car! Bring your discarded papers and documents for shredding and recycling. Papers may contain thin metals, such as staples, paperclips or even rubber bands. Please do not bring CDs, jump drives, three-ring binders or plastic bags. You may bring up to 10 boxes per vehicle of paper in standard - size boxes (15"x12"x10") or paper grocery bags. For more information, please call 817-685-1821. At last! Now you can once again safely dispose of hazardous waste from your home, such as paint, chemicals and oils. Space is limited, so please only bring hazardous waste. The mobile collection unit can accept material from approximately 125 households. If the unit reaches its capacity before you arrive, you may deliver your materials to the Environmental Collection Center in east Fort Worth. You may also bring any small electrical appliances you would like to recycle like computers, radios, VCRs, stereos, clocks and hair dryers. For a complete list of accepted hazardous and electronic waste, please call 817-685-1410 or visit www.eulesstx.gov/hazmat. Small Business Saturday November 27 For the past 11 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 still 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. They have been adapting to the pandemic by offering takeout, curbside delivery or home delivery — but 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. 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.