HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Azle - Public Financial ReportCITY OF AZLE
POPULAR ANNUAL
FINANCIAL REPORT2021
CITY OF AZLE MISSION STATEMENT
In partnership with the community, we are committed to
providing quality services through thoughtful planning,
fiscal responsibility and accessible, responsive leadership
resulting in a continuously improving quality of life.
505 W. Main StreetAzle, TX 76020
A Message from the Mayor
I am pleased to present the City of Azle’s Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), which offers an easy-to-read summary of the Annual
Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
This is the seventh year the City has published the PAFR, which details important information
about the City and its finances. It offers a
wealth of information on how our government
is funded and operated as well as trends in the local economy. The 2021 ACFR presents a more detailed picture of our financial condition and is
available on the City’s website, www.cityofazle.
org.
Azle continues to see unprecedented growth as more residents and businesses are relocating
to the area. With this growth comes many
challenges. The budget for the 2021 Fiscal
Year focused on addressing some of these challenges. Funding was included for additional personnel in the police and fire departments,
three (3) additional patrol vehicles, drainage
improvements as well as a splash pad and
restrooms for Central Park. As the City continues to make decisions regarding funding in the coming year, it is crucial that our residents have
a complete picture of Azle’s financial condition.
The City of Azle takes immense pride in what we’ve accomplished. As elected officials, it is our belief that maintaining effective communication
with our residents and businesses promotes
transparency and responsible government.
We hope this report gives you a greater understanding of how we continually strive to improve the lives of all of our residents.
Alan Brundrett
Mayor
A Message from the Mayor 2
Financial Awards 3
City Council 4
About Azle 5
Principal Property Tax Payers & Budget Process 6
City Demographics and Key Statistics 7
Fiscal Year 2021 Highlights 8
Revenues: Where Does the Money Come From? 9
Expenses: Where Does the Money Go? 10
General Fund 11
Tax Rate Comparison 12
Azle Goals and Strategies 12
CONTENTS
Page 2
PAFR City of Azle
Popular Annual Financial Report
A Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) is a document that consolidates information from the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) to create an easy-to-read report for citizens. This report is designed to provide a summary of the City’s overall financial condition in a user friendly
format providing citizens with the City activities completed over the prior year.
Although this report is largely derived from the City’s 2021 ACFR, it is not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The report is presented in a summarized manner and certain financial statements, discretely presented component units and note
disclosures required by GAAP are omitted. A copy of the City’s audited 2021 ACFR, which is
prepared in accordance with GAAP and contains more detailed information, is located on the City's
website at www.cityofazle.org. The City’s website also includes a wealth of information about the various activities of city departments, job opportunities, budgets, council members, agendas and meetings, community events, and much more.
Award for Outstanding Achievement in
Popular Annual Financial Reporting
Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence
FinancialReporting Presented to City of Azle
Texas
For its Annual ComprehensiveFinancial ReportFor the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020
Executive Director/CEO
The Government Finance Officers Association of the
United States and Canada (GFOA) has given an Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting to the City of Azle for its Popular Annual
Financial Report for the fiscal year ended September 30,
2020. The Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular
Annual Financial Reporting is a prestigious national award recognizing conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state and local government popular reports.
This is the sixth year the City has received this prestigious
award.
In order to receive an Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting, a government unit
must publish a PAFR, whose contents conform to program
standards of creativity, presentation, understandability
and reader appeal.
An Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual
Financial Reporting is valid for a period of one year only.
We believe our current report continues to conform to the
Popular Annual Financial Reporting requirements, and we are submitting it to GFOA to determine its eligibility for another award.
Page 3
PAFR City of Azle
City Council Members
The Azle City Council is composed of a mayor and six council members, all elected at-large for two-
year terms by qualified voters within the city limits of Azle. The Mayor and Council Places 3, 4 and
6 are elected in odd numbered years and Council Places 1, 2, and 5 are elected in even number years (unless there are resignations in other positions).
Top Row Corey Wynns, Randa Goode, Stacy Peek, Brian Conner
Bottom Row David McClure (Mayor Pro Tem), Alan Brundrett (Mayor),
Rouel Rothenberger
Council Meetings
City Council generally meets in the City Hall Council Chambers on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, occasionally these dates are changed due to conflicts such as elections and holidays.
Administrative Staff
Tom Muir City ManagerLawrence Bryant Assistant City Manager
Renita Bishop Finance Director
Yael Forgey City Secretary
Sid Fuller Interim Police Chief
David Hawkins Planning & Development DirectorWill Scott Fire Chief
Rick White Public Services Director
Page 4
PAFR City of Azle
About Azle
Azle is a suburban community with a rural quality of life. Eagle Mountain Lake is the eastern border and the outer edges of Cross Timbers Golf Course make up the western border of the City. Fort Worth is just 14 miles southeast of the City and is home to the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, museums, Bass
Performance Hall, theaters, and malls.
Azle is a Home Rule city with a council and boards dedicated to protecting the quality of life in the City. It is truly a full-service municipality committed to caring for the community and serving the citizens. Horses and cattle still have room to roam and residents have their choice of a variety of housing options.
History
The area in and near Azle was initially settled by a
group of pioneers from Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky. Records are not clear on when the first settlers arrived, however, Dr. J. G. Reynolds was one
of Azle’s first settlers and came to the area in 1846.
The community was first known as Elizabeth Town,
however the name was later changed to Mooresville after the owner of the only store in town. At that time there was no post office and there were only 664
settlers in all of Tarrant County.
As time went on, more settlers came and more homes were built. In 1891, a man by the name of O’Bar came to the area and was instrumental in getting
the first post office established in the community and
the settlement’s name was changed to O’Bar. Dr.
James Azle Steward, one of the few doctors in the area, owned much of the land where Azle is now. Dr. Steward was a great benefactor of the community. He
donated land for a variety of purposes that served the
local settlers, including land for businesses, schools,
and churches. Dr. Steward deeded enough land for a town site and the name was changed from O’Bar to Azle.
Azle became an incorporated city on April 23, 1957 as a general law community. In 1969, the
population of the City reached 5,000 and was then eligible to become a home rule city, which
allows the City to have more control over its own affairs. At that time, the Council-Manager form of government was adopted. The current City Charter was adopted on April 16, 1971 and has been amended over the years to meet the changing needs of the City.
Today, Azle is a suburban community with a rural quality of life. Azle is 14 miles northwest of Fort
Worth, which provides the conveniences of the big city without compromising Azle's small town charm. The City is 25 miles from Alliance Airport and 35 miles from the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
Page 5
PAFR City of Azle
- BUDGET PROCESS -
Each year, Azle’s City Manager, City Council, and City Staff put together a financial plan for the
following year. The budget process begins in March until the budget is approved and adopted
in August. The annual budget process is an ongoing effort consisting of input from our citizens, boards, and departments. The City’s objective is to make certain the needs of the community are met. The budget timeline is as follows:
Principal Property Tax Payers
Taxpayer Type of Business Assessed Valuation
CSL Azle 2016 LLC Senior Living Center $22,755,657
RW Apartments LTD Multi-Family Housing $21,804,583
Walmart Discount Retailer $14,026,840
Azle Manor Inc/Azle Manor I LLC Assisted Living Center $10,094,936
Integrated Machinery Manufacturing $7,262,840
Quality Trailer Products Manufacturing $5,396,955
Korcha LLC Property Management $5,200,000
Oncor Electric Delivery Co LLC Utility $4,775,020
RS3 Holdings Manufacturing $4,341,030
Katie's Express Car Wash LLC Car Wash $4,150,000
May: Mid-year explanations and preliminary budgets are due.
June: Final changes to proposed budgets are due.
August: City Manager makes final budget decisions and presents to City Council.
July: City Manager reviews budget submittals.
August: City Council Workshop, Public Hearing, and proposed
budget is adopted.
April: Budget outlines and dates are issued to each department.
Page 6
PAFR City of Azle
Departmental Reports
City Demographics and Key Statistics
City Demographics
Median Age: 40.4
Average Household Size: 3.2
25 Years & Older with College Degree: 22.4%
Median Household Income: $ 72,614
Public Works
Residential Permits Issued:
Commercial Permits Issued:
UTILITIES
New Water Taps: New Wastewater Taps:
Water Mains Flushed: 187
4
PUBLIC SAFETY
Police Calls for Service 17,419
Traffic Accidents-Major 70
Citations 2,551
Fire Responses 3,138
Fire Inspections 496
EMS Responses 2,438
Annual Inspections 401
Number Warrants Issued 1,617
Current Population: 12,940
Total Land Area (sq. mi.): 8.2
(Source: US Census Bureau)
Avg. Monthly Patron Visits:Number of Programs Offered:Program Attendance:New Items in Collection:
341,905
4,2731393,4893,644
489Parks Managed:Acres of Parks Maintained:
LIBRARY
STREETS
PARKS
Recreation and Leisure
Streets Resurfaced (sq ft):Drainage Channel Cleaned (LF):
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
2,075
14,075
Page 7
PAFR City of Azle
Fiscal Year 2021 Highlights
Completed the Shady Grove Park sidewalk project. The City partnered with the Azle Independent
School District in 2017 in obtaining a sidewalk grant ($376,000) that provided a sidewalk through
Shady Grove Park and to Walnut Creek Elementary School.
Commenced design of a 2,200 sq. ft. splash pad and restroom facility that will be constructed in Central Park.
Began the computer upgrade to the SCADA system.
Completed the chlorine room expansion at the Water Treatment Plant.
Continued slip lining of sewer lines adjacent to Glenhaven Drive.
Completed reclamation of Poe St., Carpenter St., Cresthaven Ct., Shady Ln., School St. and Astoria Ave.
Completed construction of the Locust Avenue Area Drainage
Improvement Project.
Purchased the following major equipment as part of the capital replacement program:
• Fire department - ambulance, mini-pumper truck, fire truck and ½-ton truck
• Police department - Three (3) police pursuit vehicles
• Streets and Stormwater departments - a ¾-ton truck, excavator and a trailer-mounted jetter• Utility Maintenance department - a 5-7 cubic yard dump truck
Purchased a portable light tower and portable message board to be used for special events.
WATER AND SEWER UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS
STREET AND STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS
VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
PARK AND FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS
Page 8
PAFR City of Azle
Governmental Funds are used to account for essentially the same functions reported as governmental
activities in the government-wide financial statements. However, unlike the government-wide
financial statements, governmental fund financial statements focus on near-term inflows and outflows of spendable resources, as well as on balances of spendable resources available at the end of the fiscal year. Data shown in this report comes from government-wide financial statements
in the ACFR unless otherwise noted.
Revenues & Expenses
Revenues: Where Does the Money Come From?
The programs and functions listed are funded by two major sources: General Revenues and Program Revenues. General revenues are available to be used for any program or
function and are mostly composed of tax revenues. Program revenues are collected and available
for their respective programs and functions and include user fees, operating and capital grants and
contributions.
General Revenues
In Fiscal Year 2021, general
revenues were over $12.2 million, an increase of approximately $798,610 from
Fiscal Year 2020. Property
taxes comprised the most
revenues, totaling over $6.8 million, followed by sales tax at $3.3 million. The increase
in property taxes resulted from
increased appraisal values
over the prior year. In addition, sales tax revenue increased, as a result of rapid growth
and increased local purchases
due to the pandemic.
Program Revenues
In Fiscal Year 2021, program revenues were over $16.7 million. Charges for Services comprises of
Utility services, the largest component at $9.2 million, followed by the municipal golf course at $1.6
million. Program revenues decreased in Fiscal Year 2021 due to receiving significant Federal Aid in the prior year for the City’s COVID-19 response and relief efforts and developer contributions for major utility and public works infrastructure.
General Revenues FY 2021 FY 2020 FY 2019
Property Tax $6,805,217 $6,358,024 $5,889,784
Sales Tax 3,335,906 3,076,210 2,668,713
Franchise and Local Tax 1,697,254 1,476,334 1,229,514
Oil & Gas 123,066 100,646 185,591
Other Revenues 227,127 230,151 119,830
Investment Income 73,441 222,036 509,653
Total General Revenues $12,262,011 $11,463,401 $10,603,085
Program Revenues FY 2021 FY 2020 FY 2019
Charges for Services $13,300,989 $12,552,289 $11,793,671
Operating Grants & Contributions 1,173,707 1,543,721 847,882
Capital Grants & Contributions 2,305,058 4,041,543 501,684
Total Program Revenues:$16,788,131 $18,137,553 $13,143,237
Total Revenues $29,041,765 $29,600,954 $23,746,322
Page 9
PAFR City of Azle
Expenses: Where Does the Money Go?
The City expenses are separated into two categories:
Governmental Activities
The activities are generally financed through taxes, intergovernmental revenues
and other non-exchange
revenues. Public safety is
the largest program funded in terms of expenditures, which accounts for 51.4%
of the governmental
activity expenses. General
government and public works make up another significant portion at 31.28%
of governmental activity
expenses.
Business-Type Activities
These activities are reported in Enterprise Funds. The Enterprise Funds account for the City’s utilities (water, sewer and storm water) and the municipal golf course. These funds
consist of services provided to the community, in which the revenues generated go to
support operations, maintenance, and improvements of the City’s utilities and golf course.
Expenses are generally financed in whole or in part by fees charged to external parties for goods or services provided. Utility is the largest program funded which accounts for 83.7% of total business-type activities expenses. The Cross Timbers Golf Course comprises the
second largest at 13.4%.
Net Position
During the past fiscal year,
Azle saw an increase in net
position of $5,628,943, leaving the City in good financial standing. The
increase in net position for
2021 was attributed to
increased property and sales tax and charges for
services as well as a reduction in depreciation and nonrecurring maintenance expenses.
Net Position FY 2021 FY 2020 FY 2019
Beginning Net Position $73,498,682 $67,546,768 $64,942,450
Revenues and Transfers 29,041,765 29,600,954 23,979,014
Expenses and Transfers 23,412,822 23,649,040 21,142,004
Change in Net Position 5,628,943 5,951,914 2,604,318
Ending Net Position $79,127,625 $73,498,682 $67,546,768
Governmental Activity Expenses FY 2021 FY 2020 FY 2019
General Government $2,582,629 $2,536,444 $2,028,156
Public Safety 7,168,093 6,694,648 6,169,132
Public Works 1,778,963 2,798,478 2,208,463
Recreation & Leisure 1,600,244 1,499,379 1,442,735
Community Development 530,993 347,380 348,737
Interest & Fiscal Charges 284,153 332,608 348,737
Total Governmental Activity:$13,945,075 $14,208,937 $12,545,453
Business-TypeActivity Expenses FY 2021 FY 2020 FY 2019
Utility 7,922,358 $7,893,329 $7,293,864
Golf Course 1,264,368 1,292,138 1,133,824
Storm Water 281,021 254,636 168,863
Total Business-Type Activity:$9,467,747 $9,440,103 $8,596,551
Total Expenses $23,412,822 $23,649,040 $21,142,004
Page 10
PAFR City of Azle
Expenditures
The City’s total General fund expenditures for 2021 were
$12,791,580 of which public
safety comprised 51.3% of
expenditures. The General Fund expenditures increased overall by $1,621,349
(14.5%), primarily in public
safety and capital outlay.
These increases were largely due to citywide efforts to respond to the pandemic as
well as the purchase of a fire
truck and pumper truck as
well as additional police fleet vehicles.
The City’s General Fund is the largest governmental fund and also one of the most vital to the
City’s operation. It accounts for everyday general expenditures like streets, park maintenance,
and police and fire protection.
Revenues
The primary revenue for the
General Fund is property taxes. Intergovernmental revenues include state or
county aid and grants. For
the year ending 2021, the
City’s revenue total was $13,033,321 which was a $762,886 (6.2%) increase
from the previous year.
This includes an increase in
property taxes ($486,997) and sales taxes ($207,757). Intergovernmental revenues
decreased by ($505,977)
due to the COVID-19
pandemic federal aid grant proceeds received in 2020.
General Fund
Property Tax Sales Tax Franchise andLocal tax
License,
Permits, Feesand Other
Charges
Inter-governmentalRevenue
OtherRevenue
2021 $5,996,762 $2,668,725 $954,782 $1,956,230 $1,067,895 $388,927
2020 $5,509,765 $2,460,968 $800,835 $1,744,681 $1,573,872 $180,314
2019 $5,055,629 $2,134,970 $874,245 $1,481,937 $854,110 $328,826
$100,000
$1,100,000
$2,100,000
$3,100,000
$4,100,000
$5,100,000
$6,100,000
$7,100,000
GENERAL FUND REVENUES
GeneralGovernment Public Safety Public Works Recreation &Leisure Comm.Development CapitalOutlay
2021 $2,095,774 $6,568,733 $848,027 $1,296,407 $527,698 $1,454,941
2020 $2,015,679 $6,246,307 $850,786 $1,181,139 $339,968 $536,352
2019 $1,811,868 $5,640,280 $778,226 $1,103,199 $334,361 $699,582
$100,000
$1,100,000
$2,100,000
$3,100,000
$4,100,000
$5,100,000
$6,100,000
$7,100,000
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES
Page 11
PAFR City of Azle
Azle Goals and Strategies
The City Council and Staff have worked together to identify goals for the next five (5) years. The
following goals will remain a priority:
1. Plan and prepare for the current and future needs of a growing city by managing growth and
development, encouraging economic development, identifying and addressing infrastructure
needs and maintaining a financially sound and stable government.
2. Achieve excellence in city government services by broadening avenues of communication and encouraging citizen involvement, attracting and retaining quality employees and providing
quality customer service.
3. Promote livability and community pride by creating an “identity” for Azle and improving the overall appearance of the City.
The Azle City Council and Staff will continue to offer the highest quality services and promote
livability within the City. Council and staff will work to ensure the City’s priorities, which are
closely tied to our goals, are addressed in an effort to continually improve the quality of life for the
residents of our community.
Want to know more? The City of Azle's website contains additional financial information, including
the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the Popular Annual Financial Report
(PAFR). The City's website is a great source of information on all City services and events.
Meeting agendas and minutes of past city board meetings are also available.
www.cityofazle.org
Fiscal Year 2021 Tax Rate Comparison
Tarrant County & Parker County Surrounding Cities
Tax Rate: Rate at which an individual or corporation is taxed
per $100 of property valuation.
Maintenance & Operations Rate (M&O Rate): The portion of the City’s tax rate dedicated to funding
the daily operations of the City and
accounted for in the General Fund.
Interest & Sinking Rate (I&S Rate): The portion of the City’s tax rated dedicated to the repayment of the City’s general obligation debt.
City Tax Rate M&O Rate I&S Rate
Azle 0.646149 0.582086 0.064063
Fort Worth 0.732500 0.585000 0.147500
Lake Worth 0.458548 0.202760 0.255788
Springtown 0.498575 0.325306 0.173269
Weatherford 0.458100 0.324500 0.133600
Page 12
PAFR City of Azle