City Council approves balanced budget, keeps tax rate flat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPT. 15, 2009

Media Contact:
Jason Lamers
817-392-6248

The City Council today approved the FY2010 city budget closing a $59 million budget gap while keeping the tax rate flat and preserving public safety and other essential city services.

The balanced budget keeps all public libraries open and includes funding to maintain all after school and late night community center programs. Expenditures are set at $528.4 million in the city’s General Fund. Combine that with the other enterprise and debt service funds, and the entire budget totals $1.2 billion. This represents a 2.1 percent increase from the current fiscal year.

Hundreds of residents submitted input on various portions of the budget proposal over the last two months. The City Council acknowledged the obvious challenges as they wrestled with one of the largest budget shortfalls in recent history.

“This has been a long and difficult process. But this council, our talented city staff and our residents worked together to find a balanced plan that focuses on safe communities and sustaining many of those essential services we depend on,” said Mayor Mike Moncrief. “While these cuts don’t come without some obvious pain, this responsible and compassionate budget keeps Fort Worth on a positive course. Moreover, this City Council and I have also initiated a healthy discussion about the future fiscal policies of our city.”

Mayor Pro Tem Danny Scarth said that the final budget is a great example of how citizens can make a difference in their community by getting involved.

“We took a lot of phone calls and read countless e-mails about this budget. We had many people participating in the public process. That’s how government works. Our constituents spoke, and their elected representatives and city management team listened,” Scarth said.

Closing the budget gap did not come without cuts, however. Along with some service reductions, the approved budget reduces the city workforce to the tune of 183 positions. Fifty-six of those positions are currently filled. It also includes pay cuts for most city employees through furloughs. City Council members also agreed to take a 3 percent cut in their city-paid compensation.

City Manager Dale Fisseler said he was proud of his team and proud of the City Council, but regrets the fact that reducing the size of the workforce was necessary to bridge the budget gap.

“Cutting jobs is regrettable, and although we minimized the impact on employees as best as possible, every line item reduction ultimately affects someone,” said Fisseler. “And, we’re certainly not in the clear yet, as the next budget cycle is likely to be just as difficult. However, the five-year forecasting that was initiated last year has helped us address the downturn in the economy and has prepared us for the additional challenges we will face in the coming years. With the council’s vote, I believe Fort Worth continues to be in a relatively good position going forward.”

A list of some of the most significant adjustments to the spending plan is on the budget page.

Posted by Timothy Tune at 09/15/2009 02:06:22 PM