Week in Review, April 17, 2026

April 17, 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

City Maintains Highest Credit Rating for 17th Consecutive Year
For the 17th consecutive year, both S&P Global Ratings and Moody's Ratings have reaffirmed the City of Richardson's Triple A credit rating, the highest level of creditworthiness available. Richardson has maintained its AAA rating from S&P for 19 years and its Aaa rating from Moody's for 17 consecutive years.

Achieving "Triple A" status requires the City to meet rigorous standards across multiple areas, including financial performance, reserve levels, economic stability and the ability to meet debt obligations. In their latest reviews, both agencies cited Richardson's strong and consistent financial performance, conservative budgeting and long-term planning, diverse and expanding tax base within the Dallas-Fort Worth region, robust local economy supported by major employers and higher education, and a stable outlook tied to continued growth and disciplined fiscal management.

This year, the City plans to sell $27.175 million in general obligation bonds and $36.97 million in certificates of obligation to fund infrastructure, facilities, and parks and recreation projects.

Link to Press Release

Early Voting for Bond & Charter Election Begins Monday
Early voting for the May 2 Joint and Special Election, including the City of Richardson Bond and Charter Election, begins Monday, April 20 and runs through Tuesday, April 28 (note: there is no voting on Tuesday, April 21 due to San Jacinto Day, a state holiday).

Collin County
Dates & Hours

Early Voting Locations

(note that Collin County residents who live in Richardson will only be able to vote at the following two locations in order to participate in the Bond & Charter election):

Dallas County
Dates & Hours

Early Voting Locations

Richardson residents who live in Dallas County may vote early at any Dallas County early voting location, including:

Election Day voting will take place Saturday, May 2.

Link to election information

City to Host "Earth Day" Tree Planting Wednesday Morning
The City of Richardson, in partnership with nonprofit One Earth One Chance, will host an Earth Day Tree Planting event on Wednesday, April 22, from 9-11 a.m. at Crowley Park, South Pavilion, 2551 E. Lookout Dr.

Held during National Volunteer Month, the event offers a meaningful opportunity for individuals, families and groups to get involved, support sustainability efforts and help enhance Richardson's urban tree canopy. Volunteers will help plant approximately 50 trees throughout the park, donated by One Earth One Chance. Participants can expect a hands-on experience that includes digging, planting and mulching trees. Light refreshments will be provided.

Link to event website

Fire Department Reviews 2025, Looks Ahead in Annual Report
Richardson Fire Chief Curtis Poovey presented the Fire Department's annual report at Monday's City Council meeting. The report is a comprehensive summary of the department's 2025 activities and accomplishments and plans for the future, encompassing not only data on staffing levels and emergency response activity, but also staff training and wellness, emergency partnerships, fire investigations, building inspection and permitting, and community education/outreach.

Notable highlights of the report included:

The Richardson Fire Department marked 100 years of service April 9 and a community event to celebrate the milestone is planned for June 27.

Link to presentation video

City Council Reviews Ceremonial Policies
At Monday's City Council meeting, staff presented recommendations for new policies on municipal flag displays and ceremonial recognitions, along with updates to Richardson's Days of Recognition.

The proposed flag policy would standardize the appearance of international flag displays at City facilities and during official events, a proposed ceremonial recognition policy would build on guidelines adopted in 2014 to help ensure consistency in City Council proclamations and awards, and a Days of Recognition policy is under development to enhance community engagement.

All recommendations will be refined based on Council feedback and brought back at a future meeting for possible adoption.

Link to presentation video

Council Finalizes Appointment Procedures for Single Council Vacancies
The City Council conducted a final review at Monday's Council meeting of a proposed policy outlining procedures for filling a single Council vacancy, following discussion at prior Council meetings. The City Charter requires that a single vacancy occurring during an unexpired term for a Council member, other than the Mayor, be filled by a majority vote of the remaining Council members, but it does not define how candidates are identified.

The recommended framework, modeled after the City's Boards and Commissions appointment process, includes 11 steps, from developing and reviewing an application to interviewing candidates and administering the oath of office.

Staff will incorporate the policy into the City Council Rules of Order and Procedure for future adoption.

Link to presentation video

Traffic Signal Box Art Contest Submissions Due Next Friday
Artists wishing to enter the City's fifth annual Traffic Signal Box Art Contest have until Friday, April 24, to submit their entries online. "Community" is the theme for this year's contest, co-sponsored by the Richardson Rotary Club, and winning entries will be wrapped on traffic signal boxes at select intersections throughout Richardson. In addition, artists with winning entries will receive $200, a certificate, and have their work published in Richardson Today and other municipal communication channels.

The contest is open to individual artists of all ages. A selection committee will review submissions and select finalists. Five winners will be determined according to three main criteria-creativity, adherence to the theme and artistic merit.

All completed applications and artwork submissions for the 2026 contest are due by 5 p.m. Friday, April 24.

Website: www.cor.net/boxart

Temporary Lane Closure Expected on Renner Road Near Wyngate
The right lane of westbound Renner Road between Wyngate Boulevard and Clear Spring Drive may be closed to traffic at all times as pavement repair takes place in front of the Shell gas station at the Bush Turnpike. (Note: Only one lane will remain closed overnight. The second lane may be closed as needed from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) The work is expected to be completed by early May.

Utility Work to Cause Lane Closure on Northbound Coit Road south of Campbell
The right lane of northbound Coit Road between Chesterton Drive and 100 feet north of Huntington Drive may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as utility work takes place. The work is expected to be completed by late May.

Richardson Projects: www.cor.net/projects.

Richardson Open USTA Tennis Tournament Begins May 1; Register by This Sunday
Huffhines Tennis Center, 1601 Syracuse Dr.
Cost: $45-$55 (Registration)
Sunday, April 19

The 43rd Annual Richardson Open, scheduled for May 1-3, is a long-standing multi-level Richardson tournament featuring a Level 4 Adult Major Zone and offering a diverse range of competitions including father and son teams, husband and wife duos, and players of varying skill levels. More information: USTA /

Earth Day "Picnic in the Park" Next Wednesday
CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St.
Admission: Free
Wednesday, April 22
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Bring your lunch or grab something from a nearby restaurant and enjoy live music, local vendors sharing tips on recycling and sustainable living, and a free potted plant activity. Bring an empty can (20 oz. or less) and learn how to turn it into a planter with a plant to take home. Lawn chairs, picnic blankets and pups welcome!

"Google Productivity: Docs, Sheets, and Slides" Tomorrow
Millwood Creek Room
Admission: Free (Registration and valid RPL card required. Call 972-744-4355 to register.)
Saturday, April 18
10:30 a.m.-noon

An introduction to Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. Participants will learn how to:

For adults.

"Story Stroll" Monday
Breckinridge Park
Admission: Free
Monday, April 20
3-3:30 p.m.

Grab your strollers and stretch your legs! Join Library staff for a storytime at the park pavilion, then enjoy a walk through the park and connect to nature with movement, rhymes, and fun.

Storytime is intended for ages 3 and under, program open to all ages. Children must be attended by at least one adult. Subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.

www.cor.net/Library

At the Eisemann Center:

• Circa: "Humans 2.0" Tonight
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $38.50-$59.50 (tickets)
  Friday, April 17
  8 p.m.

  From Brisbane, Australia and founded in 2004, this "next level" circus troupe brings audiences a symphony of acrobatics, sound and light in the next chapter of Circa's internationally acclaimed "Humans." "Humans 2.0," created by circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz, is intimate, primal and deeply engaged with the challenge of being human. Part of the Eisemann Center Presents 2025-26 season.

At UT Dallas:

• Alumni, Current Students Present Piano Recital Sunday
  Physics Bldg., 800 W. Campbell Rd., Room 1.304
  Admission: Free
  Sunday, April 19
  3 p.m.

  Join Comet Alumni Pianists (CAP) of UT Dallas for an exciting recital featuring current piano students as guest artists. Enjoy a variety of performances including solos, duets, trios and more.

  More information: Event Link

• José Bowen Sextet Next Friday
  University Theatre, 800 W. Campbell Rd.
  Tickets: $16 (tickets)
  Friday, April 24
  7:30 p.m.

  José Antonio Bowen has performed in 46 states and 17 countries and with Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Dave Brubeck, Liberace and many other musical luminaries. At this concert, Dr. Bowen returns with his sextet, including Chris Milyo (saxophone) and Peter Clagett (trumpet), performing new original compositions and new arrangements of jazz standards.

  More information/parking map: Event Link

Wildflower! Battle of the Bands Qualifying Round Tomorrow Afternoon
Oak Highlands Brewery, 500 Lockwood Dr.
Admission: Free
Saturday, April 18
2 p.m.

Twelve bands vie for one of four finalist/semifinalist spots in this inspiring competition featuring musicians age 21 and younger. A panel of judges will select two bands to advance directly to the Battle of the Bands finals and perform at the Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival May 17, and an additional two bands will move on to an online fan-vote contest, where audiences will decide who earns the coveted third finalist spot.

Chamber Music International Tomorrow Evening
St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church
Tickets: $40-$45 (tickets)
Saturday, April 18
7:30 p.m.

"Chamber Works of Debussy" features the Impressionism of early and late Debussy, performed by Simón Gollo, violin; Daphne Gerling, viola; Horacio Contreras, cello; James Scott, flute; Jaymee Haefner, harp; and Ana Maria Otamendi, piano.

"Improv at the Museum" Family Improv at The Core Theatre Tomorrow
Tickets: Adults $10; Students & Kids $5 (Link to Tickets)
Saturday, April 18
7:30 p.m.

What would happen if you could take anything from a museum and bring it life - without the pesky Egyptian curse and instead focus on pure family fun? Or, take a historical event like writing the Declaration of Independence but bring in some cowboys shoehorning in their own western ideas. The sky's the limit Saturday night as the Family Improv troupe presents this high-energy, original, fun, and family-friendly show where everything is made up on the spot, using the audience's suggestions throughout the evening.

Core Theatre website

Save the Date/Save Your Medicines: Drug Takeback is Next Saturday
Prevent medications from contaminating our water system/waterways by taking part in the Richardson Police Department's (RPD) Drug Take Back Saturday, April 25, part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The collection will take place at Richardson Police Headquarters, 200 N. Greenville Ave., from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event keeps medications from being flushed down a sink drain or toilet and potentially entering our waterways, and also helps keep drugs out of the trash, where pets, children and others might acquire them.

Start cleaning out your medicine cabinet and plan to bring unused and expired pharmaceuticals, both prescription and over-the-counter, for proper disposal. All solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in tightly sealed consumer containers will be accepted. Intravenous solutions, injectables and syringes will not be accepted due to the potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens.

Contact: 972-744-4955 (Richardson Police Department Crime Prevention Unit)
Website: https://takebackday.dea.gov

Tickets on Sale for RWCTX Garden Tour May 2
RWC Estate, 2005 N. Cliffe Dr.
Tickets: $26.90 (Lunch is an additional ticket; cost is $11.37 and must be purchased by April 27); (tickets)
Saturday, May 2
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

A day of beauty, inspiration and community featuring a wide variety of activities, from morning coffee and gardening seminars to shopping, a boxed lunch on the estate grounds, and tours of several local gardens. A raffle features several gardening-related prizes.

www.cor.net/EPI

Crew Chief ($57,541 - $80,347 Salary)
The Public Services Department is looking for an individual with experience in construction and/or maintenance of water distribution and waste collection systems. A Texas Commercial Driver's License, Class A is required.

Police Admin Secretary (Patrol) ($43,680 - $50,232 Salary)
The Police Department is looking for an individual that can perform difficult administrative clerical functions requiring a specialized knowledge of departmental operations and procedures. Perform other related work as required. High School Diploma or GED required. Texas Drivers License, Class C required.

Lifeguard PT ($14.00/hr - $15.00/hr)
The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for an individual who is a minimum of 16 years of age. Must have ability to make quick and effective decisions. Must have: good verbal and written language skills; ability to cope effectively with large crowds and high noise levels. Must be able to perform skill tests administered by the Parks and Recreation Department, including a rescue test, basic swim strokes (breaststroke, crawl stroke, sidestroke, and elementary backstroke), and must demonstrate effective CPR knowledge. Must be able to implement cash-handling policies. Must hold current American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification, CPRPR certification, and First Aid certification. American Red Cross Waterpark Lifeguard Certification preferred.

www.cor.net/Jobs

Pet of the Week
Meet Marty, a sweet and friendly 5-year-old pitbull terrier mix. Known for his gentle demeanor, Marty loves spending time with people and is always eager to please. His favorite activities include leisurely walks and cozy cuddle sessions. Marty's calm and loving nature makes him a wonderful companion for anyone looking to add a furry friend to their family. He's ready to bring joy and companionship to his forever home. Consider opening your heart and home to Marty; he's sure to fill it with love and happiness.

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.