Dear Reader ,

Please allow me to introduce you to the City of Arlington ’ s 2016 Popular Annual Financial Report . It ’ s an annual publication summarizing the great work your municipal government has completed this past year and the financial tools it took to accomplish that work . On behalf of my 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 put back into our community in the form of improved streets , public safety and cultural enrichment . This document is one part of our continual work to fulfill our mission to proactively meet the needs of the public through active engagement , inclusive participation and high-quality , costeffective service delivery .

Fiscal Year 2016 was extremely exciting , and this annual report shows the many ways we are meeting the Council priority to Invest in Our Economy . We saw important projects like the ground breaking for the 101 Center mixed-use development and Champions Park restaurant and shopping area ; we also unveiled plans for Texas Live !, the new Entertainment District destination , and , of course , there was overwhelming support given by Arlington voters for a plan to keep the Texas Rangers in Arlington through 2054 .

The strength of our economic momentum is also evident in the growth of new and existing Arlington businesses like General Motors beginning work on its $ 1.4-billion expansion , the construction of the new D . R . Horton worldwide headquarters , the new $ 82-million Summit Racing retail and shipping facility along I-20 , and the relocation of a third professional sports team , the WNBA ’ s Wings , to Arlington .

The year also provided an opportunity to take some positive steps to Enhance Regional Mobility , another Council priority . The north and south ends of State Highway 360 began important work with ground broken for both the re-engineered I-30 / SH360 interchange and the southern extension of 360 . These changes will improve traffic flow for Arlington and the region .

Also during 2016 , Arlington received a nod to our success in our work to Champion Great Neighborhoods , as we were named Best Big City in the South by Money Magazine ! Citing criteria such as job opportunities , low crime and quality schools , Money Magazine said , “ there ’ s a lot more to this city than fun and games .”

The City Council also focused resources in 2016 to Put Technology to Work by funding the next phase of streetlight conversion to LED lights and supporting creation of a strategic plan for City data . And we were proud to Support Quality

Education by breaking ground on our new Downtown Library , scheduled to open in 2018 and already a catalyst in the rebirth of Downtown Arlington .

But don ’ t just take my word for it , there ’ s a great deal more in the pages to come . I invite you to learn for yourself why I am so proud to be your Mayor in Arlington : The American Dream City !

Sincerely ,

W . Jeff Williams Mayor Jeff . Williams @ ArlingtonTX . gov | 817.459.6121

2 | Popular Annual Financial Report