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Home ============ Citizens Defending Freedom vs. AISD Lawsuit ============== Taxpayers' Funds at Risk ============ July 22, 2024 Newsletter ============= Arlington City CouncilGrades ============= AISD Board Grades ============ July 15, 2024 Newsletter ============ July 8, 2024 Newsletter ============ July 1, 2024 Newsletter =========== June 24, 2024 Newsletter ============ ================ Jim Ross, Mayor ============= Mauricio Galante, District1 ============= Raul Gonzalez, District2 ============= Nikkie Hunter, District3 ============= Andrew Piel, District4 ============= Rebecca Boxall, District5 ============= Long Pham, District6 ============= Bowie Hogg, District7 ============== Barbara Odom-Wesley, District8 ============= Sarah McMurrough, AISDPlace1 ============= Melody Fowler, AISDPlace2 ============= Larry Mike, AISDPlace3 ============= David Wilbanks, AISDPlace4 ============= Justin Chapa, AISDPlace5 ============= Brooklyn Richardson, AISDPlace6 ============= Leanne Haynes, AISDPlace7 ============= Fact Sheet - November 8, 2022 Election ============ ++++++++++++ ============= Kennedale Observer Homepage =========== Kennedale City CouncilGrades ========== Kennedale Observer - Latest Newsletter ============ Prior to That Newsletter ============== Brad Horton, Kennedale Mayor ============ David Glover, Kennedale Place 1 ============ Thelma Kobeck, Kennedale Place 2 =========== Ken Michels, Kennedale Place 3 ============ Chris Gary, Kennedale Place 4 =========== Jeff Nevarez, Kennedale Place 5 ============== Kennedale City Council Compare ========== 1083 Bowman Springs Road Kennedale ============ What to Know About the Texas Raceway Project ================ Kennedale EDC MMA contract information ==============

July 14, 2024–Volume 7 Number 28

HIGHLIGHTS:

* City Council to have this month's regular meeting on MONDAY, not Tuesday.

SCHEDULE:

Monday, July 15: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 16: City Council meeting, CANCELLED.

Saturday, July 20: Farmers Market, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 23: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 25: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

…..

Kennedale Observer website:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/index_3.html

Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_44.html

Kennedale Observer city council grades:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_26.html

City Council Comparison (May2021-May2023 vs. May2019-May2021):

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_77.html

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The council met Monday for a budget workshop (agenda). The packet (with a lot of detailed information) can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3538/files/agenda/9620 .

The proposed rate ($0.692272) is above the voter approval tax rate ($0.664036) by almost three pennies. This would normally mean there would be a “rollback” election in November. However, the city is proposing to use the De Minimus tax rate, which allows cities under 30,000 people to collect $500,000 more in taxes than the previous year, while also taking the debt rate into account.

Some new items in this year's budget include:

some kind of an assistant to the city manager to be the main liaison between the city manager's office and the EDC (Economic Development Corporation). Expenses are expected to be reimbursed by the EDC [part of the nearly $500,000 increase mentioned in the last paragraph? - the position request has general fund checked for funding source]. $141,728
2% raise to staff (no amount given).
court clerk for only half the year (double that for the FY26 cost). $36,000
finance grant writer. $97,638
new step plan for police (no amount given, my guess about $75,000).
new animal services truck. $47,300
two police vehicles. $145,600
new step plan for fire (no amount given, my guess about $90,000).
new fire captain position (no amount given, my guess about $155,000).
new code position for coordinating inspectors for only half the year (double that for the FY26 cost). $39,091
new truck for new employee. $40,000
convert a part-time library clerk to a full-time library clerk. $35,000
library shelving. $56,000

The workshop meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJXs0m6DGSg .

(6:57) Start of meeting).

(8:40) There was one speaker during the citizen forum explaining the TAD review board process and asking for applicants.

(14:15) Budget workshop. The city manager's opening statements include that the numbers are very fluid and they are about $348,000 over budget. He mentions six new positions.

(19:22) Mr. Horton (finance director) starts his presentation. One change is that public works is now a department within the general fund; FY24 and prior it was its own fund. Even with the 1-cent tax rate decrease, most taxpayers will be paying more in taxes. They are above the voter approval rate. Since Kennedale is under 30,000 population a “rollback” election can be petitioned for, but is NOT automatic.

(28:22) Start general fund detailed information. The giant difference in fines and fees is because of public works being moved to the general fund. Impact fees will now be going into the general fund.

(37:45) City manager's office. New EDC director position.

(51:01) Mayor and council.

(51:41) City Secretary.

(52:43) Court. They plan on converting the half-year new court clerk position into a full year new court clerk position.

(1:07:33) Human Resources.

(1:08:44) Finances.

(1:23:44) Police.

(1:40:37) Fire.

(2:04:30) Community Development.

(2:20:30) Senior Center.

(2:26:00) Library.

(2:34:07) Public Works.

(2:38:44) Nondepartmental.

(2:40:45) Debt Service Fund.

(2:41:49) Capital Projects.

(3:26:15) Court Security Fund.

(3:28:33) EDC

(3:37:52) $14 million bond. Of the $2.6 million discussed last month, it would cost about $1 million to complete the Little Road extension engineering.

The agenda for this MONDAY's meeting (NOT Tuesday) can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3284/files/agenda/9636 . The packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3284/files/agenda/9645 .

That agenda includes presentations and proclamations, including the introduction of Joe Don Bobbitt, Chief Appraiser and Executive Director at TAD (Tarrant Appraisal District), Public Comment, Regular Session (Reports and Announcements, Consent Agenda, Individual items for separate consideration) and an executive session.

The financial reports can be found on page 11 of the packet (see link above).

The consent agenda includes minutes from June 18 and June 25, appointments to the EDC and BOA, and naming of the chair on BOA.

Individual items for separate consideration:

1. Discuss and possible action on the new water and sewer rates proposed by the rate study (page 47 of the packet – link above).

2. Discuss and update on Business Occupation Licenses. Staff's recommendation is for the city council to consider repealing Article III of the Code of Ordinances.

3. Discuss and update on an analysis of Kennedale Streets (staff report is on page 78 of the packet).

4. Update and discuss the 2023 Bond Issuance (staff report is on page 82 of the packet).

5. Update and discuss the 2024 Bond Issuance (staff report is on page 83 of the packet).

6. Consider 2021 Tarrant County Bond Initiative to consider Kennedale Sublett Road improvements (staff report is on page 85 of the packet). This has NO guaranteed matched, as the county portion in the agreement totals zero. Their maximum contribution is $5 million, half of the original $10 million estimate.

[Commentary: Long-time readers know I prefer to back my comments with facts, however, on this one I will throw out a figure although I have NO facts to back my amount. This project was quickly thrown together at the 2021 county's call for projects for approval, at roughly $10 million. As Council Member Michels mentioned last month he has been on the council for three years and did not hear/discuss this project until last month when it appeared on the agenda. It will disrupt four existing businesses. On the positive side it does represent economic potential for the future. I believe the $10 million estimate is probably far off, with $18-21 million or more probably being closer.]

7. Discuss and consider lease agreement with the YMCA for 205 W Kennedale Parkway (staff report is on page 93 of the packet). The YMCA will pay $400/month starting August 1, 2024 for three years.

Executive Session. There were no specific items listed for executive session discussions.

Last Week

The city council met on Monday for their budget workshop. Their regular monthly

meeting this week WILL BE on this MONDAY, not Tuesday.

On Tuesday the KKB met for their regular monthly meeting. The agenda can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3320/files/agenda/9616 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT0iB362-Ss . Only three board members were present. There is currently a vacancy if anyone wishes to apply. Council Member Michels is now on the board.

The parks board was to have met last Tuesday also.

This Week

The city council is to meet on MONDAY this week for their regular monthly meeting.

Public Hearings

On Thursday, July 25 P&Z will hold a public hearing for the comprehensive plan.

??? On Thursday, July 25 P&Z will hold a public hearing for PZ24-10 to change the Alta-287 Apartments, 3100 Joplin Road to a PD.

??? On Tuesday, August 20 the city council will hold a public hearing for PZ24-08 to consider a proposed conditional use permit for battery energy storage systems (a new use) for 501 and 509 S. New Hope Road.

P&Z

We believe the next P&Z meeting will be on July 25. They should have a public hearing.

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Other News....

TAD Rates

Tarrant Appraisal District has published the tax rates (October 2023) for the county. Kennedale is now the third highest municipality. [https://www.tad.org/content/rates/2023TaxRates.pdf ].

Top ten of 41 (everyone else is < 0.60)

1. Everman 1.03608

2. Forest Hill 0.724094

3. Kennedale 0.70619

4. Sansom Park 0.687888

5. White Settlement 0.687233

6. Blue Mound 0.681745

7. River Oaks 0.68021

8. Fort Worth 0.6725

9. Mansfield 0.659293

10. DWG 0.611854

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