Fiscal responsibility and budget management is both a science and an art.

In the years ahead, Rowlett faces some tough financial challenges. The absorption of the salaries of several firefighters who were hired under a grant program, the delays in revenue associated with Sapphire Bay, and the impacts of double-digit inflation are just some of the obstacles that might cause us to stumble.

However, the arrival of City Manager, David Hall, brought a new look at our finances. Many of the capital expense items that were paid via cash each year will now be funded using capital funding avenues. In the personal finance space, this is the equivalent of taking a loan on your home repair rather than paying out of pocket up-front for it. Financially, the benefit is to spread the cost of the repair over the life of the asset, in this case, multi-million dollar roads, fire engines, municipal buildings, and more.

I’m proud to support this effort, including the issuance of certificate of obligation bonds, tax notes, and other debt instruments, because the long-term impact is financial security for the City. Anything less than support for these new funding measures would place Rowlett at great risk, which could include layoffs, deferred maintenance, or an overall reduction in city services. To me, this an unacceptable option, and as Mayor I will continue to support these efforts and engage with residents to inform and share the reasons for decisions such as these.

Over the course of my term as Mayor, I will work closely with the City Manager Hall and the Finance Department to ensure we look for strategic ways to reduce the city’s tax rate by leveraging the growth in both new construction and ad valorem increases to existing homes & businesses. While I cannot immediately promise any tax cuts, I assure you that I will do everything I can to spend responsibly, budget wisely, and treat taxpayer funds as sacred.

Other Thoughts

For more information on the city’s budget & spending, please visit this page.