CITY & SCHOOLS
News from Dallas, Dallas ISD and Richardson ISD
Dallas City Council will meet Feb. 22 and March 8 at 9 a.m. at Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St., Dallas. www.dallascityhall.com Dallas ISD board of trustees will meet Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. at the DISD Governance and Training Center, 5151 Samuell Blvd., Dallas. www.dallasisd.gov Richardson ISD board of trustees will meet Feb. 23 and March 9 at 6 p.m. at the RISD Administration Building, 400 S. Greenville Ave., Richardson. www.risd.gov MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS RICHARDSON ISD The district’s board of trustees approved academic calendars for both the 2023-24 school year and the 2024-25 school year. The 2023- 24 school year is set to begin Aug. 15 with winter break starting Dec. 22 and students returning Jan. 9. The last day of school is set for May 24. The 2024-25 academic calendar will start Aug. 13 with winter break starting Dec. 23. The second semester will begin Jan. 7. The 2024-25 school year will end May 23 .
City home repair program to make nancial assistance funds available to senior residents
Winfrey Point to get venue update
BY JACKSON KING
BY JACKSON KING
DALLAS The Dallas Park and Recreation Department was pre- sented $151,000 by the White Rock Lake Foundation to help restore the Winfrey Point event venue at White Rock Lake. This initial contribution will help repair of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; paint the interior; and replace the roof with
is the top priority of the City Council and the city of Dallas sta ,” Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn King Arnold said in a statement. “These grant funds will help our aging residents make crucial repairs to their homes to keep them safe and comfortable.” To be eligible for the program, a resident must be age 65 or older, at or below 80% of the area median income and in need of repairs at their primary residence, according to city o cials. According to 2021 census data, the Lake High- lands and Lakewood areas of Dallas have 17,396 residents age 65 or older, about 10% of the area’s population. According to city o cials, residents may apply for funding through the program by downloading an application online or picking one up at City Hall, which is located at 1500 Marilla St. Applications can also be picked up at any city of Dallas library or recreation center. To submit an application, residents will need to show proof of household income, identity, age, primary homeowner occupancy and ownership. The deadline to apply is March 3. “The approval of this grant program is a step
The event venue at Winfrey Point is set to receive repairs as part of an estimated $500,000 restoration project. (Kevin Cummings/Community Impact)
DALLAS City Council approved funding for the Senior Home Repair Program during its Jan. 25 regular meeting. The program will o er approved applicants up to $10,000 in grant funds aimed at home repairs, including improving accessibility within the home, increasing safety and enhancing e ciency, accord- ing to a city press release. “It has been an honor to help bring this program to fruition through collaboration with our dedi- cated city sta ,” said District 14 Council Member Paul Ridley, who represents parts of Lakewood, in a statement. “I am excited for our continued work together to help our aging residents get the assistance they need.” The grant funds are available to residents in need of accessibility improvements such as wheelchair ramps as well as addressing signi cant concerns to the health and safety of the residents, according to city o cials. Funds may also be used to repair or replace heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; plumbing; or water heaters. “To be able to help our most vulnerable residents
other initiatives to follow, according to city o cials. The foundation designated restoring the venue as its main fundraising goal, o cials said. Restoring the building is estimated
to cost $500,000. The foundation has earmarked more than $300,000 for the initiative via a matching fund program with the city with around $78,000 raised through the its annual golf tournament and gala.
The Senior Home Repair Program looks to provide applicants with up to $10,000 in grants for repairs. (Courtesy city of Dallas)
School district sets reduced tax rate
which is 7.3% lower than last year’s operating tax rate of $1.0409 per $100 valuation. The portion of RISD’s tax rate used to pay principal and interest on bonds approved by voters, known as the debt service tax rate, remained unchanged at $0.35. The total tax rate is set at $1.3146 per $100 valuation, the lowest overall rate in seven years.
HOME VALUE VS. TAX RATE
in the right direction to be able to accommodate our aging population’s housing needs,” District 3 Council Member Casey Thomas said in a statement. “By adding accessibility improvements to their primary residences, we can a ordably prevent aging residents’ displacement.” Residents needing assistance lling out an appli- cation can reach out to Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization sta at 214-670-3644 or by visiting their o ces at City Hall.
The tax rate was required to be lowered due to property values increasing within the district. RISD M&O tax rate: -7.3% from 2022
BY JACKSON KING
RICHARDSON ISD The district set a maintenance and operations tax rate that is its lowest in 30 years. Richardson ISD’s M&O tax rate will be $0.9646 per $100 valuation,
Certi ed 2022 RISD home values: +11.6% from 2022
SOURCE: RICHARDSON ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
DALLAS 9500 N Central Expressway (214) 369-2800
PRESTON CENTER 8123 Preston Road (214) 361-6697
MARSH LANE 9972 Marsh Lane (214) 353-2701
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