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Overview

Bedford is a suburban city located in northeast Tarrant County, Texas in the "mid-cities" area between Dallas and Fort Worth. The population was 48,390 as of a 2005 census estimate. Bedford is part of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District.

Geography

Bedford is located at [show location on an interactive map] 32°50′48″N, 97°8′23″W (32.846790, -97.139630)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.9 km² (10.0 mi²). 25.9 km² (10.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.10% is water.

Neighboring cities include Hurst and Euless, with which Bedford forms the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District.

Prominent highways include state highway 121 and state highway 183, also known as Airport Freeway (a reference to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, called so because this was the main thoroughfare to the airport in the early years of its history).

Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 47,152 people, 20,251 households, and 12,515 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,820.5/km² (4,713.6/mi²). There were 21,113 housing units at an average density of 815.2/km² (2,110.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.63% White, 3.65% African American, 0.51% Native American, 3.62% Asian, 0.25% Pacific Islander, 2.44% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.22% of the population.

There were 20,251 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $54,436, and the median income for a family was $71,017. Males had a median income of $45,938 versus $33,012 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,466. About 2.4% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Tax rollback of 2005

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In 2004 the Bedford city council determined that after years of cost cutting, a property tax increase would be necessary. The council adopted a tax rate a few cents higher (actually 27% higher than the rate from the previous year) than that recommended by the city manager who had suggested splitting the rate increase over two years. The manager recognized that a rate which was greater than eight percent above the prior level would allow residents to use a provision of state law calling for a tax rollback election by petition, but splitting the increase would not result in a rollback petition.

The petitioners gathered enough signatures and the election was held in March 2005. The rollback provision passed by a mere 10 votes with the highest turnout ever in a city election. The vote resulted in the rate being rolled back to the original rate (the prior year's rate) plus 8%, the "rollback rate", forcing budget cuts and layoffs.

The city council was forced to revise the budget immediately due to the lack of funds, as they had already begun spending based on the higher tax rate even though the rollback petition was underway before the new budget cycle started. The council was forced to close several city services, including both of the city's swimming pools, their recreational center and the city library although they did manage to implement a large employee pay increase. Municipal library closings in the United States are exceptionally rare, and the news made national headlines and was especially noted by library associations. This was the first library in Texas to close since records had been kept, and the first library in the United States to close since 1989. A few months later, an anonymous donation of $300,000 allowed the reopening of the library, one pool, the rec center, and senior center. For a period of time after the reopenings, the budget concerns limited open hours of these services (e.g. the library only opened 4 days a week, but later resumed its 6 days-a-week schedule; it is now open seven days a week).

In May 2005 a regular city council election resulted in the unseating of two incumbent councilpersons who had been supporters of the (higher) tax rate. In response, the mayor, Rick Hurt, who had opposed the rollback, chose to resign.