HomeMy WebLinkAboutEuless Today Financial Budget edition 2009/2010200912010 Budget Edition
The City of Euless
201 N. Ector Drive
Euless, Texas 76039
817-685-1400
www.euless.orWfinance
he Euless City Council approved the FY
2009/2010 budget on August 25. Declining
revenues from property taxes and sales taxes
have made this year more challenging than
ever, but we are pleased to announce that this
budget continues all existing programs and
services for our citizens while maintaining the current tax rate of
.47� per $100 of assessed valuation. This is the fourteenth
consecutive year that the Euless tax rate has either been reduced
or maintained while still preserving service levels and providing
enhancements throughout our City.
The FY 2009/2010 general fund budget includes total operating
and capital expenditures of $31,666,345. The City continues to be
strong financially; however, the economic downturn and fiscal
conditions have affected everyone. Preparation of this budget
included a city-wide effort to cut costs without impacting the
quality of service provided to our citizens. During the budget
process, importance was placed on maintaining proper reserve
levels, supporting public safety, encouraging economic
development and revitalization throughout our community.
Every attempt is being made to use outside funding sources and
grants for projects when available. Grants are being used for a
portion of the fleet replacement, street overlay and public safety
equipment. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
are being used for the design of the new Senior Center at Midway
Park and stimulus funding is anticipated to provide an energy
allocation grant that will assist with athletic field light
replacements.
The City of Euless has a popular senior program with games,
education sessions, healthy meals and special events. The center
serves as a social connection for seniors as well as a link to area
resources and support agencies. A new 22,240 square foot Senior
Center will be built east of the Midway Recreation Center. The
construction is anticipated to begin in January 2010. The state -of -
(continued on back page)
---------------------------------------------------------
Euless offers the following exemptions and deferrals
for homeowners:
41 Homestead Exemption of 20%
• Senior Exemption of $35,000 for residents
age 65 and older
• Property tax freeze for homeowners at age 65
or disabled
The owner of a house valued at $100,000, who has the 20%
homestead exemption, would pay $376 in City taxes annually.
Senior citizens with the same value would pay $211.50 annually. For
more information about exemptions or freezes, please contact
Tarrant Appraisal District.
A Word from the Mayor
Dear Citizens,
This year's budget has been a
very challenging one to work Z
through. The recession has
affected us all. Euless staff
took immediate action to
reduce expenditures to Mayor Mary Lib Saleh
weather the downturn in the economy. Because of our
strong financial position, we were able to approve a
conservative budget that maintains the current tax rate
of .47 � per $100 valuation. Generally most of your
property taxes will remain the same based on the value
of your home. We will monitor the budget closely
throughout the year and make adjustments if necessary.
We will work to enhance economic development,
improve our housing and provide for our great citizens.
We will continue to improve our infrastructure, add
sidewalks, overlay roads, improve our parks and provide
the best public safety services for our citizens. In 1993
our Euless citizens approved an additional V2 cent sales
tax that is dedicated to cultural, recreational and
economic development projects. This sales tax supports
great programs in our parks and library.
Our Euless Revitalization program continues to be a
highlight for those citizens in need. We work together
with Tarrant County and several local churches,
businesses and our cadre of volunteers to revitalize
older homes for those who cannot do the work
themselves. Euless is such a caring community and
those involved are truly rewarded by their service.
Our mission is to provide our citizens the most efficient
services possible that protect and enhance quality of
life, through planning and visionary leadership. Your
City Council and Staff work diligently to remain true to
that mission.
And, thank you all for being the great citizens of Euless!
(continued from front page)
the -art facility will be dedicated for senior use and will
include a library, media room, computer room, classrooms,
game rooms, a medical room and a catering kitchen with
adjacent dining areas. The building will also feature a
covered drive-through for citizen drop off for handicapped
purposes and inclement weather. Senior citizen input during
the planning process revealed the desire and expectation for
future programming that is geared towards a more active
lifestyle with resources for fitness, nutrition and
psychological well being. The City of Euless considers its
senior population a true asset, providing both economic and
volunteer benefits to the entire community. The Senior
Center will be a hub of activities and programs that aid in
health, well-being and quality of life.
Recommended capital project funding includes the
continuation of the Euless Revitalization and Tarrant County
Home Programs, the purchase of vital equipment for
departments including police, fire, courts, parks and public
works and street overlay projects. Other projects of note
include funding to design the reconstruction of Ash Lane
from Aransas to North Main Street, the design of Baze Road
from Priest Ln. to Glade Rd. and wastewater line
replacements on West Alexander Lane, Norman Drive and
Franklin Drive.
The FY 2010 capital budget also includes funding to
complete the city's portion of an effluent water line which
will connect to the City of Fort Worth's reclaimed water
delivery system to a point of distribution within the City of
Euless. This project will provide reclaimed water to city
property for irrigation purposes, even during drought
conditions and mandatory water restrictions.
The City Council also approved operating and capital
expenses for the water and wastewater fund totaling
$18,025,926. This budget provides for the distribution and
treatment of water and wastewater for Euless customers.
The City purchases the majority of its water and has all
wastewater treated by Trinity River Authority (TRA).
Included in the budget is a 6.6 percent increase in the water
and sewer fund, primarily due to increased costs. In an effort
to plan for future water supplies and promote water
conservation, a tiered water rate was recently approved that
encourages efficient water use. The more water you
conserve, the lower your monthly bill. Tiered water rates
began in October and will appear on November water bills.
The water and wastewater budget also includes funding to
continue the replacement of water and wastewater lines
throughout the City to keep the infrastructure sound.
"While we face many uncertainties and challenges in the
upcoming months, we also see many new opportunities. We
will manage the recession's effect on our revenues by
maintaining conservative fiscal practices and continuation of
debt reduction to sustain our strong financial position now
and in the future. The budget was developed with the
principles of the Mayor and Council of the City's
longstanding commitment to provide the same high levels of
service," said City Manager Gary McKamie.
110ft FW E40NWU - $31,666,345 Total Expenditures
Community
Services
(7%) \
Admin
(11%)
Public Works
(4%) —
Fire
(23%)
Non -departmental (18%)
M we Be hoar Tax DoW Go?
ISD*
(54%)
Library (2%)
Development
— (4%)
Police (31%)
City of Euless
/inn/ \
*HEBISD - $1.295. GCISD - $1.290
-ant County
College
(6%)
Tarrant
County
Hospital
(10%)
it County
(11%)
Wlwe Does Vow &M Tax Go?
For every dollar of taxable sales in Euless, an 8.25% sales tax is levied.
The State of Texas collects 6.25% and the remaining 2% is used by the
City of Euless as follows:
General Fund Crime Control and
Library, Park
and Economi
Development
(.50%)
n District
Property Tax
Reduction
(.25%)
-----------------------------------------------------
If you have questions or comments about this edition of
Euless Today, please contact Betsy Deck at 817-685-1821.
H E O I T V O F
The official publication of EUL°ESS