[{"_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",6486883,"mediaKeyId","5595959-d008aee674d9e206981a9e20f5c81eea","parentId",5595959,"title","Argyle council approves records-scanning contract, employee benefits changes and area planning work; sets tax-rate hearing","audioSeconds",414,"startMs",1228000,"endMs",1642000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5595959-d008aee674d9e206981a9e20f5c81eea&start=1228&end=1642","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5595959-d008aee674d9e206981a9e20f5c81eea/thumbnail_1228000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486883/Argyle/Denton-County/Texas/Argyle-council-approves-records-scanning-contract-employee-benefits-changes-and-area-planning-work-sets-tax-rate-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486883-12641686c95072969ebd22e55f85d441/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647700&Signature=Xk5Kc1SAPsZi~QWMjvH9ktfVsIiTflNwL-v4vSIhaKYjAHL3t6mVAsy837T2fxBg9lUgNEl5Nri8K4voBN-NOQuq1DsbqZwHQckDo8KVl2zRbmcee1adslAt2ddW3p2vcFDUcIYrttq8TWfh5qh9LSCJ4r~BqKoXwUc5PD19aabK-wBFUGMjDAtLHwEdCRzrTPXMIgsvHtzTDusnD4Jx0a7oipTw9TTw-jcJji2hNuyawgP9d2TXIjLez38wvP3kgZRtlwpH7EsioTdXL~98zOljN1le~DmGXBCYESUgN1c0~wZMKr-eJQI-R6CTJJ7yYqmemBuL-e9I5~8363gIDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Argyle","date","2025-08-18T00:00:00Z","article","Argyle Town Council on Aug. 18 voted unanimously on a set of administrative, personnel and planning measures that the town manager and staff said are intended to speed record modernization, maintain employee benefits and prepare for multiple development projects in the town’s core.

The council approved a contract with MCCI for document scanning and secure destruction, adopted an ordinance to participate in the Texas Municipal Retirement System’s supplemental death benefit fund, approved health, dental and vision contracts with Cigna and Mutual of Omaha, accepted a proposed property-tax rate and set a Sept. 15 public hearing on the budget and rate. The council also awarded a construction contract for the Frenchtown connection to Canary Construction as the low bidder and approved planning and design contracts to study the town center area and the I‑35 West corridor.

Why it matters: Council actions set the administrative foundation for planned capital work (notably a future town center and police building) and short-term service improvements. The planning contracts and funding transfers also position Argyle to coordinate infrastructure and design standards for several large development proposals that staff say are active in and near the 377/407 area.

Votes at a glance

- Document scanning contract (MCCI). Motion to approve passed (motion and second recorded; outcome: approved). Staff said the town has FY25 budgeted funds (~$31,000 not yet spent) that can be used toward the contract; MCCI would pick up the project in coming weeks and complete indexing in two to three months.

- Ordinance 2025-29 (TMRS supplemental death benefit). Council approved adding the supplemental death benefit for active employees and retirees (cost to town: a 0.22 percentage-point increase in the TMRS contribution rate). Motion carried unanimously.

- Employee health, dental and vision contracts (Cigna; Mutual of Omaha for life/AD&D/disability). Council approved the staff-recommended provider package; staff estimated a net 4.3% increase in FY26 employer costs and said employees would pay a portion of the higher premiums. Motion carried unanimously.

- Resolution 2025-39 (proposed property tax rate). Council accepted the proposed rate (0.3431) and scheduled the statutorily required public hearing on Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. A roll-call vote was held; the five voting members recorded “Aye.” Staff emphasized the rate is essentially unchanged from FY25 and explained the difference between the “no new revenue” and voter-approval calculations on the notice required by state law.

- Frenchtown connection construction contract. Town opened bids Aug. 7; Canary Construction was low bidder at roughly $337,000 (staff noted substantial spread among bidders). Council approved awarding the contract; staff said the contractor has 60 days for substantial completion once a notice to proceed is issued.

- Sign-code amendment: canopy signs. Council approved an amendment allowing larger “primary” canopy signs (up to 65 sq. ft., 4-ft. max height) where building design makes a canopy sign the primary business identifier, and a smaller auxiliary canopy sign (20 sq. ft., 3-ft. max). Planning staff presented examples from Argyle Station and Frenchtown; council asked staff to return with broader proportionality standards for signs in a future amendment. Motion carried.

- Area planning assignments (resolution 2025-38 and companion work). Council approved contracts with the town’s recommended consultants to prepare an area plan for the 6-acre town-center site (and adjacent parcels) and a larger I‑35 West corridor study (roughly 1,000 acres). Staff said the work will include site-development guidelines, infrastructure recommendations and optional zoning overlay language to help coordinate multiple private projects expected to come forward. Motions carried.

What the council did not finalize tonight: staff presented a draft FY26 budget (discussion item) but the council deferred final budget adoption for later hearings. Staff also noted possible future requests from TxDOT or Denton County tied to regional road projects; council members asked for additional cost information before committing to any intergovernmental participation.

Council statements and next steps

Town Manager Mike Sims and Finance Director Erica (surname recorded in packet) described the schedule for executing contracts and for moving the town-center design and police-building master planning work forward. Sims said staff will return to council with design options, cost refinement and requests for construction funding as the planning contracts produce greater detail.

A Sept. 15 public hearing on the proposed tax rate and FY26 budget is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. at Argyle Town Hall.

Votes / formal actions recorded in the minutes are summarized above; full motions, ordinance and resolution text appear in the meeting packet and are referenced below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Argyle - Town Council","oneSentenceSummary","Argyle Town Council on Aug. 18 approved a package of administrative and planning measures — including a document-scanning contract, participation in TMRS supplemental death benefits, new health/dental/vision contracts, the acceptance of a proposed property-tax rate (public hearing Sept. 15) and area planning contracts for a future town center and an I‑35‑West corridor study.","taxTitle","Argyle, Denton County, Texas","taxId",52239,"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},6486870,"Argyle resident reports raccoon infestation, criticizes town contractor and asks for public education on critter control",211,130000,341000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5595959-d008aee674d9e206981a9e20f5c81eea&start=130&end=341","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5595959-d008aee674d9e206981a9e20f5c81eea/thumbnail_130000.jpg","/articles/6486870/Argyle/Denton-County/Texas/Argyle-resident-reports-raccoon-infestation-criticizes-town-contractor-and-asks-for-public-education-on-critter-control","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486870-d0bbb1ac8d9ce879f63ef9cc37e40d50/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647701&Signature=m0aEH1TclGFNF2N3ZGu1TFiNv4YVeKx~JBjvwajEnPpFYhN215SLCF5hF8NtwjCOI~1n0xd8q0GfQ3C1DhRK3ExoMu3BOhKKyPUdP3FzNr03LqJ2wfFTIs-3ldQuLN8ZZ-h2iyOeVyekTPvn4qDXzEG~ozTSNUSX1gHrYPAdxNrtO3Z4KKW4qXGaYFGm4cSDW~OprYkbEEq2JoiMC~3hPRYS4i4wOGdwMNwoO~HSLxQBSOegD4kXFhtsKXciouy9X9WT0b7tFCcxxeMKT7OBaceyFlZIxr9Q2PCZGI-VAQa-Bsa7TjkZrCmMXjAwK8LLfggj8kb-l1OUiBW8n8pkQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the meeting’s public-comment period, Marilyn Lewis, who said she has lived in Argyle for 25 years, described a raccoon infestation at her home that began in the spring and caused damage and repeated flea treatments. Lewis said she contacted the town's contracted provider (identified in her remarks as \"American Dog\") beginning May 9; she praised one employee, Francisco, for helpful response but criticized inconsistent service and slow pickup of trapped animals.

Lewis told council she sought alternatives after several raccoons — she said a family group can remain with the mother for up to a year — caused damage under the house, attacked a neighbor’s dog and led to multiple flea treatments in her home. She said traps were sometimes left waiting because officers got called elsewhere and that she would like the town to publish education material on critter control to help residents reduce attractants.

Town response

The mayor acknowledged the public comment and said the town previously sponsored an animal relocation program for feral hogs and suggested the council may place broader wildlife-control policy or education on a future agenda. Staff said the town would consider reaching out to the contractor about response times and possible service issues.

Details Lewis provided to council

- Address: Lewis said she lives at 107 Collins, Argyle (she identified her street during remarks).
- Timeline: She said the matter began in early May (May 9 noted as her first call to the contractor).
- Impacts: Multiple nights of activity under the home, damage to siding/skirting, flea treatments inside the home on three occasions; neighbor reports of pet attacks and chicken losses.
- Town contractor feedback: Lewis said the first contractor contact denied there were raccoons until speaking with another staff member; she praised an employee named Francisco for responsiveness but criticized inconsistent service and delayed pickup of trapped animals.

Lewis recommended that the town publish web-based guidance for residents about how to reduce wildlife attractants and that council consider whether a future agenda item on animal relocation or provider oversight is warranted.

Council members thanked Lewis for the report and said staff would follow up with the contractor and consider educational outreach for residents.","A 25-year Argyle resident described a prolonged raccoon infestation at her home and said the town’s contracted animal-control provider gave inconsistent responses; she recommended town-run education for residents on preventing wildlife attraction.",{"_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},6486875,"Women of Argyle nonprofit launches with scholarships and youth entrepreneurship awards",107,486000,593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5595959-d008aee674d9e206981a9e20f5c81eea&start=486&end=593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5595959-d008aee674d9e206981a9e20f5c81eea/thumbnail_486000.jpg","/articles/6486875/Argyle/Denton-County/Texas/Women-of-Argyle-nonprofit-launches-with-scholarships-and-youth-entrepreneurship-awards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486875-2e8823ca74456b17fad7cb5c0d48fa5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647701&Signature=Ja6DkYyiPKcIev8wYb2vJ2iUS~SiKq1hzndvD1KnsVMnfdkrkBzDO~Z8dbHs-HgBigUPjaEuG1B5gf2DWxW~FpujcVsXa6X6opjLf2bZqJGlSq6xx-w6FRmqSyml8kRcyVmi1W5I7GP5FbAmFissDKQNMz9vPKoq-jsZsv5FP3JMxX2K1Yqh82kevBmX9598S6T-MYJPMmC9KRIIwvJ~g-RbP8-dgNJsTWloj9vOyYPkAEQ9DSFyIVyZTnKLf0obM00l~4NKH5SvYMLEQJXqhzO8ChwOZhQF92vfflJcYpqgrC1iSJyaD3nyZCtbyCF1WJyY1teaMyk~VWkCfyY7YA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Aug. 18 Argyle Town Council meeting, Amy Buckert introduced Women of Argyle, a newly formed local nonprofit that she said will support students and young entrepreneurs and foster community connections among the town’s women.

Buckert said the organization will provide three main programs: annual scholarships for graduating seniors who attend Argyle High School, Liberty Christian or are homeschooled in Argyle ISD (including at least one scholarship targeted to trade or vocational education); a young-entrepreneur award for youth ages 12–17 that will combine financial support with mentorship; and ongoing volunteer and connection opportunities for women through monthly meetings, small groups and semiannual fundraising events.

Buckert said the group is organized “exclusively for charitable and educational purposes” and planned an inaugural meeting for Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Little Joe’s. She brought two board members to the meeting — Britney Rupert and Whitney Sterling — and asked for council encouragement and support.

Council reaction

The mayor and council members praised the volunteer effort and offered to help connect the new nonprofit with town resources. Staff offered to share event and open-meeting information on the town website and to work with the group on outreach as needed.

Why it matters

The group’s scholarship program and youth entrepreneurship focus aim to direct local philanthropic dollars toward graduates and economically-oriented student opportunities. The nonprofit’s stated inclusion of trades and vocational training in scholarship eligibility was noted by Buckert as an explicit policy decision to broaden access beyond four‑year college pathways.

Practical details provided at the meeting

- Eligibility for scholarships: graduating seniors attending Argyle High School, Liberty Christian or homeschooled students within Argyle ISD boundaries; at least one award reserved annually for trade/vocational study.
- Young entrepreneur award: ages 12–17; program will combine seed funding, mentorship and educational support.
- Inaugural meeting: Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m., Little Joe’s (public event).","A local group led by Amy Buckert introduced Women of Argyle at the Aug. 18 council meeting, describing plans for scholarships for Argyle-area seniors, a young-entrepreneur award for ages 12–17 and community programming; inaugural meeting set for Sept. 15.",{"_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},6486879,"Argyle resident urges council to enforce helicopter rules after repeated flights over neighborhood",330,685000,1015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5595959-d008aee674d9e206981a9e20f5c81eea&start=685&end=1015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5595959-d008aee674d9e206981a9e20f5c81eea/thumbnail_685000.jpg","/articles/6486879/Argyle/Denton-County/Texas/Argyle-resident-urges-council-to-enforce-helicopter-rules-after-repeated-flights-over-neighborhood","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486879-3eedc1db169da52b2e20a762ba97786e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647701&Signature=FuYKCG6gy0Gjuk6IfGrhX1kpkXWv6EucB1-6KuXdYeVmxUc2c~13Nx0pAv38wKjI1Hwn8KRWcIFu3oUacD3XDAwTBTxNfHxDThUqiyLnU7oqrlKxPLbcJ2k1rGVfnhMkQPTTSVTYpEagPEuWLNcpgNAjjH0mWsGyXexIecZ-Ro1L61OBMVDHoxQ3xPF8AxAG0Eu896Xrqo6MwEdkRKBdSSFrKkUO9Y6rdkKnK853euyC45PNw3DrhgN5OsyeWuzegg08I8qnfgi60usdDLbo0lnPk8os1LCfkaK~X2psiHTXHndvYP0AsEn9Q3ZH2w17lGnlBwJu~ry4h-Ws3nmTFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A longtime Argyle resident told the Town Council on Aug. 18 that he and his wife have been subjected to repeated helicopter takeoffs and landings over their neighborhood for several months and urged the town to enforce existing ordinances.

Singh Murphy, who said he and his wife have lived in Argyle for 25 years, described multiple daily helicopter trips that have flown directly over his home and neighboring yards. Murphy said he reported the activity to code compliance and town staff, and that the town issued warning letters to the helicopter operator, but the flights have continued. He told council he has video recordings of the flights and that the operator has asserted a 1975 annexation of his property to argue he is not subject to town rules.

Town response and next steps

Mayor and staff told Murphy they take the complaint seriously. The mayor said the town’s chief executive role requires enforcement of local ordinances and expressed support for immediate action. Town Manager Mike Sims told Murphy he would follow up and meet with him; council members asked staff to report back on enforcement steps and outcomes.

Why it matters

Murphy described noise, safety and privacy concerns and said the activity had persisted for four months despite town warnings. Council members noted similar controversies in nearby communities, and several said they expected code and legal staff to pursue enforcement if the operator is violating town ordinances.

Details from the meeting and resident account

- Location: Murphy identified the neighborhood near the intersection of Harpal and Gibbons.
- Duration and evidence: Murphy said the activity began about four months prior to the meeting and that he has video recordings; he asked why the town’s ordinances were not being enforced sooner.
- Operator’s response: Murphy said the neighbor told the town his property had been annexed in 1975 and therefore he was not subject to town ordinances, a claim Murphy disputed.
- Town reaction: The mayor said he would actively ensure ordinances are enforced, and Sims offered to meet Murphy the following day and update council on next steps.

A council or staff reply that details specific enforcement steps (tickets, injunctions, or hearings) was not recorded in the meeting; staff committed to follow up with the resident and report to council.","A resident told the Argyle Town Council that a neighbor has repeatedly landed and taken off by helicopter over his property for months; staff said warnings were sent and the mayor pledged to pursue enforcement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Argyle council approves records-scanning contract, employee benefits changes and area planning work; sets tax-rate hearing

Argyle resident reports raccoon infestation, criticizes town contractor and asks for public education on critter control

Women of Argyle nonprofit launches with scholarships and youth entrepreneurship awards

Argyle resident urges council to enforce helicopter rules after repeated flights over neighborhood