HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-08-29 Euless Articles DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE /OF
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INSIDE THE POLICE SCANNER '' }
:Stolen fla oles: recove a .f
r ? fs-vIRls.;
t By DOMINGO RAMIREZJR.
Flagpoles fond"
ramirez@star-telegram.com
EULESS Flagpoles be on ` fif £ : r
Thieves tried to steal
three of them Aug. 6 in the,
'1600 block of West Euless ¢ "' � �
' Boulevard. Police say they'.',-,.,1_,F: r ate`
were'taken from a neazby =. �s` Ya o �a3 4 is
business. �' _ < j s Ptpel(ne RdriN ;-
No one has been arrested. M ` • _,'4 a
' The flagpoles which were.
about 25 feet tell and valued
at $350 each, had-been in i € ti "
storage at In the Wind;a flag Y
' and' flagpole"business on ';Thieves took three flagpoles from a stor"ge facility on Aug 6 in
West Euless Boulevazd. ifi the 16QO block of W.Euless Boulevard in Euless butthe poles ;.
The thieves didn't get ax uwere laterfoq'din of eld ;
The three : poles were, STAR-TELEGRAM
found on the.`ground in a
field hear the business. r
They must` have;never
' gotten-their second Wind D MINGO RAMIREZ JR.,817485-3822
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DATEDISTRIBUTED /08' DATE OFARTICLE �� NEWSPAPER FWST ¢
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4 Cities, county post inspection sores for customers,to see f
By MAST FRAZIER mrazier@startelegratr�cor� Online exclusive '
Which restaurants have 'employees whb forgeC xo Learn about inspections and see which restaurants z
wash their hands?Which kitchens show evidence nfE got
061r.more demerits at star-telegram.c64eactras
z':� *�.fthe Tarrant Co> itysite,since lune2006,provide the , F
In June,North Richland Hills Joined Arlington,Fort number of demerits and details of the violations.Both '
Worth, and Tarrant County in placing restaurant also post the scores of follow-up visits"that show how
health iiispection`scores online to help'answer these well those,establishments cleaned up afterward,and
questions grid t4 shine a spotlight,on area eateries. . whether they continued to meet standards „ ,. '
Butthe mformationvanes greatly from site to'site. The Tarrant County site covers 31,cities,and
The Fort forth We situ,online since January,and }'
s
4
Find the latest inspection-scores Hooters."The critical issues we did have were
las/Fort Worth Airport,but provides no infor Arlington all corrected as the:inspector went throw
mation for Arlington, Euless, Fort Worth or wwwci.arlington.tx.us/health/« We always try to turn those'around within2 1,
North Richland Hills,which do their own m food�scores.html hours or less:' ,
spections. Euless` A good score can be'a selling point'Sandy's 4
. : The Arlington Web site,which,began post-'-,,, The city does not post restaurant'inspections Restaurant on Rufe Snow received 1Z de
merits a restaurantlreceiveshafter an inspec fort Worth ceived only seven demerits.
y'.Sandy's re'
scores in 2005, umber of de-. online.Call 817=685-1625. merits.In a follow-u visit in Jul San
tion, but no details about the violations or www.fortworthgov.org/applications/Health/ "it really makes you feel like you are doing
,.which health codes weren't met ,, North Richland,Hills things right,"said Darioush Babaei,who own '
North Richland Hills gives the same infor- www.nrhtx.com,under"Online Services" the restaurant with his wife,Jaklinr`
mation as Arlington,but onlyfor one month at For detailed information,call 817-427,6650. Eight of the first 60 North-Richland Hills es- '
a tune.When it released the inspection scores Other Tarrant cities "` tablishinents to have scores posted online re- '
from July it removed all those from June.That httpsV/Publichealth.tarran'tcounty.co'm/foodin ceived no demerits, including Sandy's: Th t
means that unless your favorite North Rich spectjon/ turned out to be reporting'glitch..,
Despite occasional roblems and lack o :
land Hills restaurant has just been inspected, ,,.. s, p' p
you're out of luck.'` rant could be shut down with only a few de- information,the sites are among the most ac-
"A score that is months old would not re- .merits if the violations are severe. cessible ways to get informatioriaboutcle
fleet,
the condition of the.restaurant today. The North Richland Hills Hooters received ness at full-service,and fast-food restaurant i'
That is why, we focus on the ,most recent 27 demerits in June. The violations included.' grocery stores,convenience stores,child-care
scores,"city spokoswoman'Mary Peters said. food containers that did 'not have expiration centers and temporary food service events..
dates marked,smoking in an unapproved area That is,unless you are interested in restau'
Varying results and improper hand washing. rants in Euless;then you must call the city.
State law requires that an establishrrient take' ; "We had no critical items,as far as tempera- Bon appetit.
corI ective action within 48 hours when the, ture,issues or anything like that," said Cary
number of demerits exceeds 30.But a restau= Harmer, director of operations in Texas for ku-"F"ZIER,1117-bss-3854
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DATE DISTRIBUTED $ I DATE OFARTICLE NEWSPAPER FWST
1 NORTHEAST,TARRANT COUNTY:
Auto re airsfor. women,scar
1 �?
sales for,buyers on bud ets_
Entrepreneurs hope Hills, -a 10-bay auto-garage men wouldwant to coine to,a
to draw business by that will cater,to women, in: shop named 'Just Peachy. "
1 targeting niche markets. early 2009, she said.
Cline, who is in her 50s,
sy.JEssICA DeLE6N and her partner, Skip Leake, b and Under Auto Sales
ideieon@star-telegram.com hope to eventually-build 15 fa=A'Robb O'Brien of Euless had a
1 Two auto related businesses cilities m,the-area����re rt reasprldor ceating.f�and Un-
in Northeast Tarrant County ' negotiating�tti t°bp�^ e o �dertitct SaYgs, a', ealership.
are looking f' e certain kind North Tarrant l?arf w that`specxa izes�u`•used cars
1 of Gusto nein Worth;;and ate_e_#emei costing$x,800 to$6,000.
:One, auto-Kepair shop, ,tiiquited ab4�f tFie concept '�Ihave two kidsui college,"
scheduled to.ope -.11C xt year '° Marty Har son,• econoin- he `said They ¢ctl needed
..in Richland Hills,wilt cater to "ic-development director'for cars agam :Trust roe,they to-.
1 women. White Settle Cline's tated three cars''
" Anda ri used-car deal concept = a.srien wanted to pay'no
ership in Euless .iso targeting "I don't know about yo=u, nitre than'$4,000 and didn't
-high-school-and college.stu- but haw maxiy:.tunes� ars want o take out a loan:
dents by selling only<affoid women disregarded?", ' she "I got tired of;'talldrig to
1 able vehicles. said: "You take your car in, people who were. shonesf,"
Such specialized auto. !and,the big,burly dude.talks ,he said
businesses are rare,according "down to you." His dealership opened in
1to W. But their owners cre r Richland Hills'�officials are Mayand has sold I3 cars:_:
_ .:
ated the;niches'based on their also believers.,Cline persued . He keeps eight to 12 cars in
own experiences ed the:City Council.to change his'`Euless. warehouse and
an ordinance so automotive works by appointment only.,.
1 .:Just Peachy Partners businesses will be allowedon : O'Brien,who sold medical
After eight years in the auto >, Baker Boulevard;And the city; equipment for 20 years,relies
:repair'industry, Fort Worth's will ply the business$58,735_'., on word of mouth and distrib-
1 resident Shari Cline realized:'aver.a:four=yearperiod if Just utes fliers at area schools,
that it was not serving women Peachy.meets. sales-tax. tar- A. friend of Martin Paul
properly. gets> found, one flier at a Subway
"I've seen it happen time Richland Hills City 1 Manag restaurant near Trinity High and time again where we'get' er'Tim Quin-said Just Peachy ,School.Paul, 53;.a'real estate
taken`.advantage, we•don't „could help draw other busi- agent, bought a 1999 Nissan
know if we've been over nesses to Baker,;one of the ci- Maxima ,for. $3,300 for his
charged,".she said:"Typically,. ty's main thoroughfares, '' daughter,'a college student.
1 :the shops are nastyand dirty, ` The business's name ' ''"I spent,a lot.l'e'ss.money
anil they're not in the best,'comes.from Cline's frequent than I expected to,and'it was
parts`of town. i just decided response to people who ask a lot,more pleasant-experi
that was going to stop." how she's doing..- "Just ence than I expected,'he said.
1 So Cline plans to open lust peachy,,'
Peachy Partners in Richland- "What makes you think JESSICA DELE6N,877-685-3932 _
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Baskin-Robbins boom.
Baskin-Robbins is "planning. #
to'open 30`Tarrant County- ,
urea locations in the`,next,
three years, according to the' '
w `company's national director "
of franchsmg F
The, growth will. mainly,
come from i`ranchisees;add {'
mg new stores in Tarrant,
sVVise ' and Parker
Johnson
counties, said James.FIankS„
d director of franchismg.' '
The ,ice cream franchise
has long operated .locations,
on Rufe.Snow.Drive,and in,,}
'North Arlingtom But-over,the
past twa years, franchisees
have„opened'-locations _in
Mansfield, Euless and Grand
Prairie.
Baskin-Robbins is plan-
"ning. the expansi6ri'even in }
the midst of an economic
slowdown, planning more '
than. 400. new .locations
s worldwide this year.
Ice cream does well in a
down economy lbecause it is
an affordable luxury,he said.
Families might not go on a
trip, but�� they`can afford a
family, activity like going out
_ to eat ice cream.
"Our price point appeals to
everyone. They`may not' go '
out to DisneyWorld,'but they
will go out to get ice cream;"
Franks told. ff<.writer An
sta
drea Jares.
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' NEWSPAPER h
' Living it up in Texas
BY K. MCSTAY
HERALD DEMOCRAT
When Money Magazine released its list of top 100 small towns to live in the United States, Texas was
bound to be represented. In the past, Texas cities have been well featured, and this year was no
exception.
' Thirteen Texas cities were on the list, more than any other state, with one in the top 10 and five in the
top 20. Ten of the 13 cities are located in North Texas, all within an hour of Sherman.
' The cities
"I think everybody was really excited," said Anna Folmnsbee, the communications and media manager
for No. 14,McKinney. "I don't think there's a lot of surprise, with as many people as we've seen move
into McKinney, obviously there's something great about living here."
' "When we look at our downtown, it really is indicative of the history that McKinney has ... throughout
the growth and throughout the years, the city has done a great job of preserving history and pride in our
roots," Folmnsbee said.
Carrollton showed up on the list right after McKinney, at No. 15. The city's mayor, Ronald Branson,
describes the city's reaction to the news as "elated."
"I think we're a great place to live, and it's always nice when others recognize us for what we are,"
Branson said.
In part, Branson attributes his success to the city's forethought. "We took action early from a financial
standpoint on issues that other cities are now running into. We dealt with those issues earlier,
voluntarily," he said. "We expect to be the center of the Metroplex in the next 15-20 years."
' The city is building a new Dallas Area Rapid Transit station, and in the coming years, more stations are
expected. "People can come here to eat, come here to have a good time,"Branson said.
' Richardson, the home of low crime and high tech, according to the list, ranked in at No. 18. The
relationships between various city entities is credited for providing a low crime rate.
'
The Police Department meets quarterly with the security directors of all of our major companies to
share programs, issues and ideas," said Mayor Steve Mitchell. Police also meet quarterly with apartment
managers. "We have found that only when these relationships are created can there be an impact on
crime," said the mayor.
Mitchell said that the city has already received "a tremendous amount of positive feedback" with regards
to its position on the list. "We are a community with vibrant neighborhoods, excellent education
opportunities, quality public services, environmental excellence and strong healthcare services," he said.
Initiatives of the city focus on improving those elements of Richardson.
' Allen was ranked No. 20 on the list. "We're striving to build a balanced community," City Manager
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Peter Vargas said. "It's a quality of life issue."New roadways and fire stations are balanced with a focus
on schools and a new "pedestrian oriented" downtown, Vargas said.
4
The challenges that face the city, he said, are the same challenges that face the North Texas region, {
among them water supply. Recently, Vargas said, the city council adopted a water conservation plan. r
"It's basically an outline of what our expectations are," he said. "People are a little more aware of
watering."
Coming in at No. 34 was Euless. "City officials have worked very hard to make Euless a great place to
live and it's nice to see that recognized," said Communications and Marketing Manager Betsy Deck said.
"It"s very flattering."
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The location of Euless is a drawing point for some, centered as it is in the Metroplex. "We've got great
access to either Dallas or Fort Worth, and we're in the heart of the Metroplex," Deck said. But the
location isn't the only positive aspect of the town. "We're very focused on improving the quality of life
through our great parks. We have a top-notch library, and city services. We try to do the right thing for
our residents."
Frisco, number 38 on the list, is growing, along with the rest of the Metroplex, and Mayor Maher Maso
said one of the most important aspects of the town is responsible expansion.
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"The key thing is balance," said Maso. "We have a balance of things that create a great place, a great
quality of life. We've got good public safety, low taxes and family friendly venues. We've got a good
infrastructure."
Denton, home of the University of North Texas and Texas Women's University,took the number 57
spot. Mayor Mark Burroughs describes it as a "validation of what we've always thought about Denton."
Currently, the city is number 10 on the list of tap 10 growing cities in the U.S.,Burroughs said.
Additionally, the city employs more people within its limits than people who leave the city to find
x
employment— a designation shared with only two other cities in the Metroplex.
Because the city has two public universities within its borders, Burroughs said that the city is somewhat
recession proof." So many businesses feed off the university, he said, that the city tends to continue to
do well. The city, he said, has grown so much that officials have implemented a 20-year plan to continue
growth without compromising the historical nature of the city. "It's a challenge and a blessing,"
Burroughs said.
With an easy commute to Dallas, Garland was number 67 on the list. The city didn't know anything
about the contest until the magazine contacted the city for photos, Dorothy White of the public and
media affairs office said. ''We were tickled to have recognition, this city, its elected officials, the staff,
the citizens and extended community have all done a good job in creating a good community," White
said.
s.
"Garland is just an exciting place to be, and to socialize," Mayor Ronald Janes said. "When I ran for
mayor, a main goal was to help Garland become a city of choice." The city, right now listed as the 1Oth
largest in Texas, is the home of an excellent performing arts sector, as well as quality schools and other ,
P amenities, Janes said.
"It's validation," said James Kunke, community relations and tourism director for Lewisville. The city
was ranked number 69 an the list. "We aren't going out and recruiting residents." The ranking from a
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' "trusted third party" means more than any advertising, he said.
' For Kunke, the reasons behind the nomination are clear. First, he said, the focus on public safety is
important. "The police department amazes me," he said. "The crime rate is extremely low, and continues
to stay low." The fire department, he said, is likewise important. The economy, Kunke said, is also key.
' "Unemployment is very, very low," he said.
Lewisville's third focus is on recreation. "We have more than a thousand acres of parkland, developed
and undeveloped," he said, as well as an arts community and state-recognized festivals.
As the city continues to grow,the challenges that characterize other North Texas towns materialize,
' including transportation and city infrastructure. Plans to build a rail from Denton to the Metroplex
include three stations in Lewisville, and though a planned rebuild of Interstate 35 will be "ugly" during
the construction phase, it will be worth it afterwards, Kunke said.
' "Transportation is going to be vital for the future of this community," he said. The infrastructure of the
city must also keep up with expansion. "At the city level, we're building a sixth fire station and a new
' jail," Kunke said.
With an "ideal location" and a "home-town feel," according to Amy Sprinkles, communication director
for the city, Grand Prairie came in at 96 on the list. "We're still a very friendly place, we're easygoing,
' and yet, we're aggressive in our business stance and economic development," Sprinkles said. "We've
almost doubled our population in the last 15 years."
' Three other Texas cities were on the list, including one in the top 10. Round Rock, near Austin, came in
seventh place. Missouri City and Sugar Land,both suburbs of Houston, also made the list, at 56 and 64,
respectively.
What drives the list
' "This year housing affordability was one of the major drivers of our 2008 Best Places to Live list,"
Carolyn Bigda, writer and reporter at Money Magazine said. "Compared with other areas of the country,
particularly along the coasts, homes in Texas did not experience major price run-ups--or price declines
' --in this last housing boom." The survey, which is done every year and takes about five months to
complete, found a "growing number of well-paid, quality jobs" in the area.
I'I ' "Texas's economy, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is booming," Bigda said.
Denton Mayor Mark Burroughs said that it's simply par for the course. "We're one of the most
' expanding areas in the country," he said. "This is it. We're all, Sherman included, living in the most
progressive area of the country."
' "Growth is coming, and we're on the edge of that growth," Sherman Mayor Bill Magers said. "The circle
of the Metroplex is widening."
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FORT WORTH
t oohs
to eX a nd ��
t.
k
.4tc*'ia ..+n "IN" 1P�;.• +Y k`.�s'ed're c
y eY
a water sale
k .t .. ,nxs. :vJ 4t5v ♦. A�t y:
t - Proposed water pipeline system in California got e
x Recycled water isn't clean enough to main,as wide as 30 inches in ,a q ' k tensive press -coverage:la
diameter,along with a pump "" ' °! month when it began pump-
-drink,but it's a much cheaper: station and smaller mains to
alternative for ird tin golf courses n`
ga g gother',
r in treated wastewater into
reach-golf courses and other {FeriF p {
g lake,whereitwillrechar e
and processing natural gas wells- ... cities. The contractor; Alan E a k aquifer that supplies drink- :
By MIKE LEE mikelee@star-teiegram.com Plummer Associates, will ��: ing Water Orange Conn
also help write contracts fora 21
l Fort Worth could get into.the water-recy P If that sounds. questio
acling in.a big way in the next couple of years 't the system's users and devbl= able, consider that Nor
The city. is,considering spending 'DP the rates ,. 60� W> ,
Texans have been drinking
a■. ,
million to design a pipeline that would carry "� The construction cost <IN�i ,,�■.4■,=�' re cied,water for years
hasn't. been:estimatedyet,.:,. w Azlee..discharges its waste%
` ■�� � a
treated wastewater from the Village Creek „■ � ,�
sewage plant as far asDallas/Fort WoxthAir = ^Assistant Water Director An-., v ,s,f / ter.into Eagle Mountain Lak c
:port, j ;E dy. Cronberg said, but ± �"r � which supplies drinking wa-
r
Fort Worth has been piping "recycled” 1
"There's defi ntely a market= �� � +, ter io Fort Worth .Gugliuzz
i water toa,golf course near the Village Creek . The system will likely start said.And Fort Worth's treate
Plant for more than 10 years and has-been; pumping about 4 million gal- e ,,f, ¢ wastewater flows down th l
studyuig the idea of expanding for the last _Ions a day, but would be big Sao Trinity River to:Lake Living-
11
15
h to 1Q tea
few years.The City.Council is scheduled to g Pump million 'i.K.. stop,which is a major sourc� E
vote Tuesday on a$1.971 on contract to '• goons a day,Cronberg said.` The Fort worth City council is
of drinking water for th i
design the system,including water lines. . Proponents sayrecyclmg s Houston area.
scheduled to vote.Tuesday on a
"This is to try and make ita reality, Water. biggest benefit is that it re- $1.8 million c.ontract to design a The Tarrant:Regional Wa-
Department spokeswoman MaryGugliuzza duces the"need 'for new pipelinetocar�ryrecycled ter District, which provide
wastewater:
said. sources of water. Regional , .raw water for Fort-Worth an
k The expanded system could more`than'. water officials have been di' STAR-TE�eGRnM .other cities, has been work-
double the city's ability to sell recycled water- 'cussTg building a new reser ing for six years on anoth
i and bring it to a host of customers.The wa- ' voir in East Toxas or piping The.statewide water plan"for recycling project.The distri�
ter is not clean enough to drink,but it could ,.water, from ',Oklahoma to North Texas;calls.for this re= plans to divert water from th
be a much cheaper alternative for irrigating meet the op ex's grow- ..gion to meet 26 percent of its Trinity River;:filter it,through
,•m demand: The Villa e
golf courses in Euless and Arlington,or pro g _ g new water needs through re= an artificial wetland, an
cessing natural gas wells at the airport Creek plant processes 100 cycling pump it into Richland Cham
" The plan calls.for nme miles of water million gallons of wastewater ;El Paso and San:Antonio `bexs Reservoir, which sup-
6- day, most of which is re-. already'have extensive"pur -:plies much of Tarrant Coun-
turned to the TYinityRiveT.: plc pipe" systems that send . ty's.water. ,
Wter.recycling is expect recycled water to big irriga-
ed to be a.growth,industry .tibn-customers.And a Water.. MIKE LEE,817-390-7539
r ' ,
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MID-CITIES
DEADLINES ARE APPROACI.LING TOAPPLY,:FOR"IA ,
WWS .
Iiidiv du
rq'^' .ti-not ate Y
ar'.. X �L-
' thea , favont� .volunteers
throUgh Sept:l for the qty's
a
�aual V4lnnteer ao�t�l£�'ear-=
iev�rds � �� ,�t � •;
' h he Pagares arervbl '
k� lteer, volu#�te�erk'busmess
velunter
The form is available at
' wwweuless.org. Nominations;:,
must xnchide a letter,of y16 '
words or le's,S about why fhfi;
' volurifeer deserves.t behon
r
ored. YpL ✓ '$
The nominee must hve b
kve
work in Euless and.h a do e
n
,'thevolunteerwOrk,iikthe•c�gr�
1
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s'
A CITE S1�� VIS Fob.
k PR{ CESSIN X11 LS
>lin�gency;cads � rade- s. �'
av�ine s JETca`Gl eei'i er tlke 1,
Alonger oto'prl� an :17
other cities idVi Asponde4
f6'4 city stili*,of pii
call;processWgtimes,PVP,;,
Chief Eddie Maine the GrapevineCity Co
`in.a ud'et workshop b g p this
week .
rapevine s l l calls take
z .
an'average.of notes
seconds€ from ',they „
came mto:'�d c�nte� u�til�
they are tdispatched,+€ &;:';i;
•.The City Council
looking at a proRosal.to-add-
operators.tofih�e>iall eenter
to cut processMg`tnnes as
part of budget dehbexations:
Men added,t .the re-,
sponse time of police.or fire;
units,it canmean it takes 10
n 1nubody tes from•when some
calls forhelp,a�d whey.
help` arrives, Fire ,Chief`
Steve'Bass said atthe same
meeting 4 W h J Z.:.i k •^
Only Dallas was slower in `
its.processing time at 4 main-
utes; 20,,-. secon `•bort
Worth takes 1,minute,,;20
seconds; Arlington takes 3 s
s{ minutes,; 38`seconds,,�and
Bedford takes 46 seconds to
process a call to a dispatch
North Richland Hills took 2.,'.'
minutes. '
Three of the.17 titles re,
sponded to Giapevine'srvsW-
veywith tofaltimes.from the
initial,'call,", arttval' of,
emergency.units.
Total time from the call to'.
arrival•'was`7 minutes, 58
seconds. in Arlington; Car
rollton takes 5 minutes, 2,
seconds;Euless;takes 6 Min-
utes, 47* seconds. Grape-' ,
vine's average emergencyre-
sponse ame was 9 minutes;'
53 seconds," '
i
3 , S
s
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,DATE DISTRq /IBUTED DATE OFARTICLE O I--�-7 o NEWSPAPER FWST
ITT BUDGETS
ast
A f
rth
P1 .
� es o- 're-�a1n samc,;..
rl "fi ,x.r. zr. t1f:'.�aai •-l+":dx3c:. ,1`;;1�'
�'+'a#q dxt x'jr'x`xY <' r-..�rf .•n.a rv{ Fv j{f xe Y.'-"` - 4., ,....y.,.—.�.:.W.... a, _..
-Because of a sluggish economy and soaring.: Bedford Hurst.
-, Hurst's.tax rate will remain
prices,Northeast Tarrant County cities Property owners ate likely to 53 ur cents per to N of assessed
steeping a tight retn,on spending see a tax rate of 44.6 cents perroe value.The-city's bud
_• W, , ,+ $100'ofassessed Property val Pete grnilli
on,a ghtin-
By JE5SlC1►DetE<SN x t ue for the fourth year iri a row g
-lbndBILL TEETER'* ,: r � E.` The city's proposed' $55' crease from last year's adopted,
eleon@star-telekeam.rnm budget of$62 million.
eeter@star-tet m.com million budget; an increase g
e*a from last'year's adopted bud- ,° EmPloyees will receive a 3
Most property owners' tax rates will {stay,the get of $53.2 million',will in-' Percent raise The city will not
e elude two_new positions far hire anynewworkers.The new
WinAs area cities go ober their budgetsVfor fiscal -the development department budget includes $126,675 for
008 09;officials say they are spending toner- a geographic information"sys- operating the senior center,
vatively because of the.sluggish,econamy and-, teras technician,to'be`iudd at ^' ch is expected to,open in
j aring fuel prices.-, ' midyear, at $27;161, ;and an '2009;and$64,785 for operat-`
Euless Finance Administrator Vida Rodri- ec°noetic development ana ing the fire station,which will
_.,. st who will stud the end p Water and sewer,
uezYsaid the city is holdxngeverytliing to abare h' y open flus fall.
um because of the current economy."We mg Texas 183 expansion, at rates will also increase by 4
te growing,but not at the pace we expected," $42,927. percent.
she said. The city has also set aside
Some cities have hadto be creative to combat X70,000 for a contract with a North Richland Hills
gh gasoline costs. consultant to develop a retail propertyowners will see their:
'strate and it funded$75;000
North Richland Hills is usm more gr'' tax rate remain 5 Z'cents per,
�:.
g fuel effi- for a study on Texas 183 and ' $100 of assessed property val-'
j tient vehicles and set,policies that discourage ;$30,000 for a study on a pas- '3.ue for the 16th straight year..
sigling.1he city plans to use 45,000 gallons of gas sible town tenter.
ss than last year. The budget is$94.5 million,
"Gas prices are going up,and that's unavoid- Employees are likely to see up.fromlastyear's$91 million.
able,"said Mark Mills,North Richland Hills bud-
a 3 percent raise. Residents" New spending items include a
1. ,may see a•rise in water and school_ crossing 'guard fo'r
tZeay ."ftaetwerdo have sewer rates,although the exact .$6,699 and $21,960 for two
loer consump-• figures will not be determined seasonal employees in the
tion:" until the meeting Tuesday. - code compliance assistance
While cities are keeping the program.
Lrates. the same, property Euless The city will review public,
ers may still see a slight :The city's tax rate is expected safety employee salaries to see.
rise in their tax bill; if their to remain 47 cents per$100 of whether they meet market
1jhas been appraised assessed property`value. Therates: Public safety workers',
er. total budgetis$82.5 million,a raises could range. from 3.5
esidents *can. comment. decrease from last year's.$97 percent to 4.5 percent. All
about the budgets at public million budget;which includ. .other city employees could re
arings this month.The city ed several_one-time projects,.! ceive a 4 percent merit raise.
uncils will vote on the bud- such as buying land for a se-
gets and tax rates in Septem- nior center.
ber. Employees will receive a 3.5
jHere's a look at the budgets percent merit raise.There is a
cities in.Northeast Tarrant proposal to increase water and
County. sewer rates by 22 cents per
1,000,gallons of water.
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Richland Hills Grapevine Haltom Ci
tyKeller
Residents will see'a slight in-". Many Grapevine property, The city's tax rate is holding'at The city's tax rate of 43.2 cents
crease in,their tax rate=45.9, owners could see a decrease in 59.83.cents per $100of;`as- per$100 of-valuation remains' '
cents per $100 'of assessed their tax bills. The council is l sessed property. value The the same,but for a liomeown- '
property value from 45 cents looking at cutting the lax rate `avera a .taxable value is in.
g. er with ,an average-value
—to pay for public safety em-r from-36.25 cents per.$190 of creasing from $68,869,=`t' home,the tax bill willclimb by
ployee raises.The total budget assessed value :to 35 ,cents, $72,400. $58, That's because the'Aver,-
is $12.3 million, down from meaning that the tax bill on a Total spending will "de= age home's assessed value has ' r
last year's adopted budget of 'home of average value would crease from $74.4 million in increased from $251,861 to `
$12.7 million drop by about$28 if approved. 2008 to$64 million under the $266,858.
Expenditures include$1:25 i The average assessed value for current "proposal. The de-, The citq's expenses have in=
million for water system im- a home is $213,213, upfrom crease is partly the resultof.thecrease d`nearly$2 million over.
provements,$450,000 for Bou- $203,854 last year.. " completion of some building last year, a relatively small
levard 26 improvements and The latest budget proposalsprojects.Spending in the gen- amount, :City.Manager Dan
$100,000 for°a new building:at allow$156.2 million in spend- eral fund will go-from. $19.60'Le said. '
Kate''Baker Pazk, which Lias ing for the next fiscal year,,. million to$20.6 million.Merit Kell has budgeted-$67.2
been carried over from previ- compared with$151.2 million raises of 2.5 percent for all em' million in expenditures.About'
ous budgets. last year. ployees and",step increases;' $27.5 million in spending is
The Richland Hills Rocks No changes inwater.or'uta- also of 2.5 percent, are also, proposed in the,general fund:
3 festival, which cost $21,000, ity rates are expected.The Pe- planned. Water and sewer, Last year's budget was $65.3
has not been funded in this lice Department has request- rates willincrease about 6 peri" million with $26.5 million in`
year's budget.Instead,the city ed six additional operators for E cent. the general fund.
will host Festival in the Park on the emergency dispatch cen- The city is adding a warrant O'Leary aid fuel is a major_
Sept.20 at a cost of$5,000,.* ter in the coming fiscal year. .officer for the Police.:Depart= factor.
adding about'$150,000
Employees willreceive a 3-'1' There is a $370,000 proposal .ment,whose job processing a` `to;costs,and there are extra ex�'
percent merit raise. for improvements to the city's ' large backlog of warrants is ex= penses tied
emergency siren`system that ected,to a for itself and ;:> - '
Watauga P pay to.'the open
Watau`ga's tax rate is proposed would add seven sirens to the $200,000 is being added for reA" ing of a _fire
G to stay 58 cents per$100 of as- current 11. The budget also development. along'Belknap, station; he
sessed property value.The ci- call's fora 4 percent cost-of-liv- Street: said Health
ty's $26.6 million budget is mg increase for all employees, insurance.`
} down from last year's $31.8 and merit raises of 3 percent and ierire
million budget,which includ- for civilian employees: Five merit 'fund: O'Leary
percent merit pay increases
z ed funding for a public safety r costs are
building . have been budgeted for police going up,and there is a 3 per
No new positions were and firefighters: cent cosi-of-living increase for.
funded,and the budget funds employees built in''..—
only
ri only some new expenditures,
t such as $100,000 for two.po- Colleyville
lice vehicles and a$30,000 car Tlie city's budget holds the tax=' €`
for the fire chief. Employees rateat35.59teits per$100bf?' ,
could receive a 3 percent pay assessed property value, but:
raise. homeowners will see increase`-
es`in.their tax bill if1bme ap
' praisal Values"'increase.' City '
information indicates that the
average property :-'tax : bill
would climb $56.'67 to
$1,392.04.The'average home's '
assessed value has risen from
$375,211 to$391,133. l`
The proposed budget is y
$34.7 million or about$30,000'-
more than 2007=08.'Thepro-
posed budget leaves the prop-
erty
rop erty tax rate unchanged and
adds nearly $900,000 to' the
general fund and a smallin i
crease in overall- spending.
Employees would get raises up w
to 8 percent, depending on
performance reviews.
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DATE DISTRIBUTED I DATEOFARTICLE O 0 �[ ( QV NEWSPAPER FWST
' Southlake 'Westlake '
The city-s property tax rate Will . e"cityst. is still Working on
remain 46:2`centsper'$100 of '--the budget`m 'ahticipation,'of
assessed"value.With the aver 'presenting it to the'Board of
age home valuation increasing, Aldermen this weeks Town
from$448,462 to$479,1 5$,th8;, t Manager Thomas ty Bfymef
average°taxpayer Would pay }`
' about $142 more.,Taxpayers. - They current budget m4
are beim allowed a home- cludes-about`$12 n ilhon in
stead exemption of $15,00(l,J 'spending andVabout"$4 3
"P,
which will cut that amountin "'hon'iri the gene'raTfund
half"to. about x$72 foi, most fu
The.city is funded by sales
Homeowners, Finance Direc taxes,fines andfees;and there
xoz Shazen Jackson said: The Asno town prc#peztytax Weft'
i 'lake is wrestlingwith fuel costs
cityalreadya�lowsexemptio is and other uicreases`1 such as
for homeowners older than 65 healthcaze andyfuriding fora
and the disabled, and-it has'
frozen`taxes for=those oldex: .multimilhon=dollaz 'arts 'and
' than 65 s a � science building at Westlake'
Academy,this city run charter
The proposed budget m, -
cludes about$66 2 million in school.
.total expenditures,with.$317 Much of the building will 6e
' million in the- general fund.° paid for by a capital campaign;
Last year's bdget�was'$63.4 13rymer said: The`board will
million with $28:9' million in also Have to consider employ
the general. fund The`pro_ ee pay raise's,because salaries
posed budget calls for 11 new are`lagging behind other area
overnments,he said
employees,° Inc U, g `three;" g
fire lieutenants and three fire
fi hter5 t �. JESSICA DELEGN,817=685:3932
g
The city also plans salary
aljustmle ts'of as much`'as 8
percent for public'safety ern=.
ployees"arid nearly 4 percent,
for other:city"employees: �' e
pay . 'increases will cost
$812,679,Jackson said.ti