[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6475521,"mediaKeyId","5733750-78eca90eb78051071771839b7038a6c7","parentId",5733750,"title","Council tables draft facility-use/association agreement for youth sports to Parks Board for review","audioSeconds",165,"startMs",7276000,"endMs",7441000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733750-78eca90eb78051071771839b7038a6c7&start=7276&end=7441","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733750-78eca90eb78051071771839b7038a6c7/thumbnail_7276000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475521/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-tables-draft-facility-useassociation-agreement-for-youth-sports-to-Parks-Board-for-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475521-34da901b557507552cf90cd4c5ddee0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775030165&Signature=Si9riTRrdSVjj-LtWiU~BLbR8iJ9DFdns8yeSSmDKOD-Rp8gW3WnXovoTDdNJLxOJoC5mF8FdpIk6OpTquORqyzDplr3A5YSQi~dpxTAV5BwyGroG1Nhqq9vsPy-JoN7x2h9OBIbGm2mgHHe4SjJS~dkdgIU-mFVrTNNj6d0sj24ssjn4ZQkba5DnXMK2Sx8KunyoFB7PGgTs~ALo98qBv1YVW1hyY24l9~~jofw5HOu5hWurXy1mHzrsDcESOG5aMlVE3gEPq4lnPhkmvIhBghxWQqy3zN1FVqFFKVohCP55n3zgGDTNLk5UX2X-bOznFokNdjxoC72t4XY5OQBaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Balch Springs","date","2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","article","City staff presented a first-draft facility-use and association-management agreement on Sept. 8 intended to standardize relationships between the city and youth sport associations for use of parks and recreation facilities.

Staff described the document as a starting point for discussion, intended to be the single association-level agreement that would govern field use, rules and responsibilities (for example, whether baseball follows Dixie League or other organizational rules). Parks staff said the Parks Board had not yet had a chance to review the draft; the Parks Board meets on the fourth Thursday of each month and staff requested council send the draft to that board for review.

Council agreed to table the item for formal action and to return it to the council after the Parks Board reviews the draft at its September meeting. Staff members Jessica and Pratt were present for the briefing and offered to gather edits from the Parks Board and stakeholders.

Ending: The council took no final action and asked staff to return an edited agreement after Parks Board input.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Balch Springs - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented a draft facility-use and association-management agreement for youth sports and park use; the council directed staff to place the draft on the Parks Board agenda for the board's September review and deferred final action to a future council meeting.","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},6475525,"Balch Springs code enforcement reports 1,270 cases May'July; demolition work underway on substandard properties",903,6057000,6960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733750-78eca90eb78051071771839b7038a6c7&start=6057&end=6960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733750-78eca90eb78051071771839b7038a6c7/thumbnail_6057000.jpg","/articles/6475525/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Balch-Springs-code-enforcement-reports-1270-cases-MayJuly-demolition-work-underway-on-substandard-properties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475525-66ba339c2bc474a3500608ed04efd10c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775030165&Signature=lerwiTKXH8gs2Vw5G52MIn~BVkQPKM5HyMPTQRIQpBBKFfbeXuORDYxwvpWhoPuRsNWoNnPxPAnY5xcYF0lEkcmzhu9s0L~yJi5MCOv9XwJcNKttShWHT0vhvOWZP9Om695aDgYmWp7RPI3fsmKejpz~rXnfMVsnYy2mFD~TYbXKyswVAGKYKra9GXneNh2daqzR13DdGY0og65Tgbaw292un~yNmvvTfByyaL8Qfu3akDVBKo2Yta8e8ZIJ0t0wCTdjU7vYTaROpKbaz4OEj08ow3TCKxlzsrZuJE6kKx49TsNnassEyxcAvmSrSjkhViioy~mkUSk~HFt7DhZFpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Code enforcement staff and Building Standards Commission representatives briefed the council on Sept. 8 on enforcement activity and follow-up demolitions of substandard properties.

Mr. Phillips, speaking for code enforcement, said the department processed 1,270 cases between May 1 and July 31, 2025, with the most common issues being high grass and weeds (352 cases) and accumulated junk, trash and debris (278 cases). Phillips said roughly 91% of property owners corrected violations after notice; the remaining 9% (about 52 properties) required city abatement action.

Phillips described the standard enforcement process: identification (by patrol or complaint), notice and photo evidence, reinspection, notice to appear if unresolved, municipal-court pretrial meetings and, in persistent cases, presentation to the Building Standards Commission. He explained that repeated noncompliance can lead the commission to declare a structure substandard and order repair or demolition; if owners do not perform the work the city may obtain bids, demolish the structure and place a lien on the property.

Phillips showed before-and-after photos of demolition projects and summarized specific examples of properties recently addressed by the city's program, including properties on Timothy Lane, Post Road, Marriott and Seagoville Road; several structures with collapsed roofs or extensive interior failure were demolished after enforcement and court proceedings.

The presentation emphasized public-safety and neighborhood quality goals: removing dangerous vacant structures reduces vagrancy and safety hazards, staff said. Council members asked clarifying questions about enforcement on private driveways (code enforcement handles private-property inoperable vehicles; police handle vehicles in the public street), and Phillips acknowledged heavy summer caseloads.

Ending: Staff said the Building Standards Commission held its first meeting since 2016 and that additional hearings and abatement actions are planned; councilmembers encouraged residents to submit complaints and staff to continue prioritizing chronic violations.","City code enforcement presented summer data showing 1,270 cases handled May 1'July 31, with high grass and accumulated junk the most common violations. The Building Standards Commission has resumed hearings and several dangerous structures have been demolished.",{"_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},6475530,"Council approves Seagoville Road office/flex development and SUP for Elam Road convenience site with screening conditions",722,4377000,5099000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733750-78eca90eb78051071771839b7038a6c7&start=4377&end=5099","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733750-78eca90eb78051071771839b7038a6c7/thumbnail_4377000.jpg","/articles/6475530/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-approves-Seagoville-Road-officeflex-development-and-SUP-for-Elam-Road-convenience-site-with-screening-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475530-581c025d7879f3dd8206f9db821e339c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775030165&Signature=Fiz-HP-MxGePpK4tbiIPrN9ODKVjJ2gA6ou2ft3LDW6n72Di~5I7aw0w2GvTNhKGEi4JR3ZEiYcJPOqqyHQdl0SmZe8aaHC8Off1L5L4WeMozZWqbgcOi6rjawclNybL-rHv1Bkfnx2JDKMftSGqSe744ANiA01uYLhrgQEnltHUELZtfCAgfUwT5zfOT-XTWcoHg5Js8hDJiQVvZfPTULPrmIUnQy~fPTdPULSAPGuA1gAPwOvSYUXToM5zzxREoyUsormgbzYHKjRYwFGZKk79466zCl9vsXWM9RL6LNl5xfeQ-9xMTYfZA~4rUEOQvmMQPNqsxN-vEoWWMe4VpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Balch Springs City Council approved two land-use actions on Sept. 8, 2025: a special use permit (SUP) to make an existing convenience store at 11900 Elam Road a legal conforming use and a rezoning plus development agreement for a flex-office project at 11916 Seagoville Road.

Planner Jordan presented the SUP for 11900 Elam Road, saying the proposal would bring the nonconforming site into compliance with current standards. The application covers a 0.63-acre parcel and includes remodeling the existing store and creating two tenant suites. Jordan summarized standard SUP conditions including conformance with the submitted site plan, landscaping, no exterior illumination crossing residential property lines, no outside vending and provision of sidewalk. Jordan said staff and planning and zoning recommended approval, noting one nearby resident requested a screening wall between the retail property and adjacent housing.

During discussion council amended the planning commission's recommendation to require an 8-foot screening wall (the zoning code minimum-maximum range is 6'8 feet); the motion to approve the SUP with that condition passed unanimously.

At 11916 Seagoville Road, staff presented a rezoning request from Local Retail to Commercial on a 0.9425-acre parcel to allow a primary use of flex office space. The developer agreed in a development agreement to prohibit certain heavy/commercial uses otherwise allowed in a commercial zone, to install landscaping, to contribute $10,000 to the Elam City Center downtown plan and to install Flock cameras with a subscription accessible to Balch Springs Police Department. Staff said the project represents an approximate $1,500,000 investment and included six units in the submitted site plan.

Architect Frank Clusi explained the project will be office/commercial flex space rather than raw warehouse space and described exterior materials as a combination of AAC panel and cement board. Jordan said staff will require a drainage plan and other permitting conditions because portions of nearby property lie in a flood zone; the parcel itself was described as out of the floodway but subject to standard stormwater review.

The council authorized the rezoning ordinance and directed the city manager to negotiate and execute the development agreement, and later authorized the city manager to execute the final development agreement with the corrected language indicating the primary use as flex office space. Votes on the rezoning and development agreement were unanimous among members present.

Key details and conditions:
- SUP 002-2025 (11900 Elam Road): parcel ~0.63 acres; standard SUP conditions plus an 8-foot wood screening wall to buffer adjacent residences; site to add landscaping and sidewalk.
- Rezoning 009-2025 (11916 Seagoville Road): parcel ~0.9425 acres; rezoned from LR (Local Retail) to C (Commercial) with a development agreement that prohibits outdoor storage, outdoor displays, pawn shops and certain repair uses; developer to contribute $10,000 to downtown improvements and provide Flock camera system access to Balch Springs PD; project estimated investment $1,500,000; six-unit flex office configuration submitted.

Ending: Staff will require detailed site civil and drainage plans during building-permit review and will enforce SUP conditions through the permitting and inspection process.","Balch Springs approved a special use permit to bring an existing convenience store into conformance at 11900 Elam Road and rezoned and authorized a development agreement for a flex-office project at 11916 Seagoville Road. Conditions include landscaping, an 8-foot screening wall, and Flock camera contributions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475535,"Balch Springs adopts $30 million fiscal 2026 budget, keeps tax rate; council restores several frontline positions",2297,767000,3064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733750-78eca90eb78051071771839b7038a6c7&start=767&end=3064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733750-78eca90eb78051071771839b7038a6c7/thumbnail_767000.jpg","/articles/6475535/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Balch-Springs-adopts-30-million-fiscal-2026-budget-keeps-tax-rate-council-restores-several-frontline-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475535-b627ef609d283c1271480303fd0f9fe5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775030165&Signature=DLavk0W0lD0-4iI-SHRi1C-2cvboXLD1KN6pLuRU~InlVEssCGRIn98hG5nJ5bUfMu8iAy-ddXrgnFpeVtuJrOgPbPkSxocvnFRatOwuQTd5QP5JE1rQ2rAOSVdNNPnUkJFT-egpOgEwwvLzvhsSIuUYgNQmAtRe~60vndcRhwJmBiTmMh5EAKa5AzYCZMDGZXSFZ10TtmH8y1NhzxQiDI6GpByosGHC08YMx0i9PckFwLXU6je6rFFf0XTMBF4fSTgDb~uVI7-ADRFgu7ixAK4ClVfOcCeNpRp~04tC8-du8djVgnFo6pP6ip3VkbU89QoQakRSYpN4FCKgzv4RiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Balch Springs City Council adopted the fiscal year 2025-26 budget and formally approved a tax rate of 0.794629 per $100 valuation on Sept. 8, 2025, after a public hearing and debate over personnel and service priorities.

City Manager Fenner presented revised figures showing the general fund deficit had been reduced from roughly $2.6 million in the initial draft to a much smaller shortfall after staff cuts and adjustments. \"The initial budget that we went over at the budget workshop, we were 2,600,000.0 over, so we had to reduce a lot of things,\" a staff member said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the council kept the city's effective tax rate unchanged while approving a budget that restores code enforcement, animal control and inspector positions that staff had earlier proposed to remove. Councilmembers said the changes reflected a priority on essential services while keeping the city's tax levy steady.

Council debate focused on personnel and how to cover ongoing costs. Council members repeatedly raised the trade-offs between adding an assistant city manager and hiring more field staff. City Manager Fenner said adding the restored positions would increase the use of fund balance but said the city had available reserves: \"We would be utilizing the fund balance,\" Fenner said during discussion.

After discussion, a motion to approve the budget as amended'removing the proposed assistant city manager position and adding back code enforcement officer 1, animal control officer 1, an inspector (health/safety) and keeping mechanic 1'passed. The roll call recorded by the clerk was: Councilmember Hill: yes; Mayor Pro Tem Tim Garcia: yes; Councilmember Gabriel: (tentative no during discussion); Councilmember Patino: yes; Councilmember Miles: yes; Councilmember Salat: yes. The motion carried.

On the tax rate, staff said the rate would remain the same as 2024 and that the city's debt issuance was incorporated into the calculation. The council adopted the ordinance setting the tax rate at 0.794629 per $100 valuation and then separately adopted the accompanying motion that characterizes the action as effectively a 7.81% increase over the no-new-revenue tax rate. The motion language stated the rate consists of 0.763429 for maintenance and operations and 0.0312 for interest and sinking (debt service). The vote to adopt the tax rate was unanimous among members present.

Budget highlights reported by staff:
- Projected general fund revenues for FY2026: approximately $30,000,000 with roughly $26,000,000 in operating revenues.
- The city issued $13,000,000 in debt in the current fiscal year for capital projects planned in 2026.
- Utility funds projected revenues of $18.7 million and proposed expenses of $19.2 million (capital outlay $3.3 million).
- Special revenue funds (grants/capital/streets) and EDC (Type A/Type B) balances and planned expenditures were summarized in the presentation.

Councilmembers asked for and were promised updated electronic copies of the final budget materials that had been revised after a workshop earlier in the week.

Votes at a glance (formal actions reported during the meeting):
- Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget: Approved (motion to remove assistant city manager and restore code enforcement/animal control/inspector/mechanic). Vote: Hill yes; Garcia yes; Gabriel (recorded as tentative no during discussion); Patino yes; Miles yes; Salat yes.
- Adoption of tax rate 0.794629 per $100 valuation: Approved (motion adopted and then ratified). Vote: Hill yes; Garcia yes; Gabriel yes; Patino yes; Miles yes; Salat yes.
- Consent agenda (minutes and multiple park/field upgrades): Approved unanimously.
- Appointment of Deanna Hammond to the Economic Development (EDC) Type A Board as an alternate: Approved (Councilmember Gabriel recorded a respectful no; others yes).
- Supplemental: see separate articles for planning and code enforcement actions below.

The council set a backup meeting for Sept. 15 in case additional budget action was required, but with the vote on Sept. 8 the city will proceed under the adopted FY2026 budget.

Ending: Councilmembers asked staff to send detailed line-item updates and comp/benefit totals for the restored positions and to continue work on longer-term revenue strategies and a staffing succession plan.","The Balch Springs City Council adopted a fiscal 2026 budget that keeps the city's tax rate steady while restoring several public-safety and code positions and removing a proposed assistant city manager post. Council voted to adopt the budget and separately adopted an unchanged tax rate of 0.794629 per $100 valuation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council tables draft facility-use/association agreement for youth sports to Parks Board for review

Balch Springs code enforcement reports 1,270 cases May'July; demolition work underway on substandard properties

Council approves Seagoville Road office/flex development and SUP for Elam Road convenience site with screening conditions

Balch Springs adopts $30 million fiscal 2026 budget, keeps tax rate; council restores several frontline positions