August 2016
City Council Receives “City Council of the Year” Award
The Richardson Coalition congratulates the City Council for the recognition they received from the Texas City Management Association (TCMA) which named the Richardson City Council “City Council of the Year.” The award honors outstanding city councils that have made signification contributions to local government in Texas. Congratulations to our council for this well-deserved recognition.
2016-17 Proposed Budget Presentation
The City Manager will present the 2016-17 Proposed Budget and property tax rate to the City Council Monday, August 8 at 6 p.m. in the Richardson Room of City Hall. A tax rate reduction is proposed.
The following is from The City of Richardson, TX: Week In Review, Aug. 5, 2016.
Key Highlights of the 2016-17 Proposed Budget Include:
- One cent reduction in the tax rate for a tax rate of $0.62516
- Increases the Senior Exemption from $60,000 to $70,000
- A $939,896 increase in the funds dedicated to street maintenance for a total of approximately $3.26 million
- The acceleration of the 2015 G.O. Public Safety Complex project and addition of the Fire Station 1/Administration building reconstruction
- A new annual alley maintenance initiative of $652,000
- 8.25 percent rate adjustment in water and sewer services
- An increase in the residential solid waste rate by $3 and related commercial rate adjustments to help offset the increasing costs of recycling services
- Up to 5 percent step increases—for the 54 percent of employees eligible and who merit the increase
- 2 percent merit-based increase for all public safety employees
Two more public meetings will be held Aug. 22 and 29 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meetings are open to the public and will be streamed live and are available for on-demand replay on the City website at www.cor.net/CITV and broadcast live on the City’s cable TV station on Time Warner Cable, channel 16, and AT&T U-Verse, channel 99.
A copy of the 2016-17 Proposed Budget is available at www.cor.net/budget.
The Richardson Coalition Backs the Blue
We are indebted to our first responders in the Police and Fire Departments for keeping us safe. Far too often we go without saying “THANK YOU” to our first responders for their hard work and putting their lives out there for us, 24/7/365. These are complicated times and we very much appreciate the men and women who are there for us. The Richardson Coalition sends its appreciation.
Water Update
The City plans to contract out the printing of City utility bills in October. Customers are encouraged to enroll in the www.WaterMyYard.org program, which uses rainfall data to determine when yards need to be watered. Customers 65 years of age or older can apply for the reduced residential trash collection fee of $13.33/month rather than the normal rate of $18. For more information, please visit: www.cor.net/index.aspx?page=1636.
On June 6th the staff from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) provided an overview of its water and wastewater systems. Several projects were presented, including the Lower Bois d’Arc Reservoir and Main Stem Pump Station.
City Infrastructure Review and Plans
The City Council reviewed an overview of current maintenance strategies and future needs of streets, screening walls, water, wastewater, bridge railings, traffic signs and markings.
Since 2010, the City Council has more than doubled general fund dollars that are dedicated to making infrastructure improvements in the community. The City launched a new website this week to make it easier to find out more about such projects. Richardson Projects site (www.cor.net/projects) features an interactive map with specific information about road, sidewalk, alley, trail and building construction.
Raytheon Update
On May 9th Raytheon officially opened its new 489,000 square-foot building location on the east side of the new CityLine development. Raytheon’s Garland workforce of around 1,900 employees will be relocated to the new location.
DART Representative Reappointed
Former Richardson Mayor Gary Slagel was reappointed to represent Richardson on the Board of Directors for DART. He has also been appointed by the towns of Addison, Highland Park, and the City of University Park to represent these municipalities on the DART Board.
Congratulations to the Richardson Fire Department
The Richardson Fire Department has received the American Heart Association’s Mission Lifeline® EMS Silver Award. The award recognizes the Department’s commitment to the treatment and transportation of patients who suffer a severe heart attack known as a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction). The Richardson Fire Department responded to 291 chest pain calls in 2015. Of those calls, 16 were identified as STEMIs.
Mosquito Spraying Plans
In an effort to control the mosquito population the City plans additional spraying.
For the news on weekly spraying plans Click Here.
For more information on mosquito control Click Here.
Health and Wellness Expo
The Richardson Chamber of Commerce and the Methodist Richardson Medical Center will host a free Health and Wellness Expo Thursday, Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Richardson Civic Center.
Richardson Suspends Issuance of Red Light Camera Violation
The City of Richardson has suspended its red light camera photo enforcement program effective July 19. Visit www.cor.net/redlightcamera or call 972-744-4886 for more information.
