Plano North July 2021

CITY&SCHOOLS

News from Plano, Plano ISD & Frisco ISD

NUMBER TOKNOW The city of Plano collected $7.7 million in sales tax revenue in June, which is up 38% from the $5.6 million collected a year prior. So far this year, Plano has collected $44.8 million in sales tax, which is up slightly from the $43.9 million recorded at the same time last year, according to data from the Texas comptroller of public accounts. Budget Director Karen Rhodes- Whitley said while the city has not fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, she feels optimistic about the way things have progressed. HIGHLIGHTS FRISCO ISD The district’s budget for the 2021-22 school year adopted by the board June 22 includes a $2,150 pay increase for teachers and other sta on the teacher pay scale. This amounts to about a 3.56% raise for the average 38% teacher, according to the budget. PLANO ISD Trustees adopted a $19.6 million budget decit for the 2021-22 school year during the June 22 meeting. General fund revenue is projected to decrease by just over 1% from the 2020-21 budget to $666.5 million. However, expenditures of $497.4 million and a state recapture payment of $187.9 million are expected to lead to the $19.6 million decrease in the district’s balance of operating funds. Plano City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Meetings are held at 1520 K Ave., Plano, and can be streamed at www.plano. gov/210/plano-tv. 972-941-7000. www.plano.gov Plano ISD board of trustees is on summer break. The next meetings are Aug. 3 and 17. www.pisd.edu MEETINGSWE COVER

City stamaps out use of $18.2million in federal pandemic relief funds

DOLING OUT DOLLARS The $18.2 million available now represents half of the $36.4 million Plano claimed as damages caused by the pandemic. Below is a breakdown of how those funds will be used. $1.5M Recreation revolving fund $1M Convention and tourism fund $15.7M General fund*

BY OLIVIA LUECKEMEYER

and tourism fund; and $1.5 million toward the recreation revolving fund, which is supported by fees generated through various recreation classes, according to city budget documents. Part of the money earmarked for the general fund will help pay for a trac signalization project that will provide upgrades to existing technology and add a vehicle detection system, Israelson said. That project is in the planning phase. “We think it is prudent to set that aside knowing the concerns of citizens about trac in Plano,” he said, noting the remaining $7.7 million could be allocated during the upcoming budget cycle. The $18.2 million available now represents half of the $36.4 million Plano claimed as damages caused by

PLANO City sta plans to funnel $18.2 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds toward departments that experienced revenue loss as a result of the pandemic, according to a presen- tation made at the June 28 Plano City Council meeting. The allocation comes as part of the American Rescue Plan, which provides money to eligible state, local, territorial and tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency and to bring back jobs, according to the U.S. Treasury Department. The city cannot use the money to replen- ish reserves or rainy day funds, City Manager Mark Israelson said. City sta recommends putting $15.7 million toward the general fund; $1 million toward the convention

$18.2 million

*Includes $8M for a trac signalization project and $7.7M for use in the upcoming budget cycle

SOURCE: CITY OF PLANOCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

the pandemic. The city expects to receive the remaining funds next year. The use of that money will be subject to council approval.

Residentsmay soon be allowed to own hens

BY OLIVIA LUECKEMEYER

remainder were at large. This is up signicantly from scal year 2019-20, when the department took in 14 hens. Cantrell said his sta is not in favor of the proposed ordinance due to the expected workload increase related to at-large and surrendered chickens as well as neighbor complaints. Mayor Pro Tem Kayci Prince and Council Member Anthony Ricciar- delli spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. “I don’t want to see us put extra restrictions on a hen owner that we

PLANO City Council will soon con- sider an ordinance that would allow some residents to own backyard hens. Hens are currently permitted on agricultural properties of at least 1.95 acres in size, Director of Animal Services Jamey Cantrell said during a June 28 council meeting. Roosters are not allowed anywhere in Plano. Animal Services took in 24 chickens between Oct. 1 and June 22, Cantrell said. Thirteen of the chickens were owner surrenders, while the

Director of Animal Services Jamey Cantrell said his department is not in favor of the proposed ordinance. (Courtesy city of Plano)

wouldn’t put on a dog or cat owner,” Prince said. With unanimous support from council, sta will return with an ordinance for approval in the coming weeks, Israelson said.

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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM