[{"_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",6171987,"mediaKeyId","5393213-4b7e82a735948bf94c1ecbb6a082e184","parentId",5393213,"title","City manager outlines Farmers Branch proposed balanced budget; council backs higher merit cap and asks for senior water-bill protections","audioSeconds",1945,"startMs",3898000,"endMs",5843000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393213-4b7e82a735948bf94c1ecbb6a082e184&start=3898&end=5843","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393213-4b7e82a735948bf94c1ecbb6a082e184/thumbnail_3898000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6171987/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/City-manager-outlines-Farmers-Branch-proposed-balanced-budget-council-backs-higher-merit-cap-and-asks-for-senior-water-bill-protections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171987-3cb385b33d18cd99c52cfae25a9cc2ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1775141443&Signature=nwPyHpIUHikUeC3XmJDdOsxLHbr1nHJc-vSnsvou32XV06slFSUGW2I1yrhHadq0U0jLj0DeDCGBTupcg-LxOygb~FJ0nxmF163NNdTpPrg181xAQ1LsHA3P9Y7gnL2pPUMCcw1zU8oNW~L4r-iUqp2lWY5CW9J89cNSQavzd2-sXQlVjaP7ggbQMLCBN37GtAgpKD8Z1Snafm74-mTVve74iqyfi8s4TwJ6AO8-uNCKMlB5MJDdYBPxutBeeh8Pg66nyRSqGEt2gki1r1yJNoKEwEEGPee52Nv4hzGXpcv-yoDLVbwdf5RZYLwYyQ7NRFNsJyjLvA9BZNfQlidSOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Framers Branch TX","date","2025-07-08T01:35:25Z","article","Ben Williamson, city manager, presented the proposed balanced fiscal-year 2025–26 budget to the Farmers Branch City Council on July 15, framing priorities as public safety, infrastructure, economic development and neighborhoods and asking the council for feedback before staff finalizes the proposal.

\"What we're looking for is feedback on the budget and to make sure we're not missing any of the council priorities,\" Williamson said. He described a timetable tied to certification of property tax rules by the appraisal district (DCAD) around July 25 and noted staff would return with a full proposed budget in late July.

Major items highlighted included a plan to add public-safety positions, a facilities assessment, a four-year fleet-replacement approach, expanded street lighting and investments in traffic management. Williamson presented a five-year path for water and wastewater rates that aims to bring rates into market alignment and provide $15 million or more annually for infrastructure replacement; staff said the approach would protect a target water/wastewater fund balance of about $4 million while allowing aggressive capital work.

On compensation, Williamson proposed step adjustments for public safety and a 2% market/merit cap for non-step employees; several councilmembers asked for a higher cap. Councilman Rowland urged a 3% merit cap, citing staff workload and retention: \"I want to make sure that they feel appreciated. And I think if I'm putting myself in their shoes, the best way that I feel appreciated is a little bit more money in their pockets.\" Williamson said the cost difference between 2% and 3% was manageable and estimated a $300,000–$400,000 budget impact.

Council members also discussed specific budget-line items. Several asked for details on insurance and benefits (Williamson said two-year insurance rates had been locked in by council for 2024–25 and that the next procurement would occur in early 2026). Members requested more detail on a proposed $150,000 facilities assessment and a $100,000 placeholder for blockchain/AI evaluation; Williamson said the outside assessments were intended to provide neutral, third-party analysis and to evaluate customer-service and records-access efficiency.

On water-rate equity, Williamson proposed a potential low-income/senior credit structure tied to property-market value instead of income verification. He said staff would propose a criterion based on homes within 5% of the city median value and would consider including disabled residents in eligibility: \"The way we've aligned certain programs is we look at the value of the property and we take it at market median at 5%.\" Council members asked that any assistance be automatic where possible to reduce administrative burden.

Council also discussed using hotel-motel funds for a performance-based sponsorship for the Firehouse Theatre (staff said the sponsorship would be contract-based and in addition to a $20,000 facility-use credit already provided). On fees, staff proposed higher vacant-structure fees and adjustments to fire-inspection fees to better reflect square footage and to encourage remediation.

By the end of the presentation, council members generally signaled support for the identified priorities and for pushing the merit cap to 3% provided the manager demonstrates budget alignment. Williamson said staff would bake that direction into the final proposed budget and return with the complete document and supporting spreadsheets for formal action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Study Session July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ben Williamson, city manager, presented the proposed balanced FY2025–26 budget to Farmers Branch City Council, highlighting public safety staffing, infrastructure investment and a five-year plan for water/wastewater rate increases.","taxTitle","Farmers Branch, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",56808,"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},6171992,"Council narrows direction on 22 city-owned residential lots; majority favor Builders of Hope partnership",797,1220000,2017000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393213-4b7e82a735948bf94c1ecbb6a082e184&start=1220&end=2017","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393213-4b7e82a735948bf94c1ecbb6a082e184/thumbnail_1220000.jpg","/articles/6171992/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-narrows-direction-on-22-city-owned-residential-lots-majority-favor-Builders-of-Hope-partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171992-1cc414e2a7cfa04c5d0ee48733fdd9d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775141443&Signature=mslvFbhTTy7TAYWmGVqddAo6o1INYlKYl~w9pMQNgQP9JnRm5QAQXplQpGsxU78RRuFtSQCYMqKmgRC8Os4zENkdmtHi3ya7ytuB7ztGY8iTK5EZbiOa-BZt~feVgjJzt0i4qXNwNB7-cUGcyXbmfFdSIviJyMGuNOsbPZuMgocyaY5gnyKJubqDowFzxYOLjrOstxu-zNXdD-JBeWbF1ETGkQGUylRfJ-GjjzaqeE-jp44M86qn4iOp1fRDc9ygRz~AYrBNxDS1-3pWHqOTvckARExAPS9Xm1eSydqfYp9yk8a2fhHD9aQAZfO2tsuBoF5ANS2oFgomjJ5o0SXkzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Megan Holloway, economic development manager, briefed the Farmers Branch City Council on July 15 about the city’s housing redevelopment program and 22 city-owned lots that were acquired for demolition and rebuild initiatives. She described the program’s history and presented three disposition possibilities: transfer to a community developer, list on the open market, or a combination of the two.

Holloway said the program was created in 1999 to acquire older homes for demolition and resale, that the council approved a $4 million bond for neighborhood revitalization in 2017, and that the city has worked with Builders of Hope since 2019 to deliver attainable homes. \"We have 22 lots. On the map, you'll see the 22 lots are indicated by a gold star,\" Holloway said.

Council members debated competing goals: preserving neighborhood integrity, preventing displacement and fiscal stewardship. Councilwoman Roman argued for selling lots in District 1 to Builders of Hope to match neighborhood character: \"I think it makes sense to certainly continue down the path of, partnering with them and, selling the lots over to them so that they can develop, at least the ones in my district.\" Councilwoman Bennett said three Hartside lots in her district should be placed on the open market because local redevelopment already exceeds what she considers appropriate. Councilman Reid and others recommended a mix; Reid suggested a 10/10 split and limits on construction pacing: \"we can... sell the properties to Builders of Hope, but put a restriction in there that they're only allowed to build 10 at a time so that it doesn't infuse too many in the market at the same time.\"

City staff and Ben Williamson, city manager, clarified program interactions with the Dallas County Housing Replacement Program. Williamson explained the county program is separate and that about five homeowners are moving through that program; most are expected to remain in place rather than swap into city-owned lots: \"Most are not taking advantage of the opportunity to use 1 of the empty lots.\" Staff said the long-term goal is to exit city ownership of residential lots and gave council options for how the sales would be structured and priced.

Council discussion also covered financial history and pricing. Councilmembers asked for a clear accounting of acquisition costs and current assessed values before final sale decisions. A spreadsheet cited by staff showed $14.2 million spent since inception and approximately $8 million recovered to date; staff said they will return with detailed lot-by-lot cost and assessed-value comparisons and a tiered pricing approach for Builders of Hope offers.

While several council members expressed differing preferences, the majority indicated support for transferring most lots to Builders of Hope with a building-cap pace (example: no more than ten active builds at once) and placing a small number of lots on the open market where appropriate. Staff will return with the mechanics—sale price calculations, a tiered acquisition formula, and timing—before formal actions are taken.

No formal vote was recorded; council provided policy direction and requested additional financial detail and draft contract terms for future agenda consideration.","Farmers Branch council discussed options for 22 city-owned residential lots, heard staff recommendations and multiple council views, and gave direction favoring sale of most lots to Builders of Hope with phased construction limits and a small number of lots to be considered for open-market sale or the Dallas County Housing Replacement Program.",{"_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},6171997,"Farmers Branch staff seek council direction on hosting 2025 Pickleball World Championships",270,630000,900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393213-4b7e82a735948bf94c1ecbb6a082e184&start=630&end=900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393213-4b7e82a735948bf94c1ecbb6a082e184/thumbnail_630000.jpg","/articles/6171997/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Farmers-Branch-staff-seek-council-direction-on-hosting-2025-Pickleball-World-Championships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171997-f4ed9578b32abb98e540da1a0dcdf8d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775141443&Signature=issNkoMhvGym3vOT5bO-uAsWGJmVy1WVcTixjmgoQcsM3C4rs4B1b3f6ZW92CRvcHAtYxyOgQHxxiCIu0BWVwRvPyrTJhpXPKfGZZ03s2iEMwP2wC2Fbe0RM0oI7iFdkEOJFrQkUeCSldP7~znfjxIGfq-iqQxX-1RVq6zr2jJp7FQnTQn41pudxw8qIz1L0kMsWbz6Kd3IMHLt0Ygjkx1rJ6U7nhozOcGFcoTNq8kbR~dNzxOtaMrnNEQc~xkGvpQ4YyZEhdDBSFCi4Lm3e9jsr1XVnGT2zc3wMcqc6D~Co5Szhs5KjH0YzarGcDAsl6AI2ekbQ5iIJp51VcFG07A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Meredith, a city presenter, told the Farmers Branch City Council on July 15 that Brookhaven Country Club will host the 2025 Pickleball World Championships and that Major League Pickleball team play and UPA world-championship events will run Oct. 31–Nov. 9.

The presentation outlined expected daily attendance of 4,000 to 9,000 people, hotel blocks at six hotels and an estimated total attendance of 57,572 for last year’s event. \"It generated about 15,700,000.0 in total impact,\" Meredith said, adding that parking will be staged at Dallas College Brookhaven campus and that staff will propose a no-parking ordinance for select streets to reduce neighborhood disruption.

City staff said they will bring an event support agreement to council in September and will apply to the Office of the Governor’s events trust fund for a grant that \"may award up to $696,000 to UPA,\" with the city providing a local match of up to $96,000 from the hotel-motel fund. Meredith asked the council to identify priorities for sponsorship negotiations, such as hotel promotion, logo placement and resident ticket discounts.

Councilmembers offered guidance and questions focused on resident outreach and branding. Councilwoman Roman said a town hall should be held again this year while attendance remains high: \"I think the town hall, even if it's a small 1, is worthwhile.\" Councilwoman Bennett asked staff to push event organizers to emphasize Farmers Branch branding rather than referencing Dallas: \"...can we iterate that more strongly to them that this is Farmers Branch?\" Councilman Reid and others discussed town-hall attendance and cost; Reid said last year’s town hall was \"dramatically smaller than year 1.\" Meredith answered that Brookhaven partners provide event space at no charge and that the city pays for food and related costs.

Councilmembers also suggested negotiation items to add, including council meet-and-greets with top players, council participation, and resident ticket discounts. Meredith said staff will include negotiated sponsorship benefits and resident concessions in the September event-support agreement.

The presentation closed without a formal vote. Council direction for staff included preparing a town hall for 2025, negotiating sponsorship items that emphasize Farmers Branch branding and resident benefits, and proceeding with the events trust fund grant application with a planned local match sourced from the hotel-motel fund.","City staff and event partners briefed the Farmers Branch City Council on the 2025 Pickleball World Championships, requested council direction on resident outreach and sponsorship negotiation priorities, and said the city will apply for a state events trust fund grant requiring a local hotel-motel fund match of up to $96,000.",{"_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},6171982,"Rawhide Trail Phase 2 proposed to widen trail, add solar lighting; Excel Construction low bidder",93,6553000,6646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393213-4b7e82a735948bf94c1ecbb6a082e184&start=6553&end=6646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393213-4b7e82a735948bf94c1ecbb6a082e184/thumbnail_6553000.jpg","/articles/6171982/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Rawhide-Trail-Phase-2-proposed-to-widen-trail-add-solar-lighting-Excel-Construction-low-bidder","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171982-5fd1cb56024bde480077f5bbe156e7e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775141443&Signature=OpZMXFrgdqwjmluQdfkpXKscknJuFzBso5NFHDoIjb2j5Zn~NXJTEwb1L3gVaK-v6R7nFldal17lrwo6O-Nm0yruN1pjNclhRtoK-kGTJj-0cRSl6tEPyQyBdP1r80mANHlkdeM0BGhkJoCWWXIvCpCgCEpjdsW5P4GQgEzJSUNXEspo1RIBVahqBZBYqvAYcUNID7f2s~28WMDOAJRp6Ct~1Mm87GyNzksZFZxX16qpxlPPUgajHycCT~PvtN4eOfZNp6uTgvawtC1yRFe2jV045BxHbIhWiUj3TqWiD8MdUu7GKZW1Oj~x1vCvXWDaTol0zrRPld6GJM4LYrEikw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Maria Mentor, managing superintendent of public works, updated the Farmers Branch City Council on July 15 about the Rawhide Trail Phase 2 project, which continues last year’s Phase 1 improvements along the north side of the creek.

\"We widened the existing trail from 8 feet wide to 12 feet wide, and we moved a portion of the trail out of the flood prone area,\" Mentor said, describing Phase 1 work from Webb Chapel to Josie Lane. She said Phase 2 will continue north-side improvements from Josie Lane to Tom Field, widen the path from 8 to 12 feet, address ADA compliance issues and add solar lighting to the completed and upcoming segments.

Mentor reported three bids were received in May and that Excel Construction submitted the lowest bid; she said staff checked references and found extensive prior experience. Funding for the Phase 2 work will come from the city’s trail bond fund, which has geographic restrictions on where bond proceeds may be used. \"This is not a grant fund. This is a trail bond fund,\" Mentor said, noting the funding must be used in the central area authorized by the bond.

Council members expressed support. Councilman Neal said resident feedback on the Phase 1 improvements was positive and voiced support for Phase 2 and lighting additions.

No formal contract award was recorded in the study session; staff presented the bid results and sought council questions and concurrence to proceed with the procurement and scheduling steps provided the budget and bonding conditions are met.","Public works presented the Rawhide Trail Phase 2 plan to widen the north-side trail from Josie Lane to Tom Field, address ADA compliance and add solar lighting; funding is from a trail bond fund and Excel Construction submitted the lowest bid.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City manager outlines Farmers Branch proposed balanced budget; council backs higher merit cap and asks for senior water-bill protections

Council narrows direction on 22 city-owned residential lots; majority favor Builders of Hope partnership

Farmers Branch staff seek council direction on hosting 2025 Pickleball World Championships

Rawhide Trail Phase 2 proposed to widen trail, add solar lighting; Excel Construction low bidder