COUNCIL WRAP UP FROM MAYOR

Lewis

Yearly Financial Audit

City Council was presented with its yearly financial audit. The City concluded the 2022 fiscal year with a $26.6M increase in net position (aka the "funds balance") with $3M of ‘unrestricted' funds. The healthy bottom line was due in part to an increase in property tax revenues (with a 107% increase in values over the last 5 years). Overall, the City’s increased values and early redemption of debt has allowed for a decrease in the City’s property tax rate of just over $0.18 over the past 5 years.

Racial Profiling Annual Report

Police Chief White presented the Racial Profiling Annual Report from its third party firm of Del Carmen Consulting. This report is a State required report that presents quantitative data on motor vehicle-related contacts made during the course of motor vehicle stops for the last calendar year. It reports on ALL stops made by the Forney Police Department. The report - which can be seen heresummarizes the Forney Police Department is in full compliance with all racial profiling laws as mandated by the State of Texas. Our police department offers information to the public on how to file either a compliment or complaint, commissions quarterly data audits, and ensures that the practice of racial profiling will not be tolerated.

Citizens Police Academy

On Thursday, February 16th, the Police Department began its 14-week Citizens Police Academy Class. The class is designed to teach community members the different aspects of policing and is the first step to becoming a member of our Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program. The VIP program expands the opportunities for the trained citizens to work in other areas of the police department such as dispatch or the criminal investigation division. For more information you can visit ForneyTX.gov/vips

Quarterly Street Sweeping

The Public Works Streets Division performed its quality street sweeping last week. This not only improves the look of our City, but it also provides important environmental benefits, improves stormwater drainage, and reduces the cost of maintenance. There is more on “beautifying" Forney to come!