[{"_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",6231345,"mediaKeyId","3429542-2d91cb2150ef8595c37283cd25df6810","parentId",3429542,"title","Farmers Branch debates city recognition calendar after public comments oppose Pride acknowledgment","audioSeconds",1230,"startMs",6509000,"endMs",7739000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429542-2d91cb2150ef8595c37283cd25df6810&start=6509&end=7739","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429542-2d91cb2150ef8595c37283cd25df6810/thumbnail_6509000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6231345/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Farmers-Branch-debates-city-recognition-calendar-after-public-comments-oppose-Pride-acknowledgment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231345-fcf15a42cec68cbc6eca3239faab2ff7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178697&Signature=GYDlZ0co4Zw00RGqzFHvTVhU2OSrG-wDPAZDI0yh5sp8~7r-EUC7UHf76G9U6Btl7ukCS-4IfhuexlQuyiH~ERvJVdIHqjssXNL~lDhLsATPkbAoz8zI~jwxml36FK9-jq~D~EF3TxMCEeywyue3j8Yjc03MpUzf2Uf-tXJyOHZoKGCiqKCvTHFV4CqN2cSPLmMfmhEjNVhjc6-iI4SkZKcc6KwbKMKSsVW8ZbbGOW~CEp0vexjyOzM0eIFo~8UTE61PlM5PbRE6RQBfKa5RMTjmxmlJBIcbcdozl3rWHIkK7MKDsSrS6pPp4OgdLIt0Z2R2gX7WolLBrJUH81lmiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Framers Branch TX","date","2025-05-21T22:22:27.947Z","article","The City of Farmers Branch discussed a proposed calendar of events on May 20 that would post social‑media acknowledgments of state and national observances, including ethnic heritage recognitions and city service months. The calendar is social‑media only; staff said no proclamations, parades or additional flag‑raising actions are proposed.

Why it matters: several residents used the public‑comment period to object specifically to inclusion of gay pride recognition in the proposed calendar, prompting a broader council discussion about selection criteria, inclusivity and the calendar’s scope. Council directed staff to compile a complete calendar that includes several additional observances named during the meeting and to return the item for vote.

Public comment: the item drew an extended public comment sequence in which multiple speakers identified themselves as Farmers Branch residents and said the city should not recognize gay pride or similar observances. For example, Susan Davis (resident) asked, “Why do you want to adapt the federal calendar? What benefit is it to our community?” Several other commenters—John Campbell, Terry Anderson, Charles Gilmer, Sherry Collier, Nancy Snyder and others—expressed similar views that the city should focus on unifying recognitions and avoid what they characterized as divisive acknowledgments. Some speakers used religious language and expressed personal objections to gay pride; staff cautioned speakers to stay on the policy topic.

Staff presentation and council discussion: Stacy Henderson, Director of Administrative Services and City Secretary, said the calendar was originally presented in March with no action and was later revised at Councilman Reid’s request to remove proclamations; the current draft is “social media recognition only” and draws from national and state calendars. Councilman Reid said the intent is to “publicly acknowledge various groups, professions, holidays, events that have been recognized in national and or state calendars” and emphasized the calendar is not intended to promote or place one group above another.

Council responses: Councilman Mullen said he supports the calendar as drafted and described the item as a social‑media marketing calendar, not an authorization of parades or proclamations. Councilwoman Bennett read a prepared statement urging the calendar explicitly include national and Texas heritage observances and military commemorations; she recommended adding Religious Freedom Day (Jan. 16), Texas Independence Day (March 2), Memorial Day, Independence Day and Constitution Day (Sept. 17). Councilman Reid proposed adding Military Appreciation Month for May. Councilmembers also noted that many federal holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas) are already city holidays and that the calendar is intended to be complementary social‑media recognition rather than a series of new events.

Process questions and direction: Councilman Neal and others asked how additional items would be added in the future and whether an open process is needed; staff and several councilmembers said the calendar should be based on national and state templates to avoid endless requests for minor observances. Council agreed that staff should return a compiled calendar that incorporates the additions discussed at the meeting and that council will take a vote on the full list at a later meeting.

Ending: The study session closed the item by asking staff to prepare a comprehensive calendar reflecting council direction and to bring the revised list back for formal consideration at a regular meeting. The city reiterated that the draft presented is limited to social‑media acknowledgments and not proclamations or events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Study Session May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Farmers Branch discussed a proposed calendar of social‑media recognitions on May 20 that drew substantial public comment, with several residents opposing the inclusion of gay pride recognition and councilmembers directing staff to return a revised, comprehensive list for a future vote.","taxTitle","Farmers Branch, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",56808,"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},6231350,"Farmers Branch council considers reimbursement option to avoid tax treatment of $200 monthly stipend",561,1643000,2204000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429542-2d91cb2150ef8595c37283cd25df6810&start=1643&end=2204","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429542-2d91cb2150ef8595c37283cd25df6810/thumbnail_1643000.jpg","/articles/6231350/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Farmers-Branch-council-considers-reimbursement-option-to-avoid-tax-treatment-of-200-monthly-stipend","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231350-807c88e919b84e6bb34395d85e959db2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178697&Signature=kx0uT0K8B-B--cg6VVjgmfOhqc33qoOZd~wgonExuKoCBfNL9258dQAlNGBjZxC7AI8kepw8h4war-tzHDEwyVxCTCv1e60UhzzXah8mTgDgm0Ut2lTxIFvjHjp66R6U79~KzcQufJkTNCJnJ1f9dfpCYIbcvhO12b87vRr-yYiHNn2trbp0X2k7YkhcsItGVgbE4EnbW6rrxjXkjVBhJozv-W7wudwCSjGIYNlrn~9PR6TrkxkidlBM7uP~huihMNVNtxsoweLno7GUMNVbBCilzJAWECn3jAVkOUgPVeLTiB9CLFIcdvJhZTv-fnRSNiPYaS-1fitJawPxKwTupw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilman Tim Roman proposed an amendment to the council travel policy on May 20 to let members treat the $200 monthly stipend as an expense reimbursement instead of W‑2 taxable income.

Why it matters: the stipend totals $2,400 per calendar year and, when paid as W‑2 income, triggers payroll withholding and a pension contribution. Roman said the reimbursement option would “maximize the funds that we will be receiving” and make use of the existing travel expense review process while avoiding W‑2 tax treatment for members who choose it.

Aaron Flores, deputy director (deputy city secretary), explained staff had drafted policy language to implement the reimbursement path after Roman raised the issue. Flores and the city attorney said the change would not require another charter amendment or a resident vote because the previously approved charter amendment granting the stipend already allows the council flexibility in how funds are disbursed.

Under the proposal, a councilmember who opts for the reimbursement approach would submit receipts to the city secretary’s office and the travel expense review committee would approve eligible expenses up to $200 per month. Flores said the process would be similar to existing travel reimbursements and likely impose no greater administrative burden than the current W‑2 payment; in some respects it could reduce payroll compliance work because the city would not issue a W‑2 for that stipend if the reimbursement route is chosen. Flores said the policy as drafted ties the $2,400 cap to the calendar year, though councilors discussed whether to use fiscal year and favored calendar year for simplicity.

Councilmembers emphasized that the option would be voluntary. The city attorney and Flores said members could elect one approach or the other for a given period (W‑2 or reimbursement), but not both simultaneously. Councilwoman Villafranca and Councilman Neal asked about recordkeeping and practical effects; Flores said receipts would be required for reimbursements and that a councilmember who wished to donate the stipend to a nonprofit could have the stipend paid as cash and then request reimbursement to maximize the amount delivered to the nonprofit.

Next steps: staff will bring the proposed travel policy amendment back to the regular council meeting for formal adoption as an amendment to the travel policy; no ordinance or charter election is required. Council directed staff to return the policy with calendar‑year language and the reimbursement option as presented.

Ending: The change is presented as an optional administrative method for distributing the $200 monthly stipend; council members can choose the W‑2 payment or the reimbursement option once the council adopts the policy amendment.","Councilman Tim Roman proposed amending the council travel policy to allow councilmembers to claim up to $200 per month as reimbursements (with receipts) rather than receiving the sum as W‑2 income; attorneys said the charter permits the change and staff will bring the policy amendment back for adoption at a regular meeting.",{"_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},6231355,"Farmers Branch reviews five scenarios to fund $78 million water, sewer capital plan",2599,3862000,6461000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429542-2d91cb2150ef8595c37283cd25df6810&start=3862&end=6461","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429542-2d91cb2150ef8595c37283cd25df6810/thumbnail_3862000.jpg","/articles/6231355/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Farmers-Branch-reviews-five-scenarios-to-fund-78-million-water-sewer-capital-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231355-edbac7c9977d0e72021fc6433ff01977/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178697&Signature=ALbyP0IgomRBFJ-jatvXbvhWoJlNqxZ1Hz0xGEh62y-AxtYvx0lYw4Kh12RvtS5apGqy94fYa~dPDjtsI1ITOOeWk9YRBWC9SBp4FS25ANQRxk3RgTNsDKL83cw5SJ-1ScruWcQ7EN6Pzi~J4798lZw12vJglGNHKoR1dYTIWRDCoEFokCZVCXKali7Le0n5~HZEE96lvitj3~KBSL0Ig1IBtKaMeEen7XuLZSdd-TCkIAj99vKO~DxB8vp3O5hoZk8cUxbI53aL00rBdAyGze1kH2eX7-szhI23o~h6LXOVvEuAdEw-16acQBlHqveXA-aaNuErhqQlkfYlOoqzZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Farmers Branch officials and consultants presented a water and wastewater rate study on May 20 that showed the utility will need additional revenue or bond funding to pay for an approximately $78 million five‑year capital improvement program (CIP).

The study, presented by Ray Silveres, Director of Public Works, and consultants Richard Campbell and Andrea Campbell of NewGen Strategies & Solutions, laid out five scenarios ranging from all‑cash funding of the CIP to mixes of general obligation (GO) bonds and utility revenue bonds, and a high‑ambition scenario that doubles the CIP. The consultants said the city’s wholesale costs for water and wastewater (from Dallas Water Utilities and TRA) are the largest drivers of operating expenses.

Why it matters: the study shows the current rates and reserves will not support the planned capital projects and ongoing wholesale cost increases without either notable rate increases, voter‑approved bond funding or a combination of both. City staff and consultants recommended a follow‑up work session so council members can weigh policy choices (rate design, affordability measures, debt strategy) before adopting changes in the budget process.

The presentation framed the utility as an enterprise that must meet operating costs, set aside reserves and reinvest for renewal and growth. Andrea Campbell said the city’s model assumes a 90‑day operating reserve target of roughly $6 million and noted that without rate changes the system shows “insufficient financial performance” for 2025–2030 if the CIP is cash‑funded. The consultants emphasized that wholesale purchases (Dallas Water Utilities and TRA) represent roughly three‑quarters of the O&M cost and will materially affect future rates.

Consultants described five illustrative scenarios: (1) continue cash‑funding the $78 million CIP (no new bonds); (2) issue GO bonds (funded by property tax) combined with cash; (3) issue revenue bonds annually with partial cash funding; (4) alternate bond issuance and cash funding year‑to‑year; and (5) an aggressive option that doubles the CIP and cash‑funds it. Each scenario produces different annual rate increases and different monthly bill impacts for a residential customer using the study’s average consumption assumptions (7,500 gallons). For example, consultants showed the all‑cash scenario would require larger immediate increases (the presentation listed a $19.10 monthly increase for an average customer in the first rate year under that scenario), while a GO‑bond approach shifted much of the cost to property tax and showed lower monthly utility bill impacts in the near term.

The consultants also presented a regional bill comparison showing Farmers Branch’s combined water and wastewater charges are lower than many peers, but they cautioned that comparisons are not “apples‑to‑apples” because participating cities have different CIP and wholesale cost profiles. Richard Campbell told councilors the communication plan with residents will be important: “The value of water … that’ll buy you 1 and 3‑quarters cups of coffee from Starbucks or … a thousand gallons of water delivered right to your house,” an example the consultant used to illustrate the low per‑unit price relative to perceived household cost.

Council members asked for historical wholesale cost data and for copies of federal correspondence about lead/copper rules. Councilman Neal asked for a 10‑year percentage history of TRA and Dallas increases; Andrea Campbell and staff said the raw historical data exist and staff will provide percentage increases to council. Council members also raised affordability concerns for seniors and other vulnerable groups; the consultants noted rate design choices (e.g., how the first 2,000 gallons are treated) can target different policy goals.

Next steps: staff proposed scheduling a dedicated work session with the city manager, the finance director and council to discuss policy preferences (debt vs. cash, rate design and affordability options) and to build a funding strategy into the next budget. Councilmembers agreed to schedule further review.

Ending: The consultants left council with a clear tradeoff: under the existing structure the utility will under‑recover given the planned CIP and projected wholesale increases; council must choose a policy path that balances rate impacts, debt use and the city’s capital needs.","City staff and consultants presented a water and wastewater rate study laying out five financing scenarios for a roughly $78 million capital improvement program, showing tradeoffs among rate increases, bond funding and cash-financing and recommending a separate work session for deeper review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Farmers Branch debates city recognition calendar after public comments oppose Pride acknowledgment

Farmers Branch council considers reimbursement option to avoid tax treatment of $200 monthly stipend

Farmers Branch reviews five scenarios to fund $78 million water, sewer capital plan