“As with every new year, I try to start with a positive outlook on it.”

That’s how Forney City Manager began his reply Monday to the Messenger regarding the question, “What’s  your take on 2010?”

“I think we’re starting to see the tide turn economically, which will bode well for Forney over the next 10 years,” Brooks elaborated. “In the short term—over the next 12 months—2010 will be a very productive year.”

But Brooks sounded a small note of caution.

“There will be a lot of activity, primarily in construction, which will last well into next year,” Brooks said. “But in the grand scheme, I think people will see the long-term benefits. Forney is unique in that by and large, citizens recognize what are really growing pains, and they’re more encouraging than complaining.”

Brooks said, however, that there is a “concerning side” to the year’s generally positive outlook: the city could find itself in what he called a “financial stalemate”.

“City governments typically lag behind the private sector in (economic) recovery,” Brooks explained. “I think we’ll be in that mode.”

The lag between municipal governments and the private sector has a lot to do with taxation. While private businesses tend to feel economic growth immediately through increased sales income, municipalities and other similar entities must wait until tax revenues come up to feel recovery’s impact, because tax revenues are tied to taxable values, increases in which may not show up until subsequent tax years.

“I do think the next decade holds out promise,” Brooks insisted toward the conclusion of his interview with the Messenger.  “. . . 2010 will begin a very strong and powerful 10 years of growth in Forney.”

He added, “Forney will adapt to whatever happens on the federal level.”