The Greater Arlington Chamber’s 15th Annual State of the County, presented by The Nehemiah Company, featured updates from Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare on public safety, economic growth, mental health resources and property tax relief, followed by a panel discussion with District Attorney Phil Sorrells, County Clerk Mary Louise Nicholson and Tax Assessor-Collector Rick Barnes.

Looking back on the last three years, O’Hare highlighted the county’s efforts to reduce property taxes while continuing to invest in public safety and county services.

In 2023, Tarrant County was the only large county in Texas without a homestead exemption, O’Hare shared. Over the course of two years, the county put in the full 20% homestead exemption the state allows, resulting in significant savings for taxpayers.

“Just on the homestead exemption alone, that’s $262 million in savings for Tarrant County homeowners,” O’Hare said. 

The county also reduced its operating budget while continuing to support law enforcement.

“We’ve reduced the Tarrant County operating budget over the last three years by $81 million,” he said. “And we’ve done that while increasing the funding of the District Attorney’s office, increasing the funding of the Sheriff’s Office, and giving, for two years in a row, our law enforcement officers and detention officers in our jail the biggest raises they have ever gotten.”

Public safety remains a central focus for the county, and O’Hare emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe environment for residents and businesses.

“If we want more jobs to be created here, if we want businesses to thrive and to be able to expand, it starts with public safety,” he said.

O’Hare reiterated the importance of improving mental health resources in Tarrant County, something he’s advocated for the last few years. The county is investing in mental health services and diversion programs to better support residents in crisis. The county’s Jail Diversion Center is one effort helping connect people with services instead of incarceration.

“Mental health problems and issues are a real challenge,” he said. “There are more mental-health-related issues, I think, on a per capita basis, than we’ve ever seen.”

O’Hare highlighted major developments across the county, including aerospace investments, healthcare expansions, transportation projects and the upcoming FIFA World Cup matches in Arlington.

“We need to put on a great show,” he said. “We need to be the friendliest, warmest, most welcoming people that you could ever imagine.”

The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring O’Hare, Sorrells, Nicholson and Barnes, who shared updates from their respective offices and discussed efforts to improve efficiency, customer service and public safety across Tarrant County.

Sorrells highlighted ongoing work to combat drug trafficking and scams targeting seniors.

“We are keeping our community safe,” Sorrells said. “We’re not ashamed of that. We’re holding people accountable, and that’s what my job is.”

Nicholson discussed the county clerk’s office’s focus on technology and operational efficiency.

“When I ran in 2011, I said, I’m going to harness technology,” Nicholson said. “The Texas legislature gives me a technology fund, and I spend those tax dollars to make sure we’re efficient.”

Barnes shared improvements made within the tax assessor-collector’s office, including reduced wait times and a stronger customer service approach.

“We don’t refer to you as taxpayers, we refer to you as customers,” Barnes said. “We really approach everything from a customer service perspective.”

The discussion provided attendees with insight into the priorities and initiatives impacting residents, businesses and communities across Tarrant County.

A special thank you to Ten10 Events, Hurtado Barbecue, Prince Lebanese Grill and Grounds and Gold Coffee Co.