Week in Review, Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 19, 2025

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

2025-26 Budget & Tax Rate Adopted
On Monday, the Richardson City Council approved the 2025-26 fiscal year budget, wrapping up a four-month process of departmental deep dives, budget strategy sessions, and public hearings.

The budget for the next fiscal year starting Oct. 1 totals $418.5 million, an increase of $12,419,516, or 3.1 percent, from the FY 2024-25 adopted budget. Funding priorities are concentrated on core missions and responsibilities to ensure that residents and other stakeholders experience reliable, uninterrupted services that directly affect daily quality of life. The impact to the typical taxpayer will be about $237 extra for the year, including property tax and utilities charges (water, sewer, drainage and residential solid waste).

Budget Website: https://www.cor.net/Budget

Draft Tactics Presented for 2025-27 Council Goals/Strategies
City staff presented a draft list of tactics to the City Council Monday for implementing each of the 14 strategies recently adopted with the Council's 2025-27 Statement of Goals. Tactics are the action items the City proposes to advance during the Council's term to achieve its priorities.

The draft tactics were developed based on the following:

Tactics will be refined in the coming weeks, as Staff and the Council begin work on implementation.

Presentation Document: Link

Video: Link

Council Approves Friendship City Resolution
The City Council approved a resolution at Monday's City Council meeting supporting the pursuit of establishing a Friendship City Agreement with Keelung City, Taiwan in advance of a joint visit set to take place Sept. 29-Oct. 4. The effort seeks to promote friendship and mutual benefit.

A Friendship City agreement would involve collaboration between the two cities in exploring educational, cultural, arts and economic opportunities, which could include networking and conferences to promote business partnership and economic opportunities, and youth exchange events.

Public Safety Expo Tomorrow Morning
Join the Richardson Police Department tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 20) for a free, family-friendly event featuring a showcase of Police and Fire Department vehicles, plus exciting demonstrations from the K-9 Unit and UAS (drone) Team. Guests can meet SWAT Team members, interact with Bike Unit officers, and get an up-close look at a helicopter. Special appearances will be made by Miss Texas Sadie Schiermeyer and Miss Texas' Teen Emma Fossum.

City service booths will also be on site with valuable information on safety and emergency preparedness. Kids can meet popular characters including Chase from Paw Patrol, Nat the National Night Out Knight, and McGruff the Crime Dog. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Details:

Huffhines Park, 300 N. Plano Rd.
Admission: Free
Saturday, Sept. 20
10 a.m.-noon

K-9 Adoption Fees Temporarily Waived
The Richardson Animal Shelter has temporarily waived adoption fees for all dogs currently in the shelter and in foster care. The shelter announced this week it has reached a critical point, with dogs arriving daily, through strays, surrenders, and other circumstances, and limited space to house them.

For those not ready to adopt, there are other ways to make a difference, such as fostering, volunteering at the shelter, or donating essentials such as food, towels, and toys.

Animals Available for Adoption: https://www.cor.net/AdoptMe

CORE District "Art Drop Day" Takes Place
An "Art Drop" event took place today in The CORE District, in which local artists donated original pieces of art to the City that were hidden in public places for residents and visitors to search for, find and keep. The event, which featured clues posted on The CORE District social media, is part of a national movement of cities hosting an Art Drop Day as a way to spotlight a city's creative culture, "activate" public spaces with creativity, and strengthen connections between artists and community.

For this inaugural event, Richardson partnered with artists from the Richardson Civic Art Society and the City's annual Traffic Signal Box Art Contest. Five pieces of art were hidden in total, one in each of The CORE neighborhoods (Lockwood, Heights, Downtown, Chinatown and Interurban).

Website: https://www.RichardsonCOREDistrict.com

Road Construction Work to Close Lanes Near Buckingham/Audelia Intersection
In two phases, first the right lane of westbound Buckingham Road and then the left lane of eastbound Buckingham Road, extended 700 feet west of Audelia Road, may be closed to traffic alternately at all times as road construction work takes place. In addition, the left turn lane of westbound Buckingham Road just west of Audelia Road may be closed during the second phase at all times. The work is expected to be completed by early November.

https://www.cor.net/projects

Health Information and Wellness Fair Wednesday
Richardson Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd.
Admission: Free (no membership required)
Wednesday, Sept. 24
10 a.m.

This annual event includes free fitness classes, demonstrations, informational talks, more than 60 vendors, flu shots and the Credit Union of Texas food truck, providing complimentary food to all attendees while supplies last. Designed for individuals age 50 and older.

"Coffee with a Cop" Friday
Starbucks, 205 S. Plano Rd.
Admission: Free (food and beverage extra)
Friday, Sept. 26
9-10 a.m.

An informal, come-and-go gathering with RPD officers at which you can stop by, say hello and discuss any concerns or questions you may have.

Adulting 101 Teen Program Tomorrow-Job Interviews
Youth Services Storytime Room
Admission: Free (no registration required)
Saturday, Sept. 20
3-4 p.m.

Applying for your first job? Nervous about the interview? Learn about essential job interview skills from experts from Dallas College's Career Center. For ages 13-18 only.

New Program: "Story Stroll" Begins Monday at Huffhines Park
Huffhines Park, 300 N. Plano Rd. (behind Fire Station 4, meet near park pavilion)
Admission: Free
Monday, Sept. 22
3-3:30 p.m.

Grab your strollers and stretch your legs this fall at this Richardson Public Library-sponsored event! Join Library staff for a storytime at the park pavilion, then enjoy a walk through the park to connect to nature along with movement, rhymes and fun. Open to all ages but storytime is geared toward ages 6 weeks-3 years. Children must be attended by at least one adult. Event is held weather permitting.

At the Eisemann Center:

• Vocal Majority: "50 Years of Gold" Tonight

  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $22-$72 (tickets)
  Friday, Sept. 19
  7:30 p.m.

  This one-night-only event celebrates the group's 14th International Gold Medal -earned 50 years after their first gold in 1975. The evening will feature their award-winning contest set, along with an inspiring selection of patriotic favorites, heartfelt love songs and good ol' Texas tunes.

• Andy & Shani Tomorrow
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $59-$250 (tickets)
  Saturday, Sept. 20
  8:30 p.m.

  American singer-songwriter, producer and actress Shani Rigsbee and Iranian-Armenian pop star Andy Madadian bring their unique blend of Iranian and American pop music to the Eisemann Center for a night of culture, music and memories. Presented by Nima Entertainment.

• "Betty's Notebook" Continues
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: Immersive Experience $22; Concert $20-$62 (tickets)
  Thursdays-Sundays through Sept. 28
  Immersive Experience: 5 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Thursdays/Fridays, 3:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays/Sundays
  Concert: 7:30 p.m. each day

  In the summer of 1937, a teenage girl named Betty Klenck heard something strange on her radio. She wrote down what turned out to possibly be the final transmission of Amelia Earhart. Decades later, her notebook still guides researchers and became the starting point for this immersive experience and unique multimedia "concert." Presented by Eisemann Edge Initiative, Verdigris Ensemble and Eisemann Center Presents.
  
  More information: click here and here

At UT Dallas:

• Musical Duo Brandy Estwick and Eddie Healy Tonight
  Jonsson Performance Hall
  Admission: Free
  Friday, Sept. 19
  7 p.m.
  
  Dr. Brandi Estwick and Eddie Healy, who have performed together for many years domestically as well as in Spain, explore the beauty of vocals and guitar together. Selections range from Schubert to Tchaikovsky, as well as an emphasis on the music from 19th century Spain.
  
  Event link: click here
  
  
• Mid-Autumn Festival Tomorrow
  ATC Lecture Hall
  Admission: Free ticket (registration link)
  Saturday, Sept. 20
  7 p.m.
  
  Join the Center for Asian Studies at UT Dallas, Huayun Chinese Orchestra, Texas Cultural Exchange Center and guest artists for the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival, with a showcase featuring the beauty and diversity of Asian cultures.
  
  Event link: click here

Bill Boronkay at The Core Theatre Tonight
518 W. Arapaho Rd. #115
Tickets: $20 (tickets)
Friday, Sept. 19
8 p.m.

Bill Boronkay, comedian, Emmy-winning sportscaster and the host of TV car show Cruise-In, brings his self-deprecating and observational humor to the Core Theatre for this one-night-only performance. Event link: https://www.thecoretheatre.org

Ways to Keep Wild Animals Out of Your House
Animal Shelter staff would like to remind homeowners that this fall while you're getting your property ready for a change in the season that it's a good time to make sure it's wildlife proofed as well, to keep wildlife intrusions and other problems at bay.

Steps to prevent critters from moving in include:

If you notice signs on the exterior of your home or inside the attic that animals may have already moved in, read the article below for how to test for signs of "residents" and how to properly seal the entry/exit points.

The Animal Shelter does not recommend using poison as a way to deter squirrels, rats and other small animals because once they ingest it, it becomes a danger to other wildlife, such as owls, that help naturally control this population.

More information: Click here

Regional Composting Facility Offering Customer Appreciation Sale
Texas Pure, the regional composting/mulching facility that partners with the City of Richardson and four other area cities, is hosting its annual customer appreciation sale this month, taking place through Sept. 30. All bagged and bulk products are 25 percent off this month when you purchase on-site at Texas Pure's Custer Road Facility in Plano, or at the North Texas Municipal Water District landfill location in Melissa. This is an additional discount to the already discounted mulch and compost prices that Richardson residents receive.

Location/hours information:

CUSTER ROAD FACILITY
9901 Custer Rd. (entrance on Ridgeview Drive)
Plano, TX 75025
Open Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

REGIONAL COMPOSTING FACILITY
3820 Sam Rayburn Highway (enter through landfill)
Melissa, TX 75454
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Note: Payment accepted by debit or credit card only.

Video: https://vimeo.com/1120256673/27105ed5ae?share=copy

Website: https://www.TexasPureProducts.com

Animal Services Officer ($43,764 to $62,088 Salary)
Animal Services is looking for an individual who loves animals, and under general supervision, routinely patrol city streets, clean and maintain Animal Shelter daily. Texas Driver's License, Class C, required.

Facilities Maintenance Specialist (48,296.04 to 71,706.96 Salary)
Facilities is looking for an individual who can perform skilled maintenance, repairs and installations on building facilities. Perform preventive maintenance on HVAC, electrical, electronic, plumbing, pumping and motor control systems. Texas Driver's License, Class C, required.

Fleet Porter ($20.56/hr to $28.86/hr)
Fleet is looking for an individual who can perform general automotive maintenance and assist Fleet Technicians with general repairs and welding on City vehicles/equipment.

Pet of the Week
Powder is a gentle soul with a heart full of love. She's a sweet, friendly 5-year-old Staffordshire dog who can't resist a good treat. Her playful nature is infectious and she's always ready to make new human friends. However, she would need to meet and greet with any potential canine siblings to ensure a harmonious relationship. Powder's gentle demeanor makes her a wonderful companion for anyone seeking a loyal friend. Her love for treats can be a great tool for further training and bonding. The love and companionship that Powder can offer are unparalleled. She deserves a forever home where she can share her sweetness and joy every day.

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 https://www.cor.net/WIR.