Week in Review, Sept. 5, 2025

Sept. 5, 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

Tax Rate Hearing Monday
A public hearing on the tax rate will take place at the City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. It is the first public hearing to be held related to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget; a budget hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15. A tax rate of $0.54218 per $100 valuation has been proposed by the City Council; it is the same tax rate that was adopted for the 2024 tax year.

The Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget goes into effect Oct. 1. All budget meetings are open to the public and held at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at Richardson City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 525. Meetings are also broadcast live on the City website at https://www.cor.net/CITV. On-demand video of the proceedings will be available on the website beginning the next day.

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

"Clear the Shelters" Wraps Up
Animal Shelter staff announced this week that 180 pets found their forever homes during the Clear the Shelters campaign Aug. 1-31, more than double the amount of pets adopted at the Shelter during last year's event. The annual nationwide campaign promotes pet adoption and raises funds for animal welfare, with NBC and Telemundo TV stations providing promotional support. Many shelters offered discounted adoptions-the Richardson Animal Shelter waived adoption fees.

The Shelter is still in need of adopters and fosters; volunteers may also participate in the "Doggy Day Out" program to help give dogs a day out in the community or a few hours of enrichment.

Shelter Website: https://www.cor.net/AnimalShelter

Peanut Butter Drive Now Accepting Donations
The annual North Texas Food Bank Peanut Butter Drive began this week, with several locations in Richardson where peanut butter jars can be dropped off.

Locations include:

The event is held every September in conjunction with Hunger Action Month and benefits local food banks in several North Texas cities. Peanut butter is perpetually on food bank lists of most-needed foods, since it's nutritious, kid-friendly, shelf stable and high in protein. Last year, the drive collected more than 300,000 pounds of peanut butter.

Library's R.O.V.E.R. Van Begins Monthly Appearances
The Richardson Public Library's mobile outreach van, R.O.V.E.R., has begun monthly pop-up events designed to bring free fun to kids and families in our community and spread the word about what the Library has to offer. Every first Thursday from September through November, R.O.V.E.R. is scheduled to appear from 5-6 p.m. at a local community spot loaded with stories, crafts, games and discovery. The van made its first appearance this week at Huffhines Park Pavilion.

The van was renovated and put into service for the Library last December thanks to financial support from Friends of the Library and the Richardson Rotary. In addition to the pop-ups, watch for it at several other events this fall including National Night Out and the Gobble Hobble.

R.O.V.E.R. schedule: Outreach Services | Richardson, TX

Music Lineup Released for Cottonwood Art Festival
The musical lineup for the upcoming Cottonwood Art Festival, to be held Oct. 4-5 at Cottonwood Park, was recently published; it includes:

Live entertainment takes place on two stages each day. The biannual, free festival features a juried art show with about 200 artists and also includes a large variety of food purveyors, craft beer and wine in the Imagery Courtyard and a dedicated children's art activity area.

Cottonwood Art Festival: https://www.cottonwoodartfestival.com

Utility Work to Close Lanes Near Campbell/Coit Intersection
The right lane of westbound Campbell Road between Lennox Square Place and Coit Road, and also the right lane of northbound Coit Road between Lauder Lane and Campbell Road, may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as utility work takes place involving new and existing poles. The work is expected to be finished by early December.

CityLine Fall Outdoor Music Series Kicks Off Tonight
CityLine Plaza, 1160 State St.
Admission: Free (parking is also free)
Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 5-Oct. 25
6-9 p.m.

Live music is back at CityLine Friday and Saturday nights in September and October. Enjoy a variety of genres on the one-acre plaza including Americana, rock, country, blues, R&B, soul, pop and jazz. Tables and chairs are provided, and lawn chairs, blankets, picnics and dogs are welcome.

Full schedule of performers: click here

Network 28th Annual Golf Outing is Next Friday
Sherrill Park Golf Course, 2001 E. Lookout Dr.
Cost: $125 individual, $500 foursome (registration link here)
Friday, Sept. 12
11:30 a.m. registration and lunch; 1 p.m. shotgun start; 5:30 p.m. afterparty/awards

Sign up to golf and/or be a sponsor for Network of Community Ministries' 28th Annual Golf Outing, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 12 at Sherrill Park Golf Course. Proceeds benefit Network's many programs that help people in need in our community.

https://www.thenetwork.org

"Science Heroes: Adventure of the Missing Color" Tomorrow
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
Admission: Free
Saturday, Sept. 6
2-3 p.m.

Amazing things happen when science, storytelling and art join forces! Be part of interactive fun, hands-on experiments, and learning at this Library-sponsored, Science Heroes adventure event. For ages 5 and up.

RROB Events:

• "Health by Chocolate" with Natural Grocers Sunday
  City Hall/City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
  Admission: Free (no registration required)
  Sunday, Sept. 7
  2-3 p.m.
  
  Chocolate, as described so well in the 2025 Richardson Reads One Book (RROB) selection, "Wild Chocolate," can actually be good for us. Taste the quality and learn how to use chocolate to enhance your food and your health at this Library-sponsored presentation led by Natural Grocers. Free samples while supplies last! For adults and teens.
  
  
• Sept. 16 Free "Wild Chocolate" Author Lecture Tickets Still Available First United Methodist Church Richardson, 503 N. Central Expy. Cost: Free, ticket required Tuesday, Sept. 16 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:45 p.m.) Richardson Reads One Book (RROB) will welcome Rowan Jacobsen, author of "Wild Chocolate," to Richardson to discuss his book. Free tickets are available online on a first-come, first-served basis, until they are gone. Tickets are limited to two per order and per e-mail address. Website: https://www.cor.net/OneBook

At the Eisemann Center:

• OutLoud Dallas' "Illuminated Voices on Tour" Tonight
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $25 General Admission (Tickets)
  Friday, Sept. 5
  7 p.m.
  
  An evening of culture, creativity and celebration featuring intergenerational voices from across North Texas. This one-of-a-kind event presented by OutLoud Dallas brings together poetry, song and storytelling to celebrate the vibrant cultural heartbeat of our community. Sponsored in part by a grant from the City of Richardson Cultural Arts Commission.

At UT Dallas:

• Multimedia Concert Tomorrow Night Celebrates Robert Xavier Rodriguez
  

  University Theatre, 800 W. Campbell Rd.
  Admission: Free
  Saturday, Sept. 6
  7:30 p.m. (reception to follow)
  
  Conducted by Héctor Guzmán, guest artists join UT Dallas faculty and alumni to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the music of Robert Xavier Rodriguez, endowed chair at UT Dallas and a prolific composer who has had his operas and instrumental works performed worldwide. More information: click here

• U.S. Film Premiere of "Triumph of the Heart" Monday
  Edith O'Donnell Arts & Technology Building, Lecture Hall, 800 W. Campbell Rd.
  Admission: $36.64 (click here to purchase)
  Monday, Sept. 8
  6:30 p.m.
  
  The Ackerman Center and the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology at UT Dallas are proud to be hosting the red-carpet film premiere of the extraordinary true story of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Catholic priest who volunteered to die in place of another at Auschwitz. For ages 13+. The director, producers and many cast and crew members are scheduled to attend. Dress code is "black tie optional."

"Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily" Opens Tonight at RCT
Repertory Company Theatre, 770 N. Coit Rd.
Tickets: $20 youth, $37 adults (Tickets)
Sept. 5-14
Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

The wit of Oscar Wilde meets the cunning of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in this sleuthing caper by Katie Forgette. Wilde's muse, actress Lillie Langtry (a.k.a the Jersey Lily) presents Holmes with what seems like an open-and-shut case. But with his superior powers of deductive reasoning, Holmes wastes no time in exposing a much more sinister conspiracy. Note: Online tickets go off sale 24 hours before each performance; walk-up tickets are available one hour before each show at the box office.

https://www.rcttheatre.com

Monarch Migration Has Begun; City's Butterfly Gardens are Ready
Monarch butterflies have begun their annual southbound migration, heading from Canada and the northern/Midwest U.S. to their winter home in Mexico, and have already been reported in the Dallas area. Richardson is a great place to spot them, as the City has been a Mayors' Monarch Pledge city since 2015 (a program of the National Wildlife Federation), recognizing that the butterfly is an important part of our ecosystem. The Parks and Recreation Department has established dedicated butterfly gardens in four parks-Berkner, Prairie Creek, Durham and Yale-and includes butterfly-friendly "pollinator plants" (that attract and feed butterflies) in park and landscape projects wherever feasible, such as at Collins Park and CityLine Park.

Scientists rely on the help of "citizen scientists" to understand the monarch's conservation needs-report sightings, track migration on real-time migration maps and follow migration news at https://www.journeynorth.org/monarchs.

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

Free Online Soils and Bed Prep Class Next Saturday
Online
Cost: Free (class link)
Saturday, Sept. 13
9-10:30 a.m.

This free class sponsored by Dallas Water Utilities (open to the public) will provide the foundation your garden and landscape needs for long-term success, simplifying terms like soil texture, structure and pH while providing tips on how to amend your site conditions for happy, healthy plants. Also covered will be the benefits of raised beds, plant selection based on soil type and an overview of yearly maintenance to improve soil health.

Planner II ($71,836 to $109,176 Salary)
The Development Services Department is looking for an individual who can perform research, analysis, technical services and production of professional reports and also, be able to do presentations to the City Plan Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, City Council and the general public.

Heavy Equipment Operator ($48,661 - $66,830 Salary)
The Public Services Department has multiple job openings for Heavy Equipment Operator for individuals with experience operating heavy motorized equipment. Depending on department, a Class A or Class B Texas Commercial Drivers License will be required or obtained within 6 months.

Gymnastics Instructor PT ($17.82/hr to $26.50/hr)
The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for individuals with who enjoy working with people in groups of various sizes and has a passion for teaching.

Pet of the Week
Meet Leya, a delightful 2-year-old mixed breed who embodies the spirit of joy and companionship. Leya is known for her friendly demeanor, always eager to greet everyone with a wagging tail and a gentle nuzzle. Her sweet nature makes her a perfect friend for those looking for a loyal companion. Leya loves to play, whether it's a fun game of fetch or a playful romp in the park. Adopting Leya means bringing home endless love and playful adventures, a true friend who will enrich your life with her cheerful presence.

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.