On January 29th, 2015, Mayor Beth Van Duyne delivered Irving's Annual State of the City Address.
Here are a fiew of the highlights:
- After a yearlong search, we welcomed a new city manager, Chris Hillman.
- Sales taxes were up nearly 11 percent to $58 million and property values rose by 6.7 percent, to just under $19.3 billion.
- We lowered our tax rate fulfilling a pledge to residents and businesses – our loyal customers – that when the time came, we would put dollars ba...ck in their pockets. By lowering the rate, we are now the 2nd lowest property tax rate in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
- 7-11 and Envoy (formerly American Eagle) announced they were moving their headquarters to Irving.
- The City Council passed a new Ethics Policy that provides increased transparency and accountability to our residents and businesses.
- In August, we officially opened the DART Orange Line to the airport – a nearly $1 billion investment by Irving.
- For the 10th year in a row, the City’s crime rate decreased and is the lowest crime rate on record.
- A much-anticipated Whole Foods broke ground.
- An Irving treasure and landmark, Big State Drug reopened as Big State Fountain Grill.
- Plans for a $1 Billion dollar redevelopment of the old Texas Stadium site were unveiled.
- The City completed construction on projects totaling more than $36 million, including a new South Irving Library.
"While some may call these “small projects,” I think they are strong indicators of the concrete progress and remarkable success this City has experienced this past year and serve as encouraging signs of a great future for our residents and businesses.", said Van Duyne
NEC’s Carter Holston had this to say about Irving and its decision to keep its headquarters here:
"Mayor, This afternoon we are notifying our employees that we have executed a lease for our US headquarters in Irving. We looked at a number of markets across the US and all indicators kept pointing to Irving. I know you took some heat for lowering the tax rate this year but from a business perspective it was one more reason to stay put." -Carter Holston, NEC Corporation
The City’s accomplishments were recognized across the country judging by the lists Irving topped this past year:
- Top US Cities for Millennials
- Best-performing US Cities
- 3rd best city for Tech Start-ups
- Top 50 Best Places to Live
- Top Cities to Start a Career
- Safest Cities in the US
- Best Cities for Jobs
Van Duyne added, "I am proud to share the progress from the last year and happy to report that our city is strong, vibrant and growing."
