FY 2014 Popular Annual Financial Report FY 2014 Popular Annual Financial Report | Page 2

Mayor’s Message Mayor’s Message 2 City Council 3 City Manager’s Message 4 Strategic Plan 5 Financial Look Back 6 Financial Planning Cycle 8 City Profile 9 Identifiable Brand 10 Economic Development 11 Regional Mobility 12 Thriving Community 14 Quality Education 16 Achievements 18 Financial Highlights 20 Looking Forward 23 2 | Popular Annual Financial Report Dear Reader, On behalf of the entire Arlington City Council, I am pleased to present the 2014 Popular Annual Financial Report. We publish this document annually to share data and other information about our municipal organization’s accomplishments in an open and transparent manner. We believe that increased transparency improves the public’s understanding, our ability to govern, and therefore, the quality of life in our community. Fiscal Year 2014 saw the continuation of several positive trends including a decreasing crime rate, the lowest level in years, and increasing sales tax revenue, the highest level in our history. Property values are on the rise and foreclosures are on the decline. We have maintained our AAA bond rating, which shows that the City Council’s strong, conservative governing principles are working. Additionally, a number of City departments have also received endorsements from accrediting agencies in the areas of parks, water, finance, housing, public safety, libraries and public works. Arlington remained focused on economic development during 2014. One major area of our economy is tourism, and during 2014 we hosted George Strait’s final concert at AT&T Stadium which was the largest concert in North American history. Other major events held in our Entertainment District over the past year included the Cotton Bowl Classic in January and the Final Four Tournament in March. Arlington has become the destination for thriving businesses such as Williams Sonoma and Vought. And we are investing in our economy by improving our infrastructure with $80 million worth of road projects under way during the past year. Key developments included work on Abram Street and the Center Street bridge over I-20. Arlington voters assisted this effort by renewing the street maintenance sales tax this past year - a move that will provide $12 million annually to make sure our roads are maintained. Voters also approved a $236 million bond package that included additional money for our roads and to improve our library and parks, as well as providing funding to rebuild an outdated fire station. During the past year, we also launched the City’s new brand, “Arlington, The American Dream City.” The new brand works because it is an authentic representation of our city, the 50th largest in the country and home to Six Flags Over Texas, the GM Assembly Plant, the Texas Rangers and the AT&T Stadium. Our size and the activities occurring here increasingly put Arlington on the state, national and international stage. Our brand incorporates all elements of Arlington - our parks and neighborhoods, downtown, educational opportunities from elementary schools to Tarrant County College and UT Arlington, our business community and the Entertainment District. As we close the books on 2014, we see the positive trend continuing. I’m proud of the work that has been done by Council and staff and pleased to offer this report on the financial status of our great city. The Council and I remain confident that our best days are ahead. I hope you will find this report useful and invite you to share your feedback with us. Sincerely, Robert N. Cluck, M.D. Mayor [email protected] | 817.459.6121