HomeMy WebLinkAboutEuless Today Financial Edition 2008/2009200812009 Budget Edition
lip ■ NIN Rip 11r. The City of Euless
201 N. Ector Drive
D p Euless, Texas 76039
817-685-1400
www.euless.org
e are pleased to announce that the Euless
City Council approved the FY2008-09
budget on August 26. During the budget
process, emphasis was placed on
continuing a high level of service to our
citizens, maintaining appropriate staffing
levels while providing a competitive
employee benefits package, maintaining proper reserve levels,
supporting public safety, encouraging economic development and
revitalization throughout our community.
With a growing population of 54,000, the Council approved a tax rate
of 47� per $100 of assessed valuation, which is a continuance of the
previous year's tax rate. This is the thirteenth consecutive year that
the Euless tax rate has either been reduced or maintained while still
providing for enhancements throughout our City.
More and more people are discovering what we already know: Euless
is a thriving business community with a hometown feel. The
FY2008-09 general fund budget includes total operating and capital
expenditures of $32,776,463. New development during the past year
totaled $33,010,350 bringing the City's total taxable value to
$2,725,665,648, an increase of 4.96% over the prior year.
More people are supporting their community by shopping in Euless.
Money spent locally circulates longer within the community and
improves the quality of life. For each dollar spent in Euless, 2% of
the taxable sales are returned to the City to support public services,
lower property taxes, provide for crime control and prevention and
to enhance our library, parks and to promote economic development.
The City continues to be strong financially; however, the economic
downturn and fiscal conditions affect everyone. Sales tax revenues
are projected to only increase slightly due to the slowdown in the
economy.
Recommended capital funding includes continued participation in
the Tarrant County Home Program which rehabilitates homes for
(continued on back page)
---------------------------------------------------------
Euless offers the following exemptions and deferrals
for homeowners:
• 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,
As a new fiscal year for the city
begins the first of October, we
are thankful for the very
successful year we have
completed.
Our population has increased Mayor Mary Lib Saleh
to about 54,000 citizens and we now have five housing
developments in progress. We have completed all of the
major roadway infrastructures with Glade Road as our last
large project. The Shops at Vineyard Village are filling up
and dirt is moving at Glade Park.
Have you noticed the beautiful plantings our Parks
department has done this year? Main Street, city hall
campus and our parks have all benefited from their work.
Additional amenities have been added to the parks and even
more trails are in our future.
The Library has been renovated this summer with new
carpeting, new furniture, new study rooms and the
beautiful new local history and genealogy room as well as a
study room. The outside gardens have been redone with
new seating arrangements.
Our Euless Revitalization program continues to be a
highlight for those citizens in need. We work together with
Tarrant County and several local churches 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 Texas Star Conference Centre is undergoing major
renovations and should be completed early in 2009.
Business is going well and we appreciate the support of
those who put up with the noise and inconvenience while
the work goes on.
We will continue to update our buildings, roads, parks and
infrastructure this next year without an increase in the tax
rate. Please read through this newsletter to understand our
budget for 2008-09.
And, thank you all for being the great citizens of Euless!
(continued from front page)
those who qualify financially, funding for street overlay
projects; funding for citywide computer replacement needs and
funding for various equipment needs throughout the city.
The City Council also approved operating and capital expenses
for the water and sewer fund totaling $17,030,647. 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). As a result of increased production costs
to both TRA and the City, water rates will increase JU and
wastewater rates will increase .22� per 1,000 gallons effective
October 1. This budget also provides approximately $1 million
dollars to continue the replacement of water and wastewater
lines and metering equipment throughout the City to keep the
infrastructure sound.
The Council is committed to providing for capital
improvements to ensure that the City's infrastructure remains
sound and using cash reserves whenever possible to limit debt
issuance. We are very pleased that the FY2008-09 budget will
not require the issuance of any debt. The 2008-09 Capital
Improvements Program includes new trail connections at Bob
Eden Park, Bear Creek Parkway erosion repair, street overlay
projects, a feasibility study for improvements to the Texas Star
Sports Complex, which includes both Softball World and the
Parks at Texas Star, and a Family Life Center at Midway Park,
which includes expansion of the current recreation center, an
indoor/outdoor aquatic center, and construction of a new
senior center. This project will fulfill the most requested
amenities identified by citizen input in our recently adopted
Parks Master Plan.
Euless currently operates 20 vehicles with alternative fuel
sources. In an effort to assist in fuel conservation, the proposed
fleet replacement schedule includes recommendations for
alternative fuel and fuel efficient vehicles where possible.
"Programs, policies and procedures have been implemented
that not only save valuable tax dollars, but also make Euless a
more sustainable place to work and live. Euless City Council
and staff pledge to the citizens that we will maintain a solid
financial position with emphasis on a stable, low tax rate and
reduction of debt," said City Manager Gary McKamie.
Each month, citizens have the opportunity to contribute 50�
to the Euless Betterment Fund through their water bills.
Monies from this fund are used for the city's 1+1=2 Program.
This wonderful program was designed to give away trees at the
Arbor Daze celebration. All residents are encouraged to plant
trees in their yards throughout the City of Euless. This
contribution supports the city's Annual Christmas Parade of
Lights and the Holidaze Kidz Zone at Midway Recreation
Center. It also supports the fantastic programming at the
Euless Public Library such as the MasterWorks Music and Arts
Series. Thanks to each of you who help make these programs
possible.
General Fund Expendhopes - $32,776,463 Total Expenditures
Admin/
Development
(16%) A
Public Works
(4%)
Fire
(23%)
Community Services
I (7%)
Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?
City of 1
(20°/
Tarrant
County
Hospital
(9%)
Tarrant County College
Non -departmental
i (14%)
Capital
(6%)
Police (30%)
Tarrant County
,,,,,,)
*HEBISD - $1.295. GCISD - $1.290
54%)
Where Does Your Sales 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:
Crime Contrc '
and Preventic
District
(0.25%)
Library, Park
and Economi
Development
(0.5%)
Property Tax Reduction (0.25%)
Fund (1%)
-----------------------------------------------------
If you have questions or comments about this edition of
Euless Today, please contact Betsy Deck at 817-685-1821.
T H E C I T Y O F
The official publication of EUL°ESS