City of The Colony Electronic Newsletter • Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020

City Council approves tax-rate decrease, 2020-21 budget

During its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, The Colony City Council formally approved the FY 2020-21 budget. For the 18th time in the past 19 years, the Council voted to lower the tax rate - this year by a 1/2-cent. The reduction all other years was a 1/4-cent. One year the rate remained flat. With an average home valuation in The Colony of $305K, a home of that value has seen a cumulative reduction of $2,200 in their property taxes over those 19 years. Other highlights of the 2020-21 budget include:

Six new paramedics for the Fire Department;
$15K in rental and utility assistance (Next Steps-The Colony)
$4M for street reconstruction projects on Marsh Drive; John Yates Drive (Nash to Strickland); and Hendricks Drive;
$1M for general street, alley, and sidewalk maintenance;
$450K for drainage-improvement projects in The Tribute and on Windhaven Parkway; and,
$130K for recreation center renovations.

If they haven't already, homeowners 65 years old and up are encouraged to apply for the City of The Colony's senior homestead exemption, approved by City Council in 2019. So far, the exemption has frozen over $5 million in home valuations from receiving a larger tax bill from the city, benefiting almost 20% of homes. For information or to apply, visit the Denton County Central Appraisal District website. Also in 2019, the City Council approved a 10% utility discount for active and retired veterans of the Armed Services. Homeowners who qualify can apply online or by contacting the Customer Services Department at 972-625-2741.

Introducing The Colony Parks & Recreation Department's Fall Family 'Selfie' Scavenger Hunt, presented by SCHEELS! Now through Oct. 31, challenge your family to become more familiar with our local parks, trails & sporting facilities, and enter for a chance to win some amazing prizes! All the details, including the list of selfie-spots, prizes, and entry form, are available on our website by clicking the photo above.

The Colony Firefighters Association invites the community to come out and support their local FD & fire association on Oct. 1-4 at Lava Cantina The Colony. It will be a four-day event with a car show and multiple artists performing. Proceeds will be donated to restore The Colony Fire Department's first engine - The General! More info by clicking the photo above.

National Night Out on Oct. 6

National Night Out is just around the corner! Neighborhoods in The Colony hosting outdoor block parties are welcome to contact Community Resource Officers Rick De La Cruz or Brian Lee at 972-625-8273 to register so an Officer can come by. For those residents participating this year, please be mindful of the continued need for social-distancing! Click the photo for more info. #InThisTogether #NNO2020

Ultimate Picnic Guide

Fall in North Texas is the perfect time to pack a basket full of local goodies and get outside for lunch on the lawn. Check out the ultimate guide to picnicking in The Colony, brought to you by The Colony Convention & Visitors Bureau. More info at VisitTheColony.com.

What else is In THE News?

During its regular meeting on Sept. 15, The Colony City Council proclaimed Sept. 17-23 as "Constitution Week" and Sept. 16 as "American Legion Day" in The Colony;
The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming Nov. 3, 2020, City Council Election is Oct. 5. More information, including details about early voting and polling procedures, can be found at www.VoteDenton.com;
September is National Preparedness Month! Follow the City's Facebook and Twitter accounts for weekly preparedness tips or visit our Emergency Management page, www.TheColonyTx.gov/BePrepared;
FYI: For the third night, Denton County will be spraying for mosquitoes Sept. 17 in an unincorporated part of the County along The Colony's southern border following a positive-pool test for West Nile virus. Visit our website for information about the city's ongoing response to mosquito-management.
The Fall Fun Times catalog is now available online! Check out all the fun activities available for families of all ages. For more info, contact Parks & Recreation at 972-625-1106.