Annual Report 2023
Landing Baker
Richland Hills’ newest residential development is nearly complete!
See page 7 for more details or information
2023
Mayor& CityCouncil
City Council’s Message
As we look back on the past year, we are reminded of our accomplishments, our progress and the opportunities to seize upon throughout the current year. The City continued implementation of the new brand identity in 2023—new branding is now prominently featured on most City facilities and vehicles. When you see our new branding we hope you’re reminded that Richland Hills is a place where we move our community forward, not a City content to stay in the past.
Richland Hills residents made their voices heard in early 2023 with the launch of the City’s first Citizen Survey! Residents were clear: the top priority for our community is street maintenance. In an effort to increase the amount of street projects the City can complete in a year, Richland Hills issued Certificates of Obligation to complete full reconstruction of six new street projects, which are expected to begin in 2025.
The City also held two Special Elections in 2023— an election to update the City Charter and an election to allow packaged liquor stores to operate in the City. 26 charter amendments were approved by Richland Hills voters, allowing the City Charter to be updated for the first time in 10 years. In November 2023, residents again made their voices heard by not only voting in favor of allowing packaged liquor stores but by petitioning to have the election to begin with. Your engagement helps make it possible for the City of Richland Hills to explore new opportunities for growth and development.
Because of the growth, the City was able to lower our ad valorem tax rate by 1.6 cents to $0.522689. Developments made significant progress in 2023, which you can read more about on page 7 of this report, and a fullystaffed Public Works team was able to make significant strides in efficiency due to the installation of new smart water meters (learn more on page 15).
We are proud of the accomplishments made during the previous year and are excited for the accomplishments to come. Most importantly, we are incredibly thankful to be able to serve our wonderful Richland Hills community.
Mayor Edward Lopez
Place 6: RolandGoveas
3200DianaDr.|8176163800
Adoption of Strategic Plan & Core Values
City Council adopted the new Richland Hills Strategic Plan in summer 2023. The Strategic Plan outlines the vision, mission, core values, and strategic goals and objectives for the City. The plan is used as the framework to guide future decision-making and funding priorities.
Strategic Plan goals are divided into six categories: quality workforce, economic development, service excellence, community engagement, public safety, and facilities & infrastructure. Additionally, the City’s Core Values expanded from S.T.I.R. (ServiceTeamwork-Integrity-Respect) to S.T.R.I.V.E. (Service-Teamwork-Respect-Integrity-VisionEmpowerment). The City also adopted new vision and mission statements. Together, the elements of the Strategic Plan form the City’s identity and purpose.
Charter Election & Local Option Election
Charter Election
The City Charter was amended for the first time in 10 years in May 2023. Charter amendments were developed based on the suggestions of the Charter Review Committee and feedback received from the public in early 2023 and were adopted by election in May 2023.
Major changes included: the addition of a new Place 6 member of the City Council; the Mayor becoming a voting member on all items; extended Council terms (from two years to three years), which extends the total number of years a councilmember is allowed to serve on City Council; and updates to the ways in which a vacancy on City Council is filled.
The City Charter is available online at
Local Option Election
Richland Hills residents began a petition to allow for packaged liquor stores to open in the city. Residents compiled 910 valid signatures, surpassing the threshold of 903 signatures required to place the proposition on the ballot in November 2023. The local option election was held on November 7, 2023 and was approved with 66.84% of the vote.
Strategic Plan Strategy Map
by Taxing Entity per $100 of valuation in Fiscal Year 2023
2023
2023
3200DianaDr.|8176163770
Code Compliance Caseload
Code Compliance issued a total of 1,361 violations in 2023, 95.4% of which were residential violations. The majority of code violations were nuisance violations (1,194), followed by permit violations (93), building violations (65) and zoning violations (9).
Of all 2023 cases, 92.8% were generated proactively by the Code Compliance Officers while the remaining 7.2% cases stemmed from complaints by the public. 1,279 cases were brought into compliance by the end of 2023, and the 82 outstanding cases are actively working to gain compliance.
Increased compliance rate to 94%
(up from 89% compliance rate)
1,361
Code Violations issued 12 total citations issued
Code Compliance Nuisance Violations
2,536 total household Bulk Pickup participants
Substandard Community Compliance
In collaboration with the City of Hurst, Richland Hills Code Compliance began the process of bringing a substandard multifamily community into compliance with City code in August 2023. By the end of 2023, the 43-unit community was nearing completion of all required repairs.
New Housing Developments
Construction continued for Baker Landing, the City’s newest housing development located at the corner of Ash Park Drive and Baker Blvd. Baker Landing reached approximately 50% buildout in 2023; once complete the development will have 69 homes. 95% of homes built were sold by the end of the year.
In late spring 2023, construction began for the Richland Crossing housing development. Richland Crossing, located at the corner of Popplewell Street and Baker Boulevard, began installation of drainage and water/sewer infrastructure.
82 rental properties received their Rental Certificate of Occupancy, which is required prior to leasing living space. Richland Hills also welcomed 44 new businesses to the City over the course of the year.
AnimalServices
Enhanced Animal Services Technology
Animal Services implemented electronic upgrades throughout 2023. These upgrades included new electronic ticket writers and portable field computers, which improve efficiency in enforcement efforts and increase field documentation abilities, as well as a new lobby television to showcase City news and upcoming events.
Continued Shelter Renovations
Animal Services Center improvements continued into 2023. Renovations were made to the interior and exterior of the building to include newly designed workspaces, an enhanced lobby greeting area, new fencing, additional dog runs, an expanded parking lot and improved drainage.
Trail Tale
The grand opening of the Library’s Trail Tale was held in spring 2023. The Trail Tale, located on the Hike & Bike Trail from Latham Drive to Baker Boulevard, features a book of the month placed on storyboards along the trail. The Trail Tale gives residents the opportunity to read a story while they exercise and enjoy the outdoors.
The Trail Tale was made possible by a Community Advancement Package Grant from the Texas State Library. The grant funds are used to expand library services beyond library walls. The Library also uses the Trail Tale as an additional location to advertise programs and services offered at the Library.
Front Entrance Upgrades
In partnership with Tarrant County, the Library began facility upgrades to bring the building into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. These upgrades, funded by a Community Development Block Grant from Tarrant County, include a new entrance ramp and renovated restrooms.
TrailTale
total arrests 14% decrease in major accidents
25,403 calls for service (30% increase)
Traffic Unit Implemented
May 2023 saw the establishment of a traffic unit pilot program, which was later adopted into the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The Traffic Unit was developed in response to citizen concerns and to address unlawful driving behavior by assigning dedicated personnel to traffic enforcement and preventative patrols. The program saw the following increased proactive traffic enforcement efforts in the community:
67% increase in warnings issued (4,217 total)
4,440 violations issued (up 132% from 2022)
49% increase in traffic stops (5,626 total)
Catalytic Converter Theft Intervention
2023 marked the first full year the City’s anti-catalytic converter theft ordinance was in effect. The ordinance, initially adopted in September 2022, made it unlawful for any individual (other than a metal recycler) to possess a used catalytic converter unless they can provide proof the item was legally obtained. Catalytic converter theft
Functional EOC Exercise
The Fire Department led a functional Emergency Operations Center (EOC) exercise in fall 2023 to ensure readiness for City disaster responses. The two-day exercise involved a tornado-disaster scenario with a fully deployed EOC.
Added more than Knox Boxes to City businesses
3,700 Completed more than of training hours 4 minutes Average response time: and 50 seconds
New Ambulance Unit
The Fire Department’s new ambulance went into service in May 2023. The new ambulance is equipped with an ultraviolet filtering device that kills over 99% of all viruses and bacteria that might be found in an ambulance; a new cardiac monitor, CPR assist device; an ultrasound; and a full complement of airbags for collision protection of patients and paramedics.
The new unit replaced a six-year-old vehicle, which now serves as the department’s reserve ambulance. On average, an ambulance is replaced every five years due to the volume of emergencies and a goal of maintaining mechanically ready equipment. The vehicle will serve as a reserve ambulance for another five years before leaving service entirely.
TheLink
6750BakerBlvd.|8176163738
Link Memberships, Programs & Revenue
Childcare programming grew in 2023 with the Link Learner’s Academy after-school program serving an average of 102 students per week and summer Camp Connect hosting approximately 75 children per week. Together, childcare brought in over $235,000 to The Link.
The Link continued to partner with the Richland Youth Association (RYA) for basketball games and practice. Through this partnership, The Link hosts between 15 and 22 teams for practice during the week and games on the weekends, making RYA basketball The Link’s largest program.
Senior programming had strong attendance, and more than 80% of all senior day trips sold out. The Senior Lunch Bunch program saw up to 102 seniors attend the monthly program, which is offered free of charge to senior Link members and non-members.
Membership and fitness classes increased revenue by nearly $8,500 during Fiscal Year 2023. In total, The Link generated $567,349.79 in revenue, which was just over $25,000 more than projected.
Second Saturday Seminar
The Link launched Second Saturday Seminars in early 2023, a new informational program held on the second Saturday of each month. Seminars are free, and cover a variety of topics including nutrition, gardening, birding, CPR, water conservation, City codes, permitting, personal finance and library services.
Senior Trip
New Park Cleanup Events
Two new events were added to the City’s lineup in 2023: Clean, Green & Lean and Clean-Up and Green-Up. Both events are centered around beautifying City parks, and include picking up trash, pulling weeds and planting wildflowers. Clean, Green & Lean takes place in the spring and is held in conjunction with The Link’s anniversary celebration while Clean-Up and Green-Up takes place in the fall.
Park Development
Design and planning continued for City park upgrades as part of the Parks Master Plan. Improvements include restrooms, a pavilion, and additional parking at Kate Baker Park and restrooms and additional parking at Rosebud Park. Further implementation of the Parks Master Plan and park development will continue into 2024 and beyond.
Red, White & YOU
TrickyTreat Trail & HauntedStack s
ChristmasTree
Lighting
PublicWorks 6700RenaDr.|8176163830
900% more feet of sewer line replaced
(1,000 feet)
Completed Street, Water & Sewer Projects
3,525 completed work orders
NortonDrive construction
The City completed the following street, water and/or sewer projects in 2023:
• Dover Lane (from Scruggs Dr. to Vance Rd.): Replacement of underground water main, curb, gutter, approaches and some wastewater service lines. Reconstruction of pavement.
• Norton Drive (from Richland Rd. to Evergreen Rd.): Repair of some curb and gutter and repaving in partnership with Tarrant County.
• Elm Park (from Oak Park Dr. to Pine Park Dr.): This project was made possible by the Tarrant County Community Development Block Grant. Replacement of sewer main and manholes. Water main line was rerouted over the top of the sewer line for more efficient use of infrastructure.
• Latham Channel Drainage: Improved the stability of the channel and provided easier conveyance of water throughout the channel. Improvements included adding new culverts, erosion control measures and pouring a new concrete headwall.
1,300 feet of water line replaced
Certificates of Obligation
Issued for Street Reconstruction
In an effort to increase the number of street reconstruction projects, the City issued Certificates of Obligation in September 2023 for the purpose of improving the following:
• Jameson Street (from Gerome St. to Faye Dr.): Paving, water and sewer
• Joanne Court (from Matthews Dr. to the cul-de-sac): Paving and water
• Mary Boaz Drive (from Lavon Dr. to Marceille Ct.): Paving, water and sewer
• Mary Boaz Drive (from Marceille Ct. to Jameson St.): Paving, water and sewer
• Brooks Avenue (from Rufe Snow Dr. to Holder St.): Paving, water and sewer
• Oxley Drive (from Evergreen Rd. to Booth Calloway Rd.): Paving, water and sewer
The projects above are anticipated to begin in 2025.
Water Meter Replacement Project
The City of Richland Hills began a water meter replacement project in March 2023 to install residential and commercial water meters with an automatic (smart) meter reading system. The project was completed in August 2023.
The new ultrasonic water meters are more accurate and have lower maintenance costs than the disc meters used previously. Prior to the installation of the smart water meters, Public Works staff spent 7,800 hours annually reading water meters by hand. Post-installation, staff spends 5 hours a month reading meters.
In addition to new meters, residents gained access to EyeOnWater, an online customer portal (eyeonwater.com/signup) that allows residents to see water usage in real time, track water usage throughout the month and set alerts for potential leaks.
Street Sweeping
In Spring 2023, the City held a two-week street sweeping pilot program, which provided staff with data used to develop a biannual street sweeping program. Based on the results of the pilot program, Richland Hills will hold one street sweeping event in the spring, focused on residential streets, and one at the end of the year focused on major thoroughfares.
Pothole Patrol
Staff began a new street-repair initiative as a result of the time saved from the new water meters. In fall 2023, Public Works launched Pothole Patrol, which allows residents and visitors of our City to report a pothole online at richlandhills.com/pothole. After a report is submitted, Public Works staff will repair the pothole within 3 business days (barring any emergencies). In 2023, staff
Awards&
Recognition
Texas Municipal Clerk Achievement of Excellence
The Office of the City Secretary once again received the Texas Municipal Clerks Office Achievement of Excellence Award in 2023. The program recognizes the statutory requirements and demands for the effective management of resources for proper governance by the municipal clerk’s office. A municipal clerk’s office must have met and demonstrated nine of 12 standards to be eligible to receive the award. Of the 595 member cities in the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, only 24 received this award in 2023.
Fire Department Accreditation
The Richland Hills Fire Department continues to maintain their Class 2 ISO rated agency status, which has been in place since 2021. ISO (Insurance Services Office) ratings are determined based on an evaluation of a City’s fire suppression system, which includes emergency communications, the fire department and the water supply. A Class 2 rating is the second-best rating a community can receive.
Achievement of Excellence in Libraries
The Library received the 2023 Achievement of Library Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association. The Richland Hills Public Library received this award for exhibiting excellence by providing services to underserved and special populations, enhancing services, marketing in innovative ways, promoting cultural, topical, and educational programming, providing literacy support, providing summer reading clubs, pursuing collaborative efforts, supporting workforce development, and comprehensively training staff. Of the 545 public libraries in Texas, only 84 received this award in 2023.
Police Department Accreditation
The Richland Hills Police Department was reaccredited as a Texas Police Chiefs Association Best Practices Accreditation Agency. The recognition program, which RHPD has maintained since 2019, requires agencies to prove their compliance with over 170 best practices in law enforcement to independent assessors. Compliance with these best practices reduces risk and associated costs, improves management and overall operations, and improves protection of citizens and officer safety.
Superior Water System
The City of Richland Hills continues to have a Superior Water System Accreditation from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. To be recognized as a Superior Water System, the water system must have adequate oversight and safe and reliable water. The water system is required to have gone 24 months without microbiological violations to be awarded and maintain the Superior Water System status.
Department
Leadership
Mayor’s Hotline
817-616-3813
City Manager
Candice Edmondson
817-616-3800
City Secretary
Lindsay Rawlinson
817-616-3810
Public Works &
Capital Projects
Kip Dernovich
817-616-3771
After-Hours Emergencies
817-281-1000
Planning & Development
JP Ducay
817-616-3745
Police Department
Police Chief Kimberly Sylvester 817-616-3780 (Administration)
Non-Emergency/Dispatch 817-281-1000
Animal Services
817-616-3769
Fire Department
Fire Chief Russell Shelley 817-616-3755 (Administration)
Parks & Recreation
The Link
817-616-3738
Library Services
Chantele Hancock 817-616-3760
Finance
817-616-3800
Municipal Court
817-616-3825
Everbridge Local Alerts
The City of Richland Hills uses Everbridge to deliver time-sensitive local emergency alerts and community notices. Examples of Everbridge alerts include:
• Imminent threats to health and safety
• Severe weather
• Flooding
• Gas leaks
• Police Activity
• Road closures
• Water main break
• Outdoor warning siren tests
• Community event updates
Add your address to your profile to receive notifications relevant to you.
The City no longer uses Nixle for emergency alerts. Residents subscribed to Nixle are encouraged to sign up for Everbridge. While Nixle users’ data was transferred to Everbridge, residents can only customize alerts by directly signing up for Everbridge and adding their address.
Sign up for Everbridge Local Alerts online at
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Sign up by visiting our website at richlandhills.com/notifyme, create an account, and then choose the lists you want to receive notifications for!
