City of McKinney makes up budget deficit to present balanced 2009-2010 budget to the McKinney City Council

Proactive measures led to balanced budget 

After taking action earlier this year to make up an estimated $5.1 million budget deficit, the city of McKinney will present a balanced budget plan to City Council at an all-day workshop that begins at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 7 at the Senior Recreation Center, 1400 South College St.

Measures to make up the revenue loss included delayed or frozen hiring for open city positions, no raises for city staff, less spending on consultant and study fees, reduced overtime and reduced travel and training for city staff. Public hearings will be held on the budget during the regular City Council meetings on Sept. 1 and Sept. 15, and council will take action on the final budget for Fiscal Year 2009-2010 at the regular meeting on Sept. 15.

“It was apparent that we had to take action and cut expenses to make up for the adversely affected revenues due to the downturn in the economy. Though action like this is never ideal, we were able to avoid lay-offs and service cuts to residents, which is the most important thing we as a city can do,” said City Manager Frank Ragan.

City finance staff worked closely with management to monitor costs and revenues on a regular basis, making adjustments when needed to close the year with a balanced budget. This practice will continue into the next fiscal year, which will also start with a balanced budget.

In addition to maintaining city staff and services to residents, the city acquired new technology at an extremely reduced rate that will enable the staff to keep up with the rapidly growing population. A new fire station opened in April to serve the westernmost residents and businesses, and the city’s second library, the John and Judy Gay Library, named for former McKinney Mayor John Gay, is scheduled to open this fall. Another fire station is being planned on Alma Road with planned transfers of existing fire personnel to provide much needed service to the Craig Ranch area of the city, in southwest McKinney.

“In light of the current economic conditions, McKinney is in a good place financially,” said Ragan. 

For more information, call the city at 972-547-7500.

Free concert set for Aug 6 at Towne Lake Park with raffle ticket sales to beneift the Veterans Memorial Park in McKinney

A free concert that will raise funds through raffle ticket sales items to benefit the construction of the McKinney Veterans Memorial Park will be held at 7 p.m. on Thurs., Aug. 6 at Towne Lake Park on Wilson Creek Parkway.

The concert kicks off a four-band line-up. Proceeds from raffle ticket items will be used to help pay for the construction of the Veterans Memorial Park, which will honor the more than 300 Collin County servicemen and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The McKinney Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department is planning the Veterans Memorial Park in McKinney on land at Craig Ranch.

The park got a generous start with a $350,000 grant from the McKinney Community Development Corporation, and many private and public donations have followed. However, additional financial support from the community is needed to complete the $1.1 million park.

“The purpose of the McKinney Veterans Memorial Park is to recognize the service of all veterans. By having their names engraved on a wall within the park, we will give special recognition to those from Collin County who lost their lives defending our country,” said Director of Parks, Recreation and Open Space Lemuel Randolph . “With local support through events like this, our community can really take pride and ownership in this special park.”

Ronnie Foster, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran from McKinney and member of the McKinney Armed Services Board, has gathered 326 names of servicemen and women from across Collin County who died in every war or conflict beginning with World War I. His band, the Dog Town Honky-Tonk Blues Band, will perform at the concert.

“I began researching the names after a former high school classmate asked about my friend and fellow marine, Bill Bryan. Bill died in Vietnam. I want Bill and every Veteran to be remembered for their service,” Foster said.

Concert attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics. Free parking will be available. For a complete list of raffle items, visit the Collin County Freedom Fighters Web site at www.ccfreedomfighters.com. All proceeds will go to the construction of the Veterans Memorial Park in McKinney .

For more about the park plans, to view an artist rendering or find out how to donate, visit www.mckinneytexas.org. To submit the name of a veteran from Collin County who has died in the line of service, contact Foster at rdfoster66@msn.com. If you wish to make a donation, make checks payable to the City of McKinney and mail to the following address: Veterans Memorial, P.O. Box 517, McKinney, TX 75070

Contributions are deductible under the Internal Revenue Code. A letter will be mailed to you documenting your donation for tax deduction purposes. 

Registration for Heard Museum home school and preschool student programs begins Aug. 3

Grow your buisness while improving your life workshop set for Tuesday, July 21

Tim Baker, owner of the local Growth Coach franchise in McKinney, will discuss ways people can achieve greater income and free time; sharpen your strategic focus; leverage your time, talent and resources; identify more business opportunities; adopt effective personal-management and business management strategies in a workshop from 8 a.m.to noon on Tues., July 21at 6600 W. Virginia St. The fee is $89 and you can reserve your seat by calling 972-302-2781 or by sending an e-mail to Baker at t.baker@thegrowthcoach.com.

Area youth to raise funds for Scottish Rite Hospital in KidSwing golf tourney on July 13

Cooper Aerobics Center to host cycling event on July 11

History Center to host summer day camps in July

During June and July, the North Texas History Center will be hosting four Pioneer Craft Camps and a Civil War Camp. Each camp will spotlight a different activity, and allow kids and/or adults to learn in a hands-on environment. The Pioneer Craft Camp Spinning and Weaving camp will be held on July 23 for children ages 8 to 13. The Pioneer Craft Camp Leatherworking will be held on July 16 for children ages 8-13.

Campers will arrive at NTHC for an opportunity to experience the life of an average soldier in the American Civil War. Each camper will be issued basic soldier items, learn drills, compass/map reading skills, and function as a member of a cannon crew in a mock fortress. They’ll also get to visit a military campsite and sample snacks that soldiers would have enjoyed.

Participants will learn how to work with leather and turn it into useful items that will endure years of use. They will also learn the importance of leather in the lives of pioneers, and how to use leatherworking tools. Different techniques will be taught and campers will get the chance to make an item they can take home. Campers can choose to make a wallet, coin purse, bookmark, or a pen case. This camp can fulfill badge requirements for Boy or Girl Scouts.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of North Central Texas employee awarded UNT's Friend of Student Development Award

The University of North Texas (UNT) recently recognized exemplary employees and members of the community who have impacted the development of the students at UNT.  During the April 30th award ceremony, Deb Taylor, Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) Director of Education and Marketing, was awarded the Friend of Student Development award.

In nominating Taylor for this award, Paul Goebel, Director of the UNT Student Money Management Center, cited Taylor as being a “resourceful, creative and solution-oriented person who frequently comes up with new and innovative approaches to serving our students and campus community."

Taylor serves beyond the expectations as a leader and friend, and every program we have developed with her has benefited from her analytical abilities and communication skills, Goebel said.

The award was a complete surprise to Taylor, especially in view of the prestigious organizations nominated for the award. The other nominees were a well-known campus collaborator and two established on campus offices. Taylor stated that she was “overwhelmed by this honor."

"It has been my pleasure to work with the Student Money Management Center staff.  There was no doubt from the start that Paul Goebel and Danielle Champagne were completely dedicated to providing students with education and direction for those under financial stress.  The growth and success of the Center shows their dedication to the student.  The Student Money Management Center at UNT is standard for Money Management programs everywhere and one with whom I am proud to partner,” Taylor said.

Democratic Party of Collin County appoints new assistant county chair

The Democratic Party of Collin County (DPCC) recently appointed Marlene Byndon as the party's assistant county chair.
 
"I look forward to working with Marlene," said Dan Dodd, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Collin County. "She is very passionate about the Democratic Party and she has a wealth of skills to move our Party forward."
 
Byndon recently retired after 36 years in the corporate arena.
 
"Most of my career was spent in the telecommunications industry where I held a variety of positions from Union Steward to Leadership Development Specialist," Byndon said.
 
She stated that the one thing that she took away from all of her experiences in the corporate world was the importance of relationships. "Relationships connect us to each other and can result in ordinary people doing extraordinary things," explained Byndon.
 
Chairman Dan Dodd appointed Marlene Byndon as Assistant County Chair. Byndon was later ratified by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee currently consists of 105 Collin County precinct chairs.
 
Marlene will assist the county chair in the execution of his duties and in the absence of the county chair will act as presiding officer at Executive Committee meetings (held every fourth Wednesday) in the absence of the County Chair. You may reach Marlene at asstchair@collindems.us.

Maya Flippen earns 2009 Kiwanis Sophomore of the Year Scholarship

Maya Caroline Flippen of McKinney High School and the daughter of Brooks and Celeste Flippen of McKinney was selected to receive the McKinney Kiwanis Club’s Walter Hurst Sophomore of the Year Scholarship for the 2008-2009 school year. The McKinney Kiwanis Club presented Maya with the award at its Feb. 19 meeting. Maya’s achievements as a student and a leader exemplify the requirement needed for the scholarship, said Dub Norrid of the Kiwanis Club.
 
The Kiwanis Walter Hurst Sophomore of the Year Scholarship was established in 1979 to honor Walter Hurst, a long time member and financial supporter of the Kiwanis Texas-Oklahoma Foundation.  The scholarship in not based on academics, but on leadership qualities. The selection committee seeks out to recognize and develop leadership potential commencing withhigh school sophomores and to encourage and prepare the next generation of civic and corporate leadership for America’s future. 

The application process gives sophomores an opportunity to gain experience in applying for scholarships and to educate them about the Kiwanis organization.

Maya is active in the following organizations as a leader or as a member: Academic Decathlon, Teen Court, Samaritan Inn, Soccer Team, Mock Trial Team, Debate Club, National Forensics League, Alternative Religions Club, and Habitat for Humanity. She was active during middle school in the National Junior Honor Society, Student Council, CASA and was the year book editor. Maya was a People to People Student Ambassador and earned second place in the Regional Rotary 4-Way Test.

New officers and board members appointed to McKinney Airport Development Corporation

The MADC board meets on the second Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. in the board room of the MEDC. Visit the airport’s Web site, www.flymckinney.com, for updates or changes to the meeting schedule.

McKinney Chamber of Commerce Board takes position on transportation issues

The McKinney Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors wants to ensure that McKinney keeps local control in regional transportation issues and wants to end diversion of the motor fuels tax to non-transportation related programs.

The Chamber's Board of Directors recently issued its position on several transportation issues before the Texas Legislature. The board's two main issues were identified as being critical to McKinney: local control, including making sure that the $1.2 billion from the State Highway 121 concession fee is promptly directed to Collin County projects as promised, and ending the diversion of the motor fuels tax to non-transportation related programs.

“As the county seat of one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S. we recognize the need for regional planning, cooperation, and leadership to sustain our rapid development.  Also, being a community on the leading edge of the growth we are uniquely aware of the particular needs and circumstances of our area and place great importance for appropriate local controls,” said McKinney Chamber Chairman Keith Clifton.  “From both a community and county perspective we need to make sure that any legislation is properly balanced and does not inadvertently forestall our future development.”

On Dec. 11, 2008, the Regional Transportation Council of the North Central Texas Council of Governments adopted a resolution approving a legislative position on Rail North Texas, a primary rail legislative Program with supplemental roadway improvements.  Senate Bill No. 855,which was authored by Senator John Carona was filed on Feb. 16, 2009 and a companion House Bill No. 9 was filed on Feb. 17. These bills were filed based on the general structure for approving and funding regional transportation initiatives as set forth in the RTC resolution. 

With the publication of the RTC resolution and the filing of Senate Bill 855 there has been an effort to garner the support of counties, cities, and various interested parties, including chambers, for SB 855 and the concept of regional cooperation in addressing mass transit issues.  The Chamber has been asked to adopt a position statement and/or resolution in support of the RTC Resolution and/or SB 855.  The Chamber has reviewed the RTC Resolution and SB 855.

The Chamber continues to support a regional approach to addressing the current and future transportation needs of the region in a reasonable and economically viable method. The position statement includes the following:

- It is important to the Chamber’s membership that any proposal must be a reasonable proposal, must have economic viability and/or enhance the business growth potential in such a manner that the benefits of the initiative justify its construction and operation and maintenance costs, and recognizes that approval of projects and their funding methods must be subject to the vote of the taxpayer.

- The Chamber also supports ending the diversion of the motor fuels tax to non-transportation related projects.

- It is also the expectation of the Chamber that any legislation for a regional transportation approach will contain provisions mandating that funds raised by the taxpayers of Collin County will be used only for projects approved by Collin County and will be subject to the control of Collin County.

- The Chamber feels that it is premature to preempt the future possibility of or need for a local transportation authority. Collin County is a high growth community and the Chamber believes there are too many unknowns to limit the option of creating a local transportation authority.

“The Chamber will monitor SB 855 and HB9 as the bill continues to take different forms,” Clifton said. “We will advocate in accordance with the Board’s position statement for what we believe to be in the best interest of the business community.”

Back to Home Page