[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6657849,"mediaKeyId","5065531-494b1e0bb23ddd12c488f52d8bd8d4a6","parentId",5065531,"title","City staff briefs council on dozens of 89th Texas Legislature bills that affect Richardson operations and budgets","audioSeconds",1020,"startMs",13980000,"endMs",15000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065531-494b1e0bb23ddd12c488f52d8bd8d4a6&start=13980&end=15000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065531-494b1e0bb23ddd12c488f52d8bd8d4a6/thumbnail_13980000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657849/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/City-staff-briefs-council-on-dozens-of-89th-Texas-Legislature-bills-that-affect-Richardson-operations-and-budgets","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657849-c3247b5044c369334d3e4dcf1239eb37/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437833&Signature=F90X2Ckb6L8CASlAQDCSPTDv0gDtWejorLysvL4a0quP-EUp12u2pztA1SH04cEEHvhPbbJVgZ1KphFoastN9jJgbTpLEeJHNucG9~61WOIjItKIIINbdXFYWmYLL1cDEe-X2G4nuHXSsfo0ULCP9oKfRxUP3ClsZS-PwupsWFlyrBVTNR0PsZ6i7iHI-Z4c9R~zMlD~KjeKKstYdN73QBHLiXfPplrlryoJe64mhYraRL4AcNpbIlTr1SIIAvRwu3geAuAqT3FD0J335G8mY5opXu6MFv04~nQxxyKTgfUpodddzUbijj6KduTb-gAhz-vN0AW~tMzPZsohJBIV2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richardson","date","2025-06-23T00:00:00Z","article","City staff delivered a broad briefing on June 16 summarizing bills from the 89th Texas Legislature that will affect Richardson’s operations, budgeting and regulatory authority. The review covered enacted measures that are immediately effective, those that take effect Sept. 1 and other changes that require local implementation work or coordination with state agencies.

Why this matters: Several bills change the fiscal and administrative landscape for municipalities — including altered revenue formulas, new audit deadlines, changes to open‑meetings notice and public‑records practice — and staff told council some items will affect the city’s budget development and operational procedures this year.

Key measures and local impacts (select items)
- HB 9 (business personal property exemption; constitutional referendum): HB 9 increases the taxable exemption for business personal property from $25,500 to $125,000 but is contingent on voter approval of a constitutional amendment (House Joint Resolution) on the November ballot; staff noted the effective date would be Jan. 1, 2026 if approved.
- SB 924 (cable franchise fee): The governor signed a change prohibiting municipalities from charging a franchise fee on certain cable/video services; staff forecast a revenue loss for Richardson of up to about $450,000 with a Sept. 1 effective date.
- SB 1173 (competitive bidding threshold): The competitive‑bidding threshold rises from $50,000 to $100,000; effective Sept. 1, 2025. Staff said purchasing processes must be updated.
- SB 1851 (annual audit timing): The bill requires annual financial audits to be submitted within 180 days of fiscal year end; local auditors and municipalities are under significant time pressure to meet the new deadline (effective Sept. 1, 2025). Staff said the city will consult its auditor and the audit committee about implementation.
- Open government and public notice: HB 1522 mandates three business days’ notice for public meetings (requiring agendas posted by 5 p.m. Tuesday for a Wednesday meeting); HB 4219 requires written notice to requesters when no public‑records documents exist; SB 1062 permits alternative methods for publishing required legal notices (digital notice options). Effective dates vary but many take effect Sept. 1, 2025.
- Land use and housing bills: A cluster of bills change local authority over certain residential and mixed‑use conversions and limits on occupancy rules for cities with universities (examples cited by staff: HB 24, SB 840, SB 2477). Staff warned these can alter the city’s tools for managing residential occupancy and local zoning in some contexts.

Council concerns and staff direction
- Council members expressed particular concern about SB 1851 (audit timing), which imposes a 180‑day requirement that will affect both audit firms and municipal staff. Staff said they will brief the city audit committee and coordinate with the current audit firm to confirm timing and resources.
- Staff flagged SB 1025 and other measures that change ballot language and tax notices and said they will work with legal counsel on interpretation.

Special session and next steps
- The governor announced a special session called for July 21 to consider bills he vetoed or sought further action on; staff said they will monitor the special session and assess any additional impacts.
- Staff recommended an implementation plan that includes legal review, updates to procurement and hybrid meeting/public‑records procedures, possible model ordinance changes and targeted director‑level workshops to ensure compliance ahead of effective dates.

Ending: The city will return to council with more detailed fiscal estimates where required, proposed ordinance or policy updates for council approval, and a timeline to meet new audit and open‑records requirements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richardson - City Council - Jun 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff outlined recent state laws and pending special‑session items with immediate compliance implications — from tax and audit changes to open‑meeting notice requirements and limits on local land‑use and regulatory authority.","taxTitle","Richardson, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2786,"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},6657853,"Council approves rezoning at Glenville and Greenville to allow 45‑foot office‑warehouse; vote 5‑1",3810,7320000,11130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065531-494b1e0bb23ddd12c488f52d8bd8d4a6&start=7320&end=11130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065531-494b1e0bb23ddd12c488f52d8bd8d4a6/thumbnail_7320000.jpg","/articles/6657853/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-approves-rezoning-at-Glenville-and-Greenville-to-allow-45foot-officewarehouse-vote-51","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657853-4b7378906d6b5dbedaca5e86ba6873ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437833&Signature=G59CmiAxQUaChRXgpVpox9vKCE8bm~kyVvNeaxzhiTio5lV8b7ZLUtYASx6jcQYe1079m8GHbkpoXHYRBbAw-cwxvCiC-3hEbmQTvueHtP~5b-swozx2WSLVB0xwGbnmOM3IjSV-p03rTFYqeuim43EhgPHjaEft6mdtvnOKt6g5~x~XllBfg5wi3TWJjuSqUgZhcvjbVIY3fH4Sh5XIYQFoNRNRsVIF176-24XdFBi6SBpCeY~IP6gkcaK-V3PQ2W9v2fvuUMG27hfTq4KMHNVR-wo6ccSJi3RndjCNTGstxW25nv1Fc96JaC5l6gQH0c6xLqiJGJ4kXWwZen4Yow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richardson City Council voted 5–1 on June 16 to rezone an 8.3‑acre property at the southeast corner of Greenville Avenue and Glenville Drive from I‑M‑1 (industrial) to a Planned Development (PD) tailored to the I‑M‑1 district, allowing a single‑story, 76,400‑square‑foot building with a 45‑foot parapet height and a truck court at the rear.

Why this matters: The site is currently improved with an older two‑story office building but is zoned industrial. The PD allows an office‑style exterior with warehouse functionality (mezzanine office, loading docks). Council members debated the design’s compatibility with the municipal campus vision, potential truck traffic, and long‑term land‑use consistency with Richardson’s comprehensive plan.

What the PD allows and what the developer proposes
- The PD amendment permits a single‑story building up to 45 feet tall at the highest parapet to provide internal clear height for warehouse uses; the zoning code’s by‑right single‑story height limit is typically 25 feet. Multiple‑story buildings can be taller under base industrial rules, so the PD is a specific adjustment to allow a taller single‑story profile with office‑style detailing.
- The concept plan shows a 76,400‑square‑foot speculative building set closer to the frontages, a truck court and 22 loading doors on the east (rear) elevation, preserved buffer landscaping at the north and west property lines, and enhanced screening: an earth berm and evergreen planting along Greenville and an eight‑foot masonry wall on the interior truck‑court side.
- Applicant Todd Marchessani said the project is intended as office‑flex/warehouse product that is scarce in Richardson. He and staff said the scheme is expected to produce higher taxable value than the existing building and that trip generation for the likely flex users would be substantially lower than for a fully occupied two‑story office building.

Council discussion
- Several council members asked whether permitting additional clear height would encourage heavy truck operations; staff and the applicant said the design and rent profile favor office‑oriented users that typically do not generate frequent tractor‑trailer traffic. The project retains existing street trees on the Greenville and Glenville frontages and removes a security fence that currently surrounds the older building.
- Council members asked for and received details on landscaping, sightlines and the relationship to the adjacent municipal campus, and whether the property’s regional employment place type in the city’s comprehensive plan remained consistent with the proposed use.

Vote and motion
- Motion to approve the PD: Council Member Dorian.
- Second: Council Member Corcoran.
- Vote: yes — Dorian, Corcoran, Justice, Schumpfel, Mayor Omar; no — Arifin Shamsul (recorded by name at time of vote). The motion passed 5–1.

Why proponents supported approval
- The applicant argued the building type is a modern office‑flex product that Richardson lacks, will yield higher taxable value than the current structure and can accommodate local employers wanting combined office and light warehouse or R&D functions.

What opponents and skeptics said
- The principal concern recorded in the public record and by council comments was truck traffic and whether the site would ever function as a heavy logistics/distribution operation. One council member said the site’s location would make a heavy trucking operation undesirable; another council member warned that a single tenant could use the full building and operate in a way that generates more truck trips than anticipated.

Implementation and conditions
- The approved PD includes the concept plan and building elevations presented to council, plus the screening and landscaping commitments shown on the concept drawings. Final engineering, building permits and any transportation/traffic mitigation will be handled in subsequent development review documents and permit submittals.

Ending: Staff noted the applicant will obtain demolition and building permits to move forward; council members asked staff to continue to monitor traffic and to ensure landscaping and screening promised in the PD are built as designed.","The council approved a Planned Development to allow a single‑story, 76,400‑square‑foot building up to 45 feet tall on an 8.3‑acre site at the southeast corner of Greenville Avenue and Glenville Drive. The motion passed 5–1; one council member opposed citing truck/industrial concerns.",{"_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},6657858,"Artist asked to refine city‑hall public art placement after mixed council reaction",1140,1980000,3120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065531-494b1e0bb23ddd12c488f52d8bd8d4a6&start=1980&end=3120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065531-494b1e0bb23ddd12c488f52d8bd8d4a6/thumbnail_1980000.jpg","/articles/6657858/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/Artist-asked-to-refine-cityhall-public-art-placement-after-mixed-council-reaction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657858-30dbf801e283172fcb6054ce0eb51ad3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437833&Signature=Jq3y89hkWlewi3ldJ3L2KsFlKYacmFuiGmRdL8RKxisO8j9VzisfXvXPXrtuTr5j~YOLgNNBxlFU1dGTvNh5XvGNHk14XUb6gud60emO-3irZZnj-EOr~gA33SPWteLuqfT9kKX9zzPZCgfISUn-7BlqXKcDXy21ppVq-DxycvWKJPdanNn-BY9t~GzzcaCY6pdTsLiqTkyOu82j54tMvR5r~JqrTT4rEbV5DxJ8UjBJSQWiI6eN4pDFhJWVLtZReyF0ZL-zr6nGfbcCLvLlcwzt0GQIbKFrKEiR8L6U7I5MTpJdDNesN4lhIywrmzFRvOzRx2uClgYJl6rii07Y1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Artist Mark Fornes presented two design options for the planned public artwork on Richardson’s municipal campus during the council meeting on June 16, then heard mixed reaction from council members who asked Fornes to return with alternate site renderings and material samples.

Why this matters: Council members want a memorable, resilient piece that enhances the civic plaza and the view between the new city hall council chamber and the library while avoiding maintenance or safety problems in Richardson’s Texas climate.

What the artist proposed
- Fornes showed an original “carousel”‑style canopy and a revised “music kiosk” canopy. Both are intended as place‑making canopies sited near the fountain between the library and new council chambers.
- The revised kiosk keeps a strong visual signal but shifts structural columns toward the canopy edge to preserve sightlines and increase transparency between the buildings. Fornes said the canopy would be made of powder‑coated aluminum, with a height around 24–26 feet and a diameter comparable to the fountain (about 53 feet).
- He described maintenance as routine rinsing rather than aggressive power‑washing and said lighter pigments (white/off‑white powder coat) were chosen to minimize heat gain and color fade.

Council reaction and next steps
- Several council members said the original carousel concept felt more iconic and asked whether the design could be placed elsewhere on the municipal campus so the campus composition and sightlines remain intact. Other members favored locating the piece aligned with the fountain and the council chambers to create a signature civic gathering space.
- Council asked Fornes to provide: (1) renderings of the favored designs in alternate locations on the municipal campus (including the adjacent lawn area), (2) material samples and maintenance information showing how the finished powder coating performs under Texas sun and whether surfaces become dangerously hot to the touch, and (3) nighttime lighting concepts (uplighting from recessed well lights rather than fixtures mounted on the structure).
- Staff said they will coordinate a follow‑up presentation; Fornes suggested a roughly one‑month timeline to return with refined renderings and samples.

Context and technical notes
- Fornes said his studio has installed similar powder‑coated aluminum canopies in other hot climates and can provide examples for the council to inspect. He said the canopy pieces are built as a “puzzle” of many mechanically joined aluminum parts, avoiding on‑site welding; that allows onsite assembly without heavy cranes.
- Fornes told the council the canopy decks are designed to be structurally engineered and stamped locally and that the project team used a white powder‑coat to reduce solar absorption and color fading.

Outcome: The council did not vote on a final design. The council directed the artist to return with alternate location renderings and material samples; staff will schedule the follow‑up briefing.","Sculptor Mark Fornes returned to present two concepts for a canopy‑style public artwork on the new municipal campus; councilmembers praised the designs but asked for alternate location renderings and material samples before picking a final option.",{"_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},6657863,"North Texas Municipal Water District outlines multi‑decade supply plan and presses for stronger conservation",1710,1080000,2790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065531-494b1e0bb23ddd12c488f52d8bd8d4a6&start=1080&end=2790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065531-494b1e0bb23ddd12c488f52d8bd8d4a6/thumbnail_1080000.jpg","/articles/6657863/Richardson/Dallas-County/Texas/North-Texas-Municipal-Water-District-outlines-multidecade-supply-plan-and-presses-for-stronger-conservation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657863-28fbd1634e6e9e366874bda1f61f5b80/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437833&Signature=WMZSi5JOkh7xE1qUPLL4mFG3w8l8BfsmHZ1UCZx41Iowjx~OkcKyn3flf5D8Sh6shj7NUO~1B2fQntCWPwEB8s9V4LVDkTVtNFsUuLma9R-N5TRF68NmUpvDZ0q9Bl4uT0i1iK7Itt38cPBdFfU2MBB7AG5HDf3xLoL-xPiPwGY1dAy3ikLymobhdp~PpOLCF8B19misQFBU0RSH6xlsFhDbrFhta94Pboh1lrWyddQ9jSufuHpoHSHwqGDzuppWbvlW6vgFOxVk667nH7VzweC3rg~poO2Y0aI2X3hWmjTSQvpsTRh9PjSsl5CzlD9SiIEGG1zXSJ7FBug~bTU8~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","North Texas Municipal Water District officials told the Richardson City Council on June 16 that rapid regional growth and unpredictable reservoir supplies mean the district will pursue a broad portfolio of new water sources while expanding conservation programs.

The briefing, delivered by Janet Covington and staff including Billy George (water supply planning), Jean Chipperfield (chief financial officer) and Alex Johnson (conservation), laid out short‑ and long‑term projects the district says are needed to maintain supply reliability as demand grows. The district said members should expect costs and rates to rise because capital investment to expand pipelines, treatment and reuse facilities is the primary driver of higher bills.

Why this matters: Richardson is a member of the wholesale district and pays for raw water and regional services through its wholesale contract. The district’s plan affects the city’s water budget and rate forecasts; council members pressed staff for more detail on near‑term supply, conservation returns and timelines for contingency projects.

District priorities and projects
- The district plans to devote “more than a billion dollars” to water infrastructure next year, Chipperfield said. Major near‑term projects named in the presentation include expansions at the Leonard Water Treatment Plant, pipelines to bring more Lake Texoma water to Leonard, a final plant expansion at the Wylie complex, a new raw water intake at Lake Lavon and the new Sister Grove regional water‑recovery facility intended to increase water reuse.
- Longer‑term options under study include groundwater development, regional reuse partnerships, connection to Lake of the Pines supplies, desalination of Lake Texoma (50 million gallons per day capacity identified as a feasible backup), aquifer storage and recovery, and potential transfers from distant reservoirs. George said Lake Texoma desalination is a viable fallback because the district holds a permit for brine discharge; he estimated it would take about five years from start of engineering to come online.
- The district is restarting its long‑range, scenario‑based water supply plan this fiscal year; it said the plan will re‑test assumptions on growth, drought risk and the cost and timing of each strategy.

Conservation and near‑term demand management
- Alex Johnson said conservation remains a major supply tool. The district estimates regional conservation currently saves roughly 96 million gallons per day — “more than the firm yield of a (Lake) Bodark” — and projects larger conservation savings by mid‑century.
- The district has launched pilots it described as near‑term actions: outreach and efficiency evaluations for homeowners associations, an irrigation evaluation pilot available to residents (Richardson was the first participating city), and the Water My Yard weekly watering advice program. District staff reported Richardson has completed 162 irrigation evaluations with a modeled minimum weekly savings of about 331,000 gallons (roughly 9.94 million gallons per year assuming a 30‑week watering season), noting not all suggested measures will be adopted.

Finance and rate impacts
- Chipperfield described a 10‑year financial outlook for the district’s systems and said capital investment is the principal rate driver. She noted anticipated borrowing, use of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) subsidized financing and an expectation the district will apply for TWDB funding to reduce lifetime interest costs. The district estimated these subsidized loans can save “about $115 million” over a loan life for projects where they are used.
- District staff told council members that, even as Richardson lowers its required wholesale minimum purchases over an eight‑year transition, wholesale costs are expected to rise. A staff exchange noted Richardson’s water obligation methodology change will lower comparative cost for the city over the long run but not eliminate near‑term increases tied to capital and inflation.

Questions from council and district responses
- Council members pressed on on‑site recycling/gray‑water approaches, groundwater development in East Texas, timing for Lake Texoma desalination and whether conservation incentives or rebates would be offered. District staff said reuse/constructed wetlands (including a 2,000‑acre constructed wetland project that returns treated water to Lavon Lake) is already in use and being expanded; the district will evaluate additional technologies in its water reuse master plan.
- On groundwater, Billy George said East Texas aquifers contain substantial volume but stressed the need for data, local agreements and groundwater district mitigation to address impacts to existing wells; he argued win‑win, regional partnerships are possible. On desalination, staff said preliminary permitting work is already complete and the limiting factor is timing and when construction would be prudent.

What the district asked of members
- District leaders asked member cities to stay engaged in planning and, when needed, participate in regional projects and advocacy to secure supplies and funding. They reiterated that conservation, together with a diverse portfolio of supplies, is the most cost‑effective path to meet future demand.

Outlook and next steps
- The district will complete its long‑range supply plan refresh, continue engineering on near‑term projects and pursue state financing where feasible. Council members asked district staff to return with more detailed short‑term timelines, a clearer picture of wastewater planning that affects regional reuse, and quantification of return‑on‑investment for conservation programs and leak‑detection reductions.

Ending note: City and district staff agreed to continue coordination as Richardson moves into its own budget work this summer; the district said it will provide more granular financial and operational data to help the city evaluate rate and budget impacts.","District staff briefed Richardson council on a portfolio of new and expanded supplies, a $1+ billion next‑year capital program and conservation programs that officials say are required to limit future rate increases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff briefs council on dozens of 89th Texas Legislature bills that affect Richardson operations and budgets

Council approves rezoning at Glenville and Greenville to allow 45‑foot office‑warehouse; vote 5‑1

Artist asked to refine city‑hall public art placement after mixed council reaction

North Texas Municipal Water District outlines multi‑decade supply plan and presses for stronger conservation