[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6154349,"mediaKeyId","5485093-117ae43de81615e5693d230fabd784fb","parentId",5485093,"title","Council asked staff to prepare ordinance requiring restaurants to post sanitation grades","audioSeconds",312,"startMs",13696000,"endMs",14008000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5485093-117ae43de81615e5693d230fabd784fb&start=13696&end=14008","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5485093-117ae43de81615e5693d230fabd784fb/thumbnail_13696000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6154349/Arlington/Tarrant-County/Texas/Council-asked-staff-to-prepare-ordinance-requiring-restaurants-to-post-sanitation-grades","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154349-2166dee8567316c22a7dd514d9287d4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170597&Signature=StNhhzlouiWe9pIP5uKhgWAPTsYhK7xEaIKjJqgPLshtutDRdOUa8q5rggWZaJair4yO2PJ9O2~fQiV5B2TqLzgU~yDPu4t10CVOXDUyvHGc7OL72EGzylMqQJFHOJfL-x1N8lI2kv0bRzktu5Ak4G0Kx~pZv5FGkfbLB7HpxRsm3IgXJAWAF5miWDABB6HXisM3pSxUzaZBJ6B5PKZo11wLB4842qzf9WO02clu1LEaRbQK6AodgC6YOPN~i8t-8NbiDUjVXELn8Q8oGDAql9tp8Rky8kJHudTg177EUy7877kc2TyJ5-~ybnVxMZWHBAPCVpSP0bgA5uQGJu9PQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arlington, TX","date","2025-07-24T00:00:00Z","article","Council members on June 24 asked staff to prepare a report and draft ordinance that would require restaurants to post sanitation grades where customers can see them.
The idea was introduced during an update on public-health and restaurant outreach. Staff noted that the inspection score is already part of the inspection record and that some restaurants post their score voluntarily while others do not. The proposed change would require a modification to the local health ordinance.
Council members and staff discussed display location (front door versus prominent in the dining area). Trey (staff member) said the change would be “fairly simple” from an implementation standpoint but would require the ordinance amendment. Several council members supported the requirement, and one suggested pairing the change with positive marketing for high-rated establishments.
Staff said reports of inspection scores already exist online and in public records; the council asked the health department to return with a draft ordinance for consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting Jun 24, 2025 (Afternoon)","oneSentenceSummary","Council members asked staff to draft an ordinance requiring restaurants to display their health-inspection grade in a prominent location; staff said the score is already public online and that adoption would require modifying the health ordinance.","taxTitle","Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas","taxId",2815,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154354,"City moves to expand film- and media-friendly efforts, eyes state media-production zones",72,11128000,11200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5485093-117ae43de81615e5693d230fabd784fb&start=11128&end=11200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5485093-117ae43de81615e5693d230fabd784fb/thumbnail_11128000.jpg","/articles/6154354/Arlington/Tarrant-County/Texas/City-moves-to-expand-film-and-media-friendly-efforts-eyes-state-media-production-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154354-0e77f7b6050468c2edc454f34369ea17/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170597&Signature=M9vauWoV8JyUgNZVuENx40gtvsb7gn9hxOaerXAcRPyCwgNi-1jANdT0jcPV7g6SP1DBnZ0dO1TrYkYYaYrFDc9mqDDzYH7QYyw13NBkJZtZq9UaNCDJrGjzY20JQsE7bhzxC1gYn4mO8NpDMCIlB3dLMp2KnhRmlhyH8X6NYLxWucVtVr0XW7XJ6cdro1oikoLYlf-aFMA2mKFL811ZP-Wa9wAY7TOi4mkVjQn~LQsirG1~qs~OSzl8zHaEtsYufNlX~c2yaZHMbHHIn76JVdZR~k4uyUOaUme61VWxZ5exbLWQ38pUyH-hB4wOzfB~gclMb8DTJke79XsSlrSMvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff briefed the Arlington City Council on June 24 on efforts to expand film and media production recruitment and to pursue certification as a film- and digital-media-friendly jurisdiction.
Jay Warren (presentation lead) described a team approach that pairs the Office of Communications’ film-friendly staff with departments across the city — planning, parks, police and others — and with economic-development staff to recruit and process production requests. Jeremy Thomas of the Office of Communication said the office has been operating the film-friendly program and is exploring an additional “digital-friendly” certification that few Texas cities have pursued.
Staff noted a related state program, media production development zones (MPDZ), that can provide incentives and bonding frameworks for certified zones. Fort Worth has previously pursued an MPDZ; staff said Arlington could explore a tailored approach and would coordinate with the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and university partners such as the University of Texas at Arlington on specific offers.
Council members asked about staffing, recruitment and how the EDC would be involved; staff said it would be a team effort with EDC and other departments assisting with outreach and processing.
","Staff described steps to attract film and media production, including a team-based film-friendly office, coordination with the economic-development team and potential use of the state's media production development zone (MPDZ) framework.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154359,"Council asked to review tougher multifamily standards after repeat low ratings and recent fires",280,12150000,12430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5485093-117ae43de81615e5693d230fabd784fb&start=12150&end=12430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5485093-117ae43de81615e5693d230fabd784fb/thumbnail_12150000.jpg","/articles/6154359/Arlington/Tarrant-County/Texas/Council-asked-to-review-tougher-multifamily-standards-after-repeat-low-ratings-and-recent-fires","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154359-2036daf59a7b76f3464006ae900b717d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170597&Signature=oGz~6W4qZ6KoQT4pHe0YwJa7rgqRXbMvCWjUHOOFI92EBiDu4cpvQ88TeMFbrJPVy2VpkagDYJAmCphkoGfYQDxQSK3RInthiXIVQFXapsD0WK8L~yd6eW4OP6H2DXky-NWDgZbZ63QuPH0PMrC-PxRjtG0cV9KYQHPIsYdoKeXKw6rwQnbj7pBf6f5rICCFeEHTVaXWzjpUecJ3MP5FL837hD-L2wsTZ9Syra0AScjAatCK4pkuAVGpszVmbHQQvlTZp5LJPQ46FoU~6zfrYmPtM5jfPPtzhgSjm1wGnHIDfENlOOxxAuulZenz35YjeKAcHJ1m6e-yUT~jAyuemg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Arlington City Council on June 24 they are compiling research on multifamily housing standards and enforcement and recommended a deeper committee review after board members raised safety concerns.
Nora Coronado (asset management) said staff are assembling comparative research on apartment regulations used in other cities and can bring a deeper review to a council committee. She noted the program mixes annual inspections, required training workshops and enforcement actions.
Council members referenced recent building fires and shootings in multifamily complexes and urged stricter application of standards. Council member Boxall pressed staff about next steps and requested that the new fire marshal and the fire chief be included in future discussions.
Fire Chief Brett Stedham confirmed an internal appointment for the fire-marshal role and said the department will participate in the ordinance review. Coronado and the chief said the city’s current program includes an education requirement (annual workshops) plus enforcement actions for life-safety violations.
Staff said the grading program flags properties for follow-up. When a property receives repeated low scores staff will evaluate dangerous-structure procedures and other enforcement options; Council member Hogg asked staff to return with more stringent measures. Staff recommended committee-level review (Community & Neighborhood Development or similar) to tailor any changes and examine other cities’ approaches.
","City staff said Arlington enforces multifamily standards through inspections, training and a graded rating system; council members requested a committee-level deep dive and more stringent enforcement for repeated poor-scoring properties after recent apartment fires.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154364,"Arlington intergovernmental team reviews 89th Texas legislative session and impacts for city",1186,10844000,12030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5485093-117ae43de81615e5693d230fabd784fb&start=10844&end=12030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5485093-117ae43de81615e5693d230fabd784fb/thumbnail_10844000.jpg","/articles/6154364/Arlington/Tarrant-County/Texas/Arlington-intergovernmental-team-reviews-89th-Texas-legislative-session-and-impacts-for-city","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154364-0244a48c4da8d6cf99a3561547c5c570/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170597&Signature=Vhgsi8jrhiXblgJ20mS-v2ZTpF0yYM-uG8hgvPyn31nyNWf8o1soPHTvMXArpmLv0wV0uSw1lmSVe76X7Fw2NmmtxVOCeUM4qGEgzCJMW7O21R7JJ5nbDvEkzg7jwVPQ-L00nM-QOQdq-ezfWcVQtKJaSKlGTkn4v9t6pCl8VUysvTVLlMdorIUGQODZXchVtwmCazSlAfMz5rl9NKovmi9y~f0~8D5OKvYUnHgNRXXDcc8LJnpKgg4mQ1UPbyVEH73y5VNjNEdE8xnik-RCIjRGhCSvQnIPbBuF2jnK6SkdoU80JcPBEHg3JXACp1BH4g6rlUVg6ka3~8ENzjOVXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Natalie Ralston, the city’s intergovernmental relations manager, briefed the Arlington City Council on June 24 about outcomes from the 89th Texas legislative session and a pending special session called for late July.
Ralston said the team tracked 1,737 bills this year and monitored 187 that passed; most are enacted with various effective dates while some require voter approval or further rule-making.
Key enacted bills and local effects
- Education: Ralston said House Bill 2 raises the basic student allotment and directs new funding for teacher pay, special education, early learning and school safety; House Bill 33 (the Uvalde Strong bill) strengthens school-safety rules; both were in the packet and effective Sept. 1.
- Property and land development: SB 15 (the “tiny lot” bill) limits maximum lot sizes for certain unplatted parcels and was negotiated up to a 3,000-square-foot lot limit from an earlier 1,400 figure; SB 840 allows some mixed-use and multifamily development in commercial zones without rezoning; several other bills would have restricted local land-use authority but were narrowed or failed.
- Public safety and local initiatives: HB 1893, an Arlington initiative, will permit law-enforcement agencies to disclose vehicle-license-plate images captured on recording systems without redaction under public-information requests; Ralston said the bill cleared the governor’s desk.
- Transportation and economy: SB 1555 is a new grant program for railroad grade separation projects that staff will screen for eligible local projects; SB 2004 adds the IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington to the state’s major-events reimbursement program.
Open Meetings Act and administrative changes
City Attorney Molly Shortall summarized HB 1522, which amends the Texas Open Meetings Act: the statute now requires three business days between posting an agenda and the meeting rather than a simple 72-hour clock. Shortall noted that the change will shift typical council posting practice (for example, agendas that used to be posted on Friday for Tuesday meetings will need to be posted Wednesday).
Bills that failed or were narrowed
Ralston listed multiple bills that originally would have had broader impacts but were negotiated or stopped. Among the failures she cited were bills that would have required new annual reappraisal plans in certain appraisal districts and other preemption bills that the city opposed.
Special session and next steps
Ralston said the governor called a special session beginning July 21 with a limited list of items; the city will monitor additions. She also flagged local delegation changes announced during the interim and said the team will return with more detailed implementation guidance where state law requires municipal action or rule-making.
","Intergovernmental relations staff summarized key bills from the 89th Texas Legislature — including school funding increases, new school-safety measures, several land-development restrictions, and an Open Meetings Act change — and flagged items that will affect Arlington operations and rule-making.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154369,"Arlington staff warns of $6.4 million budget gap as senior tax freeze, appraisal changes bite",3300,7200000,10500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5485093-117ae43de81615e5693d230fabd784fb&start=7200&end=10500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5485093-117ae43de81615e5693d230fabd784fb/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","/articles/6154369/Arlington/Tarrant-County/Texas/Arlington-staff-warns-of-64-million-budget-gap-as-senior-tax-freeze-appraisal-changes-bite","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154369-9356026bf06e61673c77fb534b04990c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170597&Signature=Uut~fzX7AiPJhCvkL~eIkggh08HBaoLsDe88rTu-8kkYWv40YO6uCM69m3hY~uBCheC0uXC~l2Iyzwrqyelhpr0YyLVEybRu3Usc0DqYtZm85G7Tvf~6~v4bvSk06e2eHeWWj2uW9GTip8tND2JN8I8rqYlM0aH3LexqII3RZIzYD6HgwL6zjLgGHlI-BifH6B9CJ6RZPoqc2JCdKpLHfGu98BxeBOLqFPzE5E5WJeJEGi7xzTJK1mBGtoxqvIFdfW880AGMlAaTfMnPm0q91HpwzpXUYoSlw~tSKLizOvyyFyy98kKd9uyKPoXt1rMJWVR8d-7C-tcbX9RyooR9jA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Arlington City Council on June 24 that the city faces a roughly $6.36 million budget gap for fiscal 2026 after a year of falling revenues and growing, irrevocable property-tax relief measures.
The presentation by Trey (staff member) said the gap stems from three linked issues: the final year of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, changes and protests at the appraisal district that reduced taxable values, and a voter-approved senior tax freeze that staff described as “eating our lunch.”
The gap is the remaining, unidentified portion after months of reductions and restructuring. Staff reported roughly $2.3 million in unidentified recurring cash needs and argued that when a $4 million business-continuity reserve is considered the effective gap grows to about $6.36 million.
Why it matters: the council must close that gap before adopting a balanced budget later this summer. Staff presented a package of revenue and cost options — from using reserves, cutting positions and freezing or reducing compensation increases to targeted changes in benefits and a portion of the tax rate — and asked the council for policy direction.
Most important facts
- Staff said ARPA funding is in its last year and has been a critical bridge in the city’s multi-year service-restoration plan. The presentation noted appraisal-district valuation changes and above-normal protest losses as a major revenue pressure.
- The senior tax freeze was described as irreversible and now impacts about 25,000 accounts; staff estimated the freeze reduced the city’s levy by about $13.6 million and that it will continue to grow. Trey said the freeze alone “is really candidly eating our lunch.”
- Staff outlined a remaining shortfall of about $2.3 million in recurring revenues and said that when reserve-management decisions are included the cash-equivalent issue is about $6.364 million.
- Staffing and benefits: between last year and this year staff identified roughly 52 vacant positions targeted for elimination; the city currently holds more than 100 vacant positions (staff cited about 109). Eliminating compensation increases (the example shown was a full 3.0% adjustment) would save roughly $6.9 million, staff said.
- Tax-rate math provided by staff: a one-cent change in the city tax rate equals about $4.3 million in revenue; a quarter-cent pass-through to offset new senior-freeze accounts would cost the average homeowner roughly $6 a year in the example staff used.
Options presented and council discussion
- Reserve-funded challenge grants: staff explained a “challenge grant” approach for targeted positions. Rather than immediate layoffs, the city would fund marked positions from reserves for up to a year while trying to redeploy employees to vacancies or restructure jobs. Trey said the approach “is a very...compassionate way to facilitate change in the organization.”
- Compensation: staff proposed combinations of pay-step changes and contingent midyear restorations. Council members asked about sunset or contingent approaches; Trey said the city could give a portion of a raise and hold the remainder contingent on midyear financial results.
- Benefits: staff outlined shifting some health-premium cost-share on family tiers while keeping employee-only coverage unchanged. Trey said 50% of accounts are employee-only and would see no change; the other 50% could see higher employee costs under the proposal. Open enrollment would begin in August, with an October 1 plan year change.
- Tax-rate adjustment: several council members, including Council member Pham and Council member Gonzales, said they would consider a modest tax-rate increase to spread the burden rather than deeper personnel or benefits cuts. Staff reiterated that a one-cent increase would not fully close the gap but would cover roughly two-thirds of the shortfall in the example shown.
Process and timing
Staff said it will continue to refine revenue and expenditure estimates through August 5, when certified appraisal rolls and additional sales-tax and franchise-fee information are expected. Town halls and additional rate-setting sessions will be scheduled before the council’s final budget adoption in September.
Council reaction
Council members expressed a mix of priorities: protect employees and benefits where possible; avoid deep service-level cuts; and, if needed, balance modest tax-rate increases with other measures. Several members asked for combinations of the measures so the impact could be spread rather than borne by a single category.
Ending note
Staff emphasized the multi-year nature of the pressure: the senior freeze was voter-approved in 2005 and the city cannot modify it unilaterally, so staff framed the current budget work as managing structural constraints as well as short-term revenue volatility.
","City staff told the Arlington City Council that the end of ARPA funds, appraisal-district valuation changes and a growing senior tax freeze have left a roughly $6.36 million structural gap; staff outlined options including reserve use, staffing reductions, benefits changes and a possible tax-rate adjustment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council asked staff to prepare ordinance requiring restaurants to post sanitation grades

City moves to expand film- and media-friendly efforts, eyes state media-production zones

Council asked to review tougher multifamily standards after repeat low ratings and recent fires

Arlington intergovernmental team reviews 89th Texas legislative session and impacts for city

Arlington staff warns of $6.4 million budget gap as senior tax freeze, appraisal changes bite