The Euless Budget

Since the City of Euless operates as a business, some of the most important aspects of operating a business are employed in assuring that this city operates efficiently and with continuity.

One of the most basic of tasks is the formulation of a BUDGET for each year.  The City of Euless operates on a fiscal year which begins on October 1 of each year and ends on September 30 of the following year.

The City’s finances are accounted for within a variety of funds which are used to account for a myriad of different functions or organizational units within the City.  From these many funds a consolidated budget is compiled so that the City Council can consider both the detail as well as the overall impact that various levels of revenue and expenditures will produce.  We plan for operations as well as capital expenditures.  Some of the most important decisions coming from the budgetary process include setting a property tax rate, estimating sales tax revenues, considering water and sewer rates and a host of other issues relative to revenues.  The need for revenues is evident when we project paying for the services provided to our citizens.  This is big business.

Citizen input is one of the most important aspects of the total budgetary process.  Our City Council wants to hear from you.  What are your desires for services and what is your willingness to pay for those services in terms of taxes and fees.  The City Council is generally in accord in being conservative by not imposing excessive fees for services.   Our meetings are always open to the public and your input is most valuable to us. 

Though the City Staff works diligently to produce an effective budget starting in early spring each year the City Council starts its consideration in late May or early June.  With City Council input, a final budget is prepared for Public Hearings at City Council Meetings in August of each year.  The process for transparency is dictated by rules and timing established by the Texas Legislature.   With final citizen input the City Council approves the annual budget in August to become effective on October 1.

Though not formally approved, the City’s Finance Department also prepares a five year projection of what will likely happen relative to revenues and expenditures.  This is a tool used to insure that no surprises are lurking in terms of our ability to continue to provide needed services and to insure continuation of payments on bonded indebtedness.

The Euless budgetary process provides an exemplary look to our immediate financial future which has year after year received awards for its excellence.  The most important award which has consistently been received is from The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.  This award is presented to those individuals who have been instrumental in their government unit achieving a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.  This award names our Director of Finance, Vicki Rodriquez, as recipient.

The budgetary process:  Just another reason for citizens to take pride in the management of FabEuless.

Euless City Council 2013 Budget Work Sessions

The Euless City Council will meet on Thursday, August 2,  at 5:30 PM for the first of two Budget Work Sessions to consider the Budget for the City’s fiscal year ending  September 30, 2013.  This meeting will be held at the Euless City Hall in the Pre-Council Conference Room.  This is a public meeting.  Though the meeting is scheduled for 5:30 PM the first twenty minutes are allocated to dinner.  The actual meeting is to be called to order at 5:50 PM and is scheduled to adjourn at 9:30 PM.  The agenda for this meeting can be seen at   http://www.eulesstx.gov/agendas/council/2012/2012-08-02%20Work%20Session.htm

The second Budget Work Session will be held on Saturday, August 4, at 8:30 AM at the Texas Star Conference Center for the continuation of these budget considerations.  Breakfast for the City Council is scheduled for 7:30 AM at Raven’s Grill.   This meeting is also a public meeting and is scheduled to adjourn at 4:30 PM.  The agenda for this meeting can be seen at    http://www.eulesstx.gov/agendas/council/2012/2012-08-04%20Work%20Session.htm

Note:  These are Work Sessions only.  Public hearings for The Budget and City Council Approval of a final budget will take place at regular City Council Meetings in August.

Volunteerism

Opportunities abound within the City of Euless to help your City and your fellow citizens by offering yourself as a volunteer.   The term volunteer means a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.   In some cases the volunteer is the beneficiary, such as when enrolling in the Euless Police Academy or the Euless Fire Academy.  Other opportunities which help your neighbors include working with 6Stones in the Community Powered Revitalization, CPR, Program which rehabilitates homes for disabled and disadvantaged residents.  This is a tremendously fulfilling program.

There are many opportunities to volunteer in the Parks and Recreation Department and for golfers, one can volunteer to be a Players Assistant at the marvelous Texas Star Golf Course.

Volunteerism is alive and well in Euless and in each case, the volunteer receives the greater benefit.  For more information about opportunities for service please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Jerry Poteet at 817-685-1449.   Jerry will offer suggestions for how you may best use your talents as a volunteer.  And believe me; he will put you to work.

Not only does the volunteer benefit but he or she prepares for a future of more significant service to our City.

You will soon see announcements for applications to be submitted by citizens to various Boards and Commissions within the City of Euless.  Service on these Boards and Commissions is a highly sought after appointment and requires both an application and an interview with Members of the Euless City Council.  Unfortunately, the number of openings is limited and only a few will be picked for this service.  But persistence is important and the benefits of this service are tremendous.  Appointments are made to the following:

Animal Shelter Advisory Board

Civil Service Commission

Crime Control and Prevention District Board

Euless Development Corporation Board

HEB Teen Court Advisory Board

Historical Preservation Committee

Housing Structure Board

Euless Non-Profit Industrial Development Authority Board

Library Board

Parks and Leisure Services Board

Planning and Zoning Commission

Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board

Zoning Board of Adjustment

Other appointments are made periodically, not on an annual basis.  

Please watch for the announcement in Euless Today, which now comes with your water bill, and promptly consider and apply for service where your background and experience can best be of service to your FabEuless. 

City Council Meetings

Please, come join us for our City Council Meetings.  Normal meetings occur on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of each month, with the exception of July.  We meet in a Work Session at 4:00 PM and at 7:00 PM for the City Council Meeting, both at the City Hall.   These meetings are open to the public and you are welcome to come.  If you would like to speak or make a request, there is time for this allowed at the 7:00 PM City Council Meeting.

You can always contact me at glenn.porterfield@yahoo.com or give me a call at 817-267-5775.

Glenn Porterfield

Euless City Council Service

The May 12, 2012 City Council Election and subsequent run-off have awakened a need for me to share some thoughts with you.  These thoughts are mine alone and deal with the need for steadfastness in selecting those who will serve our citizens as members of the Euless City Council.

If you find yourself agreeing with my point of view, please supply me with email addresses of your friends so that I may add them to the distribution list for these periodic epistles.  You can always contact me at glenn.porterfield@yahoo.com.

This past election saw an amazing amount of energy expended by all those who ran for the office of City Council Member.  Though there was a great deal of effort put forth, the basic motivations of candidates were not understood by me.  In my mind, it is not good enough that someone wants to be in a position of power.  In reality, being one member of the Euless City Council is not all that powerful.   It is fulfilling in many ways but if one is looking for ego satisfaction, they should try something else. 

First, I believe one must have a desire to serve the citizens, taxpayers, residents, business people, youth, seniors, all races and social strata represented by our diverse community.  The motivation should be SERVICE with no hidden or other agendas at play.  The people who offer this service should be endowed with education, experience and a background which can be used as a basis for good decisions as the Council interacts with the electorate and the City Staff. 

Second, I believe that some indication of interest in the City of Euless must have been evidenced by having served the City in some capacity before embarking on service as a City Council Member.  There are so many opportunities for volunteerism in Euless and in the greater HEB area, that if someone foregoes these avenues of service before running for office, their motivation can be questioned. 

Third, I believe one must take pride in the City of Euless.  We are truly FabEuless.  One must recognize the heritage of those who have, through their past service, created an extraordinary quality of life for our entire population at the lowest possible cost in terms of taxes and fees for services. 

“Patriotism…is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”  Adlai Stevenson, Former Illinois Governor  and two time presidential nominee (1952, ’56).

This is enough for the first installment.  Let me know what you think.   I hope to bring more thoughts to you periodically. 

Glenn Porterfield