[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6605312,"mediaKeyId","2987071-5c8491eea248dcd68c2cea750c66477d","parentId",2987071,"title","DeSoto updates aquatics center, trails and parks initiatives; $55 million construction, March 2026 target and naming‑rights RFP discussed","audioSeconds",211,"startMs",3539000,"endMs",3750000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987071-5c8491eea248dcd68c2cea750c66477d&start=3539&end=3750","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987071-5c8491eea248dcd68c2cea750c66477d/thumbnail_3539000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605312/DeSoto/Dallas-County/Texas/DeSoto-updates-aquatics-center-trails-and-parks-initiatives-55-million-construction-March-2026-target-and-namingrights-RFP-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605312-6d6fd562db9474911ae4a3c1101f4fcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143088&Signature=R1rwxcufnc-vSU7rluLYEcfdi8OmaEdFrznZbhpLhDNMIrb0VsDyNd9S9gAQ3baKey9KNycZwX8if8uev~HjSwfLiaI8T7OTHFQbUPoEo6x0c162TeWWP2C1ZFs0uVz7vRZ~NFpltlKW2ufL8JqqIAuB35OBlDY8zqmVwbQyojBsduxgneDK89WofWIykvKU1g-WvSV21dpIkzWLMiBf9OO0z2UjXWLddj6z6HcHtu94txi3da3XfQLLd0RG7dn9sEz5iRqB~xVU~Dbhmm2RWw8zXVKm1eGQ0mZRK6oHO9PBowIFsIQTMpFZt5j~XNQnC0531Qu1l59ysV0DV1ebBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","DeSoto","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","Parks Director Chris Glover updated the City Council on April 14 on the status of the city’s aquatics and natatorium project, the trails master plan and several parks initiatives including business engagement and a proposed parks foundation.

Glover said the aquatics and natatorium project is on schedule for substantial completion in December 2025 and a planned public opening in March 2026. Construction cost is $55,000,000 under a guaranteed maximum price, he said. The project’s feasibility study estimates annual operating costs near $3,000,000; Glover told council the city will pursue revenue offsets and explore issuing an RFP to test private operational proposals.

On fundraising and naming rights, Glover said the city previously issued an RFP and received responses but paused because the terms were not favorable; he said staff will reissue a request seeking a firm to pursue philanthropic and naming opportunities. He told council there are conversations with potential corporate partners and said the city had discussed models ranging from more modest naming rights to deeper partner relationships that could include facility operations.

Glover also presented an update on trails and a planned loop around the city. He reported the city currently has about 14.85 miles of existing trails and has identified approximately 13.3 miles of additional segments that would complete a loop. The city has submitted a TxDOT grant application and will, if awarded, need to use some local funds for design, environmental work and right‑of‑way work to move quickly under the grant’s reimbursement schedule. Glover said the city plans to combine some grant phases into a single application to meet project caps.

Other parks items included a spring cleanup tied to the Keep DeSoto Beautiful program, an effort to create a 501(c)(3) parks foundation to make charitable contributions tax‑deductible for donors, and a business‑engagement “Business Buzz” concept to show local companies how events and tournaments drive patronage. Glover said the department plans to use third‑party data to demonstrate value to prospective business contributors.

Ending: Council asked for expedited issuance of the naming‑rights RFP and for more detail on operating cost assumptions; no contract awards or budget changes were approved at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DeSoto - City Council Special Meeting - Apr 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Parks Director Chris Glover told the council April 14 that the aquatics and natatorium project is on track for substantial completion in December 2025 and an opening expected in March 2026, with construction cost budgeted at $55 million.","taxTitle","DeSoto, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",4572,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605325,"DeSoto police: reported crimes down 8.4% year‑to‑date; ShotSpotter, gunshot reporting and neighborhood watch get push",4008,942000,4950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987071-5c8491eea248dcd68c2cea750c66477d&start=942&end=4950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987071-5c8491eea248dcd68c2cea750c66477d/thumbnail_942000.jpg","/articles/6605325/DeSoto/Dallas-County/Texas/DeSoto-police-reported-crimes-down-84-yeartodate-ShotSpotter-gunshot-reporting-and-neighborhood-watch-get-push","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605325-e5d8a1797a6019dd40e97a56b1b6236a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143088&Signature=FrtPH4tvIFsT1EsVuFCww0EQfw~poeGuzqQAmarhgqoQusoWoSCcFZbO-IUWTjIdmKRsG~UWzLIKRkkS17n1P~NUB8pa12t~BSaPz8eKyGiB72AsVcj~NcQuH8MDa149Ahe1Famvy9B5XKkKIpQ~KC~f9dnx7m~0gWWF~yEdBS6kw3vrnSH5Ho5EpnX86kXXy-99w7aRuYyOgdDjrn6Solm-b0750Cd9-iBlHrQgGqR8tB7uUNEiQseggmXhc4Koo4Ebq6Ghk-JbOfOcZv6Iixhdqhuu9FsYt98EIKE7IpijZapy2Nh~iht~RmimDTbqmfKsoMudhpwpyk5yk4fnVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police Chief Joe Costa told the DeSoto City Council on April 14 that the department’s crime report for January through March 2025 showed 392 incidents so far this year, down from 422 in the same period in 2024. “So we’ve gone down, 8.4%,” Costa said during the quarterly presentation.

The chief said three of the city’s four policing districts showed declines; District 4 was the only district with an increase, up by about 14 incidents. Costa walked council members through the department’s process for documenting gunshot calls, noting that all calls for service are recorded and that calls may later be ruled fireworks or vehicle backfires if investigators find no evidence of gunfire. He also described how ShotSpotter — the city’s acoustic gunshot detection system — is used to verify gunfire and prompt rapid dispatch when the system registers a real event.

Council members raised multiple questions about how “gunshot” calls are labeled and tracked. Councilwoman Nicole Rafael asked whether loud noises reported by residents always appear as crimes in the statistics. Costa replied that calls without witnesses or physical evidence often cannot be charged as crimes: “If we don’t catch anybody because we don’t have anybody to charge … there’s no crime, if you will.” He said the department will pull camera footage when available and use ShotSpotter data to focus investigations.

Several council members asked for greater visibility of the underlying call data — not only confirmed crimes — so residents can see what types of calls dispatch receives. Costa said dispatch documents all calls for service and that the department keeps track of gunshot calls even when they are not ultimately classified as crimes.

The presentation also included an update on the department’s neighborhood crime watch outreach. The police said they held a town hall and are working with community groups to restart and strengthen neighborhood watch programs. The department has produced a printed crime prevention booklet and a separate coloring booklet aimed at youth. Staff asked council members to invite officers to neighborhood meetings and offered to supply starter materials, signs and a “watch box” of resources for groups that want to organize a watch quickly.

Officers said small groups of neighbors — as few as four or five households — can form an effective watch and that the program will use Nextdoor and other local platforms to recruit participants. The department also said it will produce a clearer “how to start” packet so neighborhood leaders leave meetings with a step‑by‑step checklist and the contact information they need to connect with police.

Council members and staff agreed to continue reporting crime statistics publicly and to explore additional ways to present call‑for‑service data so that residents can better compare perception and recorded incidents.

Ending: The council did not take formal action on the crime statistics; Costa’s slides and the conversation were presented for information and follow‑up.","Police Chief Joe Costa told the DeSoto City Council on April 14 that the department’s crime report for January through March 2025 showed 392 incidents so far this year, down from 422 in the same period in 2024.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605307,"DeSoto staff: peaceful demonstrations do not require a special‑event permit; council asks staff to clarify web guidance",284,4991000,5275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987071-5c8491eea248dcd68c2cea750c66477d&start=4991&end=5275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987071-5c8491eea248dcd68c2cea750c66477d/thumbnail_4991000.jpg","/articles/6605307/DeSoto/Dallas-County/Texas/DeSoto-staff-peaceful-demonstrations-do-not-require-a-specialevent-permit-council-asks-staff-to-clarify-web-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605307-b8dae808c60c7ebfe4aa90b1a92b7086/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143088&Signature=DwW5HaV0TjEOnVA9j-CG3Iw-QPcz5U1TEdQBvRvwkeuojFIUeATFaBISX8vVnEUolKr~kr654ldg9Qjic-I-RGUwHsM9WGpY7uir53Mqh051PLLi7Ci~htZdKaf6sxVzKIeryTXrjjnkRo72Lok13YRCD2QcluLYM53gs03-CCo5PhvqNoYyXjs6dfl-oM0nbFzJ-KIZC7EkdFbJdjljMY-mxx1QigdZ5QLqVf~kPBiTyaDqWb-Ppqvrn9njzKJF3dYbFx2Tt-329zYrbgiTHnyTSWik4w~4t6PG5zwgVIMzIrtyWLpngsisUqEJqSlVb-4fmQHd04uvdjgD9tdtyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police Chief Joe Costa briefed the council April 14 on how the city’s existing code treats planned and unplanned protests. Costa reviewed the city code language for special events and assemblies and told council that a “peaceful demonstration at a fixed location” is exempt from the city’s special‑event permit requirement.

Costa reviewed the code definitions that govern special events and assemblies and noted that unlawful assemblies, disorderly conduct and other violations remain enforceable. “Planned or unplanned, we don’t have a special permit if it’s going to be a peaceful presentation,” Costa said, adding that the department will reach out to organizers when it becomes aware of an event to discuss safety and public‑safety coordination.

Council members asked staff to draft clearer explanatory language for the city website and a short Q&A that explains: whether and when a permit is required, how to notify the city, steps organizers should take if they expect to use public rights‑of‑way or request street closures, and how the department distinguishes lawful demonstrations from unlawful assemblages. Several council members stressed that the goal is to make the process transparent and to avoid imposing a permit requirement that would interfere with First Amendment rights.

Chief Costa said the department will continue to engage organizers proactively when it becomes aware of events and will work with the city manager and code services to post clearer guidance for residents on the city website.

Ending: Council did not adopt any ordinance changes at the meeting; staff were directed to prepare plain‑language website guidance and a frequently asked questions page about demonstrations and special events.","Police Chief Joe Costa told council the city’s code exempts peaceful demonstrations at fixed locations from the special‑event permit requirement, but council members asked staff to add clearer web guidance and a plain‑language FAQ so residents know how to notify the city and when a permit or public‑safety coordination is advisable.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605315,"DeSoto financial report: general fund tracking near expectations; HUB spending and school resource reimbursements draw council questions",976,1684000,2660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987071-5c8491eea248dcd68c2cea750c66477d&start=1684&end=2660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987071-5c8491eea248dcd68c2cea750c66477d/thumbnail_1684000.jpg","/articles/6605315/DeSoto/Dallas-County/Texas/DeSoto-financial-report-general-fund-tracking-near-expectations-HUB-spending-and-school-resource-reimbursements-draw-council-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605315-9d23b2fd607c3b87471e29c1b87052ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143088&Signature=OX8Qr2XE9ofOeSphb9g1TjScNwzAK9k9mi6m1DaOYw75LmSO4L1hVcntCLpHAO4PVmoONuR4OBEYF7wolO1aBIXRgjKd5~D4B0pK7FyqDPglOOFiSGQCSHFJ2c~W4liwSJMrUIoXElHfTXFHNxs9MCcYjibhD8Pbkly3x9koNgCBNRv1mOHrksKLiPT9BPUD6Zu2lM93gYFndemEkmFnO5xQXgzWuBLsc54X~YhQZmdiB7Fo53GQkULdzhSMROQASzd-WBVqP-w2PHbJqhgK8H9Q6YOsxM0uWBkYn1w5JYCHBsX9~ZApL6RoxaOaATt6zcvQdyRT~ZuOgK~Hs~STyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 14 special meeting, Assistant Finance Director Lakita Sutton presented the city’s March 2025 monthly financial report and answered council questions about several revenue and expense lines, the HUB‑spend goal and reimbursements that offset departmental overtime.

Sutton said the general fund budget for fiscal 2025 is $64,294,000 and reported year‑to‑date general fund revenue of $46,934,268, or roughly 73% of budget at the March reporting date. She said general fund expenditures were at about 42.6% of the budget ($27,229,000 spent year‑to‑date), roughly in line with expectations for midway through the fiscal year. “So we’re right on track with where we expect to be,” she said.

Sutton reviewed key enterprise‑fund figures: meter/water sales and sewer revenues together produced about $14,218,000 year‑to‑date; sanitation revenue year‑to‑date was about $3,500,000 against a $7,300,000 budget. She said overall property‑tax collections were at roughly 96% for the season, which she called normal for the period.

Council members pressed staff on the city’s HUB (Historically Underutilized Businesses) reporting. Sutton showed a hub report indicating a March month figure of 17.2% and year‑to‑date HUB spending details; she and councilmembers discussed whether the city should create a more visible HUB page on the city website and whether additional outreach or a target adjustment is appropriate. Council members said the city’s 20% HUB goal is under active review and that a work session will consider whether the target is realistic for DeSoto’s project mix.

Council members also asked about police overtime and reimbursements for school resource officers (SROs). Sutton said the general fund intergovernmental revenues include $249,000 received year‑to‑date from SRO reimbursements, and the city manager noted reimbursements previously reported of $249,000 had reduced net overtime exposure. Staff said they would add a clearer breakdown to future financial packets or slides to make those reimbursements easier for council and the public to find.

Councilmembers asked for additional information on sales‑tax trends and a breakdown of investment balances by fund after noticing a decline in interest revenue tied to recent Federal Reserve rate reductions; staff agreed to prepare a fund‑level investment summary for council.

Ending: The council requested clearer, more prominent online presentation of HUB and intergovernmental reimbursement figures and asked staff to return with additional fund‑level investment and revenue trend detail; no budget amendments were adopted at the meeting.","Assistant Finance Director Lakita Sutton presented the March 2025 monthly financials showing general fund revenue at about 73% of budget year‑to‑date, expenditures near expected pacing, and continued discussion about HUB program percentages and how school resource officer reimbursements are displayed.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6605320,"DeSoto police plan community crisis response team; care‑team grant funding extended while pilot is developed",286,5854000,6140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987071-5c8491eea248dcd68c2cea750c66477d&start=5854&end=6140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987071-5c8491eea248dcd68c2cea750c66477d/thumbnail_5854000.jpg","/articles/6605320/DeSoto/Dallas-County/Texas/DeSoto-police-plan-community-crisis-response-team-careteam-grant-funding-extended-while-pilot-is-developed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605320-ed39de2876bf0829ecab1aa8061b2c4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143088&Signature=YRh3yl6HmbTQyfdA~zMJld8RppMPrvrx-CK9ZbzgA-icS1lOHUvkcTZXiLoMYgQnkPE8gyQ6xJ5rK6Zac6dONMGF14uO8~5~4OoeHq401kbRZRFLrtkDIX4vAehRYOV4W8XKY7renfEcaBrLgLW6nG7RbWy9PFVoPvu7aCgw24I1otSEL-4LY-Z28yfBKJXLHXIX414KkzYteww~FtajB8fut6BDa4OpW4WlwYzOmB60dVPJ--KhM469XEP5JhJx13f1IShf4ThVd8NEkZzD7bvWBGKQd9IqHtZMd-ko1f-j8bT3evCSVRd4qysfEeqjPwrAcueVVWJbfClZqHiHFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 14 special meeting the DeSoto Police Department described plans to expand its existing care‑team services — which provide pre‑ and post‑crisis outreach — into a community crisis response capability that would respond while a person is actively in crisis.

Sergeant Warren Summers, identified in the meeting as the regional care‑team coordinator, said the department completed a needs assessment with partner cities and has drafted a framework for a crisis response team. Summers listed three early goals the department set in January: add geriatric services to the care team, strengthen victim advocacy (including human‑trafficking intervention), and expand juvenile truancy and behavioral‑health services.

Summers said most current staff functions exist within the department but that the pilot would likely need one to two additional staff positions and non‑labor startup funding. He presented a non‑labor start‑up range of approximately $548,000 to $591,000 as a planning figure; Summers and city staff emphasized those are draft estimates that will be refined. The department said it already has $226,000 in county funds originally available through April 2025 and reported the city successfully negotiated an extension of that grant to May 2026 while it develops the pilot.

Council members asked for clarity on whether the model would include clinicians at dispatch and how the crisis‑response unit would interact with 911. Chief Joe Costa and staff said the intent is to develop triage criteria so dispatch can route appropriate calls to a clinician or a specialized response instead of defaulting to a standard armed patrol response. City staff said they would return with a specific plan and budget proposals for council review; the department said it is open to adding a paramedic or other partners depending on the final model.

The department also noted homeless support and other social‑services partnerships would be integrated with the crisis team’s work. Summers and police leaders said they will continue to seek grant funding and to present a refined plan and cost estimate to the city manager and council for possible inclusion in the next budget cycle.

Ending: Staff said they will present a formal framework and refined budget to the city manager and council for consideration; no formal appropriation or staffing decision was made at the meeting.","Sergeant Warren Summers and police staff outlined plans to expand the department’s care team into a community crisis response pilot that would respond while people are in crisis. The department has extended existing county grant funds and is developing a budget and framework for a pilot that could require additional non‑labor startup funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DeSoto updates aquatics center, trails and parks initiatives; $55 million construction, March 2026 target and naming‑rights RFP discussed

DeSoto police: reported crimes down 8.4% year‑to‑date; ShotSpotter, gunshot reporting and neighborhood watch get push

DeSoto staff: peaceful demonstrations do not require a special‑event permit; council asks staff to clarify web guidance

DeSoto financial report: general fund tracking near expectations; HUB spending and school resource reimbursements draw council questions

DeSoto police plan community crisis response team; care‑team grant funding extended while pilot is developed