Popular Annual Financial Report
Coronavirus Response
The arrival of the novel coronavirus in Texas brought a series of changes and challenges for Arlington throughout 2020 .
In March , Mayor Jeff Williams signed a disaster declaration for the City of Arlington in response to the pandemic . Shortly after , Arlington launched a comprehensive coronavirus website , www . arlingtontx . gov / coronavirus , that provided both vital updates from the City , local schools , county and state as well as stories about businesses , front-line workers , residents and volunteers banding together to help the community through acts of kindness .
One day after the first confirmed COVID-19 death was reported in Arlington in mid-March , Gov . Greg Abbott visited the Fire Department ’ s Office of Emergency Management and held a news conference stressing the importance of local and county collaboration in the state ’ s fight against coronavirus . Arlington , already working in collaboration with Fort Worth and Tarrant County , issued a temporary Stay Home , Work Safe order and temporarily closed some of its facilities to the public , such as library branches , recreation centers and playgrounds , to reduce the spread of the virus . The City also began holding public meetings virtually and , like other Texas cities , postponed its planned May 2 general and special elections until November .
As part of its Roadmap to Reopen and Recovery , the City worked with residents , nonprofits and the business community on a variety of initiatives designed to protect public health and keep the economy going . These efforts included helping small businesses apply for available grants and loans , and hosting telephone town hall meetings to help connect people with food , transportation , housing and employment assistance resources . The City also provided businesses with printable signs designed to guide customers and employees on how to remain in compliance with Gov . Greg Abbott ’ s executive orders . Arlington Fire Chief Don Crowson , the City ’ s Public Health Authority Dr . Cynthia Simmons and the mayor provided regular updates throughout the year about the increasing spread of the virus , the impact on local hospitals and the economy , and resources available to keep the community healthy and safe .
These resources included making personal protective equipment ( PPE ) available to residents and businesses in need . In all , more than 475,000 protective face masks were handed out to the community through a series of drive-through events organized by the City . These events were made possible with the assistance of partners such as Tarrant County , the Texas Rangers and individual businesses who provided face masks .
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