FY 2018 Popular Annual Financial Report FY 2018 Popular Annual Financial Report | Page 6

PAGE
6
Popular
Annual
Financial Look Back at 2018
Trends

Continuing to build on the
prior year’s growth trend, fiscal year
2018 was a year of positive financial
outcomes for the City of Arlington. We
were fortunate to live in a region and
state that continued to grow and prosper
economically. The housing market and
business investment remained strong,
and unemployment was at an all-time
low. Growth was obvious throughout
the city. Cranes dotted the cityscape,
reminding us how much investment
energy there is in our city as we focused
on economic development and
sustainable growth. Leading the growth
trend, sales tax revenues were slightly
over the adopted budget for the year by
$68,305 (.1%). Sales tax revenues were
higher than the prior year’s monthly
collections in 10 out of 12 months, which
represents an increase of 4.1% above
FY17 sales tax receipts. Residential and
commercial construction continued
to grow, as evidenced by plat review
and inspection fees exceeding budget
by nearly $500,000. Activity in the
Entertainment District brought some
growth in Hotel Occupancy Taxes
(HOT). FY18 HOT receipts were 3%
higher than experienced in FY17 but still
slightly short of budget by $257,143. After
several years of declines, revenues
from the Municipal Court appear to
have stabilized; in the aggregate, these
revenues exceeded budget by $124,709
for the year. Also, franchise fee revenues
were mixed in 2018.  Electric, water
and gas utility franchise fees exceeded
budget due to above-average summer
temperatures and colder weather
that lasted into the spring.  Declines
in telephone and cable television fees
continue to reflect the evolution of
communications technology, with
telephone and cable fees coming in
under budget.  Overall, revenues in the
franchise fee category exceeded budget
by $283,902. The City General Fund
ended the year under budget in revenues
Sales Tax Revenues
FY 2004 - 2018
$60,000,000
$50,000,000
$40,000,000
$30,000,000
$20,000,000
$10,000,000
$0
FY 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
 • Arlington received the Insurance
Service Office’s highest Public
Protection Classification, an elite
Sales Tax
designation that may save some
Receipts Growth
growth
homeowners and commercial property
from 2016-2017
owners across the city on insurance
premium costs. The City joins the
Sales Tax
top 1% of communities in the U.S. for
Receipts Growth
growth
excellence in fire protection. 
from 2017-2018
In 2017, Arlington’s Fire and Water
Utilities Departments participated in an
ISO assessment. The resulting score
was 95.67 (ISO 1) as compared to the
2007 score of 84.40 (ISO 2). The new
ISO 1 rating became effective March
1, 2018. ISO ratings are used by most
insurance companies to predict and
analyze risk when generating insurance
premiums.
• The City, in partnership with
Via, became one of the first cities in the
and expenditures, and all funds had
nation to offer on-demand ridesharing
positive ending balances.    
as a public transportation solution.
In June, the City of Arlington was
Notable Accomplishments
invited to participate in the Canadian
• In August, thousands turned out for the
Urban Transit Association’s New
grand opening of Texas Live!, a dream
Mobility Symposium in Vancouver,
years in the making for Arlington’s
BC. Arlington’s Via On-Demand
already vibrant Entertainment District.
Rideshare service was featured and
Texas Live!, a partnership between the
garnered much interest from the
Texas Rangers, the Cordish Companies
symposium participants as the first
and the City of Arlington, is one of
program of its kind in the world. 
the largest and most exciting sports-
anchored developments in the country.   • The community celebrated the
Sales Tax Revenue
2.9%
4.1%