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Posted on: August 4, 2020

FY 20-21: Proposed budget cuts the tax rate, increases senior exemption

FBTX ~ Submitted to the City Council for their consideration, the proposed 2020-21 fiscal year budget for the upcoming year includes a reduction in the property tax rate for the second time in three years, an increased senior exemption and increased fundi...

Check out the Proposed FY 2020-2021 Budget City News

Posted on: July 29, 2020

TESTING: Rapid antigen COVID-19 test provider now able to accept insurance

FBTX ~ Continuing rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 at the Children’s Health StarCenter in Farmers Branch, MD Medical Group has announced they are now able to accept patients with medical insurance.

The provider says most major plans are accepte...

Posted on: July 16, 2020

MEETINGS: Residents invited to four "Discovery" meetings in August to talk Library renovations

FBTX ~ Designed to answer questions and offer an opportunity for input on possible improvements to the Manske Library, in-person Discovery Meetings have been planned for at least four dates upcoming in August.

All set for Far...

Posted on: July 31, 2020

FREE PARK: All-new Montgomery Field to open for public use

FBTX ~ For years, Montgomery Elementary School occupied the corner of Heartside Place and Amber Lane, welcoming Farmers Branch children for decades.

Now, with kids going to nearby Blair Elementary School, and following the demolition o...

Posted on: July 31, 2020

TASK FORCE: Mayor reports on Future of Policing Task Force

FBTX ~ Following discussions with a diverse, 26-member body, representing a cross-section of the Farmers Branch community and Farmers Branch Police Chief David Hale, Mayor Robert Dye reported to the City Council on the goals and recommendations of the Fut...

REPORT City News

Posted on: July 31, 2020

NOTICE: Paul Macias earns national notice from aquatic association

FBTX ~ Farmers Branch Aquatics Center Manager Paul Macias has been named Competitor Aquatic Professional of the Month by the national Association of Aquatic Professionals.

Paul graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver wit...

Posted on: July 24, 2020

DISPATCH: NTECC implements Emergency Fire Dispatch system for member cities

FBTX ~ The North Texas Emergency Communications Center has implemented a new program, designed to provide the most accurate response possible to calls for emergency service, based on the specifics of the situation.

Farmers Branch Fire ...

Posted on: July 24, 2020

DART: Mayor Dye appointed to serve on the DART Board

DALLAS ~ Farmers Branch Mayor Robert C. Dye has been appointed to serve on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board by the City Councils of Farmers Branch and Plano.

Mayor Dye will represent those two cities on the transit board that covers...

Posted on: July 9, 2020

COVID HELP: Dallas County offers CARES assistance to businesses & residents

FBTX ~ Dallas County will begin accepting applications Monday from businesses outside the City of Dallas in order to distribute a share of up to $90 million in federal CARES funding to businesses and residents adversely impacted by the Coronavirus pandemi...

Posted on: July 10, 2020

FIRE CHIEF: Vargas to serve as next Farmers Branch Fire Chief

FBTX ~ Citing his record of exemplary service and demonstrated leadership, Gabriel Vargas will serve as the next Fire Chief for the City of Farmers Branch.

Serving as the department’s Deputy Chief of Operations for the past s...

Posted on: July 8, 2020

PARKS & REC: Parks Department celebrates National Parks & Rec Month

FBTX ~ July is National Parks and Recreation Month, and Farmers Branch Parks staff will be joining their counterparts nationwide with the celebratory theme ’We Are Parks and Recreation.’

All month long, parks and re...

Posted on: July 8, 2020

SISTER CITY: Garbsen, Germany adds Farmers Branch to their new signage

Welcome Garbsen signage with Benjamin Irving and Christina Lange

GARBSEN, GERMANY ~ The Farmers Branch Sister City of Garbsen recently installed new welcome signs at their city limits, with a special addition.

"Since the planned visits to and from our partner cities had to be canceled this year...

Posted on: June 12, 2020

FUTURE: City Council approves solar installations for three City facilities

FBTX ~ Taking a giant green step forward, the Farmers Branch City Council has unanimously approved the installation of solar panels on three City facilities, expected to generate more than 850,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

&nbs...

Posted on: June 26, 2020

REC CENTER: Demo work begins to prepare for renovation

FBTX ~ Demo work for Phase 1 of the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center renovation has begun. The goal of the demo is to secure the area and to prevent construction dust from migrating upstairs.

Patrons will be able to ...

Posted on: June 19, 2020

GOVERNOR'S ORDERS: Abbott mandates face coverings

AUSTIN ~ Governor Greg Abbott is mandating use of a face covering in Texas when inside a commercial building or other space open to the public or when in an outdoor public space where social distancing is problematic. The Governor also lowered the limit o...

READ THE DALLAS COUNTY ORDER City News

Posted on: June 5, 2020

JOB WELL DONE: Fire Chief Steve Parker announces retirement

FBTX ~ After 32 years in the fire service, the past 20 in Farmers Branch with nine years as Fire Chief, Steve Parker has announced his intent to retire from service on August 4.

The announcement comes on the heels of the Fire Departmen...

Posted on: June 12, 2020

POLICING: Mayor Robert Dye to form Task Force on policing

FBTX ~ Continuing the effort to expand the scope of the local policing perspective, Farmers Branch Mayor Robert Dye has announced that he will be appointing a diverse Task Force to examine the future of policing and law enforcement outreach to the communi...

Posted on: June 5, 2020

INFO ACCESS: Financial Transparency Dashboard makes current information more accessible

FBTX ~ In a continuing effort to make the business of running the City’s business ever more transparent, the Farmers Branch Finance Department has rolled out a new Financial Transparency Dashboard as a “one stop shop&rdquo...

Financial Transparency Dashboard City News

Posted on: June 12, 2020

POLICING: Farmers Branch Police Chief addresses use-of-force practices

FBTX ~ In response to the national conversation on law enforcement, Farmers Branch Police Chief David Hale has immediately addressed, included or affirmed a number of practices included in the local department’s use-of-force policies:

Ban Chokeho...

Posted on: June 2, 2020

PEOPLE: New estimate sends Farmers Branch population near 50,000

FBTX ~ While the 2020 Census is ongoing, the U.S. Census Bureau has released new population estimates, placing the Farmers Branch population at 48,158 - up 18.8 percent from the previous year’s estimate of 40,527.

By comparison with neighboring c...

2020 Census City News

Posted on: June 1, 2020

REC CENTER: Sketches released for phased renovation

View of Rec Center gym renovations rendering

FBTX ~ A phased renovation of the 16-year-old Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center will begin soon with an overhaul of the first floor, including expanded fitness and childcare areas, new look to walls and surfaces, and relocation of the welcome des...

Posted on: June 1, 2020

NEW FACILITIES: First Station 2 now open for business

FBTX ~ Fire Department personnel began moving into the all-new Farmers Branch Fire Station No. 2 on Thursday. The new station occupies a corner of Holiday Park at Valley View and Alpha and replaces the undersized and outdated Station No. 2 on Spring Valle...

Posted on: May 22, 2020

EXCELLENCE: City Secretary's Office among 18 of 595 agencies to be recognized

FBTX ~ As the City’s caretaker of records, meetings, elections and more, the Farmers Branch City Secretary’s Office has been recognized by the Texas Municipal Clerks Association with their Achievement of Excellence Award.

&am...

Posted on: April 6, 2020

CENSUS: Now is the time to fill out the U.S. Census

FBTX ~ The City of Farmers Branch is encouraging all residents to step up and be counted in the 2020 U.S. Census.

Even though National Census Day has been planned for Wednesday, April 1, there is still plenty of time to take part.

&...

Posted on: April 13, 2020

LEADERSHIP: Jackie Byles to lead The Branch Connection

Jackie Byles new manager of The Branch Connection

FBTX ~ The Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department has announced that Jackie Byles will become the new manager of The Branch Connection, beginning Monday, April 13.

A Texas native, enlisted in the United States Navy straight out...

Posted on: March 19, 2020

PUSH: City Election postponed until November

FBTX ~ Acting on authorization from Austin, the Farmers Branch City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to postpone the 2020 municipal election from May 2 to November 3.

Recognizing that the coronavirus pandemic could present a shortage of poll workers a...

Posted on: February 14, 2020

STEMMONS: Residents will be invited to offer input on I-35E corridor vision

FBTX ~ Residents and businesspeople will play a key role as Farmers Branch City leaders undertake a visioning process in 2020 in order to gain a clearer picture of what the corridor on both sides of Interstate 35E through Farmers Branch will look like in ...

Posted on: February 7, 2020

MONEYINC.COM: Online magazine names Farmers Branch third best place to live in Dallas

FBTX ~ In their annual list of top 20 best places to live in Dallas, MoneyInc.com has proclaimed Farmers Branch to be number three on the list, behind only Frisco and Addison.

MoneyInc.com author Liz Flynn said the most common factors ...

Posted on: February 7, 2020

ARTWORK: West Side Water Tower officially recognized

FBTX ~ Since 2006, the Tnemec corporation has celebrated the innovative and creative uses of its coatings on water tanks with the annual Tank of the Year contest.

Each year, tanks of all varieties from across the U.S. and Can...

Posted on: January 23, 2020

TRAILS: West Side Art Trail to connect neighborhoods

FBTX – City of Farmers Branch residents and visitors will soon have more transportation options for getting around the city with the advent of the “Westside Art Trail,” a $10.4 million project with construction largely funded...

Posted on: January 22, 2020

THEATRE: Firehouse leaps into professional ranks

FBTX ~ Operated as a community theatre since its founding, the Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch has joined the Actor’s Equity Association, meaning it has graduated to the ranks of professional theatre.

According to D Magaz...

Posted on: January 22, 2020

COMPOST: Residents can compost without dealing with a bin

FBTX ~ Thanks to a new program offered by the Farmers Branch Department of Sustainability & Public Health, residents will now be able to participate in composting without dealing with the challenges of a composting bin at home.

Beg...

More about composting City News

Posted on: January 9, 2020

OLDER AMERICANS: Senior homestead exemption savings equals 4-cents on property tax rate

FBTX ~ The Farmers Branch City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to lower the property tax bills of the over-65 population in Farmers Branch by an equivalent of 4-cents on the property tax rate.

The Council raised the Resident Ho...

Posted on: January 9, 2020

KUDOS: Aquatics' Ashley Muñoz heralded by national professional organization

AOAP ~ Farmers Branch Aquatics Supervisor Ashley Muñoz has been named the Competitor Swim Aquatic Professional of the Month by the Association of Aquatic Professionals.

She is directly responsible for up to 75 part-time staf...

Posted on: January 9, 2020

COUNCIL: Retana tapped for NLC committee assignment

WASHINGTON ~ Farmers Branch City Council Member Cristal Retana has been appointed to the National League of Cities 2020 Human Development federal advocacy committee.

This committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC federal...

Posted on: December 20, 2019

SERVICES: Vacation House Watch provides peace of mind

FBTX ~ The Vacation House Watch program is a program developed by the Farmers Branch Police Department designed to provide peace of mind to Farmers Branch residents while they are away from home for extended periods of time.

Members of...

Posted on: December 12, 2019

PUBLIC SAFETY: New state-of-the-art 911 system delivers better, more accurate information

CARROLLTON ~ The North Texas Emergency Communications Center, which serves the cities of Carrollton, Coppell, and Farmers Branch, as well as the Town of Addison, recently upgraded its 911 communications infrastructure to a new, all-digital NextGen911 syst...

Posted on: October 24, 2019

FIRE: Federal grant to assist in staffing

FBTX ~ The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the Farmers Branch Fire Department a Department of Homeland Security Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant.

The City will receive $1,008,534 to hire s...

Posted on: October 11, 2019

SCHEDULE: City Council sets 2020 meeting dates

FBTX ~ The Farmers Branch City Council decided dates for their regularly scheduled meetings for the upcoming 2020 calendar year during their work session earlier this week.

Regular meeting dates include: January 7 & 21, February 4 ...

Posted on: October 24, 2019

SEVERE WEATHER: Emergency Management reminds residents that sirens are designed to be heard outdoors

FBTX ~ In the aftermath of Sunday’s weather, the Farmers Branch Emergency Management Office reminds residents that the City’s eight Outdoor Warning Sirens are activated for threats that affect the safety of residents such as tornados, ...

Posted on: August 22, 2019

NEW RULES: Council approves regulations for short-term rental operators

FBTX ~ In the age of online access to everything from private rooms or homes to rent, a new City Council-approved ordinance better defines the nature of how short-term rentals integrate into Farmers Branch neighborhoods in a positive manner.

&am...

Posted on: June 7, 2019

BIG RELOCATION: Farmers Branch welcomes Tenet Healthcare headquarters

FBTX ~ With a great deal of excitement and anticipation, the City of Farmers Branch has announced that Tenet Healthcare Corporation has signed a long-term lease for the company’s new corporate headquarters, at International Plaza Building I in F...

Posted on: April 4, 2019

LANDMARK ACTION: City Council takes huge step towards ending child homelessness in Farmers Branch

FBTX ~ In line with the priorities of their strategic plan, and motivated by the recent Point-in-Time count, that identified 43 homeless C-FB ISD students living in Farmers Branch, the Farmers Branch City Council on Tuesday took a landmark step towards en...

Posted on: September 19, 2018

FRAUD: FBPD warns residents to be vigilant for scammers

FBTX ~ The Farmers Branch Police Department is asking residents to be aware that scams are on the increase, and are being perpetrated on social media, via email, and by telephone.

Scammers will prey on a person’s fear, desire to make easy money, ...

Posted on: February 26, 2018

E-COURT: Farmers Branch becomes first court in Texas to offer online resolution of some cases

FBTX ~ Farmers Branch Municipal Court has brought traffic tickets back to the future, keying on a new trend in technology to offer a virtual courtroom, affording the opportunity for most Class C misdemeanor cases to be handled online.

...

Posted on: May 8, 2017

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: New mixed use project to replace big box at Inwood and Alpha

FBTX ~ After a great deal of negotiation, the Farmers Branch Economic Development Office has announced a new mixed use project for the corner of Alpha and Inwood Roads.

The new project on the 14-acre tract will include retai...

Posted on: March 7, 2017

BRANCH ALERT: New system targets information to specific, geographic areas

FBTX ~ Employing technology that can notify residents of anything from severe weather to community updates, via voice or text, the City of Farmers Branch is announcing the launch of the Branch Alert system.

Anyone wishing to receive thi...

Posted on: December 12, 2016

NEW: City Secretary's office enhances transparency with online public information request process

FBTX ~ Streamlining the process of public information requests like never before, Farmers Branch City Secretary Amy Piukana said her office is preparing to launch an online public information request process. The City recently purchas...Read on... Public Information Request Portal City News

Posted on: October 19, 2016

TEXT TO 911: Option now available in Farmers Branch

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Denco Area 9-1-1 District has announced that it has implemented text-to-911 service for all of Denton County and the City of Carrollton, including the North Texas Emergency Communications Center, serving public safety dispatch for Far...

Posted on: November 30, 2016

NEW ARCHIVE: City records archive now available to anyone online

FBTX ~ Ushering in a new degree of transparency like never before, the City of Farmers Branch has launched an online City Records Archive that allows anyone to access packets, minutes of public meetings, ordinances, resolutions and more.

...

Posted on: July 27, 2016

BUZZZZZ: Integrated Mosquito Management combatting warm weather pests

FARMERS BRANCH ~ As the weather continues to warm up, coupled with periodic and uncharacteristic rainfall this summer, Farmers Branch staff is working hard to protect residents from mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika and West Nile Virus. Resident involv...

Posted on: April 13, 2016

SAFE CAM: FBPD asks for the help of extra "eyes" in the community

FARMERS BRANCH ~ As one of its newest crime prevention and investigation tools, the Farmers Branch Police Department is asking local residents and businesses to register their surveillance cameras for the SafeCam initiative.

"Citizen-provided...Read on...

Posted on: April 13, 2016

ALARMS: Changes to ordinance designed to reduce false alarm calls

FARMERS BRANCH ~ With eight valid alarm calls last year, out of 3,059 responded to by the Police Department, the Farmers Branch City Council has approved changes to the local alarm ordinance, designed to keep officers on the street and away from false ala...Read on...

Posted on: February 24, 2016

LIVE: Four partner cities now live on state-of-the-art dispatch center

CARROLLTON ~ After years of planning, preparation, testing and checking, the North Texas Emergency Communications Center, or NTECC, is now fully implemented with public safety dispatch for its four member cities - Farmers Branch, Carrollton, Coppell and A...

Posted on: September 28, 2015

RAPID FLASH BEACONS: New flashing crosswalks designed to improve pedestrian safety

FARMERS BRANCH ~ In a continuing effort to improve pedestrian safety at strategic spots, the Farmers Branch Public Works Department has installed solar-powered rapid flash crosswalk signs at three locations.

The rapid flashing of beacons is activated...Read on...

Posted on: August 5, 2015

SAFE ZONES: FBPD sets up exchange location for online business, child custody

FARMERS BRANCH ~ In an effort to further the safety of the community, the Farmers Branch Police Department has initiated a “Safe Exchange Zone” program for the exchange of items that have been bought, sold or traded or for child custody exchanges.

...Read on...

Posted on: April 21, 2015

APP-SOLUTELY: Farmers Branch launches mobile app for smartphones and tablets

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Helping to put City of Farmers Branch information and resources at the fingertips of citizens, the Farmers Branch Mobile App for smartphones and tablets has debuted in Apple’s App Store and on the Android Marketplace.

Entitled “MyFB...Read on...

Download Now >> City News

Posted on: April 21, 2015

DRUGS: Prescription take back now possible five days a week at FBPD

FARMERS BRANCH ~ In what was previously a once or twice a year event, dropping off old prescription medications for proper disposal is now a permanent service offered by the Farmers Branch Police Department.

Sergeant Terry Eoff said the new receptac...Read on...

Posted on: April 6, 2015

RING IN THE OLD: Original bell from Old Church finds its way home to the Historical Park

FARMERS BRANCH ~ On an unusually warm Tuesday in January, a crew of specialized craftsmen carefully helped place a 100-plus-year-old bell back into the belfry where its service began in the 1890s.

The Old Church at the Farmers Branch Historical Park...Read on...