Plano South | August 2024

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Plano South Edition VOLUME 10, ISSUE 11 AUG. 20SEPT. 18, 2024

Plano is one of six DART member cities calling for a tax contribution reduction.

MICHAEL CROUCHLEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT Plano calls for DART changes, reduced funding

directors can vote to reduce the sales tax contribu- tion without legislative intervention. A vote is not currently being considered, DART’s Chief Communi- cations Ocer Jeamy Molina said. “No one city can unilaterally decide to reduce the sales tax,” Molina said.

9, Rowlett, Irving, Carrollton, Farmers Branch and Highland Park have passed similar resolutions. Ocials have cited a need for greater nancial transparency from the transit agency and requested DART work to recruit other cities. Plano Mayor John Muns said the city does not intend to leave DART. Despite action by the cities, only DART’s board of

BY COLBY FARR

Several North Texas cities served by Dallas Area Rapid Transit are challenging the agency’s sales tax collection rate that’s been in place for over 40 years. Plano was the rst city to pass a resolution in June calling for a reduction of its sales and use tax contribution to DART by a quarter-cent. As of Aug.

CONTINUED ON 15

Also in this issue

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Impacts: Brunch Time opens new restaurant in Plano. (Page 8)

Events: Plano Balloon Festival set to take ight in September at Oak Point Park (Page 17)

FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2024-2025 RECOMMENDED BUDGET

According to the Collin Central Appraisal District, the market value of the average house in Plano is up 2.7% from last year. We offer the maximum homestead exemption and a senior tax freeze. Plano maintains one of the lowest tax rates and average utility bill among neighboring cities. Preserving and improving City infrastructure is a priority. Your tax dollars maintain and enhance Plano roads, parks and public facilities. The Community Investment Program includes $317 million of projects during FY 2024-25. $149.4 million is earmarked for street projects, including replacement and repairs to existing streets, sidewalks and screening walls; adding turn lanes at intersections; and improving Plano’s traffic signals. Some major Parks and Recreation projects include beginning renovations at the Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center, replacing the 40-year-old Schell Maintenance Facility and improving Enfield Park. Facility projects include Fire Stations 5 and 8, Senator Florence Shapiro Council Chambers and a city-vehicle fueling station.

In Plano, every dollar counts. Earlier this year, the financial forecast prompted the City of Plano to implement the budget contingency plan. This was due to flattening revenues resulting from functional build-out. Plano’s future growth looks different than previous decades. Balancing revenue expectations with expenditures will ensure programs and services continue to thrive. Plano remains the best value of any City in DFW. This is our commitment as the City of Excellence. The 2024-25 Recommend Budget continues to balance the same five goals as last year.

QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE

People are at the heart of our city. Team Plano members are proud to serve our community. We invest in our personnel through competitive compensation and growth opportunities. This year’s budget includes step increases for public safety positions, funding for a one-time lump sum payment of $1,000 to each full-time employee and one new position. financial policies, maintaining reserves, paying cash for maintenance items and fully funding enterprise funds through fees. These policies help the City consistently achieve a AAA Bond rating, saving interest costs. They also ensure our ability to weather economic cycles without dramatically impacting service levels for our citizens and businesses. Financial stability is key to our city's success. Our balanced budget incorporates sound

FINANCIAL POLICIES

AFFORDABILITY

PEOPLE

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS IN MAKING PLANO A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY. THE CITY REMAINS DEDICATED TO BALANCING FINANCIAL GOALS WITH FINANCIAL REALITIES.

We provide high-value programs and services while continually looking for innovation and efficiencies in City services. Plano’s award-winning departments are recognized for best practices.

For additional information regarding the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Recommended Budget and Community Investment Program, visit Plano.gov/RecommendedBudget. If you have questions or comments, email AskPlano@Plano.gov.

SERVICE DEMANDS/ PROGRAMS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Listen to the City’s monthly podcast at InsidePlano.com Sign up for weekly news update from the City of Plano at Plano.gov/News

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Property Tax Exemptions

20% Homestead Exemption Anyone who owns a home in Plano can use a homestead exemption on one property.

If you’re a Homeowner in Plano, you receive a >

$575,000

Homestead Exemption Appraised Value

Appraised Value

x20%

Total Deduction - $115,000

Total Deduction = $115,000 New Taxable Property Value $40,000 Senior/Disability Exemption Homeowners who are 65 and over, or disabled, can get an additional property tax exemption.

= $460,000

If you’re a Senior or have a Disability, you receive an additional >

- $40,000 $460,000

Senior/Disability Exemption Taxable Property Value with Homestead Exemption

= $420,000

Taxable Home Value

Age 65 and Older or Disabled Tax Freeze Homeowners 65 and over, or disabled, can apply for a tax freeze on their City of Plano taxes. Once frozen, taxes on that home cannot increase as long as you own and live in it. The taxes on your home can go below the tax freeze, but will never go higher as long as you live in that home unless you improve your home. Improvements are things like adding a garage or a bedroom. Your tax freeze will adjust to reflect improvements.

If you’re 65 Years & Over, or Disabled, you also receive >

PLANO SOUTH EDITION

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3751 Matlock Rd Arlington, TX 76015 817-466-3882

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Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Dustin Butler Karen Chaney Mark Fadden Colby Farr Hannah Johnson Don Munsch Jonathan Perriello Connor Pittman Alex Reece Cody Thorn Graphic Designers Nicolas Delgadillo José Jiménez Chelsea Peters Armando Servin Managing Copy Editor Beth Marshall Managing Editor Miranda Jaimes Senior Art Production Manager Breanna Flores Publisher Leanne Libby

Tracy Ruckel General Manager

Michael Crouchley Editor

Collin Rohr Account Executive

Correction: Volume 10, Issue 10 On Page 8, listing No. 5 should have identified “The Wheelhouse” as Custer Road United Methodist Church’s new offsite mission.

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PLANO SOUTH EDITION

Impacts

T A

C YRD.

5 Cadence McShane The construction company is set to move its headquarters into a north Plano oce building, according to a news release from commercial real estate company Bradford. The Cadence McShane headquarters will be 16,242 square feet, and the company is expected to move in early next year,

RIDGEVIEW DR.

SRT TOLL

MCDERMOTT RD.

121

North Plano

WINDROSE AVE.

NYDR.

according to the release. • Opening in early 2025 • 7500 Dallas Parkway, Plano • www.cadencemcshane.com

HEDGCOXE RD.

6 Lightbridge Academy The child care franchise will be owned and operated by family members Chetana and Devan Shah. It will oer infant care, toddler programs, preschool education and pre-K readiness. A grand opening celebration will be scheduled following the opening of the business which will feature on-site center tours, curriculum overviews, technology demonstrations, entertainment, refreshments and activities for children. • Opening this summer • 6900 Preston Meadow Drive, Plano • www.lightbridgeacademy.com/plano-tx 7 Minecraft Experience The experience is slated to last one hour. Attendees will be given a quest then embark on a rescue mission with other Minecrafters. According to the release, no prior knowledge of Minecraft is required to enjoy the experience. Tickets are on sale now. Single ticket prices start at $32, and friends and family multipack tickets start at $28. Plano is just the rst stop; Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue will tour to additional cities around the world to be announced at a later date, according to the release. • Opening TBD

LEGACYDR.

1 2

DNT TOLL

SPRING CREEK PKWY.

E. SPRING CREEK PKWY.

JUPITER RD.

PARKWOOD BLVD.

R D

PARKERRD.

PARKBLVD.

15THST. 3 Aritzia The Vancouver-based retailer oers luxury clothing. Aritzia’s third Dallas–Fort Worth boutique is in Legacy West. • Opened Aug. 1 • 5905 Legacy Drive, Plano • www.aritzia.com 1 4 T H ST. PGBT TOLL

DNT TOLL Now open

P L A N O P K W Y .

1 Raven Med Spa The business oers Botox, ller, facials, weight loss therapy, hormone replacement therapy, microneedling, chemical peels, hair restoration, IV hydration and skin care. • Opened April 23 • 5813 Preston Road, Ste. C-565, Plano • www.ravenmedspa.com 2 The NOW Massage The boutique franchise provides high-quality massages and custom enhancements that oer relaxation and healing. NOW massage uses canvas draping to separate therapy spaces creating an airy feeling that adds to the relaxing atmosphere. • Opened May 11

Coming soon

• 2712 N. Central Expressway, Plano • www.minecraftexperience.com

4 SugaringLA The business oers a hair removal service called sugaring, which is similar to waxing, but utilizes a ball of body paste. • Opening in late 2024 • 5700 Legacy Drive, Ste. A3, Plano • www.sugaringla.com

In the news

8 Frost Bank The new branch bank is set to begin construction in October and end January 2025, according to a project led with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

• 4021 Preston Road, Ste. D-617, Plano • www.thenowmassage.com/plano-west

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• Corner of SH 121 and Coit Road • www.frostbank.com

for the eld is 36 years old and has reached the limit of structural integrity. • 700 Legacy Drive, Plano • www.plano.gov/1499/Enield-Park 12 Collin College A grant from the Texas Workforce Commission will support the expansion of adult education and literacy programs at Collin College, according to a July 30 news release. The grant will provide $2.1 million annually for the next two years, and will contribute funding toward free services for adults in Collin and Rockwall counties. • 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano • www.collin.edu

Now open

9 Coit Marketplace The shopping center with Kroger as an anchor will be ready for tenants to begin their buildout process in October or November, and others will be ready in March 2025. Urena said the buildout process can take more than six months to complete. • 9700 Coit Road, Plano • www.ucdcorp.com/projects/coit-marketplace 10 Archgate Montessori The private school has received updated specic use permits that will allow for exibility in how classroom spaces are used. Plano City Council approved the amended specic use permits for the school during the July 22 meeting. The new total capacity for the school will be 360 children between its ve day care and private school programs. • 4660 Legacy Drive, Plano • www.archgatemontessori.org 11 Eneld Park The project includes two components: the replacement of restroom buildings in northern and southern areas of the park, and the replacement of pole lighting for eight ballelds. According to city documents, the lighting

Worth the trip

13 Let’s Piada The restaurant features a variety of piadinas, traditional Italian atbreads folded and stued with meats, cheeses and other seasonal oerings. • Opened July 17 • 7800 Windrose Ave., Plano • www.letspiada.com

Dee’s Table Burgers & More The new eatery serves gourmet burgers, salads, tacos, po’boys and more. Each meal is inspired by home- cooked meals and owner Dee Lincoln’s Louisiana upbringing, according to the release. The menu also features craft cocktails, local tap beer, spirits and wines. • Opened July 19 • 3685 The Star Blvd., Ste. 205, Frisco • www.deestable.net

BACK TO SCHOOL!

HIRSCH’S HEAT AND EAT QUICK MEAL ITEMS. Hirsch’s meatloaf • Italian meatballs Chicken cordon bleu and kiev Texas chili • Pork tamales Hirsch’s smoked sausages and gyro meat slices. DON’T FORGET THUMANN’S DELI MEATS AND CHEESES FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES.

W. Parker Rd.

SAUSAGE - SMOKING WOODS 1301 W. PARKER RD., SUITE #100, PLANO, TX | 972-633-5593

PLANO SOUTH EDITION

ANY DR.

HEDGCOXE RD.

Impacts

LEGACY DR.

wardrobe consulting and other beauty services. • Opening Sept. 15 • 2301 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 290, Plano • www.polishedbymelissa.com

SPRING CREEK PKWY.

WINDHAVEN PKWY.

DNT TOLL

INDEPENDENCE PKWY.

Relocations

PARKER RD.

South Plano

7 Chick-fil-A The Chick-fil-A located at 1909 Preston Road, which opened in 1994, is moving to 5040 W. Park Road. There will be 102 indoor seats, 78 parking spots, a playground, two covered drive-through lanes, a mobile-through lane and patio seating. This Chick-fil-A will sit where Luby’s was located since 1994, until closing in April. • Opening late October/early November • 5040 W. Park Blvd., Plano • www.chick-fil-a.com/locations/tx/preston-park 8 Brave Optical The eyeware store relocated within Plano in late May. • Relocated May 29 • 2011 W. Spring Creek Parkway, Ste. 900, Plano 9 Kadou Boutique The boutique relocated to a different suite within the same shopping center to move into a larger space. The small business offers contemporary clothing styles to women, including pants, cardigans, dresses, handbags and jewelry. • Relocated in July • 1900 Preston Road, Ste., 228, Plano • www.kadou.shop

PARK BLVD.

16TH ST.

2 9

15TH ST.

P L A N O P K W Y .

VISTA GLEN DR.

PGBT TOLL

E. RENNER RD.

PGBT TOLL

WYNVIEW DR.

• 355 Vista Glen Drive, Ste. 100, Plano • www.urbanvaluestore.com

Now open

1 Brunch Time The brunch menu includes Benedicts, pancakes, crepes, omelets and more. Sandwiches, burgers and paninis are on the eatery’s lunch menu. The drink menu features organic juices, espressos, martinis and cocktails. • Opened in April • 565 Coit Road, Ste. 400, Plano • www.brunchtimetx.com 2 Foot Solutions The business crafts custom prescribed orthotics and supplies supportive footwear. • Opening Aug. 3 • 1900 Preston Road, Ste. 257, Plano • www.footsolutions.com 3 Urban Value Store The store sells a variety of food and beverages, household items, over-the-counter medications, toys and more. • Opened June 27

4 Girl Cave The social club hosts a variety of social and networking

events for women. • Opened June 14

• 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano • www.thegirlcavetribe.com

Coming soon

5 Daiso The Japanese discount store sells a variety of household items such as kitchenware and cleaning products. It also offers Asian snacks, health and beauty items, pet supplies, stationary and more. • Opening early 2025 • 3100 Independence Parkway, Ste. 314, Plano • www.daisous.com 6 Polished by Melissa The salon will offer a variety of hair styling, makeup,

In the news

10 Dunkin According to a project filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the project will begin in October and is scheduled for completion in December. Dunkin’ serves a variety of hot and iced coffee

beverages as well as breakfast food. • 3421 E. Renner Road, Ste. 101, Plano • www.dunkindonuts.com

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11 DART DART will install different versions of a new bus shelter at five bus stop locations. The prototypes were designed and built based on feedback previously received from bus riders, according to a news release. • 1001 E. 16th St., Plano • www.dart.org 12 The Chicago School The psychology school is opening a new campus in Plano. The new location is set to start construction in August and finish in January, according to a project filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Worth the trip

Now open

Mr Max The restaurant includes an authentic Japanese atmosphere and menu, including noodles, sashimi options, oysters and more. • Opened July 25 • 800 N. Coit Road, Ste. 2550B • www.mrmaxtx.com

Closings

• 6275 W. Plano Parkway, Plano • www.thechicagoschool.edu

14 Plano Music House The music school offered classes for a variety of musical instruments, including piano, guitar, drums and violin. • Closed in early May • 3047 W. 15th St., Plano 15 Sebenti Artisan Bakery The store served a rotating selection of freshly baked bread along with various soup, salad, sandwich, breakfast and pastry options. Sebenti opened in

16 Jabbar Bhai Biriyani The restaurant has locations in India and the United Arab Emirates, and the Plano location is its first in the United States. • Opened July 4 • 3291 Independence Parkway, Ste. 400, Plano • www.jabbarbhaibiryanitx.com

13 Plano Senior High School Renovation of the school’s existing baseball field along with construction of a new softball field began in August and is set to finish in April, according to a project filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The project will cost $17 million. • 2200 Independence Parkway, Plano • www.pisd.edu

November 2023. • Closed May 14 • 1941 Preston Road, Ste. A1012, Plano • www.sebentiartisanbakery.com

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PLANO SOUTH EDITION

Education

BY CONNOR PITTMAN & SHELBIE HAMILTON

Plano ISD STAAR scores outpace state averages With the exception of seventh grade math, Plano ISD students performed better than the state averages on the STAAR, according to results released in June. The gist This was the second year of a redesigned STAAR, which aimed to more closely align with how students are taught in the classroom. The new assessment is administered online. By the numbers Plano ISD students scored higher than the state averages across the board. With the exception of fourth grade reading, scores were lower than 2023. Science scores dipped below 2023 results while social studies scored stayed the same, but both remained above the state averages.

PISD standardizes GPA for all college credit courses Changes are planned for how Plano ISD courses that provide college credit will count toward students’ cumulative grade point averages, or GPAs, which have no

Passing score changes, 2023 vs. 2024 The data shows the dierence in the percentage of students who are considered passing between the spring 2023 and spring 2024 STAAR tests.

Plano ISD

Statewide

-20 -15 -10

-5 0 +5

3rd grade 4th grade 5th grade 6th grade 7th grade 8th grade 3rd grade 4th grade 5th grade 6th grade 7th grade 8th grade

impact on class rank. Two-minute impact

The weight of dual-credit courses will increase, and the change will take eect for the 2024-25 school year. The change will impact members of the class of 2028 and beyond, said Kristyn Edney, executive director of counseling, career and military readiness. “The majority of students won’t feel the impact of this change [until] they become juniors,” Edney said.

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Collin College sees investment in adult education A grant from the Texas Workforce Commission will support the expansion of adult education and literacy programs at Collin College, according to a July 30 news release.

The details The services supported by the grant will be avail- able at no cost to participants, the release states. Over 1,500 students are expected to be served by Collin College in the coming year. The college is actively recruiting nine positions to support the grant program and eight positions for the English as a Second Language program.

The grant will provide $2.1 million annually for the next two years, and will contribute funding towards free services for adults in Collin and Rockwall counties.

The grant will provide funding to support English as a second language courses for adults in Collin and Rockwall counties, the release stated.

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Transportation

BY COLBY FARR & CONNOR PITTMAN

DNT TOLL Traffic-guiding infrastructure replacements are ongoing along Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. The city is paying A&M Maintenance Services Inc. $79,000 to replace buttons and reflectors, which are used to safely guide traffic throughout the day, on Spring Creek Parkway between Parker Safety improvements underway on Spring Creek Parkway

DART testing Silver Line in Plano Residents in Richardson and Plano may see the new Silver Line vehicles when Dallas Area Rapid Transit begins testing a portion of the track in July. Segmented testing is expected to wrap up in early 2025. The gist DART officials began testing Silver Line vehicles July 21 on a portion of track running between Plano and Richardson. The vehicles will run the full route from Shiloh Road Station in Plano to Coit Road in Dallas. During the tests, operators will check the trains’ on-board mechanisms and systems while project engineers monitor the track and updated safety measures at each rail crossing, according to a news release. DART officials will test the complete track in summer 2025, according to the release.

Road and SH 121, Traffic Operations Superinten- dent Jeff Turner Jr. said. The overview Turner said the work is part of ongoing sched- uled maintenance of Plano roadways, adding that buttons and reflectors are typically replaced every five years, on average. For smaller streets, the city’s public works markings division crews handle the replacement, but contracts are used for larger projects, such as the Spring Creek Parkway project. Construction began in May and is expected to be completed in late August.

SRT TOLL

Plano

SPRING CREEK PKWY.

DNT TOLL

PARKER RD.

PGBT TOLL

M/I Homes

PLANO SOUTH EDITION

News

BY CONNOR PITTMAN

Council approves $13.5M recreation center work A construction contract for renovations on the city’s most-visited recreation center—with over 500,000 visitors annually—was approved by Plano City Council. A guaranteed maximum price contract with Lee Lewis Construction worth over $13.5 million for renovations at the Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center was approved by council members during

Woodru Park plan gets green light Plans to construct parking, facility and playground improvements in Bob Woodru Park are set to move ahead. The overview The preliminary replat of the park and revised site plan will allow for the construc- tion of improvements to parking, restrooms and a playground area, according to city documents.

City budget proposal includes higher tax rate Plano city sta presented a series of adjustments that are part of the rst phase of budget contin- gency planning. The city manager’s proposed budget and Com- munity Investment Program for scal year 2024-25 was delivered to Plano City Council during the July 24 meeting. As part of the plan, city sta planned for less revenue growth from certain areas and ways to sustainably budget for the future. “The city [is] facing a shortfall in the [2023-24 scal] year,” City Manager Mark Israelson said. “That’s why we have activated our budget contin- gency plan due to several factors.” The overview The proposed budget for scal year 2024-25 allocated $846.1 million for revenues and $756.1 million for expenditures, Director of Budget and Research Karen Rhodes-Whitley said. For

Council appoints 2025 bond committee Plano City Council conrmed its eight appointees to the 2025 Bond Referendum Citizen Advisory Committee. Two-minute impact Committee members will be responsible for considering various projects and making recommendations that are expected to go before voters next year. City ocials previously indicated that a 2025 bond ref- erendum would have propositions focused on streets, parks and recreation, and public safety. Ocials previously provided an estimate for a 2025 bond at around $700 million. Council has until Feb. 10, 2025 to call for a potential bond election in May.

The proposed budget for scal year 202425:

$846.1M in revenues

$756.1M in expenditures

Recommended tax rate is $0.4176 per $100 of assessed value

Over $13.5 million of renovations are set for the Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center.

SOURCE: CITY OF PLANOCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COURTESY CITY OF PLANO

the 2024-25 scal year, the recommended tax rate is $0.4176 per $100 of assessed value. The maintenance and operations component, which covers the city’s operations, is $0.3026 per $100 in assessed value and the interest and sinking component, which is used to repay debt, is $0.115 per $100 in assessed value. Looking ahead Israelson said city sta will continue to rene the budget, so some numbers may change. A budget town hall is planned for Aug. 22.

pool pump and motor along with shade structures in the pool area. Looking ahead To accommodate the renovations, the recreation center will close in February. However, recreation pass holders are able to use all other city recreation facilities with the exception of the High Point Tennis Center. Assuming there are no delays, city ocials expect the renovated recreation center to reopen to the public in October 2025.

the June 24 meeting. Two-minute impact

The more than $13.5 million contract is part of a $15.9 million renovation project for the recreation center, which will include replacement of the HVAC system, roof repairs, and resurfacing for the recre- ational gym oor and walking track. Locker room facilities are also included in the project scope. In addition to the enhancements to the non- aquatic facilities, there are plans to upgrade the

BOB WOODRUFF PARK

E. SPRING CREEK PKWY.

B L V D .

PLANO 5930 West Park Blvd (972) 250-0500

ALLEN 1839 N Central Expressway (972) 908-3488

EAST PLANO 3404 N Central Expressway (972) 423-6688

COIT ROAD 1453 Coit Rd (972) 867-2821

PLANO NORTH 5420 State Hwy 121 (469) 687-2581

Real estate

More than 220 homes in Plano were sold and 370 new listings were added to the market during June. Three ZIP code areas saw a year-over-year increase in median home sales price. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

June 2023

June 2024

-21.05%

-18%

+20.51%

+4%

+8.11%

75074

75075

75093

75023

75024

75025

SRT TOLL

DNT TOLL

75025

Median home sales price

75024

June

2023

2024

75023

$446,390 $487,500 $789,000 $456,000 $629,000 $640,000

$452,520 $491,594 $739,900 $447,000 $667,500 $592,500

75074

75093

75074

75075

PGBT TOLL

75093

75023

75024

Plano

75025

June

2023

2024

341

370

New listings

Average days on market -42.9% +200%

230 225

Closed sales

+46.67%

+90.91%

-21.43%

+31.25%

Homes under contract

223 201

MARKET DATA COMPILED BY COLLIN COUNTY AREA REALTORS • WWW.CCAR.NET

75074

75075

75093

75023

75024

75025

COLLIN COUNTY AREA REALTORS ®

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From the cover

Plano seeks DART changes, reduced funding

BY COLBY FARR

The setup

How much each DART member city contributes in sales tax collections

1 Dallas: $407.8M 2 Plano: $109.6M 3 Irving: $102.2M

Contributions under $30M Contributions over $30M

Plano has been a member of DART since the transit agency was founded in 1983. The agency hasn’t added any new member cities while inflation and increasing populations across North Texas have driven a rise in sales tax contributions. “We really believe a quarter-cent reduction over time would not affect [DART’s] ability to continue to provide the services they are doing,” Muns said. Muns also said the agency should consider creating hybrid membership models for other North Texas cities to participate in. Joining the agency becomes a challenge for other communities because they’ve elected to direct their sales tax to something else, Plano City Manager Mark Israelson said. “We’ve had the 1% going to DART,” he said. “The other communities have used that for economic development, community development and other things.” DART’s largest source of revenue comes from sales tax contributions from its member cities. The agency is forecast to collect about $24.9 billion in sales tax revenue over the next 20 years. For comparison, the agency expects to spend $35.1 billion over the next 20 years on a combination of

4 Richardson: $56.9M 5 Carrollton: $48.3M 6 Garland: $45.2M 7 Farmer's Branch: $24.3M

$834.4M* total contributions

8 Addison: $16.3M 9 Rowlett: $9.2M

10 University Park: $6.4M 11 Highland Park: $6.3M 12 Glenn Heights: $1.1M 13 Cockrell Hill: $0.6M

10 11

12 13

*FIGURES DO NOT ADD UP TO $834.4M EXACTLY DUE TO ROUNDING

SOURCE: DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

route, you’d have to be sitting outside waiting for possibly 30 minutes, if not more.” As DART officials have met with member cities, they’ve learned that each city has expressed different concerns, Molina said. “We know that there’s a huge burden on all of our cities,” she said. “But this would be such a huge impact to the communities that we service.”

operating expenses and debt service payments, according to its fiscal year 2023-24 budget. A quarter-cent reduction would cut expected revenue by about $6 billion, Molina said. That would cause service reductions across the DART system, she said. “We would be looking at service reductions across the entire system,” she said. “For a train, for a bus

What’s next?

Zooming in

DART’s sales tax revenue and ridership

The DART board administration committee met July 8 shortly after Plano City Council members took action. Multiple committee members expressed a need for the agency to work with its member cities. “We need to work with the cities and with those communities to do what we need to do,” board of directors Chair Gary Slagel said during the meeting. “We need to define programs, not reductions.” For the past year, DART officials have met with each member city to develop what they call an area plan, Molina said. Those plans aim to address how DART can be a more valuable asset to its member cities. Officials are in the process of developing plans for each city that aim to address each city’s issues long-term, she said. “We know how important our service area member cities are to DART and making sure they’re a part of the process is the only way that we’re going to continue to move forward,” Molina said.

Written into the Plano resolution is a proposed phase-in process that would reduce the sales tax contribution over time, Plano’s Government Rela- tions Director Andrew Fortune said. The resolution proposes capping DART’s annual sales tax collection at about $870.8 million, the agency’s projected collection total during FY 2023-24, and phasing in a reduction over time, according to the resolution. A quarter-cent reduction would enable the city to redirect about $30 million per year annually to something else, such as infrastructure improve- ments or economic development, Fortune said. “It’s not a reduction—it’s a redirection,” Israelson said. “It would still require the city going back to the citizens to ask, ‘Where would you like to apply these dollars?’” Cities would have to call its own election, and vot- ers can elect to redirect the contribution or continue sending the 1% sales tax contribution to DART. “[The board] would tell the comptroller to reduce our sales tax by whatever percentage they decide and then the cities themselves would have to go to an election,” Molina said.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit has recovered nearly 70% of its prepandemic ridership while sales tax collections have continued to rise.

DART ridership Sales tax collections

FY 2018-19: $621.1M

80M

FY 2022-23: $834.4M

FY 2019-20: $616.2M

FY 2021-22: $791.8M

60M

FY 2020-21: $683.2M

40M

20M

2019

2020 2021

2022

2023

SOURCE: DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Events

BY SUMMER SHERRED

Plano Balloon Festival takes to the sky this fall The Plano Balloon Festival will take place at Oak Point Park to raise funds for various local nonprots. The event will be held from September 19-22 and will feature various activities, entertainment, local vendors and more. What to expect Along with balloon launches in the morning and balloon glows in the evening, there are many other things to see and do. The Plano Balloon Festival will feature tethered balloon rides (weather permitting), entertainment on the Main Stage, drone shows and local food and merchandise vendors. For kids activities, a free “kids korner” oers arts and crafts and the “kids fun zone” features paid rides and games. The “kids fun zone” can either be pay-per-ride or a one time unlimited play purchase for the day.

The Plano Balloon Festival partners with local nonprots, which provide volunteers in return for funding.

COURTESY PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL

OAK POINT PARK AND NATURE PRESERVE

www.planoballoonfest.org Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano

The Plano Balloon festival has been hosted since 1980.

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PLANO SOUTH EDITION

Dining

BY KAREN CHANEY

Various avors of tea and boba are available at Churn & Bake including taro milk tea with crystal boba.

Flights oer customers the opportunity to try four avors without the dierent avors melting together.

PHOTOS BY KAREN CHANEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Churn & Bake oers-Asian inspired avors in Plano Charlie Lin said he and his wife Stella Sheng opened Churn & Bake in 2022 with the intention of guring out the baking side of the business, but they’ve leaned into the ice cream shop.

Charlie Lin opened Churn & Bake Artisan Bakery in 2022 with his wife Stella Sheng.

available. Some of the popular Asian-inuenced ice cream avors are Vietnamese Coee Rocky Road, Ube Coconut Crunch and Thai Tea. Lin added that Thai Tea is his favorite avor. Other options include salted caramel, chocolate brownie batter and strawberry cheesecake. Non-dairy vegan options, such as lychee sorbet, are also available. Going forward Over the next ve years, Lin plans on increasing his wholesale business and hopes to open a second store. “Everything we do is quality over quantity,” Lin said. “Our second store will be very well thought out. I’m in no rush.”

“We bake all the toppings we put in our ice cream, like the brownie bites, cookies, all that stu, but we’re 95% ice cream,” Lin said. On the menu Lin draws from his Chinese American ancestry when developing the creamery’s avors. “I felt like the Chinese dessert scene was always underserved,” Lin said. “My favorite dessert growing up was ice cream. I felt like marrying the two together would make sense.” There are always 32 avors of frozen treats

W15THST.

2707 West 15th St., Ste. C, Plano www.churnandbake.com

K RUPA D OWNS L AW

AN EVENING CELEBRATING THE ARTS WITH DAVEED DIGGS Thursday | Sept 12th @ 7:30 PM Robbie & Lynore Robinson Fine Arts Center 1800 Alma Dr, Plano, TX 75075

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214.556.3862

Tickets & Info at PISD.edu/RFAC | Benefiting the Plano ISD Education Foundation

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