← Take the Four Corners Survey by clicking on Survey in the column on the left Sign the Petition to restore Citizen Comments to every regular City Council agenda. Branch Forum will present this petiton to the City Council.
U.S. sides against the city AG says only federal government can make laws on immigration
By DIANNE SOLÍS Staff Writer dsolis@dallasnews.com
The U.S. attorney general has filed a friend of the court brief advocating the position that the federal government has sole control over immigration matters, including in Farmers Branch, where a lower court has stalled implementation of an ordinance that bars illegal immigrants from renting housing. Read the entire article at U.S. sides against the city on Page 7B of Friday, December 16, 2011 issue of The Dallas Morning News.
The Justice Department's argument states, in part, "Ordinance 2952 rests on the unsound assumption that the Building Inspector and state courts will be able to determine who can lawfully remain in the country in advance of and without regard to determinations in a federal removal proceeding." Read the the US Amicus Brief.
UPDATE Farmers Branch ban on renting to illegal immigrants goes to appeal The Farmers Branch ordinance banning illegal immigrants from renting in the city continues to work its way through the courts. Lawyers for both sides will make their cases Tuesday before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. - Dianne Solís
City argues that federal law allows illegal immigrant rental ban - The Dallas Morning News The Associated Press Published: 05 October 2011 01:11 AM NEW ORLEANS — Federal laws allow Farmers Branch to restrict illegal immigrants from renting housing, a lawyer for the city argued Tuesday before a federal appeals court. The city is asking the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a judge's ruling that the city tried to impose unconstitutional restrictions on home rentals to illegal immigrants. A three-judge panel from the 5th Circuit didn't immediately rule after hearing arguments over a housing ordinance that the Farmers Branch City Council enacted in 2008. Read the entire article here.
City Council Election Follow-up Farmers Branch election judge accused of violating election code resigns | Dallas-Fort Worth Communities - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News
Sam Aceves voluntarily resigned over the weekend, said Dallas County Republican Party Chairman Wade Emmert. Dallas County commissioners appoint man charged with misdemeanor ...
Candidate Jack Viveros continued his bid in Farmers Branch, where contentious elections have brought ... Viveros lost to incumbent Harold Froehlich in May. ...
Council Approves Amended Budget by a 3 to 2 Vote On September 6, 2011, the City council passed the City's 2011-12 Budget by a vote of 3 to 2. Councilman Robinson, Froehlich and Scott voting “aye”, and Holmes and Koch voting “nay”, to approve Ordinance No. 3155 adopting the budget as amended. Changes made to the proposed budget by the Council during the meeting included - to reinstate City employee operated Green Grabber residential bulk trash service by adding $250,000 and $150,000 in fixed assets for a total of $400,000 in the solid waste collection division expenditures. The motion carried by a 3 to 2 vote.
- to set aside $720,000 from the non-bond utility CIP fund to rebate to rate payers on water and sewer charges. The motion carried with a 3 to 2 vote.
- to transfer $350,000 from the non-bond utility CIP fund to the general fund and reduce the service center project funding accordingly. The motion carried by a 4 to 1 vote.
- to reduce Metrocrest Social Services increased funding request by $7500 and reinstate the funding for The Family Place in the amount of $7500. The motion carried by a 3 to 2 vote.
An explanation of the most significant changes is below: - In the proposed budget, the Green Grabber service run by the city was eliminated and taken over by Waste Management under their residential trash pick up contract at no additional cost to the city. Continuing the city's operation of Green Grabber required retaining the employees and purchasing a Green Grabber truck for a total additional cost of $400,000.
- The $720,000 rebate money came from the Water and Sewer Reserve Fund; therefore it must be rebated based on water and sewer charges. If you used a lot of water, you will get a bigger rebate than someone who used less. Branch Forum questions the wisdom of rewarding large water usage during the state's most horrific drought when conservation is being encouraged by water suppliers. Also, the Council did not ask how much it would cost to implement the rebate, so they could see if the cost was worth the benefit to rate payers.
- The transfer of $350,000 from the non-bond utility CIP fund to the general fund and reduction to the service center project funding was needed to meet the Council's target general fund reserve after they reinstated city run Green Grabber service.
To see who voted for what amendments go to Item E.6 in the minutes from the September 6, 2011 meeting. http://www.farmersbranch.info/sites/default/files/2011-09-06%20minutes.pdf
No Excuses, Just Do It! We believe cities mostly take citizen comment off their Council agendas to stifle dissent. There is no reason not to reinstate Citizen Comment as an important part of our local government. There are just excuses. Councilpersons Koch, Scott, Holmes and Froehlich have told us why they don't want citizen comments on the regular City Council agenda. Let's look at what they said point by point and how Branch Forum responds to them. Council - Has concerns about the open meeting laws restricting their ability to give reasonable and thoughtful responses to new topics presented during the comment session.
BF - The legal limits of Citizen Comment time state that:
Although the City Council cannot take specific action during Citizens' Comments on items not on the Regular Agenda due to legal requirements, the City Council may: - Have the item placed on a future agenda for action;
- Refer to existing City policy;
- Refer the item to staff for appropriate response
Council - The City has several perilous lawsuits and litigation is still going on.
BF - So? Council - There are a multitude of platforms for citizens to provide input to staff and city council and the city could put on 3 town hall meetings instead of two a year.
BF - Citizen Comments provides accountability by putting the citizen's comment on the permanent public record unlike town hall meetings, emails, tweets, facebooking and phone calls to elected officials. Council - Can't respond to all the inaccurate information and statements made by citizens, the agenda may be too long, and citizens might make political speeches.
BF - Mayor and city manager carries responsibility of managing citizen comment period and they can stop personal attacks and put time limits on speakers. As for political speeches - So? Council - If the open-meeting act does not allow council to address non-agenda items why should citizens be allowed to?
BF - Because the council is taking action (passing ordinances, making policy, spending money etc.) and during Citizen Comment people are just expressing their opinion to their elected officials.
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There is no reason not to reinstate Citizen Comment as an important part of our local government. Just do it!
Do as I Say, Not as I Did Although Citizen Comment was on the Council agenda for decades, the only time it became contentious was May, 2006, to May, 2007. It was during this time that the city's controversial immigration ordinances were being discussed. Many times throughout this year, the Citizen Comment item was lengthy and volatile. Why did people use Citizen Comment to express their opinions and who were frequent commenters? Why was Citizen Comment used? -
As a result of Council decisions to keep the controversial immigration issue off the regular agenda, people used Citizen Comment to make their feelings known. The first immigration Ordnance (#2892) appeared on the Council's regular agenda for the first time on November 13, 2006, listed as Item C.9. The Council moved C.9 into Executive session for discussion and then passed it under "necessary action on items discussed in the Executive Session" which precluded public discussion before the vote. That night, Citizen Comment (Item C. 8) was moved further down the agenda to follow the vote on Item C.9, and many people spoke to the Ordinance which had already been passed without their input.
Later the council decided to replace Ord. 2892 with Ord. 2903 which was put on the May, 2007, ballot by a citizen initiative. Leading up to the election, people continued to use Citizen Comment to tell where they stood on the referendum and the candidates. The Council voted to discontinue Citizen Comment on June 18, 2007. Who were frequent commenters from May 2006 - 07? -
Some familiar names listed in the City Council Minutes are:
David Koch who appeared 11 times (05/16/06; 09/02/06; 11/13/06; 12/11/06, 01/22/07; 02/05/07; 02/1907; 03/05/07; 03/19/07; 04/02/07; 04/16/07; 05/07/07)
Tim Scott who appeared 7 times (09/02/06; 02/19/07; 03/05/07; 03/19/07; 04/02/07; 04/16/07; 05/07/07)
Harold Froehlich who appeared 4 times (08/21/206; 09/18/06; 11/13/06; 12/11/06) On June 18, 2007, Koch and Scott voted to take Citizen Comment off the regular agenda. Froelich was not on the Council at the time. On August 2, 2011, Koch, Scott and Froehlich opposed Mayor Glancy's action to reinstate Citizen Comment on the regular agenda. Contact these Councilmen and Michelle Holmes and tell them you want the same opportuntiy to address the Council as they had.
Do You Believe That Local Government Should Be Open And Transparent? Branch Forum does. Transparency and Open Government ensure the public trust and establish a system of clarity, public participation, and collaboration. Openness strengthens our democracy and promotes efficiency and effectiveness in Government. The addition of Citizen Comment to every City council agenda promotes public participation, fosters collaboration, provides for a diversity of opinions to be heard and offers feedback to the Council on how they are doing. Most importantly, it puts the citizen's comment on the public record unlike emails, tweets, facebooking and phone calls to elected officials.
Mayor Glancy requested that Citizen Comments be added to every Council agenda at the August 2, 2011, meeting. The majority of the Council turned him down stating, in effect, it was too risky to hear what citizens might say and that there were other ways for citizens to reach Council people. During the meeting, the City Attorney stated that Citizen Comment is part of the regular agenda of most cities he was familiar with, and that Farmers Branch was in the minority by not providing that opportunity for citizens to speak. Branch Forum took at look at our surrounding cities and found a form of Citizen Comment on the agendas of Carrollton, Coppell, Irving, Richardson and Dallas - all cities far bigger - and some far riskier - than Farmers Branch. Government should be transparent. Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their Government is doing. Government should be participatory. Public engagement enhances the Government's effectiveness and improves the quality of its decisions. Knowledge is widely dispersed in society, and public officials benefit from having access to that dispersed knowledge. Government should be collaborative. Collaboration actively engages Americans in the work of their Government. For all these reasons, Branch Forum believes that Farmers Branch citizens should be extended the right to speak to their elected representatives through the Citizen Comment agenda item. Everyone is doing it - and we used to do it too before the current Council came to power. There is no excuse not to reinstate this important part of our local government.
Is the City Council Afraid of Citizen Comments? At its August 2, 2011 meeting, the City Council rebuked Mayor Bill Glancy and the citizens of Farmers Branch by rejecting time for Citizen Comments on every regular Council agenda. Glancy's only support came from Councilman Ben Robinson and three residents who spoke in favor of the item. Both Glancy and Robinson made eloquent and impassioned cases for the item's reinstatement on every agenda. Robinson, who said that it was the Council's responsibility to listen to citizens, made a motion to have Citizen Comments on every regular agenda indefinitely, at the end of the meeting before Executive session, with 3 minutes allowed per person and a total time of 15 minutes which could be expanded or contracted based on experience. There was no second and the motion died. Tim Scott then made a motion to have Citizen Comment once a quarter for a period on one year at the end of the meeting before Executive session, with 3 minutes allowed per person and a total time of 15 minutes, but the Comments should not be televised. Again the motion died for lack of a second. Councilpersons Koch, Holmes and Froehlich were solidly against reinstatement under any circumstances. Branch Forum strongly encourages Mayor Glancy and Councilman Robinson to continue working to get Citizen Comments back on every council agenda. Farmers Branch citizens who want this avenue of free speech to their City Council should let Councilpersons Koch, Holmes, Froehlich and Scott know that. Branch Forum is working on this issue and will have more to say later. See what our readers say about this issue at Reader Feedback.
Is it time for term limits for City Board and Commission members? Branch Forum says, "Yes!" We believe that Board and Commission members should be limited to six years of service. We further believe that when a re-appointment comes up, if that member has served more than six years, he/she should either be granted Emeritus Status*, encouraged to join another Board, encouraged to run for City Council or feel free to retire. This policy should become effective as soon as the Council can pass on it. Board term limits are beneficial because: - Voters passed a six year term limit for the Mayor and Council members by a 2:1 margin last May leading to more turnover on the Council. Retired Board and Commission members due to board term limits would provide a pool of prospective Council candidates with the experience and expertise advantageous to becoming effective Council members.
- Regular turnover on city boards would yield fresh ideas and approaches.
- With more opportunities to serve, more Farmers Branch residents would become involved in city affairs and knowledgeable about their city.
- Boards and Commissions could better represent all ages and segments of our community.
In the 1980's, the Council passed a six year term limit for Board and Commission members. It was to become effective six years after the date it was passed. When that time came, the then Mayor and Council repealed the policy. Consequently we have had some members serve for decades which limits service opportunities for other interested residents. We need Board and Commission term limits now! If you agree that Board and commission members should be limited to six year terms starting now, contact the Mayor and Council and let them know how you feel. Mayor Bill Glancy bill.glancy@farmersbranch.info Council members-
Ben Robinson ben.robinson@farmersbranch.info - 972.241.5426 (H)
- 972.960.8257 (W)
Tim Scott tim.scott@farmersbranch.info Michelle Holmes michelle.holmes@farmersbranch.info David Koch david.koch@farmersbranch.info Harold Froehlich harold.froehlich@farmersbranch.info Let us know what you think too. info@branchforum.com
*The Park and Historical Park Boards have Emeritus members. These members continue to receive meeting information, are free to attend the meeting and/or give advice, but no longer vote.
In 2006, Hazleton, PA, was the first city to pass an anti-immigration ordinance. The ordinance has been in litigation ever since and faces at least another year before the Supreme Court might hear it. Farmers Branch's ordinance is modeled on part of Hazleton's and is also being defended by Kansas attorney Kris Kobach. Arsenic clouds plot's future Discovery this spring kills sale to district, puts owner in a bind By AVI SELK Staff Writer aselk@dallasnews.com
At the empty end of Farmers Branch sits a plot of dirt, shaded by trees and lightly contaminated with arsenic.
It's not a lot of arsenic, relatively speaking. Discovered in the soil this spring, the levels exceed the state's tolerances by a few parts per million. But that was enough to scare off Carroll-ton-Farmers Branch ISD from buying the plot last month for a future school site.
That lost sale, in turn, was no help to the owner of the plot: a network of affiliated real estate companies that have lately been in bankruptcy court trying to stave off foreclosure on these 13 acres, along with hundreds of others at the southwestern tip of Farmers Branch.
Mayor-elect put to the test
Glancy plans to move residents forward after immigration flap By DIANNE SOLÍS
Staff Writer dsolis@dallasnews.com May 22, 2011
FARMERS BRANCH — When mayoral candidate Bill Glancy was asked if he was a clone of Mayor Tim O'Hare, he said only if the clone-maker were lousy at his craft.
Now, Mayor-elect Glancy gets tested. Some people hope he can quiet the turbulence of lawsuits from O'Hare's and the city's stance on illegal immigration, and some hope he's an O'Hare twin. O'Hare and other City Council members endorsed Glancy.
Read the entire article at Mayor-elect put to the test on Page 1CB of Sunday, May 22, 2011 issue of The Dallas Morning News
| Farmers Branch-Mayor |
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| 18 of 18 Precincts Reporting | | | | Percent
| Votes |
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| Bill Glancy | | 51.86% | 1,660 | | Charlie Bird | | 48.14% | 1,541 | | | | | 3,201 |
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| Farmers Branch-Council Member Pl 2 |
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| 18 of 18 Precincts Reporting | | | | Percent | Votes |
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| Jack E. Viveros | | 43.59% | 1,366 | | Harold Froehlich | | 56.41% | 1,768 | | | | | 3,134
Farmers Branch - Prop 1- School Referendum
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| 18 of 18 Precincts Reporting | | | | Percent | Votes |
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| FOR (A FAVOR) | | 34.39% | 1,064 | | AGAINST (EN CONTRA) | | 65.61% | 2,030 | | | | | 3,094 |
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Farmers Branch - Prop 2-Term Limits
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| 18 of 18 Precincts Reporting | | | | Percent | Votes |
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| FOR (A FAVOR) | | 81.40% | 2,450 | | AGAINST (EN CONTRA) | | 18.60% | 560 | | | | | 3,010 |
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Candidate: Caller told me not to run Federal monitors may watch elections; activist denies it was a threat By DIANNE SOLÍS Staff Writer dsolis@dallasnews.com
The U.S. Justice Department is weighing whether to send election monitors to Farmers Branch to ensure fair elections under the Voting Rights Act, said three residents who were contacted by a federal investigator.
Farmers Branch elections were monitored by the Justice Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
The interviews follow a police report by candidate Jack Viveros alleging that he was threatened about his City Council bid. Early voting for Saturday's election ends Tuesday. For the rest of the story, please see Candidate: Caller told me not to run on Page 1B of Monday, May 09, 2011 issue of The Dallas Morning News
Voters in FB mull school district Mayor: Passage could start push to change state rules in plan's way By DIANNE SOLÍS and AVI SELK Dallas Morning News May 8, 2011
The potential divorce of Farmers Branch from the Carrollton-Farmers Branch and Dallas school districts was first broached by Farmers Branch Mayor Tim O'Hare. It's now on Saturday's ballot — and has become the subject of many emotionally charged discussions.
More temperate comments focus on state law: It takes 8,000 school-age children to form an independent school district. The city has fewer than 6,000 school-age children now, according to Census Bureau estimates for 2005 through 2009. “It is not a referendum on what it would cost or not cost, or is this bad or good,” O'Hare said. “It is simply, do you think Farmers Branch would be better as a community if it had its own school district?” Read the enitre article here.
City, mayor sued over free speech You can read the Plantiff's complaint here |
Should Farmers Branch Form Its Own School District? In the May 14 city election, voters will be asked if they are for or against forming a Farmers Branch Independent School District. Since facts supporting creation of the new district have been in short supply, Branch Forum asked CFBISD officials what was needed to have a school district with a comparable program. Branch Forum believes the proponents of starting a Farmers Branch ISD should be able to answer the questions raised in CDFBISD's response and give us an estimate of the costs involved. Because Farmers Branch ISD would have few students and a large tax base, under Robin Hood funding formula, we will probably have to send a portion of our revenue to the state for redistribution. To make an informed decision on the May referendum we ought to know the amount of revenue the district will have left and if it will be enough to fund a program comparable or better than the one our children have now. Read the response we got from CFBISD here.
At eye of secession storm, Farmers Branch students learn in 2 languages By KATHERINE LEAL UNMUTH Published 13 March 2011 10:41 PM by the Dallas Morning News
Are We Asking the Right Question? This essay about the future of Farmers Branch was written by Carol Dingman. Ms. Dingman served on the Farmers Branch City Council from 1981-87. She was the first woman elected to the Council and served one term as Mayor Pro Tem. She and her husband have lived in Farmers Branch since 1970.
R.L. Turner High at center of debate over schools in Farmers Branch | Dallas-Fort Worth Communities - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News#slcgm_comments_anchor#slcgm_comments_anchor#slcgm_comments_anchor
Source: dallasnews.com
Groups urge cities like Farmers Branch to study costs of illegal-immigration laws Dallas-Fort Worth Communities - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News
Source: dallasnews.com Read the reports: Unconstitutional and Costly When Mr. Kobach Comes to Town
Farmers Branch Mayor Tim O'Hare will not seek re-election 03:08 PM CST on Thursday, January 6, 2011 By DIANNE SOLIS / The Dallas Morning NewsFarmers Branch Mayor Tim O'Hare announced this morning that he will not seek re-election in this suburb that gained national fame for its stance on illegal immigration.
Farmers Branch files federal appeal on immigration ordinance Thursday, January 6, 2011 By DIANNE SOLÍS / The Dallas Morning News dsolis@dallasnews.com The city of Farmers Branch has formally filed with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to reverse a federal court ruling against its immigration ordinance.
Emails from Readers about forming a Farmers Branch ISD
LULAC mentoring has Farmers Branch mayor, principal at odds November 20, 2010 Read the entire article LULAC mentoring has Farmers Branch mayor, principal at odds (Dallas Morning News) A student mentoring program has kicked off a furor in Farmers Branch , once again pitting some city leaders against the League of United Latin American Citizens. The principal was thrilled this year when LULAC picked R.L. Turner High School for a two-year, $20,000 national grant-funded dropout prevention program. Similarly to others it runs in schools across the country, the Hispanic advocacy group brings in community role models to steer at-risk students toward graduation and college
Click to read how our Readers React to Library Outsourcing Vote Mary Jane Stevenson who worked at the Manske Library for 23 years, was the Library Director from 1989 - 2004, then served as Assistant City Manager for four years was unable to complete her comments to the Council in the allotted 2 minutes. Farmers Branch resident Jim Manning suffered the same fate. Below are llinks to their complete statements. so you can see what the Council missed hearing. Mary Jane Stevenson Comments Jim Manning Comments
Matt Wenthold Responds to Mayor Who Accused him of Making Untrue Statements Halfway through Matt's comment to the Council, Mayor O'Hare abruptly interrupted him, accused him of making untrue statements and ordered the council chambers cleared by the police for 5 minutes. O'Hare said clearing the room was an attempt to make sure the Council got the respect it deserved. Matt had reminded the Council of the promise O'Hare and Robinson made in the 2008 Council campaign that "We have an insurance carrier who will pay all of our legal fees after our deductibles are met on two of the cases if they are not dismissed outright, which is a very real possibility. In addition, if the cases are dismissed or won by the City, we can seek reimbursement for all of our attorney fees from those who have sued us." Matt sent Branch Forum the source for his statement. You can read the original letter making that promise here. See Falsehood #2. Branch Forum hopes that now Matt can get the respect he deserves. The link to the full DMNews story of the Library vote is below.
Farmers Branch council votes unanimously to privatize Mankse Library (Dallas Morning News) Library to be outsourced, Farmers Branch council decides (Farmers Branch Blog)
LSSI gets Library contract With a motion by Ben Robinson and a second by Michelle Holmes, the Council voted 5 to 0 to award the Library management contract to LSSI. We thank Danita Barber and her staff for their outstanding service to our community and wish them well.
Thanks also to 824 people who signed the online or paper petition to oppose the Library outsourcing. Stay in touch, Your neighbors at Branch Forum
Farmers Branch files appeal in immigration ordinance suit Jul 15, 2010 Dallas Morning News Dianne Solis/Reporter As expected, the city of Farmers Branch filed its appeal this morning of a federal court judge's ruling against an anti-illegal immigration ordinance to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. More
Farmers Branch OKs talks to sell Four Corners site to Wal-Mart July 15, 2010 By DIANNE SOLÍS / The Dallas Morning News
FARMERS BRANCH - The City Council has voted unanimously to advance contract negotiations to sell four acres to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to develop a grocery store. The city purchased the land for nearly $17 a square foot but would sell it for $5 a square foot to Wal-Mart, John Land, the city's economic development director, told the council Tuesday night. The land was appraised at $5 a square foot during negotiations with Wal-Mart, he said. About $6.8 million was used to purchase the land, demolish buildings and buy out remaining leases at the southeast corner of Josey and Valley View lanes, Land said. The city will break even on its deal in a little less than eight years because of a rise in property, sales and business inventory taxes, according to an analysis prepared by Impact DataSource, an Austin consulting firm. More
The City Council here voted unanimously tonight to advance talks to sell a four-acre plot of land to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to develop a small grocery. The city purchased the land for nearly $17 a square foot. It will sell at $5 a square foot to Wal-Mart, a global corporation once known for the slogan "always low prices." The move caps last year's controversial city purchase of about nine acres through financing raised by a property tax increase for a bond during a recession. Read more
E-mails show ex-Farmers Branch official warned of expensive fight over immigration ordinance Tuesday, July 6, 2010 By DIANNE SOLÍS / The Dallas Morning News dsolis@dallasnews.com The Farmers Branch City Council was warned by its former city manager that litigation over its immigration ordinance would be costly and that similar issues were already being litigated by the city of Hazleton, Pa., "with somebody else's money," according to e-mails disclosed in lawsuits against the city. Since September 2006, Farmers Branch has paid $3.4 million to fight civil suits in federal and state courts over its renter ordinances aimed at barring illegal immigrants from housing in the Dallas suburb. In addition, two teams of lawyers have submitted $2 million in bills as the winning side in the federal suit in which a judge ruled in March that immigration regulation to be "exclusively a federal power." The city plans to appeal, and city officials said that effectively puts a hold on any payout to the law firms. Read more Read this Branch Forum article This is Clearly NOT What the Council Promised Us In 2007
Budget gap revealed at Farmers Branch Town Hall Fri, Jun 18, 2010 Dallas Morning News Dianne Solis/Reporter It'll be a lean budget year in Farmers Branch. There's a budget gap of $3 million to $4 million in the upcoming fiscal year of 2010-2011, reports city Finance Director Charles Cox. He delivered the bad news at a Town Hall last night at the FB senior center--following a video presentation clearly intended to soften the blow coming to the current $42.5 million general fund. Read more
| 2:37 PM Fri, May 21, 2010 Dianne Solis/Reporter |
It's a lousy day for numbers. The state jobless rate went up. And Dallas County property tax valuations went down, putting more pressure on city budgets and spending priorities. In Dallas County, the overall preliminary tax roll fell nearly 5 percent, according to the Dallas Central Appraisal District. Farmers Branch fell 11 percent--one of the few double-digit dips. Carrollton slipped 1 percent. The downward trajectory took in University Park by nearly 5 percent and Highland Park by nearly 2 percent. The Farmers Branch residential property drop was 4.75 percent, but its commercial drop was 11.10 percent and the bulk of tax revenue comes from commercial property. All of it amounts to the largest drop in the Dallas County tax roll in nearly two decades, reports my colleague Kevin Krause. Here's more, and here's a link to the preliminary numbers. Note - In a related story Mayor Tim O'Hare said the city was able to add to its reserves mid-year despite the "worst economy since the Great Depression."
Emails from Readers about forming a Farmers Branch ISD
LULAC mentoring has Farmers Branch mayor, principal at odds
November 20, 2010 Read the entire article LULAC mentoring has Farmers Branch mayor, principal at odds (Dallas Morning News)
A student mentoring program has kicked off a furor in Farmers Branch , once again pitting some city leaders against the League of United Latin American Citizens.
The principal was thrilled this year when LULAC picked R.L. Turner High School for a two-year, $20,000 national grant-funded dropout prevention program. Similarly to others it runs in schools across the country, the Hispanic advocacy group brings in community role models to steer at-risk students toward graduation and college
On November 15, 2010, Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater denied the city of Farmers Branch's motion to dismiss the single-member district lawsuit that was filed earlier this year.
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