Home Care In Willow City, TX

Posted Friday, August 25, 2023 1:13 pm

The Community News

In a world where prices are going up by the minute, it seems, property owners in Willow Park will now be able a thing or two that they might have previously put back on the rack. Heck, with the tax break they're receiving they can even buy one for a friend.

The city council, at its meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 22, approved a tax decrease of more than 26% from last year. The new tax rate is 40 cents per $100, a decrease of more than 14 cents from 54.

It is also the second straight year the city has seen a property tax cut, having been 57 cents two years ago.

The new tax, along with the new budget for fiscal year 2023-24, will go into effect on Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2024.

"We're very excited to pass savings on to citizens of Willow Park," Place 1 Council Member Eric Contreras said. "Every dollar counts in a family budget."

The lower tax is largely the result of the Willow Park Fire Department being annexed by Parker County Emergency Services District 1 through a vote of residents last November.

As the potential annexation was being discussed, Willow Park City Manager Bryan Grimes explained to residents that since the city sales tax would no longer have to go mostly to funding the fire department, they could reap the benefits. Along with a lower tax rate, the city now has funds for other things such as roads, etc.

"Obviously, a 26% reduction, 14 cents overall, is significant to taxpayers," Grimes said. "We're very fortunate to be living in a community that's growing and supports local business."

New Budget

The council also approved the budget for the new fiscal year of just over $4.2 million. It's an increase of just over $251,000 from the previous fiscal year.

The budget includes a projected property tax of just over $1.9 million and a projected sales tax of $2.25 million.

Grimes noted the new budget and the freedom of not having the sales tax support the fire department allowed for the creation of a parks department. Other plusses include funds for street repairs, putting money back for debt service and putting money in reserve.

"This is a budget staff feels confident about and is comfortable with and we feel will serve us well moving forward in the next year," Grimes said.

Wastewater rate study

The council voted to accept a water/wastewater rate study from NewGen Strategies, which city officials had requested several months ago. Willow Park has not increased either rate since 2017.

Assistant City Manager Bill Funderburk noted the city has been transferring money from the water account to the wastewater fund to offset a deficit.

Due to rising costs in the water and wastewater systems, and construction of a must needed wastewater plant, NewGen Chief Financial Officer Chris Ekrut said a three-year model was requested to make both funds financially healthy.

"We need some sizable wastewater (fund) increases going forward," Ekrut said.

In the study, it was recommended the city address:

*Revenue sufficiency - Revenues must match or exceed expenses.

*Reserves - Must plan for a rainy day.

*Reinvestment - Repair, replace, and reinvest in infrastructure.

Ekrut said the cost to the city to create a balance will be approximately $35.4 million. To help offset that cost, the study showed monthly bill impacts going forward for Willow Park, should an increase take effect, will be:

*Residential - Current, $108.21; fiscal year 2024, $119.21; FY25, $130.66; FY 26, $142.11; FY27, $142.56; FY28, $143.01.

*Commercial - Current, $201.21; FY24, $258.40; FY25, $289.59; FY26, $320.78; FY27, $322.13; FY28, $323.48.

"Not having any adjustments over several years, it's something we have to look at," Willow Park Mayor Doyle Moss said. "The cost of everything is going up. We're playing catch-up.”

New wastewater plant

The council authorized city staff to amend the bid specifications for a new wastewater plant and seek competitive proposals. The capacity has been reduced from 1 million gallons to 750,000 gallons based on current and projected future water usage because of growth expectations.

"Seven hundred and fifty give you quite a bit of expansion room, based on projections we now have," said Derek Turner of Jacob and Martin Civil Engineers.

Current water usage in Willow Park is about 350,000 gallons per day.

There’s always something slightly fascinating about all-sibling band. Whether it’s their natural closeness, the interest they generate, or an ability to connect on a deeper level – Texas-based Willow City is a group that definitely demonstrate this.

Next week sees the release of their upcoming song “Ghosts”, which goes in conjunction with their featured appearance on Nickelodeon's new show - America's Most Musical Family.

Opening with piano chords, “Ghosts” progresses into a country-pop sound, and also adds hints of electronic music accompanied by a synth sound. The chorus offers catchy memorable lyrics, as is true to many folk songs. “Ghosts” provides an uplifting and positive vibe, encouraging an inspiring mindset for its listeners, aided by its dreamy nature. Bright, clear impressive vocals are delivered throughout the song in addition to great harmonies.

The lyrics detail a relationship as the lead vocalist discusses feelings brought on by the trials and tribulations regarding romantic relationships. Although some of the words are not expressing the most positive things in life, the song in contrast still remains quite happy and upbeat.

Recognized as a folk-pop band, Willow City offer a blend of various genres but are obviously influenced by their roots of folk primarily. “Ghosts” doesn’t go overboard on any particular style; it provides a nice crossover feel, which could easily appeal to a wide audience of listeners.

In addition to their new release, exciting times are ahead for Willow City, as next week they make an appearance on a brand-new Nickelodeon show - America's Most Musical Family. Representing the Proch family, Beecher, Ezra, Liza and Asa Proch will appear on an episode airing November 15. With a total of thirty talented families competing, the stakes are high with the winner receiving a recording contract with Republic Records, as well as a whopping $250,000 cash prize. The show will also bring great exposure for this talented young group. The Show is judged by Ciara, a Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, dancer, and model; David Dobrick, a YouTube sensation having garnered over 5 billion views and 8.4 million followers on Instagram; Debbie Gibson, the youngest female artist ever to write, produce and perform a number one hit. Multi-Platinum recording artist, TV host and businessman Nick Lachey is hosting the show.

Willow City are a young band from Texas are cherishing their role of spreading the message of happiness and hope through their music.

You can pre-save Ghosts on Spotify, iTunes and Google Play here, the single drops on the 14th November.

Folk-pop Country

The Shops at Willow Bend’s owner has asked Plano’s planning and zoning commission for more time before it submits updated plans for the massive mall redevelopment.

An attorney for Dallas-based Centennial, Willow Bend’s developer and co-owner, asked the commission to reschedule the submission of its final plans from this week to a scheduled commission hearing on Jan. 16.

A letter to the planning and zoning commission said the delay was needed so staff could gather more “feedback from various community stakeholders.”

The soonest that final plans could reach Plano City Council is Feb. 12, said Christina Day, Plano’s director of planning.

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Day also confirmed concerns from residents that Willow Bend’s plans may need additional approval from the Federal Aviation Administration because of the mall’s proximity to a private airport. The Air Park-Dallas Airport is south of Park Boulevard and west of Plano Parkway. There are homes on the airport property on streets with names relating to aviation including Piper, Beech and Lockheed.

“The FAA has a flight buffer here and we have to get authorization for anything within 10,000 feet of the runway,” Day said. The small aircraft landing strip is southwest of the mall behind businesses on Park Blvd.

The 1.4 million-square-foot two-level mall on the northwest corner of the Dallas North Tollway and West Park Boulevard has been owned since May 2022 by a group led by Centennial and includes New York-based Waterfall Asset Management and Cawley Partners of Dallas.

Initial redevelopment plans were submitted to the planning commission in April. The project opens up the north side of the mall into an open-air street shopping concept around the existing Dillard’s department store.

A section of the existing mall anchored by Neiman Marcus and Macy’s would remain enclosed. Apartments would be built next to existing parking garages. The plans include an 18-story hotel, a seven-story office building and three five-story buildings with a total of 960 apartments, according to initial plans filed with the city.

The taller buildings could initiate the FAA review, Day said.

The project is going to take a few years to complete and stores and restaurants in the mall have worried about their business prospects in the interim. Traffic at the Plano mall, which has struggled for years to attract businesses and shoppers, has continued to slip, according to tenants.

“We very much look forward to presenting this application for the much-needed revitalization of this important Plano asset to the commission in January 2024,” said Centennial’s letter to the commission.

Once city council approves the project, it’s up to the developer when it starts the construction and how long it will take, Day said.

A few technical zoning change requests from Centennial were on the Dec. 4 agenda that was tabled to next month. Included was the rescinding of four older Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission special use permits assigned to specific locations in the mall, which was built in 2001.

Updated zoning allows alcohol sales broadly applied to the redeveloped property and not limited to locations that may not be bars or restaurants in the new Willow Bend, Day said.

Another permitted use on the agenda this week asked for no change in the zoning to allow a car rental business to operate on the property, Day said.

“We’re fortunate to have so many substantial projects and redevelopment opportunities in Plano that people have an interest in investing in,” Day said.

X: @MariaHalkias

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Most Texas school districts use the names of their respective cities in their titles. But why do some have names that aren’t associated with a city, such as Lovejoy ISD in Collin County?

Some districts in Texas have adopted the names of notable figures. In Lovejoy’s case, it was Carrie L. Lovejoy, a woman who the district says went to great lengths to protect students’ education during the Great Depression.

In the early 1900s, students in the area were educated at three schools: Willow Springs, Forest Grove and Lick Springs. In 1917, Forest Grove and Lick Springs were combined and a community board established the district. The decision to name the district after Lovejoy, a McKinney resident, came the same year.

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According to the district, Carrie Lovejoy made rounds to the rural schools, often bringing books from a “rotating library” she owned. Born before the creation of parent-teacher associations, Lovejoy is believed to have started “mothers clubs,” which addressed education issues within the area.

During the years of the Great Depression, many rural students couldn’t attend school, and the district said Lovejoy invited school-age girls in the area to live in her home and continue their studies.

Lovejoy left $1,000 to the administration upon her death, according to the district.

Carrie L. Lovejoy Elementary bore her name until closing last month. Trustees voted unanimously April 25 to transition the school to a pre-K and early childhood learning center with district offices.

Lovejoy ISD covers about 17 square miles in two Collin County cities, Lucas and Fairview. There are about 4,000 students in five schools, including two elementary schools, one intermediate school that teaches students in fifth and sixth grades, one middle school for seventh and eighth grades and one high school.

Until 2006, the district served students only up to sixth grade, with older students heading to Allen ISD.

Day Trips

We map out three routes across Central Texas for those in search of beautiful spring blooms.

Central Texas is known for its abundance of wildflowers, from the iconic bluebonnet to the dainty pink evening primrose and purple winecup. And while the weather conditions during the fall, winter, and early spring can affect the exact growing season, there’s a good chance you’ll find many a hill country roadside painted in rainbow colors this month. Wondering where the best spots are for blooms? Here are three driving routes for those in search of wildflowers.

1 / Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Home to more than 900 species of native Texas plants, including claret cup cactus, red yucca, and Carolina larkspur, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is in full bloom by April. Head to the Austin center in the morning to avoid the crowds and bring a picnic lunch to enjoy under the shade of the live oaks at the Texas Arboretum. For an insider’s guide, book a tour at least two weeks before you plan to visit. Want to grow your own garden? Take home a plant or two of your own at the Spring Native Plant Sale on April 13.

2 / Wildseed Farms As the nation’s largest working wildflower farm, Wildseed Farms is on a mission to keep Texas highways beautiful. The more-than-200-acre farm in Fredericksburg has planted 1,000 acres of flowers throughout the state over the past 35 years. Take in the beauty of red corn poppies, rocket larkspur in shades of purple and pink, and golden poppies now through October.

3 / Willow City Loop This picturesque 13-mile loop near Fredericksburg is one of the best places in the state for wildflower viewing, with Indian paintbrush, Mexican poppy, horsemint, and verbena set among the live oak, mesquite, and pecan trees. If possible, plan to visit on a weekday when the two-lane road is much less congested. Enjoy the drive as the scenery transforms from rolling hills to rugged canyons.

MAP AND DIRECTIONS

West Route: Start at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (4801 La Crosse Ave.). Take 45 West, Farm to Market Road 1826, and Nutty Brown Road to US-290 West/East Highway 290. Wildseed Farms will be on your right (100 Legacy Drive, Fredericksburg). From there, continue onto US-290 East. Turn left onto Jung Lane and take Ranch Road 1631 to Willow City Loop.

1 / St. Edward’s University

If you don’t have time for a leisurely drive through the Hill Country, visiting St. Edward’s University in South Austin is an optimal way to spend a sunny spring afternoon. The campus is covered in bluebonnets during April, and one of the best viewpoints is located at the corner of St. Edwards Drive and University Loop.

2 / McKinney Falls State Park

Just 7 miles from St. Edward’s University, McKinney Falls State Park offers nearly 3 miles of hike-and-bike trails, fishing, swimming, and camping. And, during the spring, it’s a prime location for wildflower lovers. Take a hike by the Upper Falls, snap some pictures of the bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, thistles, and cacti, and see how much wildlife you can spot.

3 / Brenham?

Situated between Austin and Houston, Brenham, the home of Blue Bell Ice Cream, is worth the drive this spring. The quaint town’s bluebonnets continue to thrive throughout April. Look out for coreopsis, evening primrose, Mexican hats, and firewheels along Highway 290, Washington County’s Bluebonnet Trail, and in nearby Chappell Hill.

MAP AND DIRECTIONS

East Route: Start at St. Edward’s University (3001 S. Congress Ave.). Turn left onto Woodward Street, then turn left onto East Ben White Boulevard. Turn right onto Burleson Road, then turn right onto McKinney Falls Parkway. The state park will be on the right. From there, take McKinney Falls Parkway to South Highway 183. Follow Texas 71 East to West Main Street Drive, then take US 290 Business East to Brenham.

1 / Muleshoe Bend Recreation area

An ideal spot for hiking, horseback riding, biking, and camping, Muleshoe Bend in Spicewood also boasts stunning fields of bluebonnet and Indian paintbrush in the springtime, which span the entire park.

2 / Llano

Just over an hour’s drive from Austin lies a sea of bluebonnet and Indian paintbrush. This Hill Country town is known for its scenic routes, so drive down either State Highway 16 or State Highway 29, two of the main highways in Llano, for plenty of photo opportunities.

3 / Burnet

Known as the Bluebonnet Capital of Texas, Burnet hosts a family-friendly bluebonnet festival every spring, drawing 30,000 guests. This year, the festival will take place April 12-14 and will feature a grand parade, live music, and pet parade. While in Burnet, check out the 16-mile, self-guided Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail as well.

MAP AND DIRECTIONS

Northwest Route: Take Texas 71 West from Austin, turn right on Paleface Ranch Road, and turn right on County Road 414 to Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area (2820 County Road 414, Spicewood). Head west on County Road 414, then turn right onto County Road 404. Take a slight left onto Gregg Drive, then take Texas 71 West to Llano. From Llano, head northeast on Texas 29 East to Burnet.

Texas Bluebonnet

The most common wildflower in Texas, the bluebonnet was declared the official state flower in 1901.

Indian Paintbrush

This bloom is pretty but parasitic: Indian paintbrush steals a portion of its nutrients from nearby root systems of other plants.

Firewheel

Texas summers don’t put a damper on this flower’s bloom: Also known as Indian blankets, firewheels thrive in heat and are able to flourish through drought.

Pink evening primrose

Thankfully, this sprawling wildflower grows in large colonies; the delicate cup-like blossom only lasts a single day.

Teas made from this red-and-yellow flower have been historically used to treat headaches and stomach pain.

Often found in pastures and open woods, this flower has a vibrant fuchsia color, which catches the eyes of butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

Rub the leaves of this plant to release a distinctively citrus scent.

Moradilla is its Spanish name, which means “little purple one.”

Because of its bold coloring and daisy-like shape, this flower is extensively cultivated.

Also known as the honey daisy, this bloom has a scent that some liken to the smell of vanilla extract.