NOVEMBER 2021 the official
city of farmers branch
NEWSLETTER
Branch Review C I T Y
O F
FA R M E R S
B R A N C H ,
Let’s Connect! it’s now easier than ever to submit non-emergency requests The City of Farmers Branch has partnered with SeeClickFix to offer residents a fast and easy way to report non-emergency issues. We call it FBTX Connect. It’s an app and online platform that allows residents to quickly and easily report issues to the City as well as easily sign up for City news, emergency alerts and much more. When using the app to report a concern, residents can use their phones camera and GPS to provide city staff with pictures, videos, specific descriptions and location information. Registered users will be able to track their submissions until their completion, receiving updates along the way. In addition, the FBTX Connect platform provides Farmers Branch officials with a centralized issue management system to manage issues from creation to resolution — engaging residents throughout the process. Residents are encouraged to download the FBTX Connect app for their iOS or Android devices as well as visit fbtxconnect.com to explore the web portal, access FAQs and learn more about this new service.
Getting Started is Easy 1.
DOWNLOAD
the FBTX Connect app from your phones app store.
2.
REGISTER
by clicking on “Profile” so that you can submit and track requests.
3.
SUBMIT
using the orange + button. Use your phones camera and GPS to add details to a new request.
DESKTOP VERSION ALSO AVAILABLE AT FBTXCONNECT.COM
general election set for tuesday, november 2 The November election will be held on Tuesday, November 2. The designated Election Day voting location for Farmers Branch residents will be at the Manske Library. While there are no ballot issues specific to Farmers Branch, voters will be asked to decide on state and county constitutional amendments as well as any federal candidate positions up for election. Farmers Branch residents can early vote at any Dallas County early voting location. For early voting days and times, and to view a sample ballot, visit dallascountyvotes.org
farmersbranchtx.gov
T E X A S
BUDGET ADOPTED WITHOUT AN INCREASE TO THE CITY’S TAX RATE
On September 21, the Farmers Branch City Council reviewed the 2021-22 City Budget and gave it a unanimous vote of approval. Despite the setbacks and shortages caused by the COVID pandemic last year, the new City budget allows for substantial long-term investments in the City’s personnel and infrastructure. The total budget is slightly over $146 million, but includes no tax increases or increases to water or sewer fees. One new component is the American Rescue Plan – which helps towns and cities recover from the pandemic. Farmers Branch will receive almost $6 million in each of the next two budget cycles. These funds will improve City Parks, the Justice Center, the Recreation Center, and The Branch Connection. Driven by new construction, property taxes have also increased as a revenue source in Farmers Branch, up by 12%. This in turn grew property tax revenue by $3.89 million. However, the City’s portion of the average residential property tax bill only increased by 2.4%. The City landfill provided another source of increased revenue, growing by about $800 thousand. This increase allows the City to pay new expenses related to the eventual closure of the Camelot landfill. Other major expenditures provide improvements to the City’s creek channels, water and sewer system, and street maintenance. The new budget also includes competitive pay and merit increases for City employees and substantial new hires in the Police Department as well as one new staff member in Animal Services, IT, HR and Finance Overall, the City is growing revenue, but spending less – and charting the course toward a “pay as you go” low-debt future for residents of Farmers Branch.