FY 2015 Popular Annual Financial Report FY 2015 Popular Annual Financial Report | Page 2

Mayor’s Message

Achievements 18

Dear Reader,

I am pleased to present the 2015 Popular Annual Financial Report. The City
Council and I hope that you will utilize this document to learn more about our municipal
organization’s operations and accomplishments. One of our highest priorities is to
provide you with an open view of our work on your behalf. We believe more informed
and involved citizens make this community better for all of us. This document is an
important part of an effort to conduct our work in a transparent manner.

The City’s work during Fiscal Year 2015 focused on our four Council priorities:
Champion Great Neighborhoods, Enhance Regional Mobility, Support Quality
Education and Invest in Our Economy. In this document, you will see that your tax
dollars were put to work during FY15 to achieve these priorities and also to support
core services such as public safety, culture, recreation and education, financial and
economic development, and infrastructure.

Through wide ranging projects such as the Mentoring Arlington Youth (MAY)
program initiated by the Police Department to build connections with our youth,
along with the recruitment of Fortune 500 company D.R. Horton to relocate to
Arlington, this organization is working to serve the public and truly make this the
American Dream City. Important investments were also made in compensation
adjustments in priority areas such as the Police and Fire departments. Other
investments in Code Compliance and Animal Services helped us meet the
needs of our neighborhoods. The City also made significant investments in basic
infrastructure needs, spending $24,525,083 on improving roads and $19,825,948
on replacing aging water infrastructure. Arlington launched the largest streetlight
conversion project in the southwest, retrofitting 10,500 lights with high performing
LED technology that will substantially cut energy costs and help save $14 million
over the next 15 years.

The City looked to our local business, non-profit and educational institutions to
find collaborative ways to solve mutual challenges such as Arlington Public Library
programs to teach parents to tutor their children. In doing all of this, the City Council
and I also work diligently to run our municipal government in a responsible and
prudent manner.

These efforts have paid off and FY15 saw modest improvements in sales and
property tax revenues. Arlington also maintained its AAA bond rating, a testament to
its history of conservative fiscal management. Our crime rate continues to decrease
and our unemployment rate remains below that of Texas and the nation as our
economy continues to grow steadily. Additionally, Arlington is increasingly drawing
national and international attention as it hosts major events such as the College
Football National Championships and the 50th Annual Academy of Country Music
Awards Show.

We have many opportunities and challenges, but we are making progress. I am
eager to continue the collaborative work with my colleagues on the City Council as
we seek to build Arlington’s reputation as The American Dream City.

Financial Highlights

20

Sincerely,

Looking Forward

23

W. Jeff Williams
Mayor
[e-mail] | 817.459.6121

Mayor’s Message

2

City Council

3

City Manager’s Message

4

Strategic Plan

5

Financial Look Back

6

Financial Cycle

8

City Profile

9

Major Events

10

Quality Education

11

Economy 12
Regional Mobility

14

Neighborhoods 16

2 | Popular Annual Financial Report