Week in Review, Oct. 23, 2026

Oct. 23, 2026

This is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on municipal events. If you would like to sign up to receive this in a weekly e-mail click here.

Throughout the year, the City Council or City Plan Commission will hold meetings on topics of significant interest to local neighborhoods or the community in general. Links to view all City Council or City Plan Commission meeting documents that may have topics of interest to you can be found here:

City Council | City Plan Commission

Council Hears Funding Mechanisms for Future Housing Discussions
The City Council was briefed Monday on Housing Finance Corporations (HFC) and Public Facility Corporations (PFC) and how they can address the needs identified in the City's Housing Needs Assessment. The assessment was commissioned by the City in late 2024 to identify current and future housing needs specific to Richardson. Reviewing and discussing the next steps in the assessment was one of the tactics adopted by the City Council for its 2025-27 term.

HFC's and PFC's are funding mechanisms that could address the third item on the assessment's housing needs list: More well-maintained rental housing units that can be available to a wider range of income levels.

On Monday, representatives from Hilltop Securities and Chapman and Cutler provided the Council with a base level understanding of HFCs and PFCs in advance of a future discussion of Richardson specific considerations.

View Monday's presentation

Christmas Parade Registration Opens Monday
Registration opens Monday for Richardson's 54th Annual Christmas Parade, to be held Saturday, Dec. 5. This year's parade theme is "Favorite Holiday Movies." Individuals and groups are encouraged to interpret the theme with costumes, vehicles, pets and floats.

This year's parade will be held on the west side of Richardson along Coit Road between Richardson High School and J.J. Pearce High School. The entry fee is $25 for individuals/organizations and $100 for businesses, plus a new, unwrapped toy (multiple toy donations are encouraged for groups). The event benefits The Network of Community Ministries.

The registration form and parade rules can be found online. Deadline for registration is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22. Friends of the Parade VIP tickets are also on sale and receive reserved parking and seating, as well as complimentary hot cocoa, breakfast goodies and other refreshments.

Register for the Christmas Parade

Santa's Village Setup Begins
Work began this week at Huffhines Park to prepare the venue for Santa's Village, the City's miniature holiday town. It may seem early, but in order to be ready in time for December visitors, set-up begins immediately following Huffhines Harvest Fest. The dwellings are in place at the park, and decorating will begin in November.

Santa's Village has been held in Richardson for more than 30 years and includes children's activities inside each tiny structure, live entertainment on a central stage and the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus.

For the first time, a festive adults only (21+) evening at Santa's Village will take place on Dec. 4, the night prior to the official start of the event. There will be holiday cocktails available for purchase, curated DJ holiday music and whimsical photo ops. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance. Purchase your ticket here.

Santa's Village takes place from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 5-6, Dec. 11-13, and Dec. 18-20, with the Village open to the public each of those nights. On days when the buildings aren't open, the Village will be open for people to stroll through and take photos Dec. 7-10 and 14-17 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Find out more about Santa's Village

Wildflower Seeding Underway
The annual wildflower planting program in Richardson began this week at numerous locations around the community including City of Richardson parks and medians. Parks and Recreation staff are planting a mix of wildflower seeds, dubbed the "Richardson Mix," that includes corn flower, rocket larkspur and red corn poppy.

About 50 acres are being sown this year with about 2,100 pounds of wildflower seeds, with unplanted pathways/areas created in the midst of some fields so that people can take photos among the flowers without trampling them. Flowers are being planted in all City parks, so there will be plenty of opportunities to view the blooms next spring.

The wildflower planting program began in the early 1990s and has been beautifying Richardson ever since. In addition to the annual fall plantings, residents, HOAs and other community groups can request and help fund wildflower planting in specific areas through the City's Operation Bloom Town program.

Link: Operation Bloom Town

Bike Rodeo is Tomorrow at Huffhines Park
The City of Richardson and BikeDFW are co-hosting the City's biannual bike rodeo Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10-11:30 a.m. at Huffhines Park. This free, family-friendly event gives kids the opportunity to learn bike safety skills in a fun, hands-on environment. In addition to a bicycle safety course, the event offers free minor bicycle repairs, a helmet fit check, bike skills activities and games.

Details:

The event is being held in partnership with The Bike Shop Richardson, Bike Mart and DART.

Find out more information on the Bike Rodeo

Drug Take Back Day is Tomorrow
The Drug Enforcement Administration's fall National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, Oct. 24, and the Richardson Police Department is hosting a drive-through/drop-off Drug Take Back event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Richardson Police Department Headquarters Parking Lot (200 N. Greenville Ave). The event keeps medications out of reach of pets and children and out of our water system.

Find out more about Drug Take Back Day

More information: 972-744-4955 (RPD Community Relations)

Nomination Deadline for Community Revitalization Awards is Sunday
The deadline for nominations for the 2026 Community Revitalization Awards is this Sunday, Oct. 25, at 11:59 p.m. The awards recognize residential and commercial property owners who have enhanced the community through significant property improvements.

Eligible projects include:

Anyone may submit a nomination, including the property owner.

The Richardson City Council created the awards in 1994. Since then, more than 350 properties have been recognized.

Learn more or submit a Community Revitalization Award nomination

Altrusa Names Outstanding Women, Gives "Check" to City
Altrusa International of Richardson, Inc. held its annual "Outstanding Women of Today-Builders of Tomorrow" awards luncheon earlier today at the Richardson DoubleTree Hotel. During the event, a ceremonial check for $319,735 was presented to Mayor Pro Tem Ken Hutchenrider representing 9,201 hours of volunteer time provided by the organization during the past year.

Also at today's event, Altrusa honored 24 women as "Outstanding Women of Today," chosen for exemplifying leadership and determination in improving the lives of others in the categories of Health Care, Nonprofit, Government, Education and Business. The honorees included the City of Richardson's Paula Johnson, Environmental Services Superintendent. (Click here for complete list of names.)

Altrusa provides support to City departments and local agencies including the Richardson Public Library and Richardson Reads One Book event, RISD, and Network of Community Ministries.

Early Voting for Nov. 3 Election Ends Oct. 30
Early voting in Texas for the Nov. 3 General Election takes place through Friday, Oct. 30, with Texas voters able to vote at any early voting location within their county of residence. Note that Richardson City Hall is not an early voting location; go to www.cor.net/Election for voting information and links to lists of all early voting locations in Dallas and Collin counties.

Dallas County Early Voting Schedule
Oct. 23 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Oct. 24 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 noon-6 p.m.
Oct. 26-Oct. 30 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Collin County Early Voting Schedule
Oct. 23 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Oct. 24 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Oct. 26-Oct. 30 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Find more information on early voting

SBA Disaster Loan Deadline Approaching for Texas Businesses, Private Nonprofits
The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit organizations that were impacted by the excessive rain occurring March 21-July 8, 2025, to apply for low-interest federal economic injury disaster loans before the Nov. 19 deadline.

Businesses and nonprofits in both Collin and Dallas counties are eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which provide working capital assistance for operational expenses caused by the disaster. Loans are available for small businesses, private nonprofits, faith-based organizations, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises.

Key Loan Details

Applicants may call the SBA National Support Network Center with questions regarding their application at 866-SBA-HELP (1-866-722-4357) or e-mail [email protected]. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Apply for a loan online

Lane Closure on Custer Parkway at Campbell Road
Drivers should expect temporary northbound closures on Custer Parkway at Campbell Road Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 26-27), as Atmos Energy begins work to relocate an existing gas line. Closures are expected to take place during non-peak traffic hours from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Drivers should plan for delays and use alternate routes when possible.

Fiber Optic Work to Close Lanes at Intersection of Collins Boulevard and Alma Road
The bike lane on eastbound Collins Boulevard extending 650 feet east of Alma Road, as well as the bike lane on southbound Alma Road extending 650 feet south of Collins Boulevard may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for fiber optic work. The project is expected to wrap up by mid-January, weather permitting.

To see what is coming up in Richardson, subscribe to our free weekly Things to Do newsletters. The newsletter comes out each Wednesday and will help you plan your weekend and find things to do locally.

Sign Up: Link

Community Cleanup at Breckinridge Park Nets 20 Pounds of Trash
One Earth One Chance (OEOC), in collaboration with Sigma Alpha Epsilon members, Richardson community volunteers, Capgemini and SSB (Society for Sustainable Business), held a cleanup event at Breckinridge Park on Saturday, Oct. 17. The 18 volunteers collected 20 pounds of trash.

The City's Corporate & Community Environmental Cleanup Program is open to any group who wants to help beautify Richardson. All supplies are provided, including gloves and trash tongs, and filled bags are picked up when the project is finished.

Learn more about the Community & Corporate Environmental Cleanup Program

How to Tell Black and Orange Butterflies Apart
If you have been in a garden lately, you may have noticed black and orange butterflies flying around. At this time of year, three species of black and orange butterflies frequent North Texas: Monarchs, Queens and Gulf Fritillaries. While they look similar at first glance, the Dallas County Master Gardeners has some tips on how to tell them apart.

Monarch
The Monarch is the official state insect of Texas. Every fall, Monarchs pass through our region on their long migration to central Mexico, where they overwinter in mountain forests until spring. Monarchs have:

Queen
The Queen looks like a darker, richer version of the Monarch. The wing pattern is the best way to distinguish the two. The Queen has:

Gulf Fritillary
Gulf Fritillaries are common in Texas gardens from spring through fall. Their flight is quick and darting, and their color is a vivid orange. The underside of the wings provides the easiest identification clue. Gulf fritillaries have:

Richardson is a great place to spot monarchs and other butterflies, as the City has been a Mayors' Monarch Pledge city since 2015 (a program of the National Wildlife Federation), recognizing that the butterfly is an important part of our ecosystem. The Parks and Recreation Department has established dedicated butterfly gardens in four parks-Berkner, Prairie Creek, Durham and Yale-and includes butterfly-friendly "pollinator plants" (that attract and feed butterflies) in park and landscape projects wherever feasible, such as at Collins Park and CityLine Park.

Scientists rely on the help of "citizen scientists" to understand the monarch's conservation needs.

Visit the Dallas County Master Gardeners butterfly page
Report sightings and follow the monarch migration
Learn more about monarchs in Richardson

www.cor.net/EPI

Accounts Payable Representative ($46,405 - $60,861 Salary)
The Accounting Department is looking for an individual that can process accounts payable transactions, miscellaneous filing, and perform general accounting functions. Effectively coordinate with other departments for approval of payables and to resolve accounts payable issues. Perform clerical and data entry using personal computer and the City's document management system. Perform other related work as required. High school diploma or GED required. Good background in mathematical courses preferred. One year of experience in accounts payable processing preferred. Experience in use of document management software preferred. Data entry, keyboard skills, and use of a 10 key calculator are required.

Combination Inspector (Building) ($65,156 - $88,239 Salary)
Building Inspection is looking for an individual that can inspect buildings, construction sites and construction components for compliance with Building, Electrical, Plumbing, or Mechanical codes and laws by making routine field inspections throughout the construction period. Reviews plans for compliance with designated codes and ordinances administered by Building Inspection Division for purpose of issuing permits. Counsel with architects, contractors, owners, and inspection staff as needed. Perform other related work as required. One (1) to two (2) years of experience preferred in residential or commercial building and energy inspections, general building contracting and construction.

Fire Inspector (PT) ($48.17/hr - $48.17/hr)
The Fire Department is looking for an individual who can conduct fire prevention inspections, assist in investigation of fire cause and origin. Conduct fire safety educational programs and other related activities. Work on-call duty as needed. Perform plan review as needed. Perform other related work as required. High School Diploma or GED required. Minimum of sixty (60) college hours or higher preferred. Texas Commission on Fire Protection [TCFP] Fire Inspector certification required. TCFP Investigator Certification preferred. Texas Commission on Law Enforcement [TCOLE] Peace Officer Certification preferred. Texas Department of Health [TDH] Emergency Medical Technician Certification preferred. Texas Driver's License Class C, or above, required.

www.cor.net/Jobs

Pet of the Week
Wednesday is a 10-month-old cattle dog mix with a heart filled with Joy. She's the epitome of sweetness and friendliness. She gets along wonderfully with other dogs and loves children, making her the perfect addition to any family. If you're looking for a loyal companion who will bring endless smiles and excitement to your home, Wednesday is ready to fill that spot.

For information about animals available for adoption, visit the Animal Shelter's web page here.

City Council Links

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To read previous Week in Reviews,

visit www.cor.net/WIR.