08.10.2023

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Today’s Forecast

55º | Mostly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. | Sunset 5:36 p.m.

💰 Show me the money

By the numbers: Fort Worth’s approved FY 2025 budget

The three-story building at 200 Texas Street became City Hall in 1971. | Photo by @fortwortharchitecture

The city’s general spending fund could top $1 billion for the first time. Earlier this week, city manager David Cooke presented the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget to City Council + we’re here to turn the 60-page presentation into a quick morning read.

Tax changes

The proposed total operating budget is just under $2.6 billion — 12% higher than last year — and will include a four-cent property tax reduction, which is the largest reduction in decades. The new tax rate will be set at $0.6725 per $100 valuation.

FTW-property-value-tax-rate-graphs — Due to increase property values and new construction, the city will have a higher revenue despite lowering the tax rate.
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Graphic by FTWtoday

Budget biggies

This year’s theme — “So Safe, So Clean, So Green” — reflects the city’s priorities for public safety, litter abatement, and sustainable initiatives. Here are some of the general fund highlights:

$535 million for Police and Fire departments
The $43 million increase will add 182 new positions, using over half of the general fund for public safety.

$98.7 million for the Park and Recreation + Library departments
The $10.7 million increase will cover mowing and litter removal, a new aquatics master plan, staffing and hours at six community centers, and the construction of the Westside library branch in District 7.

$97.8 million for the Transportation & Public Works department
The 10% increase will address street repair programs, maintenance, ADA accessibility, and training.

$23 million for the Neighborhood Services department
With a 60% increase since last year, the budget includes advanced initiatives to reduce homelessness, allow the Neighborhood Improvement Program to address an additional neighborhood each year, and add 200 homes to the priority home repair program.

FTW-FY2024-budget-graph — Together the police and fire departments will receive 53% of the general fund.
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Graphic by FTWtoday

New initiatives

The proposal also includes the creation of a new Environmental Services Department that will oversee solid waste, and health + environmental quality functions. The new department — previously housed under the Code Compliance department — will access the $741 million enterprise funds, which are 11% higher than last year.

What’s next?

City Council will review the proposal and adopt the final budget in September before the start of the fiscal year on Sunday, Oct. 1. Public budget discussions run from Wednesday, Aug. 16 to Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Events

Thursday, Aug. 10

Rockin’ the River | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 5-10 p.m. | Panther Island Pavilion, 395 Purcey St., Fort Worth | Free | Grab an inner tube and relax in the Trinity River with performances by Triston Marez, Chad Cooke Band + Hayden Baker in the last waterside concert of the season.

Friday, Aug. 11

Open Studios Night | Friday, Aug. 11 | 6-9 p.m. | SiNaCa Studios, 1013 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth | Free | Take a look behind-the-scenes as featured artists show off their skills in creating glass art.

Saturday, Aug. 12

Back to School Bash | Saturday, Aug. 12 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Victory Forest Community Center, 3427 Hemphill St., Fort Worth | Free | Kids can grab a backpack and play games in the last moments of summer vacation.

Sunday, Aug. 13

Daryl Hall | Sunday, Aug. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth | $55-$145 | The rock and roll Hall of Famer is bringing his 40-year career to Cowtown.

Monday, Aug. 14

Texas Rangers | Monday, Aug. 14-Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 7 p.m. | Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Dr., Arlington | $9-$547 | Watch the Rangers take on the Los Angeles Angels in a three-game series.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Open

Sports legend Dirk Nowitzki cut the ribbon on his new restaurant at DFW Airport earlier this week. Named Nowitzki, the eatery serves his favorites from around the world like Jamaican jerk chicken, schnitzel, and Thai beef. Eat your way through our airport foodie guide.

Closed

Fort Worth-founded Al’s Formal Wear unexpectedly closed all five DFW locations earlier this week. The 61-year-old company shut its doors without notice to its clients or employees, but Men’s Wearhouse offered to help customers who are preparing for events by waiving rush order fees. (CBS News)

History

A new exhibit will open at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History next week. Supported in part by Lockheed Martin, “Cowtown Takes Flight” will open Saturday, Aug. 19, and explore the city’s aviation legacy and path to being a global leader in aircraft production.

Civic

Local marketing expert Jessica Heer will be appointed the executive vice president of the new Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership at the end of the month. Jessica has worked at the Dallas Regional Chamber for 18 years and will help the growing nonprofit manage business recruitment to the city. (Fort Worth Business Press)

Today Is

National S’mores Day. Earlier this week, we asked what the preferred method of marshmallow roasting is + an overwhelming amount of readers prefer for the marshmallow to be lightly roasted with a caramelized outside. If you’re looking for s’more ways to celebrate, grab the sweet treat at these local spots.

Eat

On Saturday, Aug. 12, Courtney Garza McCullagh, the former editor of VegWorld Magazine, will lead a tour of local vegan eateries. The motorcoach tour will include tastings at surprise locations. Take a peek at our plant-based restaurant guide to guess where you’ll be eating.

Legacy

Longtime local educator Mae Cora Peterson died last month at 106 years old. The beloved Stop Six resident taught in Fort Worth ISD for nearly 30 years. Memorial services will be held Friday at Historic Baker Funeral Home and Saturday at Broadway Baptist Church. (Fort Worth Report)

Outdoors

Want to have the best lawn in town? Learn how to keep your landscape healthy and beautiful during extreme weather at the Fall YardSmart Seminar on Saturday, Sept. 16. Head to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden at 8:30 a.m. to get a free consultation from landscape professionals.

Try This

Local cider shop Atheneum Cider relocated and expanded its operations in Saginaw last month. The bar moved about 15 minutes south to 1029 N. Saginaw Blvd., and has 6-8 ciders on tap. Stop in Tuesday-Saturday for trivia nights and school drives. (CultureMap Fort Worth)

Biz

Stay informed about local business in Tarrant County with this newsletter. 817 Biz brings you bite-size business news in less than five minutes. Read: No fluff, no duplication and no long-winded writing — just news you can use to be smarter and stay ahead of the competition. Add it to your inbox, it’s free.*

Drink

If you’re like us and like your chicken fried, and a cold beer on a Friday night, head to Fat Daddy’s in Mansfield to get your weekend started off on the right foot. (And yes, that’s a Zac Brown Band reference.)*

Biz

💼 Let’s get down to business

Get down to business at these two new incubators

Now’s the time to turn that napkin sketch into a full-fledged startup. | Photos courtesy of Create FW + LaunchBox Collective

Who’s ready to start their business? There are two new business incubators in town with all of the resources you need to succeed.

Create FW
Located next to Roots Coffeehouse in the Near Southside, the 6,800-sqft coworking center supports small business owners. Catered toward female and minority entrepreneurs, Create FW offers:

Mentorship from experienced community leaders
In-person training
Access to capital through financial literacy training
Business growth strategies

Memberships range $100-$1,800 per month. RSVP now for a grand opening celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 4:30-7:00 p.m.

LaunchBox Collective
A jumping-off point for creatives, the new 12,000-sqft creative center has the facilities to bring your business to life through digital media. The converted Pangburn candy factory in Hemphill now houses:

Two event spaces
Pop-up suites
Collaboration areas
Props, sets + audio/visual gear
Podcast, photo + video studios
Soundstage

LaunchBox even has an app to connect with other community members and access spaces and services, which range from $20 daily to $500 monthly.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

We’re less than 50 days away from the 2023 State Fair of Texas and our mouths are already watering for the new food specials.

Yesterday, the Big Texas Choice Awards revealed the 10 finalists with creations like deep fried pho and bourbon banana caramel sopapillas. The winners for the sweet, savory, and most creative categories will be announced on Sunday, Aug. 27.

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