FY 2008 Popular Annual Financial Report FY 2008 Popular Annual Financial Report | Page 2

Message from the Mayor Greetings: Arlington is poised for excellence. With more than 365,000 residents and a strategic location in the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, we are a city positioned for great success. We offer a welcoming, friendly environment for neighborhoods and business. We never hesitate to think big. It’s who we are and what we’re about. On behalf of the Arlington City Council, thank you for reviewing our Popular Annual Financial Summary: Poised for Excellence. Yes, we’re in a winning position. Being in the middle of it all provides us with a number of opportunities to work in regional partnerships to achieve excellence. The environment, transit, public health and Super Bowl XLV are among our current collaborative pursuits for North Texas. We are making significant investments to improve neighborhoods and encourage success in our business community. We are building opportunities, constructing and maintaining our facilities and infrastructure, while enhancing the quality of life for our residents. In this report Message From the Mayor........................................... 2 City Council.................................................................. 3 Message From the City Manager................................ 3 Strategic Performance Plan......................................... 5 A Look Back................................................................. 6 Strategic Planning Cycle.............................................. 7 Champion Arlington Economic Development............. 8 Capital Investment Strategy...................................... 12 Neighborhood Integrity............................................. 14 Strategic Support Strategy......................................... 16 Community Awards................................................... 18 Financial Highlights................................................... 20 Facts & Figures.......................................................... 22 A Look Forward......................................................... 23 Popular Annual Financial Report for 2008 Locally, increased code enforcement and more police officers and firefighters are important initiatives taken in 2008 to help ensure a safe environment for residents and visitors. We leveraged investments with community partners to ensure that our resources are maximized. We are connecting with nonprofit organizations, schools, churches and businesses to ensure that the road ahead for our youth is paved with a good, solid foundation. In 2009, watch for more collaborative efforts as we continue on our path to excellence, showing our residents and visitors that Arlington is an outstanding community in which to live, learn, work and play. After you have reviewed this summary, my hope is that you will commit to taking an even greater interest in Arlington’s municipal government and in the city where you live. Welcome to this special financial summary of our city. Robert N. Cluck, M.D. Arlington Mayor [email protected] 817.459.6121 2