[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",5980278,"mediaKeyId","5793089-338eb6df0d363142955650900f2d72ad","parentId",5793089,"title","Council delays action on appointed improvement authority seats, asks staff to contact member and return with candidate details","audioSeconds",740,"startMs",4000000,"endMs",4740000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793089-338eb6df0d363142955650900f2d72ad&start=4000&end=4740","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793089-338eb6df0d363142955650900f2d72ad/thumbnail_4000000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5980278/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-delays-action-on-appointed-improvement-authority-seats-asks-staff-to-contact-member-and-return-with-candidate-details","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980278-8594ab35fba91cbf5841c56818a2b540/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578974&Signature=Xhmb2erzZ3cYgaFpIcSxBRPGeM5OWIT67P4V4F3Zb8Ujb6p3~XLeyJ0aHn~~Fs9kmQTQxMMjn6ILel4QXynLxIg38WAMHjkjWBfw0-SW~CKg1EGYevtLyGbqlk5Y3k6K~3r2eHYD2G4HlHqgXSQAbO03CiDnDZk1jMubyd2KKbOgiGT0p2gUnO-MQbJ-5A4UDZ9h5mhrz-l0~Og0FT~Wlu6SiOQ-43YcM6meyPmia~lNaEgWPeL-2Yurc~8gLu9yE4gvhJRQZ6FkHM6qJ~NkgaCxHO5IenikvpT4Lj0oXUfciKKl8wyLWXKTouFz0N8Ui7l0~lj6eS5-2hhTywzwZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Framers Branch TX","date","2025-09-17T15:33:20Z","article","The Farmers Branch City Council on Sept. 16 discussed whether to remove or replace Farmers Branch‑appointed members of the local improvement authority that handles flood control and certain public improvements. Council took no removal action and directed staff to contact the current member and return the item at a future meeting with candidate information.

Erin Flores, city secretary, told the council the authority has seven members—three appointed by Farmers Branch, three by Carrollton and one by Dallas County Commissioners Court—and that appointees must own land in the district. She said the current Farmers Branch appointees include David Koch, Michelle Holmes and Andrew Jones and that three candidates had applied to fill vacancies: Albert Wolfe, Sabrina Martin and Pat Trapp.

Councilman Roman said he raised the item to confirm member availability; he noted prior conversations in which Michelle Holmes indicated she might step down. City Attorney Nicole Koehr advised the council that, based on her review of the applicable statute, the appointing authority has the power to remove an appointee and then fill the vacancy, and that a replacement must be appointed within 60 days when a removal creates a vacancy.

Several council members urged courtesy to existing volunteers and recommended staff confirm Holmes’s intentions in writing before pursuing removal. Councilwoman Villafranca said she preferred appointing residents who live in the area; Councilwoman Bennett and others recommended tabling the item to obtain an official statement from Holmes and to provide council members the applicants’ materials for review.

No vote or removal was taken; staff said they would contact Holmes, collect candidate bios/applications, and bring the item back to council for action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting September 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council discussed the Farmers Branch–appointed improvement authority board that handles flood control and public improvements in a district; members’ terms expire in December and council asked staff to confirm intentions with a current member and return with candidate information before taking appointment or removal action.","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},5980283,"Resident recounts delayed police response after reporting gun visible in car; urges council action on dispatch",129,1265000,1394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793089-338eb6df0d363142955650900f2d72ad&start=1265&end=1394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793089-338eb6df0d363142955650900f2d72ad/thumbnail_1265000.jpg","/articles/5980283/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Resident-recounts-delayed-police-response-after-reporting-gun-visible-in-car-urges-council-action-on-dispatch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980283-4118ca07e79b1a097c47a1f3d43ad7ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578974&Signature=BiQH0wcANLabpxl93NBE~KwliyE7XVj2uk0ZwBPp~bG6fsM88xQbj4zXIWrS2SBHrXjspo-0VYoiQlP-CLqNSzrpoyJee9m~K0f3vDRpCRcpT61eEc0nzAFQygbLXkyEJuocsMtJLOGNIUIWMFLv7LBRE4JLfnJ41TN1YvQp0gJ37fe2bHIcc~lBE3-kakIg79lEjPUMywBrFEQe-WGPXIpOQxbETe-cFYyM-izPEEwc7a97lSVYvJU7xooumxQNo2J3byvy-~BZ2qTsHyLqhyno8j8eEXyrCk349G4PC0SsqvHYfoDvmB~z3xEnxhGtHrCaKk~nmt9ng85cN2J21g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","“I am here today to formally ask all the council members to assist and help with the issues and problems associated with our dispatch system and ongoing criminal activity in our area,” Samantha Niemer told the Farmers Branch City Council during public comment on Sept. 16.

Niemer described an incident on Saturday morning, Sept. 13, when her husband saw a vehicle parked between driveways with a man slumped in the back seat and a handgun with an extended magazine in the front seat. She said her husband first called 911 at about 6:02 a.m.; after no response they called again at about 6:11 a.m. and were told a report already existed and to wait. Niemer said she called again at 6:17 a.m., then received a callback at about 6:19 a.m. from a Farmers Branch officer who she said told them to “calm down and stop calling dispatch” and hung up. She told the council officers did not arrive at the scene until about 6:43 a.m., when three officers arrested the man, recovered a handgun and, Niemer said, drugs were found in the vehicle.

Niemer said she has reported prior incidents on the block, including a May 2023 episode she described as involving felons in a “drug house,” and that residents have been given shifting explanations for delayed responses such as a lack of on‑duty officers or shift changes. “As our city leaders, you all have a responsibility to make and keep our city and the citizens in it safe,” Niemer said.

This was a public‑comment item; council did not take formal action on the record in response to the remarks during the meeting. The transcript shows the incident and times as stated by Niemer; no staff report or council directive was recorded at the meeting to change dispatch procedures or initiate a formal review.","During public comment, Samantha Niemer said her household called 911 multiple times early Sept. 13 after seeing a man in a parked car with a handgun; she said officers took about 41 minutes to arrive and asked council to address dispatch priorities and public safety.",{"_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},5980288,"Farmers Branch accepts $60,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield grant to build outdoor fitness court at justice center",252,3503000,3755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793089-338eb6df0d363142955650900f2d72ad&start=3503&end=3755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793089-338eb6df0d363142955650900f2d72ad/thumbnail_3503000.jpg","/articles/5980288/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Farmers-Branch-accepts-60000-Blue-Cross-Blue-Shield-grant-to-build-outdoor-fitness-court-at-justice-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980288-6ce49dfda36af5ac0a50149d67e94833/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578974&Signature=X8Q1Y6eUfIZFbyWgsgbVgu3WOYmnHhl6My2uTHYIkcdU63TPBWOIVwDwTITKOFd-8Vn~~JlO~sXhaAWtOHKGJajTrHiwX23Z9t~BbyTdKLZ5LgX0-J7nczixa5k5ZwWsbUoaeMWZXcQZXCdmAH6rzsyHKH4IW~ipZw5OVyETxCrtm4Qa5Z3lRMG20dTpzXdgEh~DvAkS26FGiiNU9F7LRfOmO5~W~Cr50iJZRfs1UrIWLAHAqG5XRGomBKTmGeiP5Ez9YyYgrcfQaIC0K3xANkqvzHLBLozrznWNri8FjqPd6LG6yhr0su842R17aPLAB~yIudaT~OhydY987f7HMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Farmers Branch City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2025‑173 on Sept. 16 to accept a $60,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Impact Grant to help fund construction and activation of a free public fitness court at the city justice center.

Kevin McCoy, chief of police, told the council the project had been discussed previously and that the grant award is time sensitive. McCoy said the fitness court would be sited on unused space at the police campus and would fund equipment and activation of programming for residents.

City Manager Ben Williamson said the grant required a city match and that staff had “parked” surplus funds to the grant account to demonstrate the city could support the match while the council determined the preferred funding source. He explained that the match could come from end‑of‑year surplus or from a non‑bond parks CIP allocation and that if the council declined the grant the parked funds would be returned.

Council members voiced support. “This is gonna be a wonderful, wonderful partnership,” Councilwoman Villafranca said. No public opposition was offered at the meeting.

By motion and second the council approved Resolution No. 2025‑173; the vote was unanimous. Staff said they will return as needed to identify the specific funding bucket for the match and to proceed with grant administration and project delivery.","The council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2025‑173 to accept a $60,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield grant to build a free public fitness court at the justice center; the grant is time‑sensitive and staff parked matching funds pending council direction.",{"_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},5980293,"Farmers Branch adopts FY2025–26 budget, sets tax rate at $0.5435; council approves measures 4‑1",11619,2374000,13993000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793089-338eb6df0d363142955650900f2d72ad&start=2374&end=13993","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793089-338eb6df0d363142955650900f2d72ad/thumbnail_2374000.jpg","/articles/5980293/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Farmers-Branch-adopts-FY202526-budget-sets-tax-rate-at-05435-council-approves-measures-41","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980293-94c8655dca32f0e0126099979a1b3eac/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578974&Signature=ZhGDVE-cyIGkc2WTp0d660uTEByBcKIWngWsffe-~Y4TPoVppdu6aQEJQhd9-ZfumFQHK1bwcEvHY1LPRWu2h7kX~jsUHlVMpMno4A-xdnWytyGDEF9zWbHBcTXN1-0Ty4MUL4~dUvxBuSe1Mp0usK6esE55HAOliVwXY1bi6puJ6YUOj7LJJ-FFDXFcQykCWdZkjdlVpHYXpwuIDmFc~IYtrxwOp5ea7bX-oaNIV3iK3IY-yFGBK89MOPC829Hig7ntHjF3HZ9mS6W7d1Est4EkVUax-HBAgy6A1ZiShApjCQoD-MGQRraFFr0kEbiozm52IeoIzfRyRdz9up51EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Farmers Branch City Council on Sept. 16 adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget and related tax measures, approving Ordinance No. 3958 (budget adoption), Resolution No. 2025‑160 (ratifying the property tax revenue increase), and Ordinance No. 3959 (accepting the certified appraisal roll) and setting a tax rate of $0.5435 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal year 2025–26.

City Manager Ben Williamson presented the budget and detailed that the adopted budget uses the existing tax rate of 0.5435. He told the council the maintenance and operations portion is 0.484575 and the interest and sinking portion is 0.058925. Williamson said the presentation included the Truth‑in‑Taxation calculations showing the maximum allowed tax rate under state law but that the budget itself is built on the 0.5435 rate.

Williamson said the city showed about $2.3 million in an end‑of‑year surplus but that much of the apparent revenue growth is offset by contractual obligations and economic development agreements; he estimated net realized growth in the budget to be roughly under $500,000 after those commitments. He said the budget incorporated council priorities including public safety, infrastructure, economic development and neighborhoods and that public engagement (workshops, town hall, surveys) informed decisions.

Council members praised staff work. “I just wanna remind everybody out there that we had a flat budget. We have a $2,300,000 budget surplus,” Councilwoman Villafranca said. The city manager and staff also recognized Suzanne Pritchard, the budget manager, for 38 years of service.

The council voted on the budget and related tax measures via roll call. For the budget adoption (Ordinance No. 3958) the roll call vote was 4‑1 (Councilman Neal voted no; Councilwoman Roman, Councilwoman Bennett, Councilman Reed and Councilwoman Villafranca voted yes). The related resolution ratifying the tax revenue increase (Resolution No. 2025‑160) and the ordinance accepting the certified appraisal roll and levying the rate (Ordinance No. 3959) passed by the same margin. A final motion adopting the tax rate of 0.5435 was also approved by roll call with a 4‑1 result.

Ben Williamson said the budget timeline starts each year with the council’s strategic priorities in February, department submissions in March–April, and the city manager’s proposed budget delivered by July 31 with adoption in September and the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. Williamson noted the water, sewer and stormwater funds are self‑supporting through utility fees and that the CIP fund will be used to replace aging utility lines and fund drainage and street projects.

No amendments to the budget were adopted at the meeting. Council directions during the discussion focused on resiliency of fund balances and continued public outreach while staff will proceed with implementation and required publication steps.","The council adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget and related tax measures at the Sept. 16 meeting. The budget holds the proposed tax rate at $0.5435 (0.484575 maintenance & operations; 0.058925 interest and sinking), drawing comment and one dissenting vote on final adoption.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5980299,"Farmers Branch council approves alcohol overlay to allow alcohol sales at pickleball facility on Spring Valley Road",380,2010000,2390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793089-338eb6df0d363142955650900f2d72ad&start=2010&end=2390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793089-338eb6df0d363142955650900f2d72ad/thumbnail_2010000.jpg","/articles/5980299/Farmers-Branch/Dallas-County/Texas/Farmers-Branch-council-approves-alcohol-overlay-to-allow-alcohol-sales-at-pickleball-facility-on-Spring-Valley-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980299-fcea1bdbaf68a3170ee99517e7aadcbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578974&Signature=JpUx4~j3oSme9rLpORGhnHBn3FmRBw8jMAd-FbLdBWgC8HTiPysnopNqI96Cgrhvw8-omPZu23f~iktG27ZFenuzlKrWeyGNNh10aT0jcbRg2W-0VnFMLTDM3HACwSSQro1ILhu2zsYIwh8blKNAZWPC69Is-mVem8ej9rcav~brIokhXB4o4ZlkCub1PqnDMJJ5lAYz75Z0wcUVssmAcR6PA-ZIdy57~awKLtI2L-fnlLW~HBw1U1U4HuONBM~cikBUxvkPDucYxvKZhn9J32GRoG3uvybRA~9U0h5Teh38yWIpxdzHOPqBQEE2v8FyGWVkW3xX4KVly712feS9ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Farmers Branch City Council on Sept. 16 unanimously approved Ordinance No. 3954 to amend Article 5 (Special Districts) of the city’s comprehensive zoning ordinance, adding an approximately 7.96-acre property at 4801 Spring Valley Road to the Alcoholic Beverage On-Premise Overlay District so an indoor pickleball venue may sell alcohol on the premises.

The change allows DFW Indoor Pickleball to serve alcoholic beverages to patrons without meeting the qualifying-restaurant threshold under the CZO. Brian Campbell, planner with the city’s planning department, told the council the site is zoned Planned Development District No. 27 and that the amendment would permit only on-premise alcohol sales; off-premise sales would remain prohibited.

Campbell said a qualifying restaurant—i.e., one that must meet different rules—was defined in the ordinance as an establishment where at least 50% of gross sales come from food. He told the council the proposal is consistent with the Farmers Branch 2045 plan’s mixed‑use designation and that the Planning & Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended approval on July 30.

Council members who spoke in the public hearing round said they had no objections. “I don’t have any real objections to this,” said Councilman Veil. “I think it was unanimously approved by planning and zoning, so I’m on board with this.” Councilman Reed added, “We have other pickleball facilities in the city that have alcohol sales, so I think it would be consistent.”

The council closed the public hearing by motion and then voted to adopt Ordinance No. 3954. The approval is limited to on‑premise alcoholic beverage sales and will remain subject to the other requirements of the CZO and applicable state law.

The applicant and city staff said no correspondence had been received by the city as of the council meeting date, and staff confirmed required notifications (300‑foot notices and a mailed legal notice) were completed before the Planning & Zoning hearing.

No appeals or enforcement actions were taken at the meeting related to the ordinance; the amendment takes effect according to the city’s ordinance-adoption timeline.","The city council unanimously amended the comprehensive zoning ordinance to add an approximately 7.96-acre property at 4801 Spring Valley Road to the Alcoholic Beverage On-Premise Overlay District so DFW Indoor Pickleball can serve alcohol without qualifying as a restaurant.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council delays action on appointed improvement authority seats, asks staff to contact member and return with candidate details

Resident recounts delayed police response after reporting gun visible in car; urges council action on dispatch

Farmers Branch accepts $60,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield grant to build outdoor fitness court at justice center

Farmers Branch adopts FY2025–26 budget, sets tax rate at $0.5435; council approves measures 4‑1

Farmers Branch council approves alcohol overlay to allow alcohol sales at pickleball facility on Spring Valley Road