Balch Springs council repeals political‑advertising rule, approves PID bond memorandum and several land‑use and labor items

Balch Springs City Council members on April 14 voted to repeal a municipal ordinance on political advertising, approved a resolution authorizing a preliminary offering memorandum for special assessment revenue bonds tied to Public Improvement District No. 1 (the Mackenzie Trails project), and took final action on multiple zoning and development items including a daycare specific use permit and a mixed‑use planned development.

The repeal of section 2‑48 of the city code removes what the city attorney described as an “overbroad” restriction on political expression on city property and reserves the section for future use. City Attorney Gorfida told the council the text in the code could be interpreted to prohibit a resident from entering city facilities wearing a campaign T‑shirt or driving a vehicle displaying campaign signage, and that portions of the provision likely violated the First Amendment. Council Member Whitley moved to repeal the section; Council Member Hill seconded the motion. The measure passed 4‑2 (Yes: Hill, Garcia, Whitley, Mayor Pro Tem Miles; No: Gabriel, Salau).

The council also approved a resolution to publish a preliminary limited offering memorandum for the sale of special assessment revenue bonds tied to Balch Springs Public Improvement District No. 1, which will monetize assessments on the Mackenzie Trails subdivision. Jim Sabonis of Hilltop Securities, the city’s financial adviser, told the council the bond documents disclose the city’s role in levying and collecting assessments and that the full financial liability for the bonds rests with the property owners through liens on the land. Sabonis said the district covers roughly 35.2 acres and 80 homes and explained estimated homeowner payments and lien amounts, noting the offering document will be reviewed by the Texas Attorney General’s municipal bond review before closing. Council Member Whitley made the motion; Mayor Pro Tem Miles seconded. The resolution passed 5‑1 (Yes: Hill, Garcia, Whitley, Mayor Pro Tem Miles, Salau; No: Gabriel). Sabonis told the council the expected bond closing timeline would allow a closing about 15 working days after submission, with a likely…