Archive for the 'Frisco Government' Category

Frisco City Council hears property tax increase, other proposals to fund 17 jobs frozen since January

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A property tax increase may be in the cards for Frisco residents after all.

The proposed budget for fiscal year 2010 released this month included no tax hike and several belt-tightening measures to get the city through these hard times. Among those measures was spending $1.8 million of the city’s fund balance.

But council members have since asked city staffers to provide more options so they could consider filling some jobs frozen this year or cutting its fund balance.

One option presented at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting would increase the tax rate by 1.5 cents. That 3.3 percent increase would bring the city’s property tax rate to 46.5 cents per $100 assessed valuation. On a home valued at $291,330, the city’s average, property taxes would go up $43.70, to $1,354.68.

The city is planning on no increases in sales tax revenues; a drop in the number of new homes and businesses being added to next year’s tax rolls; and a drop in commercial property valuations.

Frisco Real Estate

Frisco recently enacted and is enforcing an indoor smoking ban, but city leaders are considering granting an exception for a cigar bar.

The city was recently approached about the possibility of building a free-standing cigar bar in Frisco Square, the property bookended by City Hall and Pizza Hut Park.

“I’d like to think government is flexible and always look for ways to work with our local community and local businesses,” Mayor Maher Maso said.

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By ELIZABETH LANGTON / The Dallas Morning News
Frisco is projecting a $3 million gap in this year’s budget, prompting immediate spending cuts and a hiring freeze, officials said this week.
While the city’s property and sales tax revenues remain at or near projected ranges, earnings from building permits and interest are well below budgeted levels, Assistant City Manager Nell Lange said.

In response, city staff has been directed to cut 4 percent from each department’s budget and freeze 28 open jobs. The cuts will not require layoffs, Lange said.

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Frisco’s oldest park is about to get a facelift, but the final product is yet to be determined.

About 20 downtown Frisco residents gathered at the Parks and Recreation administration offices Monday night to discuss the fate of Youth Center Park, a 4-acre neighborhood park near Main Street and North County Road.

The park features a baseball field, a basketball court, playground area, and picnic tables, but two major amenities will soon be removed. Earlier this year the City Council voted to close the municipal pool, and the former community theater building is expected to be demolished early next year.
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By Ann Marie Shambaugh December 8, 2008

If there’s one issue that makes Frisco ISD Superintendent Rick Reedy toss and turn at night, it’s rezoning. At Monday night’s regular school board meeting, he got to face the issue twice.

Reedy said rezoning is the most difficult issue to handle because a large number of parents weigh in with different opinions about an emotionally-charged issue that affects students for years. In FISD, it’s an issue that must be addressed frequently.

The board approved a rezoning plan for Heritage High School that is slightly different than the plan proposed at last month’s meeting. The new option keeps all areas zoned for Ogle Elementary School at Liberty High School and most of Elliott Elementary at Heritage High School.

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The fall Chunk Your Junk will be held tomorrow, Saturday, November 15, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will be located at 6616 Walnut St.(north of Main

Street) Entry will be from southbound First Street only. Other entrances will be closed. For a map of the location - go online to www.friscotexas.gov/recycle and click on the orange ‘Chunk Your Junk’ logo.

The following items can be brought for safe disposal, recycling, or donation. In order to reduce idling time, the items are listed in the order which they can be unloaded at the event. Please load your vehicle accordingly.

* Documents for shredding

* Cardboard

* Metal and appliances*

* Yard waste, limbs, and untreated wood for mulching

* Fencing

* Styrofoam and other trash

* Household chemicals, paint, gasoline, oil, batteries, pesticides

* Computers, printers, cell phones, other e-waste

* Old clothes, furniture, books, etc. for donation

A free paper shredding service will be provided. A four box limit per household will be accepted, with sizes not to exceed 12″W x 15.5″ L x 10.5″ H. No commercial accounts will be accepted.

Because of time restraints, the line will be cut off at 11:30 a.m. to ensure all waiting residents are serviced. Large crowds are expected so please come early. A copy of resident’s most current Frisco water bill and driver’s license will be required for all household chemical disposal, electronic waste, and Freon extractions.

* There is a $40 Freon extraction fee applied to resident’s next utility bill for all appliances not tagged Freon-free.