[{"_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",6462269,"mediaKeyId","5811739-ed53bfb5ac7095d4954337a5b6d19091","parentId",5811739,"title","Council nominates two council members to Dallas Central Appraisal District board","audioSeconds",142,"startMs",2914000,"endMs",3056000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811739-ed53bfb5ac7095d4954337a5b6d19091&start=2914&end=3056","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811739-ed53bfb5ac7095d4954337a5b6d19091/thumbnail_2914000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462269/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-nominates-two-council-members-to-Dallas-Central-Appraisal-District-board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462269-b0d5ff7ab4bc9cb21bb754b81e73537b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448177&Signature=cEyTs-p6pCsDg1UzBX6NLUx~-ak9rWPvNvuwgWRJukRRHXqi13q~49OGTFMafKy8dPretoaZDroP1850APo5tYHGmBX1UGSTmLSc-1XBe1TgD4Vp7-s5bwNQPWFUZZ7DEVVlD67I06qcuPlpRdhdcMfgQuV55RZcowu0RzrS1I3iXHkkJ4C9t7vw-flmff-Rc9NTKLcHMwBkB6-PfIYqobJUpIhL0MatzABoaI~rO9PW9eCJlTUJkoPd5KISKIQ-rQaSqAiXGLlEwZkJN5wgWuHURcgsev3rfi1EmWZaH~Ar96EAeYvLfHMiNSIf60p2jh0~NzyWenV7FCGKoiVJUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Balch Springs","date","2025-09-22T00:00:00Z","article","The Balch Springs City Council on Sept. 22 approved a resolution nominating two council members to serve on the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) board of directors.

Council discussion identified two council members as nominees for the seats the city may fill. The council voted to nominate Council member Miles and Council member Salau to the DCAD board; the motion passed unanimously. The council record shows the resolution was the county-provided form permitting cities to nominate directors to the appraisal district board.

Why it matters: Directors on appraisal-district boards help set policy and budgets that affect property valuations and tax administration in participating jurisdictions. Council nominations determine who will represent Balch Springs on the DCAD board.

Outcome: The council voted to forward the nominations to the Dallas County/DCAD process. The transcript recorded no objections and no additional debate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Balch Springs - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","The Balch Springs City Council nominated two council members to the board of directors for the Dallas Central Appraisal District as the city’s allotted seats were up for reappointment.","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},6462273,"Council approves consent agenda including property donation agreement and Safe Streets grant planning contract",167,583000,750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811739-ed53bfb5ac7095d4954337a5b6d19091&start=583&end=750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811739-ed53bfb5ac7095d4954337a5b6d19091/thumbnail_583000.jpg","/articles/6462273/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-approves-consent-agenda-including-property-donation-agreement-and-Safe-Streets-grant-planning-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462273-37a1e091168bbdd18c077c626d90fafb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448177&Signature=oxF2GD29sJrNCL44arPiFCGKA62xs8i26LribqcwD7tSIR5arg2DpM9dpaAZe3eoHz8wW4jR2Be0eNU95mXXl7I3cv3efFYKHNl9Y0fvIXsYRKlMSFxF3-G6RYZYyO9~895TH8IYXegzxuuTUfMQQJO-b3-1mXFQ08z0V-jiUZlcJzFr~IsBGfVmTWelpn~MRhjTBklNvL10TQ90CX199SfNHfTImsoXbPfikZSyfZ5DsIyiJDMMs27PoOgKm~YdsnMNpJx51Ytv115IVCP2ArmLnYe5s6iO4MkowYwbxaCjmI8X0uWwS~RojFunNttitaCdtjhnSf4xdDo6v6FF~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Balch Springs City Council unanimously approved the consent agenda on Sept. 22, authorizing routine items including minutes and two staff-recommended agreements.

The consent agenda included:
- Approval of the Aug. 2025 regular meeting minutes.
- Authorization for the city manager to negotiate and execute a development agreement with True Life Fellowship Church to allow donation of property at 13420 Alexander Road, with a purchase/donation threshold \"not to exceed $50,000.\"
- Approval to enter into a contract with Kimberly Horn & Associates for professional engineering services to support a 2025 Safe Streets for All (SS4A) planning/transportation grant application, not to exceed $36,500.

Mayor Pro Tem Garcia moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion carried unanimously with all council members voting yes.

Why it matters: The True Life Fellowship item affects right-of-way and local road access planning in the Alexander Road area and the Safe Streets contract positions the city to prepare a federal/state grant application focused on transportation safety planning.

Vote: Council member Hill, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Council member Gabriel, Council member Patino, Council member Miles and Council member Salau voted yes. No no votes, abstentions or recusals were recorded.","The Balch Springs City Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, authorizing a development agreement for a donated property and a contract for Safe Streets planning grant work.",{"_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},6462279,"Council appoints members to Balch Springs Animal Control Advisory Board; Operation Kindness partnership credited with higher life-saving rate",491,2385000,2876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811739-ed53bfb5ac7095d4954337a5b6d19091&start=2385&end=2876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811739-ed53bfb5ac7095d4954337a5b6d19091/thumbnail_2385000.jpg","/articles/6462279/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-appoints-members-to-Balch-Springs-Animal-Control-Advisory-Board-Operation-Kindness-partnership-credited-with-higher-life-saving-rate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462279-e5d85efa4a349c610cc37ba0aa2ea5d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448177&Signature=RwNAXzJmQe8liETK~GlARU6KT6m1yDoGFbwowQmQI5IOrXkMfhPNefvqFY5kwD~43ajo3IZa9hFaUNUH5BjM-yiTyHvcRpOP7xj80xwlNAQW4i7Ns2HwVvVuf2JuR88wvLTJ-TTQwbM3PxA5xN53SVVfEfBUOoX2qvK~OSPXd~KKYPlet-5laRVyZuNVqNpoRTGx5GvzQWbNQAM9MeQdRNh1MyN9iACET816scTJn9QfKZ8Rek-SM3biFf-wKVFqTJvW8xplSxKWPYNKUe0BUWjT9LzkXDr4sDBFhAPeXOLri7cfBvmnuMpy6StmDD32xptM~6rf3QSBYUOjKy9X2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Balch Springs City Council on Sept. 22 appointed members in attendance to the city's Animal Control Advisory Board and heard an update from shelter partners who said collaborative efforts have increased the shelter's life-saving rate.

Council member Gabriel moved to appoint the individuals present to the advisory board; the motion was seconded and the council voted unanimously. The appointees the council named included Chelsea Way (animal control supervisor), Dr. Stacy Blaylock (veterinarian) and Sabrina Jones (representative from Operation Kindness). Council discussion noted the board must have a quorum of four members and that the board is expected to meet at least three times per year.

Dr. Stacy Blaylock, who identified herself as the owner of Cheshire Pets Veterinary Hospital in Forney, described her clinical background and said she is pursuing \"fear-free\" certification for her clinic to reduce stress for animals in care.

Sabrina Jones, manager of Life Saving Partnerships at Operation Kindness, told the council the shelter partnership has raised the rolling 12-month life-saving rate from about 67% to roughly 84%. \"When we started working together...we had a rolling 12 month period of a life saving rate of 67 percent. And now we're at about 84 percent for the last 12 months,\" Jones said.

The board's stated goals, as described by shelter staff, include strengthening shelter policies, increasing quality of care and exploring community outreach and trap-neuter-return (TNR) approaches for community cats. The presenter said TNR efforts had encountered some nuisance-related roadblocks.

Why it matters: Advisory boards guide local policy and program decisions; higher life-saving rates and collaboration with regional nonprofits can affect shelter operations and city animal-service budgets.

Vote and next steps: The council voted to appoint the members in attendance; council members who voted yes were Council member Hill, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Council member Gabriel, Council member Patino, Council member Miles and Council member Salau. The board will schedule its first meeting and seek to recruit additional members to meet quorum requirements if needed.","The Balch Springs City Council appointed members to a new animal control advisory board and heard shelter partners report a rise in life-saving outcomes, from about 67% to roughly 84% over 12 months.",{"_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},6462284,"Balch Springs staff report highlights budget work, CIP needs and municipal-court caseload rise",1158,692000,1850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811739-ed53bfb5ac7095d4954337a5b6d19091&start=692&end=1850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811739-ed53bfb5ac7095d4954337a5b6d19091/thumbnail_692000.jpg","/articles/6462284/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Balch-Springs-staff-report-highlights-budget-work-CIP-needs-and-municipal-court-caseload-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462284-d69a0620316e01cfb25cd1757b5827bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448177&Signature=TEJbp5rHw2qGbQ1F5441NFK8qMvJHSOfk2QmsN5JkFruP64ieKwTigxXDsjfELubbj29LCf~dfEkFLkvrd~8AzirOguKRa~j4R5n1vxcwvud0UPB5iOW9HqX~AFsLAQJbVXZryCCMvbenQUNnuCGT1yYxZX05dNX0FsfV3c53dvskxKJwCJQOGmNa43ksmktmUVpjYKBlkkvL8HdXdDqAh1GBA5aFcoOMrIZYVg0NOhupOhbTWb48yJrjEmlYPvdKTeR3KO-x5Ehl2nz2EXvoeXghCEFVnyH5BZCqKnRmH7nnP8n6Z5VvdXM~wIDuH8PARRvFGCAOamjp9dpR9VIAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff delivered a monthly operations report to the Balch Springs City Council on Sept. 22 outlining workload changes across municipal court, utilities, planning and public services and summarizing upcoming community events.

A staff member presenting the report said August saw a roughly 45% increase in new municipal-court case filings year over year and a 33% rise in court hearings. The presenter also reported higher in-person payments at the utility billing counter and noted ongoing internal audits of utility billing processes.

The city's capital improvement program remains in planning and funding stages. The presenter said projects under construction totaled approximately $7.5 million and that the city is seeking about $78 million in funding for planned projects; the presenter also cited roughly $29 million in projects in design. He said about $15 million in street-related debt is expected to be injected into upcoming maintenance work, a figure the presentation described as approximate.

Other operational highlights included:
- Library: 216 new materials added, 10 programs in August and an upcoming series of children and teen events in October.
- Parks and recreation: expanding membership at the recreation center, a senior prom with 67 participants and increased senior center attendance.
- Public services and streets: dozens of potholes patched, 58 curb miles of street sweeping under contract and ongoing trash-collection and cleanup initiatives.
- Utilities and operations: crews addressed multiple water-main breaks and completed a large share of scheduled work orders; building-permit fees collected totaled about $171,791 for the reporting period.

The fire chief reported 306 calls for service in August, including 180 medical calls and three fires. The department recorded an average response time of 9 minutes, 15 seconds and said call volume and accidents were down from the previous year while average response time had increased.

Police staff reported reported crimes down 12.1% year over year but said calls for service and 9-1-1 calls were up; the department is recruiting (64 applicants for an upcoming civil-service exam) and continuing community outreach including National Night Out on Oct. 7.

During the public-comment period earlier in the meeting, resident Lonnie Ray Sykes apologized for remarks he said had mistakenly suggested the council did not allow citizens to speak on items not on the agenda. He said he regretted the misstatement and apologized to the council and an identified staff member.

Why it matters: The monthly report aggregates workload and service trends that may inform budget decisions and capital planning. Staff flagged the need to continue funding and staffing critical maintenance and court operations.

Next steps: The council continued with agenda business and later recessed into a closed executive session under the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551; the council returned to open session and reported \"no action taken.\"","City staff reported increased municipal-court filings and a multi-million-dollar capital improvement pipeline, and provided event and service updates during the Sept. 22 Balch Springs City Council meeting.",{"_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},6462287,"Dallas ISD officials report grade improvements at several Balch Springs-area schools",293,159000,452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811739-ed53bfb5ac7095d4954337a5b6d19091&start=159&end=452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811739-ed53bfb5ac7095d4954337a5b6d19091/thumbnail_159000.jpg","/articles/6462287/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Dallas-ISD-officials-report-grade-improvements-at-several-Balch-Springs-area-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462287-517782d1f6bc59eccc7491b233a117ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448177&Signature=hrqvq2DnIzdzlUdzQqN9-M4jq~kWhV2JGzvlRMpAtJPLh1Gvp3O5MgUPhBbwhfJnVF1WQLvevTO7MtNbnSOEKZ8NvP7XGVhD6Ame9IcQ62xM~RLp6pasXHeJT6XrdhvJyPNVu1lKhW9O696aMIHoaBwZb~0lImyliMCO4uTI3qanHHoOPTccIDopE5KKFKILM9uwZDWKuCGlPIDvrXco6akkhIMj8krpBxPE9w~f0PZoOkReoqYih7Ks1~~Os3fiL7zIciy2h1X7ve1NjPOgTt1hsP6UjsccidYNk~J5pBvHXVnZdEjmmQKenF4QqXgfCm87IFAHcgM8vbRYgmoSSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dallas Independent School District officials told the Balch Springs City Council on Sept. 22 that several area schools improved their overall accountability ratings this year, with student growth driving the gains.

Prisma Garcia, Dallas ISD trustee for District 4, introduced the presentation and said she represents District 4 on the board. \"I'm happy to represent as of as of May, this year,\" Garcia said during the meeting.

Dr. Laura Garza, Dallas ISD regional director for Region 1, said multiple campuses that had F ratings last year showed measurable gains this year. \"Cuellar was an F rating overall last year. This year is now a B,\" Garza said. She said similar improvements were reported at Kleberg Elementary, Lago Elementary and another elementary listed by the district as having moved from F to B. Dr. Garza said student growth—measures that track improvements for students year to year—was a leading factor in the schools' higher ratings. She added that Young Women's STEAM Academy maintained a B and that year-to-year changes in some subject scores can reflect how many students took particular state tests.

The trustees framed the improvements as the result of targeted instruction and collaboration between district staff and local leaders. Garcia said the district can provide additional information on other schools on request.

The presentation did not include proposed actions for the council to take; it was delivered as an update during the \"Items of interest\" portion of the meeting. No funding requests or formal motions related to the schools appeared in the transcript.

Why it matters: School accountability ratings affect parents, city officials and municipal planning because changes in school performance can influence enrollment patterns, after-school programming and local partnerships the council and city departments might pursue.

What happened next: The council heard other agenda items after the presentation, including routine staff reports and several board and committee appointments.","Dallas Independent School District regional leaders told the Balch Springs City Council that several neighborhood schools moved from failing grades to B ratings, citing student growth in math and reading.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council nominates two council members to Dallas Central Appraisal District board

Council approves consent agenda including property donation agreement and Safe Streets grant planning contract

Council appoints members to Balch Springs Animal Control Advisory Board; Operation Kindness partnership credited with higher life-saving rate

Balch Springs staff report highlights budget work, CIP needs and municipal-court caseload rise

Dallas ISD officials report grade improvements at several Balch Springs-area schools