Week in Review, Aug. 21, 2026

Aug. 21, 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

2026-27 Budget Presented to City Council
At Monday's meeting, the City Council reviewed the proposed budget filed last Friday for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The $432 million budget maintains the current property tax rate of $0.54218 and outlines a multiyear strategy to protect essential services, strengthen the City workforce, and continue investments in public safety, infrastructure and economic development.

Two public hearings will be held in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 525. Both hearings begin at 6 p.m.:

The City Council will vote on the budget and tax rate on Sept. 21. The 2026-27 budget will take effect Oct. 1.

Visit the Budget webpage
View video of the budget presentation

Applicants Selected for City Council Place 3 Interviews
At Monday's meeting, the City Council selected eight of 13 applicants to interview for the vacant Place 3 seat. Current Place 3 Council Member Dan Barrios announced July 13 that he was resigning to run for another office. He will remain on the City Council until his replacement is named.

Interviews will take place Monday, Aug. 24. Finalists will be announced Sept. 14, followed by a second round of interviews Sept. 21, when a lone finalist will be named. The new council member is expected to be appointed Sept. 28.

View the candidates selected for interviews and learn more about the application process

Questions about the process may be sent to [email protected].

Free Tickets Available Aug. 25 for RROB Author Lecture
Richardson Reads One Book (RROB) will welcome Kate Messner, author of "The Trouble with Heroes," to Richardson next month to discuss her book. Free tickets will be available beginning at 9 a.m. on Aug. 25 through the Richardson Reads One Book website. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to two per order and e-mail address.

Author Lecture Information
Location: First United Methodist Church Richardson, 503 N. Central Expy.
Cost: Free; ticket required
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 15
Time: 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:45 p.m.)

Visit the Richardson Reads One Book website
Get free tickets beginning Aug. 25

Library Closed Aug. 28 for Staff In-Service Day
The Richardson Public Library will be closed Friday, Aug. 28, for staff development. It will reopen the following day on its regular schedule. Digital services, including Libby and Hoopla, will remain available Aug. 28.

View the library's operating hours

Low-Cost Pet Vaccine Clinic Set for Saturday
The Richardson Animal Shelter will host Operation Kindness Humane Society for a low-cost vaccine clinic Saturday, Aug. 22, at Huffhines Park. The event will offer essential vaccines and microchips for cats and dogs at discounted prices, with some services available at no cost.

The clinic is open to everyone and will take place from 8-9:30 a.m.

Animal Shelter Participates in Fort Worth Adoption Event
The Richardson Animal Shelter participated in the Humane Society of North Texas' Mega Adoption Event last Saturday and Sunday in Fort Worth. The event brought together 36 shelters and rescue organizations and featured more than 1,000 adoptable animals.

The Richardson Animal Shelter brought nine dogs each day, and six were adopted. In all, 836 animals were adopted during the two-day event.

August is MedicAlert Awareness Month
In recognition of MedicAlert Awareness Month, the Richardson Fire Department encourages people at increased risk of a medical emergency to keep their personal health and medical information readily available at home.

The Richardson Fire Department's File of Life Program provides residents with a registration card requesting basic information, including the patient's name, address, emergency contact and a brief checklist of medical conditions. Once the card is returned to any Richardson fire station or other City building, first responders are alerted that the patient has a file and are informed of any medical conditions. To request a form, e-mail [email protected].

The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) is another free resource that provides local emergency planners and responders with information about residents who may need assistance during an emergency. People who are medically fragile, have limited mobility, require medical assistance or need personal care assistance are encouraged to register.

Register online at stear.tdem.texas.gov, call 2-1-1, or use your preferred video telephone relay service to contact 2-1-1 at 877-541-7905.

Community Revitalization Award Nominations Open
Nominations are open for the 2026 Community Revitalization Awards, which 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. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4.

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

Richardson Fleet Technicians Sweep Texas Qualifying Spots for FleetCon Competition
Two City of Richardson fleet technicians will carry the Texas banner to Loveland, Colo. next week as the state's representatives at the 2026 FleetCon Technician Competition.

Juan Trevino and Cliff Janson earned the two spots available to represent Texas after coming out on top in state competitions held in Lewisville and Round Rock. They will compete Aug. 26 against technicians representing Arizona, Colorado and Nevada in written and hands-on maintenance challenges.

The hands-on portion tests technicians' ability to diagnose and repair deliberately created vehicle problems within a set time limit, putting their technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to the test.

FleetCon is the annual conference sponsored by the FleetPros Association. The Texas chapter of FleetPros is covering Trevino's and Janson's travel expenses as they represent both Richardson and the State of Texas at the competition.

Visit the Fleet Pros website for more information

Corporate Challenge Lane Closures Sunday Near UT Dallas
Lane closures will be in place near the UT Dallas campus Sunday morning, Aug. 23, for the Richardson Corporate Challenge 5K. The race will take place from 7:30-11 a.m.

The following lanes will be closed beginning at 7 a.m.:

Registration Open for 2026 Gobble Hobble
Registration is open for the annual Gobble Hobble, which celebrates its 21st year in 2026. The event benefits the Richardson Boys & Girls Club and will be held Saturday morning, Nov. 21, at Galatyn Park Urban Center, 2351 Performance Dr.

New this year is a 10K race, joining the 1-mile Fun Run and 5K.

Registration costs, plus fees, are:

Prices vary based on the registration date and increase each month.

Visit the Gobble Hobble website
Register for the race

Richardson Real Heroes Event Aug. 26 at Eisemann Center
Local nonprofit Richardson Real Heroes will host its annual awards celebration honoring volunteers for outstanding service to the community. This year's honorees are J.D. Luttmer and John Moran.

The event's special guest is Scott Murray, a multiple Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, author, speaker and philanthropist. A dessert reception featuring live music will follow the ceremony.

Richardson Real Heroes "Annie Awards" Ceremony
Location: Eisemann Center, Bank of America Theatre
Admission: Free; complimentary ticket required
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 26
Time: 7 p.m.

Visit the Richardson Real Heroes website

Traffic Switch Planned for Tuesday at Custer Parkway/Campbell Road
On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the southbound lane of traffic on Custer Parkway will be switched to the newly completed northbound side of the road from Cap Rock Drive to Campbell Road. The work is part of the Custer Parkway Improvement Project.

Westbound Campbell Road Lane Closure at Floyd Road
The right lane of westbound Campbell Road between Bunker Hill and Floyd Road may be closed to traffic during non-peak hours from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for fiber optic work. The work is expected to be completed by late December, 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

Mosquito Spraying Continues; Remember the "4 Ds" of Protection
This week, Richardson had mosquitoes test positive for the West Nile virus for the fifth time this year. The City of Richardson conducts ground spraying in neighborhood zones with positive traps.

Though no human cases of the disease have been reported in Richardson, Richardson residents shouldn't let down their guard when it comes to protection from mosquito bites. It's important to practice the Four D's of Protection:

The City of Richardson tests mosquitoes weekly, April-October, and works in conjunction with other cities and health agencies in the Metroplex to mitigate the spread of vector-borne illnesses.

See more information about mosquito testing in Richardson

Hot, Dry and Windy Conditions Lead to High Risk of Fires
Hot weather and dry vegetation, coupled with wind, create ripe conditions for fast-spreading fires. This week, almost all of North Texas has been listed as "High," "Very High" or "Extreme" on the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) Fire Danger Forecast maps, so it's a good time to remind Richardson residents of fire prevention actions. According to the TAMFS, 90 percent of the wildfires in Texas are caused by humans. Additionally, Dallas County is currently under a burn ban, which prohibits any outdoor burning.

Fire prevention actions include:

See the most recent fire risk forecast maps

See more information about preventing wildfires

www.cor.net/EPI

Facilities Maintenance Supervisor - Building Systems ($63,104-$98,228 Salary)
The Fleet and Facilities Department is looking for an individual who can coordinate and perform Facilities Maintenance operations and functions in the areas of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, elevators, roofing, painting, carpentry and other various building needs in City Facilities. Instruct, schedule, review and evaluate the work of assigned staff and contractors. Assist with project design and management for various building related projects. Assist with preparation and implementation of annual budgets, long-term planning, and service contracts. Perform other related work as required. High school diploma or equivalent required. One year of college course work and/or equivalent training hours required in operation and maintenance of building systems and equipment. Texas Driver's License, Class C, required. Refrigerant Transition and Recovery Certifications for Type I and Type II equipment required.

Patron Services Representative ($43,680-$51,461 Salary)
The Eisemann Center is looking for an individual who can perform ticketing transactions and patron services for the Eisemann Center and its User Groups. May assist in overseeing the patron services staff in the absence of the Patron Services Assistant Manager and Manager. Work varying hours, including nights and weekends, as required. Perform other related work as required. High School Diploma or GED required. Some college courses preferred.

Artist Services Assistant (PT) ($21.00/hr to $27.76/hr)
The Eisemann Center is looking for an individual who can execute guest artist logistics for events and activities scheduled at the Eisemann Center, including production schedule, artist wrangling, ticketing, hospitality and catering, ground transportation, day-of communication liaison, etc. Effectively functions and participates as part of event staff. Perform other related work as required. High school diploma required. Some college courses in arts, marketing, hospitality, or communication desired. Texas Driver's License, Class C required and access to transportation.

www.cor.net/Jobs

Pet of the Week
Meet Tucker, a sweet and friendly 2-year-old pitbull who resides at our shelter. Tucker is known for his gentle demeanor and his ability to make everyone around him feel at ease. Despite his size, he's a gentle giant at heart, always ready to offer a comforting nuzzle. Tucker is perfect for someone looking for a loyal companion to share in life's adventures. His kind nature and joyful spirit make him an ideal candidate for a loving home.

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

City Council Links

Council Members
Meeting Agendas and Documents
Videos

To read previous Week in Reviews,

visit www.cor.net/WIR.