• NEWS & NOTES
Bulletin Board City adopts 2022 budget that will reduce property tax rates yet again
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he Arlington City Council last month adopted the $552 million Fiscal Year 2022 operating budget, which includes a property tax rate reduction for the sixth year in a row, and slight increases for residents’ water rates, the garbage collection rate and storm water fee. Plans for next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, include investments in public safety, information technology, the implementation of the Unity Council recommendations, and support for Arlington’s awardwinning parks and recreation amenities. This includes new playgrounds and money to make sure parks services are available for low-income residents. The budget also includes $7.2 million to restore key services, $200,000 for more LED streetlights and $2.3 million for generators. Federal funding from the recent American Rescue Plan is also helping Arlington overcome the negative economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. The council also voted to lower the City’s property tax rate for a sixth consecutive year, down from $0.6225 per $100 of assessed value to $0.6198 per $100 of assessed value. This change will result in tax savings for some residents. The council also reauthorized a variety of residential property tax exemptions, including the largest homestead exemption by state law of 20% of the property value. The City also offers a senior tax freeze as well as $60,000 exemptions for those who are over 65, disabled veterans and disabled persons. Exemptions are also available to surviving spouses of U.S. Armed Forces members and first responders who are killed in action. Seniors over the age of 65 in Arlington may also be eligible to defer payments. Arlington’s budget and business plan are built around supporting the City Council’s six priorities: Build Unity, Champion Great Neighborhoods, Support Youth and Families, Invest in Our Economy, Enhance Regional Mobility and Put Technology to Work. Plans for next year include investing $54 million in road maintenance, $169 million in public safety, $21 million for parks and $9 million for libraries.
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ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2021 • arlingtontoday.com
Grand Prairie cited as 'music
friendly' city
L
ast month, the Texas Music Office (an office of the Texas governor) certified Grand Prairie as a Texas Music Friendly Community, making it one of fewer than 30 Texas cities to achieve this distinction. To celebrate, Grand Prairie hosted the Texas Music Friendly Community program last month as a means to foster music-related economic development by providing a network for certified communities, as well as a means of signaling industry professionals that certified communities are serious about music industry growth. Music-focused or music-related venues in Grand Prairie include: Uptown Theater, Texas Trust CU Theatre, The Epic Theater, Lone Star Park, Firehouse Gastro Park, and The Oasis floating restaurant, as well as one of the city's signature events, Main Street Fest. Grand Prairie is also home to the Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy and the Grand Prairie Arts Council, both of which incubate, support, and train local music/arts talent.
