Aug. 10, 2025

City Council Takes on $1.1 Billion 2026 Budget

“Kicking off the process,” Garland City Manager Judson Rex presented his proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 at the City Council’s Aug. 4 Work Session.

He noted that Garland faces long-standing fiscal limitations — most notably low per capita tax revenue and increasing service demands. The FY26 budget is framed as a “bridge year,” with an approach that includes the strategic use of one-time funds to temporarily cover ongoing costs.

The City Council will hear presentations from staff, take public input and make any of its own modifications to the 481-page proposal before adopting the FY26 budget in September.

A Special Budget Work Session will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at City Hall, 200 N. Fifth St. Learn more.

City Facility Construction Updates

The new West Garland Library, 3920 W. Walnut St., (pictured) is nearing completion. Construction activity is expected to continue through the end of summer.

Work on the new Surf & Swim facility, 440 W. Oates Road, is progressing, and a summer 2026 opening is anticipated.

At Fire Station 1, 427 Allen St., earthwork rough grading is almost complete. Pier drilling is complete, and the concrete pour is in progress.

The job site trailer is installed and functional at Fire Station 7, 1910 Pleasant Valley Road. The building pad is almost complete, and the first delivery of reinforced concrete pipe has been received.

Learn more about each project at GarlandTX.gov.

Remember to Observe School Zones

The Garland Independent School District starts the 2025-26 school year on Monday, Aug. 11. Remember to be extra cautious in school zones and around school buses. If school crossing signs are flashing, you must slow down and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

Remember, traffic fines increase in school zones, so put down those cellphones, stay alert and give yourself extra time to get to where you need to go. Do your part to keep our kids safe this school year. 

Learn more about school zone safety at GarlandTX.gov. 

Senior Activity Center Groundbreaking Set for 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23

A groundbreaking event for the new Garland Senior Activity Center, 601 W. Avenue B, is planned for 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. The Garland City Council recently approved the construction bid for the project.

The upgraded facility will offer a wide range of spaces tailored to older adults — including areas for wellness, creativity, learning and social connection. The new center will feature a dining room, game room, kitchen, immersive classroom, multipurpose room, meeting room, group fitness room, arts and crafts room with kiln, Body Shops fitness room with walking track, and a library with computers.

The new Senior Activity Center will be built on the same site as its predecessor, but with a reimagined layout designed to better meet the needs of Garland’s older adults and their families. Visit our Facebook post to view renderings of what’s to come.

Changes Made to Business Hours at Fire Administration, Ronald Jones Buildings

Hours of operation have been adjusted at certain City of Garland facilities. Please note the following:

• There is a delayed opening, 10 a.m., on the first and third Wednesdays of each month for the Building Inspection, Code Compliance and Planning & Development departments.
• Hours available for public access at the Fire Administration Building, 1500 State Highway 66, have expanded to 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The lobby is closed on Fridays.

Building Inspection and Planning & Development are located at the Ronald Jones Municipal Building, 800 Main St. That building and lobby do not open to the public until 10 a.m. on those first and third Wednesdays.

Code Compliance is located at the Carver 3 building, 210 Carver St., Suite 101. Other departments in the Carver 3 building and public access to that building are not impacted.

Neighborhood Parking Directed Enforcement Program

The Garland Marshal’s Office has implemented a proactive Neighborhood Parking Directed Enforcement Program to promote neighborhood safety and increase compliance with City parking regulations. This initiative supplements complaint-based parking enforcement efforts by assigning deputies to patrol selected neighborhoods across Garland on a scheduled basis.

In August, directed enforcement is being conducted in the Carriage House Estates in District 1 and the Camelot Addition neighborhood in District 7.

More information about the parking enforcement program, including the directed enforcement schedule for Council districts, can be found at GarlandTX.gov.

Art Vibe Juried Art Exhibit Opens Wednesday, Aug. 13

The Garland Cultural Arts Commission is pleased to reveal the selected pieces for Art Vibe, an exhibition spotlighting North Texas 2D visual artists.

Selected art will be displayed concurrently at eight locations throughout Garland beginning Wednesday, Aug. 13:

• Branding Iron at Firewheel
• North Garland Library
• Holford Recreation Center
• Central Library
• Fields Recreation Center
• Lakewood Brewing Company
• Audubon Recreation Center
• South Garland Library

Visit all eight locations to see the complete exhibition. Learn more.

Community Cat Spay/Neuter Day Thursday, Aug. 14

Garland Animal Services is back at it with Friends of Rescue Animals for another Community Cat Spay/Neuter Day on Thursday, Aug. 14!

Don’t pass on this opportunity to do something great and free for our furry neighborhood wanderers — spots are limited and they fill fast.

Please note this event is for free roaming community cats, not personally owned cats. Let’s keep our community cats healthy and safe while keeping the population under control.

Get all the details.

Utility Assistance Available for Seniors and Caregivers

The City of Garland is partnering with the Dallas Area Agency on Aging to help seniors 60+ who are struggling with utility payments. 

Eligible residents may receive:

• Up to $292.35 for seniors living alone
• Up to $798.79 for married seniors or caregivers of an elderly person

(Note: Late fees cannot be covered.)

The deadline to apply is Friday, Aug. 15. The application is available online; however, seniors do NOT need to fill out the application themselves. Simply send the following information to codenfc@GarlandTX.gov:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Age
• Filing as single or with a spouse

The Code Enforcement team will handle the rest. This is a great opportunity to support our older residents — please share with anyone who may qualify!

Character Cake Decorating Demo at Central Library Monday, Aug. 18

Patrons ages 13 and up are invited to join us from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 18, at the Central Library, 625 Austin St., for a sweet celebration featuring a live cake decorating demo using our brand-new mobile kitchen!

Watch as we show you how to decorate a cake featuring your favorite characters. From dinosaurs and trains to Batman and the Smurfs, we’ve got the cake pans to make it happen! You can even take the creativity home. Borrow one of our specialty cake pans from the Library of Things and create your own masterpiece in your kitchen. It will be a piece of cake! 

Beach Boys Tribute Band with Garland Symphony Orchestra Friday, Aug. 29

America’s No. 1 Beach Boys Tribute band joins the Garland Symphony Orchestra for a one-night only music experience at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at the Granville Arts Center, 300 N. Fifth St.

Get ready to be transported back to the golden era of surf music with this incredible tribute to The Beach Boys accompanied by Garland Symphony Orchestra!

Endless Summer is the ultimate Beach Boys tribute band, recreating the iconic sound and energy that made the original band legendary.

With their authentic harmonies, vibrant stage presence and a setlist packed with all the hits, this is a show you don’t want to miss!

Get your tickets today!

Register Now for the Garland Guzzler 0.5K

Get ready, former athletes and couch enthusiasts! Lace up those running or walking shoes and join us for our annual Garland Guzzler 0.5K – a physically undemanding but mentally strenuous race.

Head to Downtown Garland Square to cheer on participants, then stick around for the post-race fun, featuring fall-themed activities, games, and delicious food and craft brews. Don't forget to dress up — costumes are encouraged!

Complimentary lager from Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery for registered runners, while supplies last. Must be 21+. Registration price increases after Sept. 1 and ends Sept. 12.

Register today!

Let’s Talk Tamales, Garland!

We’re collecting stories that celebrate our city’s rich traditions — and we want to hear from you!

• Do you have memories of making tamales right here in Garland?
• Are tamales part of your family’s holiday traditions?
• Do you remember the Tamale Man — John Carpenter — who sold tamales from a cart in Downtown Garland? (Pictured in the Garland Daily News, June 20, 1954)
• What are your favorite tamale spots around Garland?

Your stories help preserve the heart of our community. If you have memories to share, email Heritage@GarlandTX.gov.

Big Win for Garland Fire Department

The Garland Fire Department soccer team took home the bronze medal at the Third Annual First Responders Soccer Tournament!

Out of 12 fierce teams, they earned third place — and a $500 prize that will go toward the Garland Fire Fighters Association Cancer Fund.

Their path to the podium included a 3-2 loss to the eventual champions, and an unforgettable 6-1 victory over the Arlington Police Department in the third-place showdown.

We are proud to see our firefighters bringing the same passion, strength and heart to the field as they do on the job.

Team Garland: Formed Overnight, United for the Game

When a last-minute spot opened up for the DFW Asian American Soccer Tournament 2025 Exhibition Match, an incredible group of community leaders stepped up without hesitation.

Team Garland was formed overnight — made up of Garland City Council members, the City Manager and City staff, Garland ISD trustees and VN United members — all answering the call to represent our city on the field.

Your quick response, team spirit and commitment to community brought energy, excitement and unity to the tournament in the most unforgettable way.

2025-26 Garland Youth Council Members Inducted

The members of this year’s Garland Youth Council were formally inducted Aug. 5 at The Atrium and were celebrated at that night’s City Council meeting.

Mayor Dylan Hedrick and each City Council member appointed up to four members to the Youth Council.

See the full Youth Council roster at GarlandTX.gov.

Garland in the News

The "King of the Hill" reboot premiered on Hulu last week. Theories about Arlen’s real location have always differed around the DFW metroplex.

In an article in Texas Monthly, Garland Mayor Dylan Hedrick said, “I don’t want to start turf wars over a fictional suburb, but Arlen is so close to Garland. You drop the g, you drop the d, and there you go.” Read the full article (paywall).

WFAA shared the story of Garland Sanitation crew members rescuing a senior dog named Scooby after he fell into a storm drain. Read the full story.

DART Launches Passenger Journey Experience Survey

Dallas Area Rapid Transit recently launched a survey designed to gain insight into its riders' journeys from the time they leave their homes to the time they arrive at their destinations. The information gathered will help shape the future of DART's infrastructure and operating environment.

Take the survey to register your opinion and to be entered in a weekly prize drawing. The prizes include tickets to local events.

The survey is part of DART Transform, a system modernization program that targets five core elements to replace aging infrastructure, improve system reliability and address evolving passenger needs and expectations. Read more about DART Transform.

Plan Commission

Aug. 11

The Garland Plan Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at City Hall, 200 N. Fifth St. 

City Council Meeting

Aug. 16

The City Council will meet in special session at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at City Hall, 200 N. Fifth St., as part of the process toward adopting the City's 2025-26 budget. 

Upcoming Boards & Commissions meetings can be found on the Public Meetings calendar at GarlandTX.gov. View agendas at GarlandTX.gov and be sure to click the "subscribe" button to receive notifications when meeting agendas are posted.

District 3 Town Hall

Aug. 14

District 3 Council Member Ed Moore will host a Town Hall meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at the South Garland Library, 4845 Broadway Blvd. Council Member Moore will provide updates on the state of District 3, project developments within the district, Dallas Area Rapid Transit and public safety. A question-and-answer session is also planned.

District 6 Town Hall

Aug. 28

District 6 Council Member Carissa Dutton will host a Town Hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at Hollabaugh Recreation Center, 3925 W. Walnut St. Topics will include District 6 project developments, the West Garland Library, Code Compliance cleanup efforts in District 6 and an introduction to the Neighborhood Police Officer for Forest Lane/Jupiter Road/Walnut Street/Shiloh Road.