\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of distrust going around in government,\u201d Ross said. \u201cSo one of the things that we decided we needed to do is come up with a way to say: Your local government still works. We work. Arlington works.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bob Duncan Center,\u00a0which city staff have suggested closing as part of budget cuts<\/a>, saw about 70 people in attendance. Council members Nikkie Hunter, Rebecca Boxall and Long Pham also attended.<\/p>\n Mayor Ross hit on successes of the city like being designated one of the most diverse large cities in America, multiple companies bringing their headquarters to Arlington and\u00a0overall crime being down<\/a>. But he also discussed challenges the city faces like next year\u2019s $25 million budget shortfall.<\/p>\n He attributed much of that shortfall to the Tarrant Appraisal District\u2019s decision to not reassess property values for two years, making the city miss out on property tax revenue from increased growth.<\/p>\n \u201cThe shortfall doesn\u2019t come from Arlington spending money,\u201d Ross said.<\/p>\n City Manager Trey Yelverton told one resident the city plans to pull from its reserves but there are drawbacks to doing that.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reason we don\u2019t like to do that is because our credit rating is really based on staying away from that,\u201d he said. \u201cThey like to see all those dollars there to really help us in the future. But if we do it too often, too much, a triple A rating becomes a double A rating and then it costs more to borrow money.\u201d<\/p>\n There will be four more town halls:<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n\n
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