Amanda Hollins, Candidate for Kennedale Place 3

1. Past Decisions – please respond by February 27, 2025

Although the city council cannot dwell on past councils' decisions and it must move forward, we would like to know if current council members have learned from past decisions, including those made by previous councils. From history, were each of the following zoning case items a good decision or a poor decision, and why?

a) “UV” zoning on Kennedale Sublett Road just east of Kennedale Parkway?

This was, at best, a questionable decision. While it is possible that it had been presented differently to the city council at the time, we can clearly see that this was a failed endeavor. Wanting to grow is a natural desire for many. However, growth must be achieved at a rate that is equitable to the infrastructure around it. Meaning, if the infrastructure is not in place to support the growth, then the efforts will be fruitless and even possibly more costly. Where are the restaurants? Where are the shops? Where are the small businesses? All we have is apartments. This is not acceptable! This is not what the citizens were promised, nor is it what they want.

It is imperative that the city council make decisions which have been well-thought out and show a projection of long-term growth and wealth for the city of Kennedale and its citizens. This needs to be done with openness and honesty on all fronts.

b) “MF” zoning on Joplin Road just south of Kennedale Sublett Road?

The “MF” zoning is another example of why it is so important for city council members to ensure they have all the facts before voting for anything. The tax revenue received from this property is far below the original projection. The issues caused by the property far exceed the good it has provided to the city. Again, the infrastructure, the foundation, must be in good shape before building anything. This is also an example of city services not providing support where it is most needed. The rules must be met before a Certificate of Occupancy can be issued and so the question remains why was this ever issued when the rules had not been met? Again, we are dealing with a lack of openness and honesty between the city and its citizens.

 

2. Property Taxes – please respond by March 6, 2025

Kennedale is the fifth highest taxing city of the 41 cities in Tarrant County. What are some viable potential solutions to alleviate the tax burden on the citizens or is this just something that the citizens of Kennedale must learn to accept? Why?

The citizens of Kennedale are financing the city government; there is not one dollar spent by the city that is not taken from a person or a business. I suggest we look for opportunities to reduce spending without reducing the services that our citizens need.

The general fund expenditures in Kennedale, excluding the water & sewer services is approximately 17 million dollars a year. A smart use of tax money could reduce this by 5% conservatively, I base this estimate on my 15 years of service in city government.

There has been a lack of fiduciary responsibility on the part of former leaders and some current council members.

Under the former mayor, in the fiscal year 2023-2024, there was a 15.80% tax increase. This should have never happened. Under our current council the 2024-2025 tax increase was 2.9% (on top of the previous year's 15.8% increase). We need oversight and leadership!

Rooftops of homeowners do not fix this. Growth that involves businesses and making smart decisions with money is what fixes this.

 

3. Senior Tax Freeze – please respond by March 13, 2025

Back in June of 2023 the city council approved a senior tax freeze. Details of some of the issues can be seen at: http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_7.html . What is your opinion of the actions of:

a) the city attorney?

b) the city manager?

c) the June 2023 City Council?

Why do you hold these opinions (what supports your viewpoint)?

The city council voted in favor of a senior tax freeze. I fully agree with this decision and would have voted in favor as well. I believe that there are things that have probably gone on behind closed doors that we, as citizens, are not privy to and which therefore make it difficult to form an opinion about any one individual.

I will say that it has become clear to me, after doing my own research, that someone dropped the ball. A review of the June 2023 meeting clearly shows that the city council intended for the 2023 tax year to be used as the base for the freeze, that would begin with the 2024 tax bill, due the last day of February 2025.

The City Attorney Works for the City Manager (and Council); naturally, he will defend his clients.

What I find truly disheartening is the failure to come clean about this mishandling. Whoever made the mistake should have owned up to it and asked for understanding. This lack of transparency only increases the feelings of mistrust between the citizens and the city employees.

The city council must proactively make certain the city administration does the job they are paid to do!

This failure to file the tax freeze ordinance can potentially cost seniors thousands of dollars if their taxes increased in the 2024 tax year, depending on how long they remain in their home. If their city tax bill increased in 2024, that increase will be locked in at that higher amount and this is a problem.

 

4. EDC Grant for Community Garden – please respond by March 20, 2025

The EDC (Economic Development Corporation) awards grants to spur business growth with the idea being that helping a business expand will help generate more revenue for the city, thus paying for the grant and more in several years.

In July 2024 the EDC (with three council members serving on the EDC) approved a grant of $24,300 for a community garden. Thankfully, several months later the EDC came up with much improved guidelines/requirements for issuing the grants. What are your thoughts on using grant money, meant to spur business activity and leading to more city revenue, on a community garden?

Without money, a city, like any business, will fail. Finding creative avenues to encourage business growth and economic development are extremely important to the future of Kennedale. We must always be thinking ahead, thinking “outside of the box”, and looking for ways to encourage growth that will bring revenue into Kennedale.

Having community gardens is an important part of creating an atmosphere and culture in a community that encourages cooperation and helpfulness. Unfortunately, this does not spur a revenue stream or economic growth in any substantial way.

If funds were available in the Keeping Kennedale Beautiful department budget, that might have been a more appropriate source of funds for a community garden or perhaps holding a community fundraiser for the garden.

I find this decision to be not well thought out, and lacking in common sense judgment. If the goal of the EDC Grant was to spur business growth to help generate more revenue, then I challenge those who made this decision to show the citizens what the revenue has been since the grant was awarded. There are some successful businesses in Kennedale that have benefited from these grants.

Most grants come with stipulations that must be met, to include but not limited to, showing proof of what the grant money was spent on and proof of those receipts. Does this grant have requirements that stipulate how the money can be spent and ways to ensure that requirements are met?

The EDC is funded from the 2% added onto the sales tax that you pay, along with income from leases and rental of the property owned by the EDC. This is not free money to be handed out without a potential return on the people's money, our money. In any business venture, stakeholders, or in this case taxpayers, will seek to understand the return on investment (ROI) achieved. 

 

5. Communications – please respond by March 27, 2025

If you receive an e-mail from a constituent on a Kennedale issue logically laid out and well documented, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not? What actions will you take? 

Yes, representatives at all levels must communicate with their constituents and respond to their questions, concerns, and complaints. Without active and open communication, a city council member cannot be truly effective in serving the citizens. It is that open dialogue which gives the council member insight into where they need to be focused to better serve. Further, it is necessary to follow up at a later time to ensure that all questions, concerns, and complaints are addressed and that no further action needs to occur. 

 

6. Issue – please respond by April 3, 2025

What is the most important issue the city council is currently facing? Why? What are your suggestions for addressing this issue?

The most significant issue facing the city council is having a majority of council members working for themselves and not for the citizens of Kennedale. When council members not only work against the citizens, but work against each other, the citizens’ needs will never come first. Nothing will ever get truly fixed or accomplished when a city council operates separately instead of as a combined force doing great things. A council who truly serves its citizens will find ways to work together to accomplish the impossible! The council must support each other, listen to the citizens, and work together to enact change.

The solution is to elect citizens to the office who will work for the people, not for themselves.