Bringing the Latest News from Judge Tim O'Hare to Your Inbox!     IN THIS ISSUE Greetings from Judge O'Hare -Commissioners Court Reduces FY 2024 Budget Business Investments in Tarrant County Non-Profit Spotlight - 6 Stones Community Corner - Highlights from the Senior Synergy Expo Honoring 35 Years of Dedicated Service - G.K. Maenius Christmas Events in Tarrant County - Save the Date   Greetings from Judge Tim O'Hare  It is both an honor and a privilege to address you as the Tarrant County Judge. On September 19, 2023, the Tarrant County Commissioners Court approved the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. County employees, at the direction of my office and other Commissioners, worked diligently to reduce the budget by over $8.1 million from last year’s budget, without compromising essential services or resources that ensure our residents’ safety and well-being. Also significant this year was the reduction of the County Property Tax Rate and the Hospital District Tax Rate below the No New Revenue Rates – setting both rates at 19.45 cents per $100 valuation. Passing both rates below the No New Revenue Rate is a historic first for Tarrant County. Additionally, homeowners will see greater savings on their tax bill with the adoption of 10% Homestead Exemptions, also firsts for Tarrant County and the Hospital District. Even with the overall decrease in spending and adopting property taxes below the No New Revenue Rates, the FY 2024 budget still prioritizes public safety, making critical investments in law enforcement, including pay increases for investigators and patrol officers, and retention pay and pay increases for detention officers. In the coming months, I encourage you to reach out to my office with any concerns you may have. Your input is invaluable in guiding decisions that impact our county. Together, we can build a bright and prosperous future for all. Business Investments in Tarrant County Both Siemens Industry Inc. and beverage manufacturer DrinkPAK recently announced their commitment to select Tarrant County as the future home for their expansion sites. Siemens Industry Inc., has an existing plant in Grand Prairie. Siemens plans to focus on low-voltage electrical panels and circuits in their pending Fort Worth site and aims to employ 715 workers by the end of 2026, with salaries averaging $63,000 annually. Siemens and its subsidiaries employ over 311,000 people globally. DrinkPAK notes that their Fort Worth expansion will bring approximately 1,000 jobs to our local economy by December 2027, with the anticipated minimum average salary around $70,000 annually. Together, Siemens Industry Inc. and DrinkPAK are proposing nearly $600 million in local investments as part of their operational expansions. Non-Profit Spotlight 6 Stones Founded with a mission to make a significant impact on the lives of children and families, 6 Stones provides several critical programs in the HEB community. My office recently had the opportunity to visit with Jen Leney, Executive Director and Trasa Coburn, Chief Development Officer with 6 Stones at their New Hope Center to tour the food pantry and their offices in Hurst. This remarkable organization offers a multifaceted approach to address the pressing needs of those they serve. Their Home for Hope has provided emergency assistance of food, clothing, resources, backpacks, school supplies, and home revitalization services since 2009. Their new Home for Hope facility, scheduled to open in July 2024, will enable 6 Stones to service their neighbors in an even greater capacity. The new facility will enable them to offer a client-choice food pantry, the gold standard among nonprofits that serve food-insecure clients. Community members served will have access to an electronic card with their family information preloaded, grab a grocery card and shop for themselves, within the guidelines provided. A cashier will aid them in the checkout process and families served will have assistance loading groceries into their vehicle. This client-choice model allows for greater dignity and satisfaction to neighbors being served. In addition to the Home for Hope, 6 Stones provides additional resources, programs, and events, including the Momentum Mentoring program, a curriculum-based program, helping participants rise above life’s challenges by empowering physical, spiritual, emotional, and economic stability. The Momentum program is a four-month time commitment. The first eight weeks consist of classroom-based lessons on budgeting, financial literacy, interview and resume skills, and other topics. During the last eight weeks of the program, the mentor/mentee walk through a shared journey together, with agreed upon meetings and calls, designed to improve goal setting, and form good habits. 6 Stones also hosts their annual Night of Hope event, bringing the joy of Christmas each year to over 3,300 children and their families. During the Night of Hope, families are treated to an evening complete with gifts, a Christmas meal, and hope for students and families at 21 different HEB ISD elementary campuses. An additional initiative offered through 6 Stones is Operation Back 2 School. Through this effort, students are provided with a new backpack and school supplies. This effort doesn’t stop during back-to-school time, but also serves to connect parents with resources to help them all year long. This operation is made possible each year through the support and engagement of hundreds of community volunteers, a partnership with HEB ISD, and many other community organizations. 6 Stones unwavering commitment to uplift the surrounding community and tireless work to provide hope, sustenance, and opportunities for those in need, serves as an inspiration and has a positive ripple impact felt throughout the HEB area. Pictured left to right: Jen Leney, Judge O'Hare, and Trasa Coburn Community Corner Highlights from the Senior Synergy Expo 2023 Senior Synergy Attendees Former Cowboy Larry Cole shows his Super Bowl XII ring to Judge O'Hare On August 31, 2023, my office coordinated the 10th Annual Senior Synergy Expo, a dynamic event designed to celebrate the lives of seniors and serve as a resource and support for the aging population and their caregivers. The Expo was held at Will Rogers – Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibit Hall and included over 130 exhibitors and 2,500 attendees. This free event included a box lunch from Jimmy John’s, live musical entertainment with the band Deep Cover, workshops, health screenings, a cooking demo, juggler, virtual reality demonstration, many door prizes, former Chief Meteorologist at WFAA-TV, Troy Dungan, and former Dallas Cowboy, Larry Cole. Seniors explored a wide range of products and services catering to their unique needs, including healthcare providers, insurance agencies, government agencies, non-profits, and several other excellent resources. The Senior Synergy Expo was made possible through the generous donations of over fifty organizations through the Tarrant Special Events Foundation. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and sponsored this fantastic community event. We look forward to facilitating this event again in 2024. G.K. Maenius Honoring 35 Years of Dedicated Service G.K. and Lynda Maenius pictured next to the newly named G.K. Maenius Administration Building Last month, Tarrant County Administrator G.K. Maenius bid farewell to his remarkable 35-year career in public service. Maenius was the longest serving County Administrator in Texas history and the only County Administrator Tarrant County has ever known. In recognition of G. K.’s exemplary career and faithful service, the Commissioners Court unanimously passed a resolution to rename the County Administration Building, which is now known as the G.K. Maenius Administration Building. During his tenure as County Administrator, Maenius witnessed Tarrant County’s population grow from 1.1 million in 1988 to approximately 2.2. million in 2023. My Office wishes Mr. Maenius all the best and would like to express our sincere gratitude for the lasting mark he’s left on our community. On October 1, 2023, Tarrant County welcomed incoming County Administrator, Chandler Merritt. Chandler previously served as Assistant County Administrator, working directly under Maenius and oversaw approximately 400 employees and a $300 million budget. Merritt has a public service career spanning multiple years, both in Tarrant County and with the cities of McKinney and Irving. Merritt is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and earned a Master’s of Public Administration from The University of Texas at Arlington. Please join me in celebrating G.K.’s legacy and in welcoming Chandler Merritt as we continue to pursue public service excellence in Tarrant County.   As the leaves begin to change, the fall season brings with it a sense of renewal and anticipation of the joyous holidays ahead. I want to take a moment to reflect on this year's journey and express my heartfelt thanks to the residents of Tarrant County. Let us cherish this season with our loved ones. Stay safe and enjoy this special time of year. 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