October 2015
Budget Approved
The City Council approved the 2015-2016 fiscal year budget and property tax rate. The current property tax rate of $0.63516 per $100 valuation does not change in the proposed budget for the next fiscal year. The proposed municipal budget, which totals $232,217,969, represents an increase of $13,469,384, or 6.2 percent from the 2014-15 estimated expenditures. An increase of 8 percent for water customers is also part of the proposed budget to cover an 11.2 percent rate increase from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD). Information on the 015-16 budget at: http://cor.net/budget
Election Update
The Coalition is studying the bond and charter provisions that will appear on the ballot in the November election. A recommendation will be made before the commencement of early voting.
Information on the bond election is available at:http://www.cor.net/bondelection
Free copies of the City’s eight-page guide to the Nov. 3 Charter Amendment Election are now available in racks at five locations (as well as online at www.cor.net/charterelection):
- City Hall/Civic Center, 411 W. Arapaho Rd.
- Richardson Public Library, 900 Civic Center Dr.
- Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd.
- Huffhines Recreation Center, 200 N. Plano Rd.
- Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd.
RISD Update
Richardson Independent School District (RISD) purchased 43 acres of property located on the north side of Walnut Street between Greenville Avenue and Abrams Road in 2001. The City Council has approved a change in zoning from office and residential to planned development at this site to increase the minimum building height. RISD plans to move its operations center from the current Administration Building to this property. Information at:www.risd.org/Group/DistrictNews/Proposed_Operations_Center.html
Highway Improvements
TxDOT will make US-75 frontage road improvements that will add right turning bays at: President George Bush Turnpike frontage road, Glenville Drive, Lookout Drive, TI Blvd/Fossil Driveway and Fall Creek Drive. It will also increase the turning radius at Municipal Drive, Collins Blvd., Monte Blaine Lane, Dumont Drive, Jackson Street, Melrose Drive and Gateway Blvd. The project will cost $4.1M, with Richardson paying $0.22M. Construction is anticipated to begin in November 2015.
Favorable Housing Report
WalletHub.com, a personal finance information resource, recently named Richardson the ninth Healthiest Housing Market. The study compared 300 cities nationwide, including several in Texas, including Frisco, Plano, Allen and McKinney.
Meals for Needy Kids
Compassionate Richardson, a collective of the Richardson Interfaith Alliance and Helping Agencies Serving Richardson, partnered with Compassionate DFW, the International Compassion Games, and Feeding Children Everywhere to package 20,160 healthy meals for hungry children around the world. More than 120 volunteers on two shifts measured and packaged lentils, rice, dehydrated vegetables and salt to make a meal that requires only water to make.
Corporate Challenge Update
Corporate Challenge kicked off in August, with the opening ceremony at Galatyn Station. The closing ceremony and the team cake contest will be held at the Richardson Civic Center on October 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. More information at: www.cor.net/cc
“One Book” Program
We Are Called to Rise by Laura McBride was this year’s selection for the Richardson Reads One Book program. The author lectured at Richardson High School on September 15. The mission of the Richardson Reads One Book program is to promote and support reading, and to develop aesthetic, cultural, educational and related activities for the benefit of participating residents of the Richardson/RISD area. More information at: http://onebook.cor.net/
Neighborhood Block Party for Crime Prevention
National Night Out will be October 6 at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of this program is to heighten crime prevention awareness, strengthen police-community partnerships, and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Register your neighborhood block party online or by calling the Crime Prevention unit at 972-744-4955. Officers will be visiting parties and collecting canned food donations. Information at: www.cor.net/index.aspx?page=1327
Arts Festivals
Cottonwood
Cottonwood Art Festival will be Saturday, October 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Cottonwood Park on West Beltline Road just east of Coit. Parking and admissions are free and the event is open to the public. Museum-quality art work done by 240 artists will be on display and are available for purchase. Top local bands will also perform near the courtyard by the lake. More information at: www.cottonwoodartfestival.com
Huffhines
Huffhines Art Trails will be Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Huffhines Park on Apollo at North Plano Road between E. Beltline and E. Arapaho. This free event was created to provide local artists and craftsmen a venue to promote and sell their work. Front Porch Stage will feature local musicians and dance groups. Kids’ activities will include a scavenger hunt and pumpkin decorating contest. More information at: www.huffhinesarttrails.com.
