Huffman discussed city safety, water supply, community services projects, development updates and taxpayer relief during the event.
Huffman noted Southlake's police department has done “everything possible” to maintain safety in the community and at Southlake’s schools. Carroll ISD has 14 school resource officers and will be adding four additional officers to CISD campuses in the fall, he said. In addition to providing safety on school grounds, Huffman said school officers have become mentor figures to students.
“Our most fundamental promise to these families is to try to keep [their] kids safe while at school,” Huffman said.
Huffman also emphasized the drought conditions the city is experiencing. Most of Dallas-Fort Worth is in an extreme drought, according to the National Weather Service. Southlake is not under any restrictions for water, but Huffman said the city may “ratchet” up its conservation measures.
“We may have to take some additional steps as a community to make sure our water supply ... is protected,” he said.
Huffman highlighted the city's new pickleball facility when discussing community development projects. Huffman said the new courts are “really special” and that City Council wants to support the community’s interest in the sport.
“One of the things we get to do as a city is invest in our park infrastructure [and] invest in our public spaces to support leisure activities and support fun amenities,” he said.
Huffman also discussed future development projects, such as the city's new library, and noted how important community input is through the planning process.
While Southlake supports developments, Huffman said not every project brought before council is approved because of the council’s emphasis on master planning.
“We are very intentional about where things go and how we want the city to look,” Huffman said.
He also said he believes it is the City Council’s duty to keep the tax rate going down. While the city cannot control property valuations, Huffman said the council is determined to keep Southlake’s tax rate down to offset rising costs.
Huffman also mentioned the economic recovery task force that was created to give $1 million to Southlake’s small businesses impacted by COVID-19. In spite of economic difficulties this past year, Huffman believes consumer confidence will continue to grow.
“We’re looking forward to a very bright future,” Huffman said. “I don’t think you could have picked a better place to do business.”
Huffman said it has been an honor to serve as Southlake’s mayor and to work with Southlake council members and city staff. Huffman said City Manager Shana Yelverton and her staff are focused on making sure decisions made by council align with Southlake’s strategic priorities.
“Southlake is blessed with the very best city staff of any city in Texas—I’d say any city in the country,” Huffman said. “That’s not hyperbole.”
