July 18, 2025

This is the latest edition of Week In Review — a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on municipal events. If you would like to sign up to receive this in a weekly e-mail click here.

Throughout the year, the City Council or City Plan Commission will hold meetings on topics of significant interest to local neighborhoods or the community in general. Links to view all City Council or City Plan Commission meeting documents that may have topics of interest to you can be found here:

City Council | City Plan Commission

Richardson Receives Sixth Transparency Star from Texas Comptroller 
The City of Richardson has earned its sixth and final Transparency Star from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, one of only 12 local governments statewide to achieve full six-star status in the Comptroller’s Transparency Stars program. The program recognizes local governments that go above and beyond in providing clear, accessible and comprehensive public information.  

The Comptroller’s Office added a sixth star category to the Transparency Stars program last year, “Open Government & Compliance,” joining five other categories that include:   

Since the program was launched in 2016, the City has earned all stars each year. Richardson’s commitment to transparency dates back to 2007, when the City Council began posting meeting agenda documents online.   

Richardson’s financial transparency website: www.cor.net/transparency 

Transparency Stars program: www.comptroller.texas.gov/transparency/local/stars 

City Council Continues Discussion on Proposed Charter Amendments 
The Richardson City Council continued its review of proposed City Charter amendments at Monday’s City Council work session meeting. This week’s review included additional discussion/refinements concerning three amendments, and consideration of a possible new amendment in light of recent Texas legislative action giving cities the choice to hold City Council elections in November rather than May (which can be done through a City Council resolution or by an amendment to the City Charter).  

After discussion, the City Council chose to keep Richardson’s City Council elections in May. 

Monday’s review also included a presentation by the City attorney, who presented draft language for ballot propositions for all 48 proposed charter amendments. A final draft will be provided to the City Council at its July 28 meeting, and the ordinance to call a charter amendment election for November is expected to be voted on at the Aug. 11 meeting. 

Monday’s discussion/presentation: Click here 

“Deep Dive” Presentations Begin for FY26 City Budget Preparation 
Preparation for the City Council’s August Budget Workshop continued at Monday’s City Council work session this week, with the beginning of City department presentations, a.k.a. “deep dives,” as staff from Parks & Recreation and Facilities & Fleet Services gave separate strategy overviews. These annual presentations provide the Council with detailed information about current programs, infrastructure and maintenance tasks, along with trends, proposed projects/initiatives and budget requests. 

Monday’s presentations included a photographic look at several Parks and Facilities maintenance projects completed this year as well as those currently underway. Next week’s City Council meeting will include presentations from Transportation & Mobility, Information Technology and Engineering & Capital Projects (Streets and Alleys, Drainage Utility). 

The City Council’s FY 2025-26 Budget Workshop is scheduled for Aug. 4-5. The meeting will be available to watch live and on-demand and are available to watch in person where people are also able to provide input.  

Parks & Recreation presentation: Click here 

Facilities & Fleet Services presentation: Click here 

City Earns 14th Investment Policy Certificate of Distinction 
The City of Richardson has once again been recognized for excellence in financial management, earning its 14th consecutive Investment Policy Certificate of Distinction from the Government Treasurers’ Organization of Texas (GTOT). This latest certification continues a nearly three-decade streak of financial best practices, bringing the City’s total time certified to 28 years by mid-2027. 

Richardson first received the award in June 1999, and each certificate is valid for a two-year period. The honor is awarded to public entities—such as cities, counties, school districts and utilities whose written investment policies meet or exceed standards set by the Texas Public Funds Investment Act and GTOT’s own rigorous review criteria. 

With this 14th award, Richardson remains part of an elite group of public agencies across Texas who uphold the highest standards in public fund management. 

City Council Honors Local Nonprofit and Athlete with Proclamations 
At this week’s City Council meeting, two proclamations were presented, one recognizing the impact of a local nonprofit and the other celebrating the achievements of a standout athlete.  

June 24, 2025, was proclaimed “Live Like Luke Day” in honor of what would have been the 10th birthday of Richardson resident Luke Childs, who passed away at age 6 from acute myeloid leukemia. In Luke’s memory, the Live Like Luke of Texas Foundation hosted a “Birthday Splash” fundraiser on June 24. The foundation supports families with children experiencing extended hospital stays, carrying forward Luke’s spirit of joy and courage.  

The Council also recognized Aiden Hayes, a Richardson native and Plano East High School graduate, for his outstanding performance as a high jumper for Texas State University. Hayes earned a second-place finish at the NCAA Division I Track and Field National Championships, becoming one of the first TSU track and field athletes since 1990 to reach the podium in the men’s high jump event.  

“Live Like Luke” Day presentation: View here  

Aiden Hayes presentation: View here   

RFD, OEM Staff Continue Assisting with Flood Recovery Efforts in Central Texas 
Four Richardson Fire Department members (a captain and three firefighters/paramedics), remain deployed to Williamson County as part of Texas Task Force 2, helping with flood recovery efforts at Big Sandy Creek in Leander. In addition, a staff member from the City’s Office of Emergency Management will remain in Austin through Sunday while he helps support Travis County’s flood response as part of the Incident Support Task Force.  

Texas Task Force 2 is one of the state’s two urban search and rescue teams specially trained to locate and extricate victims of natural or man-made disasters. In Leander, floodwaters damaged a bridge over Big Sandy Creek, which cut off access to 200 homes, requiring distribution of emergency supplies to the neighborhood by boat. A temporary low water crossing was constructed and opened earlier this week.  

Additional RFD and OEM staff are prepared to be deployed if needed.   

More information: texastaskforce2.org  

Vendor Registration Open for Senior Center Holiday Bazaar 
Registration is now open for vendors wishing to participate in the Senior Center’s annual Holiday Bazaar scheduled for Nov. 7-8. Eligible vendors are artists/crafters age 18 or older, and all items must be handmade by the seller. Tax ID required.  

Cost per table is $35 for Richardson residents and $40 for nonresidents. Price includes one 8-foot table and one chair.   

Register in person at the Richardson Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd.  

Registration is first-come, first-served and remains open until all tables are sold. 

Sewer Repairs Begin Near Arapaho Road and US 75; Lanes Reduced in Area 
The left-turn lanes on eastbound Arapaho Road to northbound US 75 frontage road have been reduced to a single lane, and the right lane of westbound Arapaho Road between North Greenville Avenue and US 75 is temporarily closed, as both stormwater and sanitary sewer repairs have begun in the area. The work includes repairing approximately 100 feet of 30-inch-wide concrete storm sewer pipe and relocating an 8-inch-wide sanitary sewer line. The work is expected to be completed by early August, weather permitting. 

Daily Lane Closures Begin Next Week on Renner Road at Custer Parkway 
Daily eastbound lane closures on Renner Road at Custer Parkway are scheduled to begin Thursday, July 24, as part of ongoing utility work. This work is expected to continue for a few weeks.  

Closures will take place between 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and may involve one or two eastbound lanes. The temporary closures are needed to complete waterline connections to the City’s existing system.  

For more information about the Custer Parkway Improvement project or to sign up for updates, visit www.cor.net/CusterParkway. 

www.cor.net/Projects

Family-Friendly Dive-In Movie Tonight: “Moana 2” 
Heights Family Aquatic Center, 709 W. Arapaho Rd.
Cost: $6 per person online, $10 at the gate (tickets) (ages 3 and under get in free)
Friday, July 18
Movie begins at sunset shortly after 8:30 p.m.  

Set sail and sing your heart out on another incredible adventure with Moana and Maui! 

Lifeguards will be on duty and all rules of the pool must be followed (found here). Only the lap pool and lazy river will be open; single-person flotation devices will be allowed at the pool with lifeguard discretion. Concessions will be available for purchase. No outside food/drinks.  

More information: click here 

Spots Still Available for Recycling Center Tour July 31 
Republic Services, 4200 14th St., Plano
Cost: Free (must pre-register here)
Thursday, July 31
10:30-11:30 a.m.  

Take a guided tour of the facility that processes Richardson’s recyclables, Republic Services in Plano. The tour is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the recycling process, from material collection to sorting and processing, demonstrating the critical role recycling plays in environmental sustainability. Space is limited; sign up today! 

Dance Around the World: Indigenous Arts, Culture, and Education Tomorrow 
City Council Chamber, City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Ste. 525
Admission: Free; no registration required
Saturday, July 19
3-3:30 p.m. 

Join Library staff in learning about the beauty and value of Native cultures as performers from Indigenous ACE (Arts, Culture and Education) demonstrate various dance traditions from North American tribes. For all ages. 

3D Printing Drop-in Demo Wednesday 
Library business center, just inside near Library entrance
Admission: Free
Wednesday, July 23
4-4:30 p.m.  

Drop in to see the 3D printer in action and learn what’s required to submit a job for 3D printing. More information: 972-744-4355.  

At the Eisemann Center:

• Farzad Farzin Next Friday Night
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $59-$250 (tickets)
  Friday, July 25
  8:30 p.m.
  
  Iranian singer, songwriter and actor Farzad Farzin brings his unique World Music sound to the Eisemann Center. 

Mosquito Populations Increase After Recent Rains; What to Know 
Abundant rain and flooding over the past several weeks, paired with the near triple-digit weather that appears to be setting in, is providing lots of potential to have more breeding grounds for all types of mosquitoes, increasing the chances of mosquito-borne disease for both pets and people. Here’s a closer look at the Four D’s of Protection recommended every mosquito season by Richardson’s Health Department: 

Experts from the City of Richardson’s Health Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension want to remind everyone that although you can reduce mosquito populations through spraying yards with insecticide and draining standing water, spraying has only temporary effects and there are always areas that may be difficult to drain such as tree holes, grassy fields, roof gutters—or containers on a neighboring property, so the best protection is personal protection. As for pets, mosquitoes can transmit heartworms to dogs and cats, so check with your vet regarding heartworm prevention medication. 

More information: click here   

www.cor.net/mosquito  

Fifth Annual Moth Night Next Friday at JBS Wetland Center 
John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, 655 Martin Lane, Combine, TX
Cost: $5 ages 15 and under; $10 ages 16 and up (tickets)
Friday, July 26
8-11 p.m.  

Celebrate National Moth Week and the beauty and value of moths, with an unforgettable night of discovery! Enjoy a presentation by Texas Parks & Wildlife Urban Biologist Sam Kieschnick and the chance to observe a kaleidoscope of moths after dark using light traps. Learn how to identify moths and submit moth photos for identification and data collection, contributing to global moth research. (Already a moth afficionado? Bring a mothing station, e-mail contact@wetlandcenter.com and receive free admission.) 

The Wetland Center is located about 40 minutes from Richardson in the middle of the North Texas Municipal Water District’s (NTMWD) 2,000-acre East Fork Wetland Project, which provides a unique, natural process that helps purify Richardson’s water supply (and that of other NTMWD member cities) while at the same time creating wildlife habitat and enhancing the environment.  

More information: 5th Annual Moth Night with Sam Kieschnick 

Driver/Loader, SWS Recycling ($43,136 - $60,013 Salary) 
The Public Services Department is looking for individuals who can drive and operate residential refuse and or recycling collection equipment. Work in a small crew to collect, load, transport and dispose of refuse, garbage, recycling and brush. Applicable Texas Commercial Learner’s Permit is required within 1 month of hire. Texas Commercial Driver’s License, Class B, is required within 6 months of hire. 

Heavy Equipment Operator ($48,661 – $66,830 Salary) 
The Public Services Department has multiple job openings for Heavy Equipment Operator for individuals with experience operating heavy motorized equipment. Depending on department, a Class A or Class B Texas Commercial Drivers License will be required or obtained within 6 months. 

Recreation Customer Services Representative ($20.00/hr to $24.02/hr) 
The Parks and Recreation Department has multiple openings at its Recreation Centers for individuals who enjoy working with people and to help assist in supervising Recreation Center instructors, programs and activities.   

www.cor.net/jobs

Pet of the Week
Meet Joey, a sweet and energetic adult dog who loves nothing more than spending time with people. His friendly demeanor makes him a joy to be around, always ready for a game or a cuddle. Despite being heartworm positive, Joey's spirit remains unbroken, and he's looking for a loving home where he can receive the care he needs. Adopting Joey means bringing a bundle of joy into your life and giving him the chance to thrive and fill your days with happiness.  

For information about animals available for adoption, visit the Animal Shelter’s web page here.

City Council Links