CITY & SCHOOLS
News from Frisco, Frisco ISD & Collin College
QUOTE OF NOTE
Frisco ISD approves $943M budget, sets priorities
Frisco City Council Meets at 6:30 p.m. July 18 and Aug. 1 at City Council Chambers, George A. Purefoy Municipal Center, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco. www.friscotexas.gov Frisco ISD Meets at 6:30 p.m. July 18 at 5515 Ohio Drive, Frisco. www.friscoisd.org Collin County Commissioners Meets at 1:30 p.m. July 17, 24, 31 and Aug. 7 at Jack Hatchell Collin County Administration Building, 2300 Bloomdale Road, Ste. 2302, McKinney. www.collincountytx.gov Denton County Commissioners Meets at 9 a.m. July 18, 25 and Aug. 1 and 8 at Administration Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Drive, Denton. www.dentoncounty.gov MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS FRISCO Frisco City Council members approved a 2.5% increase to its existing 12.5% ad valorem tax exemption during their June 20 meeting. The now-15% exemption will go into e ect January 2024. The tax break, known as the homestead exemption, only applies to quali ed homeowners in Frisco, not renters. It helps homeowners by lowering the property value used to calculate property taxes owed. The exemption increase will cause a slight—but manageable—dip in the city’s overall revenue, said Jenny Hundt, director of budget and strategic planning for Frisco. COLLIN COLLEGE The college will o er a new baccalaureate degree for the upcoming fall semester, according to a news release. The new degree o ered is a Bachelor of Applied Science in clinical operations management, and the program is accepting students for the coming semester. The program requires students to be admitted to Collin College and hold an associate degree in allied health, health science, emergency services or related elds. All program courses are online and can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. The program was approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges on June 26. “HOPEFULLY WE GET SOME LEGISLATIVE RELIEF IN SEPTEMBER.” FRISCO ISD BOARD MEMBER JOHN CLASSE SAID WHEN THE BOARD PASSED ITS ANNUAL BUDGET ON JUNE 20
BY ALEX REECE
PAY RAISES The budget includes pay raises for teachers and sta .
UNDERSTANDING THE BUDGET
Leaders talk Grand Park, performing arts complex “[District sta has] done an incredi- ble job at being conservative with and being good stewards of the district’s nances,” Board Member Rene Archambault said. Board Member Stephanie Elad spoke against adopting the budget with a shortfall altogether, stating it was following a new pattern created FRISCO ISD Board members approved its second-ever shortfall budget. FISD board members approved the district’s $943.35 million budget during a June 20 meeting. What they’re saying : There are still some unknown variables in uencing the budget, such as any future aid from the state, which recently left $17 billion in potential property tax relief and school funding on the table, according to a statement from Kimberly Smith, the district’s chief nancial and strategy o cer.
The Frisco ISD board approved a $943.35 million budget. $738.31M in the general fund
• $1,200 raise to all of its teachers • approximately 1.5% raise to nonteacher sta members based on their daily hours • at least $600 for sta working more than four hours per day • at least $300 for sta working less than four hours per day
agents of learning, create an engaged and informed school community, and create a positive work environment. Board members also approved the district’s newest compensation plan. Going forward: District o cials will look for ways to balance the budget and increase the sta ’s raises if more funding becomes available, Board Member John Classe said. highest standards and be a depart- ment our residents, businesses and all our employees are proud of,” Glover said. The background: Glover was rst appointed as interim re chief in September after more than 20 years of service in the Frisco Fire Depart- ment as a lieutenant, captain, dep- uty chief, assistant chief and more, according to the news release. “Lee’s combination of experi- ence, knowledge and leadership was the best t for the depart- ment,” City Manager Wes Pierson said in the release. “I believe Lee is deeply committed to the suc- cess of Team Frisco and will work hard to serve our community and members of FFD.” $28.7M in the child nutrition fund $176.34M in the debt services fund $24.4M potential shortfall This is the second year in a row FISD o cials have adopted a de cit budget.
SOURCE: FRISCO ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
by the district when it adopted its rst budget with a shortfall in 2022. “We can and must do better,” Elad said. The budget ultimately passed 6-1 with Elad as the sole vote against it. Items worth mentioning: The board unanimously approved the district’s priorities for the coming year. Priori- ties include students being their own
Officials name Lee Glover new fire chief
BY ALEX REECE
FRISCO Former interim Fire Chief Lee Glover will step into the role as Frisco’s newest re chief. City o cials selected Glover out of ve applicants, according to a June 19 city news release. His rst day was also June 19, according to the news release. “I’m truly honored to be chosen as the next re chief of Frisco,” Glover said in the news release. As re chief, Glover stated he will focus on re and emergency medical services as well as re prevention. “We’ll continue to adhere to the
BY ALEX REECE
FRISCO City Council and city sta members gathered together to hear updates on existing projects and discuss new ideas on June 29-30. Grand Park: Members of Ideo, which runs the Grand Park project, gave a presentation on the progress they’ve made so far. Most of the past month has been dedicated to research and interacting with the community, Project Lead Cory Seeger said. This included small- group meetings to understand the key behaviors and elements residents want from the space. Performing arts complex: A potential project is a two-phase performing arts complex instead of a standalone performing arts center. If o cials decide to go forward with the complex, the rst phase would include three unique venues.
“WE’LL CONTINUE TO ADHERE TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS AND BE A DEPARTMENT OUR RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND ALL OUR EMPLOYEES ARE PROUD OF." LEE GLOVER, FRISCO FIRE CHIEF
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