[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6625285,"mediaKeyId","2761988-cd2b21c3622b5048a8e986223cd56518","parentId",2761988,"title","Balch Springs marshals join DEA in operation that recovered about 90 kilos of meth; two arrests reported in unsheltered-camp sweeps","audioSeconds",279,"startMs",963000,"endMs",1242000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2761988-cd2b21c3622b5048a8e986223cd56518&start=963&end=1242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2761988-cd2b21c3622b5048a8e986223cd56518/thumbnail_963000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625285/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Balch-Springs-marshals-join-DEA-in-operation-that-recovered-about-90-kilos-of-meth-two-arrests-reported-in-unsheltered-camp-sweeps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625285-1eec58619ff4a52915e34f7f8222cc3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160486&Signature=LspXYOYy4gI-ylhvxfJfMCoWEZr-phuuD6gKmcgVXC5BFqfKhOq7JeFZvS0iSH8wONR7ZR0djL1rvAWN1ha6qbulf3DLYbvMNr5Wc9KuDt6ly-MptGtGYuTKvF3AZzbcAb0FI3Evwc5P2AypRPU2fn7CwS9xhihXKl1MQYIu0hgyZJyBG25n6TYBXnpWdNQTlO3x5Oa3Qp~gBt1RY6QqOK2V2V8zeZXf6PmvJokeQ6dXweMqVi0HQg-646dV3Wp~VjeeXvxeMRAEQucoq4of8mFggcT~w1sNiqUqXWPrdNsNdPNiZF~zaMv1DR0ejC3Vt0T~OzAFJ9EUVBhjQgQ0uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Balch Springs","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","Balch Springs public safety officials on March 24 described a multi-agency drug operation in late February that led to the seizure of a large quantity of methamphetamine and the arrest of at least one person, and they reported arrests tied to two unsheltered encampments.

Chief Kevin Nance told the council that on Feb. 27 federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents asked for assistance from the Balch Springs Marshals Office as part of surveillance of a Cheyenne Road residence near the Dallas border. After an earlier traffic stop produced about 10 kilograms of meth and a driver who said the drugs came from the Cheyenne Road address, Balch Springs marshals conducted a traffic stop on a separate vehicle on Dowdy Lane that contained another roughly 5 kilograms. A search warrant at the Cheyenne Road property uncovered about 90 kilograms of methamphetamine inside a trailer behind the house, Nance said. The street value was discussed at an estimated $10,000–$15,000 per kilogram.

Nance said agents also recovered multiple firearms — several AR-15 and AK-style rifles and handguns, including a revolver reported stolen — and seized a black Dodge Ram. He said federal charges were filed and an immigration detainer was placed on the arrestee.

Chief Nance also reported coordinated sweeps of roughly 10 unsheltered camps within the city. In that operation officers contacted two individuals who were arrested on outstanding warrants: one with a felony warrant out of Collin County and a second with a state-jail-felony warrant. Nance said the number of unsheltered people in the city had declined due to ongoing outreach and enforcement work.

Police Chief Herbst presented monthly statistics for February, reporting a total of 201 criminal reports for the month with 88 part-1 (violent and property) reports within that figure. The department responded to 130 motor-vehicle accidents, answered 1,732 9-1-1 calls and processed 1,461 calls for service overall. Herbst said officers made 54 arrests, executed 45 warrants for the month (19 felonies, 26 misdemeanors) and filed 70 criminal cases with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. He also noted progress on staffing: four officers are at the police academy, two are in field training and the department recently extended a conditional offer to one dispatcher.

Nut graf: Public-safety staff gave the council a briefing meant to highlight recent enforcement results, staffing changes and community outreach. The most consequential operational detail reported was the late-February joint operation with federal agents that yielded a multi-kilogram meth seizure and multiple weapons confiscated; council did not take formal action on these reports.

Selected quotes

“This is a report regarding our streetscape initiative, improvements...” — (example of other staff presentation) — unrelated to this report.

“As a result of that traffic stop, another 5 kilos of methamphetamine was in the vehicle… Search warrant was obtained… 90 kilos of methamphetamine was in a trailer in the back of the house,” Chief Kevin Nance said during the public-safety briefing.

Ending

Council received the reports; staff did not propose additional policy actions at the meeting. Council members thanked public-safety staff and emphasized continued attention to both major narcotics enforcement and the city’s outreach to unsheltered residents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Balch Springs - City Council - Mar 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Balch Springs public-safety officials described a late-February multi-agency drug investigation that led to the seizure of roughly 90 kilograms of methamphetamine and multiple firearms; officers also reported arrests at two unsheltered camps following targeted sweeps.","taxTitle","Balch Springs, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",69448,"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},6625280,"Council briefed on Mackenzie Trails PID: $6.31 million bond estimate, developer reimbursements and homebuyer credit explained",2092,4174000,6266000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2761988-cd2b21c3622b5048a8e986223cd56518&start=4174&end=6266","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2761988-cd2b21c3622b5048a8e986223cd56518/thumbnail_4174000.jpg","/articles/6625280/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-briefed-on-Mackenzie-Trails-PID-631-million-bond-estimate-developer-reimbursements-and-homebuyer-credit-explained","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625280-25c6285b96da3ce69a06080332034855/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160486&Signature=NB3ptEMFea1P1nPveEbVoZbs32-SZuRlFj2t54OhysLYX7dfvIwigUjlGaSKwDKYcun-nc2Dd9dV6LqXwmdtOzKUZSrO5HWzkHPOoOxEni16DGydDiFdnrvJ0-3UEujbB9zvH3tVZEEFDRfX7yeSyVWYOaYJx5UswuHVe2TR1Eazdn9TKmngi6Q7KMpl-bI3vsziqQTklxjuZx4mcHyEXWFy59jNZYEn-WdyrJqiCSZm3TWYpnEMn3VMXNPBm6ihQRIlBQJxpy0f6~rO3sPZ5zHcGj5AmnffgSz9bXo0Zo2oERGetpZtg7nfIJTIaAgtnDWjcp5dhdNEEIFhwZZl2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and outside consultants briefed the Balch Springs City Council on the status of Public Improvement District No. 1 (Mackenzie Trails) at the March 24 meeting, providing an overview of how the PID works, the district’s financing structure and an estimated bond size the council could be asked to approve in April.

Daniel Drea of P3 Works, the PID administrator, summarized the PID structure under Chapter 372 of the Texas Local Government Code, explaining that a PID allows a defined area of land to be assessed for infrastructure that benefits that land. Drea said Mackenzie Trails PID covers approximately 35.24 acres; the service plan and assessment roll were established when the district was created. He described typical PID mechanisms — pay-as-you-go and reimbursement or construction bonds — and said Mackenzie Trails is structured as a reimbursement/construction-bond arrangement.

Andre Ayala of Hilltop Securities, the city’s financial adviser on the project, told council staff estimates show the PID bond likely to be sized at about $6,312,000 when presented for council consideration in April. Ayala said the district was authorized to levy up to $7,000,000 of special assessments in the development agreement; the current estimate reflects updated appraisals and the developer’s pricing. Ayala said the assessment term remaining is 29 years (the first assessment payment was due in 2025) and that the developer (Huffines, which sold the land to Lennar) retained reimbursement rights; bond proceeds would reimburse the developer rather than be general-city debt.

Ayala also summarized the effect of a city-provided buyer credit (a TIRZ/TERS overlay described in the development agreement): the city will contribute up to 60% of certain city property-tax receipts within the PID area to reduce the annual assessment burden on future homeowners. Using the developer’s pro forma and an independent appraisal, staff estimated the fully-developed incremental taxable value of the subdivision at about $60.8 million and additional annual city property tax revenue (net of the city contribution) of about $193,000.

Nut graf: The briefing is informational; no council action was required at the March 24 meeting. Staff and the city’s advisers said they will present the bond offering document for council approval on April 14 and the bond authorization on April 28, with a proposed closing in May if pricing is acceptable.

Key points

- District background: Mackenzie Trails PID No. 1 created Feb. 2021; development agreement executed and infrastructure dedicated; home construction work expected to begin in July 2025 with the first completions in October 2025, per the presentation.

- Financing: The city previously approved a maximum $7,000,000 assessment lien for the PID. Current staff estimate for the bond to be considered in April is $6,312,000. The developer has contributed roughly $2.1 million in infrastructure that is not reimbursable from the PID proceeds, per staff presentation. The city also has approximately $720,000 of assessments already collected that will be used in the bond structure.

- Homeowner impact: Using the presentation’s assumptions, the net PID assessment after the city’s TERS credit results in an estimated annual homeowner payment of about $1,100 per year (the presentation noted that the gross PID rate is 80.3¢ but the city’s credit lowers the net rate to about 32.62¢ under current calculations). The lien runs with the land and may be paid off at any time, and the assessment term expires in 2054 under the current schedule.

- Timing: Hilltop and staff said the council will be asked to approve the bond offering document in mid-April and to consider bond authorization on April 28; closing was projected for May 21 if council authorizes issuance and market conditions are acceptable.

Ending

Council asked clarifying questions about timing and homeowner impacts; staff and advisers said they would return with the offering documents and recommended motions at the April meetings. No vote was taken at the March 24 briefing.","City and outside advisers briefed the council on Mackenzie Trails Public Improvement District No. 1, estimating a PID bond of approximately $6.312 million to reimburse developer infrastructure and explaining a city credit that reduces the annual assessment on future homeowners.",{"_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},6625290,"Balch Springs council approves streetscape contracts, $4.01 million street program, benefits broker and electronic voting software",964,6344000,7308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2761988-cd2b21c3622b5048a8e986223cd56518&start=6344&end=7308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2761988-cd2b21c3622b5048a8e986223cd56518/thumbnail_6344000.jpg","/articles/6625290/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Balch-Springs-council-approves-streetscape-contracts-401-million-street-program-benefits-broker-and-electronic-voting-software","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625290-343ae67d5f3d94f9c37af82da4a9ac3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160486&Signature=gh0KSmjiAbqG5RZJjgmECrHOCiTvd7bA7lFZ6Hvaz7IZiTjsSJBeGQyLF2vkyziUJt0efvTwapIYFEGtN-9LMwAKdNfrWS0pvsBXwVQ~0nLpUJo0IGWGSReJIRimOWsO7ayw3yYeglwKjN9KUR68nprTVYAuH~vJ1k5Z1w-L~g0a6Ep~GB8aKppCGQGglWjCeTQcFCw1-BOZiS4xzIzgyjRdZJXr8i6HvC8z0jEXPf33YWFtjCSnnE77V4mPAhpAAd9iH4w8wnwX8ma8K0BRyS1P34JpwD9T3FJVaBip4k4MBKrUfG9QNYHaFA1pSjm2EkUOhTRUDAZrqoQDBcy0iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Balch Springs City Council on March 24 approved multiple contracts and program amendments aimed at street and corridor improvements, named a new employee benefits broker and authorized a one-time electronic voting setup for council meetings.

The council unanimously approved contract amendments with Lothrop Landscape Inc. for streetscape work on the Lake June corridor (not to exceed $193,400) and the Beltline Road corridor (not to exceed $150,000). Council also approved an amendment with Freese and Nichols for engineering design services for adding sidewalks on Horseshoe Trail (design amendment not to exceed $84,008.50) and a combined street maintenance tax program to reconstruct four priority streets — Platte Drive, Horseshoe Trail, Glenshauer and Summerhill — at a total not to exceed $4,005,750. The council voted to fund the package from the street maintenance tax fund with any overages coming from CIP fund balance.

Council voted to select Gallagher as the city’s new employee benefits broker and to authorize transition from the prior broker (1Digital). The council approved a one-time payment not to exceed $3,000 from council contingency to activate CivicPlus Live Meeting Manager electronic voting; staff will budget the recurring annual fee in future budgets.

Council also approved a housekeeping amendment to the council policies and procedures to add proclamations under the section governing ordinances and resolutions; that motion passed with one recorded No vote.

Nut graf: The actions mark a concentrated effort by city leadership to advance corridor beautification and accelerate a multi-street maintenance program while shifting administrative services (employee benefits) to a new vendor and modernizing meeting technology. The largest single commitment approved at the meeting was the $4,005,750 street maintenance package, which combines reconstruction and new sidewalks on multiple neighborhood routes.

Most important details

- Streetscape contracts: Council approved two contract amendments with Lothrop Landscape Inc. — Lake June corridor not to exceed $193,400; Beltline Road corridor not to exceed $150,000. Staff said the Beltline scope runs from Lassiter to Spring Ridge; Lake June scope runs in the medians roughly from I-635 to Hickory and covers about one mile of median islands.

- Street maintenance program and sidewalks: Staff recommended and the council approved adding sidewalks for Horseshoe Trail via a Freese and Nichols design amendment (not to exceed $84,008.50) and prioritized four streets with an estimated combined construction budget of $4,005,750 (Platte Drive ~ $928,000; Horseshoe Trail ~ $2,000,000; Glenshauer ~ $480,000; Summerhill ~ $490,000). Staff said Spring Oaks was evaluated but deferred for now; the package will be bid this spring with construction proposed to start later in 2025.

- Maintenance responsibility: Councilmembers asked whether the new streetscape work includes long-term maintenance. Staff said the contract amendments do not include maintenance; operations/public services will budget routine maintenance in upcoming fiscal years and the city has shifted some tasks from contractors to in-house crews to control recurring costs.

- Employee benefits broker: The council approved Gallagher as the city’s new employee benefits broker, authorizing staff to proceed with transition from 1Digital and to use a carrier-commission compensation model. Presenters said Gallagher will provide actuarial, pharmacy and compliance expertise and a benefit-advocate center for employees.

- Electronic voting: City Secretary identified CivicPlus Live Meeting Manager as fully integrated with the city’s current agenda software; council approved a one-time expenditure not to exceed $3,000 from council contingency to activate the feature and instructed staff to budget the recurring $2,400 annual service fee in future budgets.

- Council policies: Council voted to amend policy section 3.0 to explicitly include proclamations in the list of items requiring council approval; city staff will return proposed, standardized language for the proclamations process.

Votes at a glance (motion language condensed from the meeting record)

1) Consent agenda (minutes and several routine items)
- Motion: Approve consent agenda (minutes for Feb. regular meeting and March 10 regular meeting; remove Mark Morris and Susie Klus from Balch Springs Community Development Corporation; designate authorized city signatories; other listed consent items).
- Mover/Second: Mayor Pro Tem Miles / Councilmember Hill
- Vote: Hill — Yes; Garcia — Yes; Gabriel — Yes; Whitley — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Miles — Yes; Salau — Yes
- Outcome: Approved

2) Amend contract with Lothrop Landscape Inc. — Lake June corridor (individual item)
- Motion: Approve amendment not to exceed $193,400 for Lake June Corridor streetscape improvements
- Mover/Second: Mayor Pro Tem Miles / Councilmember Hill
- Vote: Hill — Yes; Garcia — Yes; Gabriel — Yes; Whitley — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Miles — Yes; Salau — Yes
- Outcome: Approved

3) Amend contract with Lothrop Landscape Inc. — Beltline Road corridor
- Motion: Approve amendment not to exceed $150,000 for Beltline Road Corridor streetscape improvements
- Mover/Second: Mayor Pro Tem Miles / Councilmember Garcia
- Vote: Hill — Yes; Garcia — Yes; Gabriel — Yes; Whitley — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Miles — Yes; Salau — Yes
- Outcome: Approved

4) Freese and Nichols contract amendment (Horseshoe Trail sidewalks) and Street Maintenance Tax (SMT) program
- Motion: Approve Freese and Nichols amendment for design services (not to exceed $84,008.50) and approve SMT program for FY24–25 street improvements not to exceed $4,005,750 (Platte, Horseshoe, Glenshauer, Summerhill)
- Mover/Second: Councilmember Whitley / Councilmember Salau
- Vote: Hill — Yes; Garcia — Yes; Gabriel — Yes; Whitley — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Miles — Yes; Salau — Yes
- Outcome: Approved

5) Gallagher as employee benefits broker
- Motion: Approve Gallagher as the city’s new employee benefits broker and authorize transition from 1Digital using a carrier-commission compensation model
- Mover/Second: Mayor Pro Tem Miles / Councilmember Whitley
- Vote: Hill — Yes; Garcia — Yes; Gabriel — Yes; Whitley — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Miles — Yes; Salau — Yes
- Outcome: Approved

6) CivicPlus Live Meeting Manager (electronic voting)
- Motion: Approve CivicPlus Live Meeting Manager for electronic voting at a one-time cost not to exceed $3,000 from council contingency; staff to budget recurring fee in future general fund budgets
- Mover/Second: Councilmember Hill / Councilmember Garcia (amended motion to one-time contingency payment)
- Vote: Hill — Yes; Garcia — Yes; Gabriel — Yes; Whitley — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Miles — Yes; Salau — Yes
- Outcome: Approved

7) Policies and procedures (proclamations)
- Motion: Amend City Council Policy 3.0 to include proclamations in the ordinances/resolutions section and return suggested language for the proclamations approval process
- Mover/Second: Mayor Pro Tem Miles / Councilmember Whitley
- Vote: Hill — Yes; Garcia — Yes; Gabriel — No; Whitley — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Miles — Yes; Salau — Yes
- Outcome: Approved

Background and context

Council members repeatedly emphasized the need to plan for maintenance costs when approving capital beautification. Staff said the city has shifted some maintenance tasks in-house to reduce contractor spending and will include recurring maintenance funding in the next budget cycle. For the large street package staff cited updated cost estimates following inflation and site visits; Spring Oaks was evaluated but deferred due to budget constraints and will be considered as an alternate in bidding.

Ending

Staff will proceed with design and bidding for the prioritized streets and corridors, begin the Gallagher transition work, and sign the CivicPlus contract once returned; the city expects construction bidding this spring and work to extend into early 2026 for the street maintenance projects.","At its March 24 meeting the Balch Springs City Council approved contract amendments for streetscape projects, a $4,005,750 street maintenance package that includes sidewalks, named Gallagher as the city's benefits broker, and authorized electronic voting software; all motions passed by recorded roll calls.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Balch Springs marshals join DEA in operation that recovered about 90 kilos of meth; two arrests reported in unsheltered-camp sweeps

Council briefed on Mackenzie Trails PID: $6.31 million bond estimate, developer reimbursements and homebuyer credit explained

Balch Springs council approves streetscape contracts, $4.01 million street program, benefits broker and electronic voting software