Popular Annual Financial Report
Mayor ’ s Message
Dear Reader , Please allow me to introduce you to the City of Arlington ’ s 2020 Popular Annual Financial Report . It ’ s an annual publication summarizing the outstanding work your municipal government has completed this past year and the financial tools it took to accomplish that work . On behalf of my talented colleagues on the Arlington City Council , I invite you to explore these pages to better understand how your tax dollars and other City revenues have been used to make Arlington a better place to live , learn , work and play .
Fiscal Year 2020 was a difficult one , with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in our community . Despite increased challenges brought on by the virus , this annual report shows the many ways we are still meeting the City Council priority to Invest in Our Economy . The City celebrated the opening of Globe Life Field , which hosted the first neutral site World Series in MLB history .
One of the biggest economic development projects for Arlington came in December 2019 , when the City announced a public-private partnership for a planned $ 810-million expansion of the Entertainment District , which includes a new Loews hotel and convention center . The strength of our economic momentum is also evident in the growth of small businesses across our great city , particularly in Downtown . And Arlington ’ s job creation remains robust down south along I-20 and SH 360 .
The year also provided multiple opportunities to Enhance Regional Mobility and Put Technology to Work , two key Council priorities . Arlington has developed a reputation around the country as one of the most innovative cities exploring technology-based mobility solutions . A shining example is the expansion of the Via on-demand rideshare program and a $ 1.7-million federal grant to explore autonomous vehicle technology through an innovative partnership with Via and May Mobility .
We also advanced our efforts to Champion Great Neighborhoods and improve racial equity in FY2020 . The Arlington City Council made its first appointments in July 2020 to the 28-member Unity Council , whose mission was to gather community input , research best practices and recommend strategies the City could implement to promote greater equity and to ensure the opportunities available to our residents are representative of the rich , cultural diversity that exists in The American Dream City .
We ’ re making investments to Support Youth and Families across the board as your Mayor and City Council , particularly to help families in need during COVID-19 . The Arlington Life Shelter opened its renovated two-story , 12,000-square-foot building in June 2020 . Our Arlington Public Library , Arlington ISD and many local nonprofits began distributing meals to families , and you accepted my Mayor ’ s Meals for a Mission challenge to order takeout from a hometown restaurant and share your receipts online , helping us raise $ 7,500 for Mission Arlington .
But don ’ t just take my word for it , there ’ s a lot more to check out in the pages to come . Thank you to all of our residents for doing your part to help us reduce the spread of coronavirus . Your kind and generous spirit has inspired many across the country in FY2020 , and you ’ ve remained # ArlingtonStrong during a difficult and challenging time . I invite you to learn for yourself why we ’ re always dreaming big and helping our neighbors in The American Dream City !
Sincerely ,
W . Jeff Williams , P . E . Mayor Jeff . Williams @ ArlingtonTX . gov 817.459.6121
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