August 8, 2025

City Council Updates

Council Discusses City Manager's Proposed FY26 Budget

The City Council held Budget Work Sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the City Manager's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Over the course of the two nights, several directors presented their department budgets, including Airport, Economic Development, Special Events, and Public Works & Engineering. CFO Steven Glickman reviewed each of the Town's funds in detail and shared the results of the employees' maximization efforts to reduce costs.

Each July, the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) provides the Town with a certified tax roll of all properties inside Addison’s city limits. The certified taxable value for fiscal year 2026 is $6,682,574,079, which equates to an increase of approximately $207 million, or 3.2% from the previous year. Included in the certified taxable values are $82,858,660 in new properties added to the tax roll between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. According to DCAD, the average taxable value for a single-family home in Addison is $501,878, an increase of approximately $31,318 or 6.7% from the previous year.

The proposed fiscal year 2026 budget has no increase to the Town’s tax rate of $0.609822. Of the total tax rate, $0.434822 is dedicated to maintenance and operations, representing a decrease of $0.005000 from fiscal year 2025, and $0.175000 is dedicated to debt service payments. The debt service portion of the tax rate is increasing due to debt service added from the 2019 bond program approved by voters.

The City Council plans to continue budget discussions at its August 12 meeting. There are public hearings on the budget and tax rate scheduled for September 2 and 9.

You can read the presentation here and watch the Council's budget discussion here:

Upcoming Public Hearing

The following Public Hearing will be held during the August 12 City Council Meeting. Meetings begin at 7pm and are held at Addison Town Hall, 5300 Belt Line Road. Meeting agendas are posted on the Town's website.

Hold a public hearing, present, discuss, and consider action on the adoption of new zoning districts in accordance with the Unified Development Code (“UDC”), including changes to the Town of Addison’s laws and regulations regarding zoning districts, subdivision and development, and building and construction, and to adopt new zoning districts in accordance with the UDC.

Around Town

Addison Businesses Can Learn CPR and Get a Free AED

The Addison Fire Department has received a generous grant from the Metrocrest Hospital Authority to help strengthen community health and safety. As part of this initiative, Addison businesses can receive a free automated external defibrillator (AED) by enrolling employees in a CPR/AED training class taught by Addison’s first responders.

This is a valuable opportunity to give your team lifesaving skills, enhance workplace safety, and contribute to a safer Addison. Classes are held on the last Monday of each month at Addison Fire Station 1, 4798 Airport Parkway.

Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce Hosts Economic Development Summit

On Thursday, August 7, the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce hosted an Economic Development Summit featuring influential voices from across the state. Notable speakers included President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business Glenn Hamer, Director of Community & Business Development at the Governor's Office of Economic Development Larry McManus, and Business Vice President of the Texas Economic Development Corporation Dale Robertson.

Addison’s Economic Development Director Wayne Emerson joined a panel discussion with the newly appointed Deputy Economic Development Director Darren Harris from Farmers Branch and Development Program Manager Emily Goodrum from the City of Carrollton, offering regional insights and collaboration opportunities.

Mayor Bruce Arfsten, Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore Chris DeFrancisco, and Council Members Howard Freed, Darren Gardner, and Dan Liscio represented Addison at the event together with Addison Economic Development team, further demonstrating the Town's commitment to economic growth and regional partnerships.

Full Quorum Drive Closure at the Train Tracks Scheduled for Monday, August 25

Quorum Drive will be fully closed between Arapaho Road and Festival Way on Monday, August 25 from 7am to 7pm as part of the DART Silver Line construction.

This closure allows crews to mill and overlay asphalt at the DART Silver Line rail crossing. As a part of the clean-up activities, the contractor will maintain street sweeping required throughout the scope of their work.

Drivers should seek alternate routes during the closure.

Host & Prost at Addison Oktoberfest

Kick off Addison Oktoberfest on Thursday, September 18 at Host & Prost, a high-energy night of networking, stein-clinking, and team bonding in the exclusive Partyhalle.

You can choose the standard package which includes seating for eight, commemorative steins, Paulaner biers, a Texas-meets-Bavaria sampler platter, lapel pins, Fast Pass bar access, and your company name featured on event signage. Or, you can level up with elevated seating and access to a private bar in the premium package.

Get a Table at Host & Prost

Living with Wildlife in Addison

Sharing our community with wildlife is part of life in Addison, especially in neighborhoods near greenbelts, creeks, and open spaces. From curious possums to clever raccoons or the occasional coyote, it’s not unusual to spot these animals moving through our neighborhoods. And while we value our natural surroundings, it’s completely understandable that residents may not want wildlife hanging around their yards.

Fortunately, there are practical things you can do to make your property less inviting to unwanted visitors:

Easy Ways to Discourage Wildlife

Feed domestic pets indoors: Pet food left outside is a magnet for raccoons, skunks, and more.
Do not feed any wildlife including feral cats: It may seem compassionate, but feeding sites tend to attract large numbers of animals and human food lacks the necessary nutrients wildlife needs.
Eliminate water sources: Fix leaky sprinklers and empty birdbaths or bowls that may attract thirsty animals.
Seal off access points: Close gaps under porches, decks, or sheds where animals might try to den.
Trim back shrubs and fence fruit trees: Minimize clusters of shrubs, trees, plants that provide cover, and food plants near buildings and children's play areas to avoid attracting rodents and small mammals, which in turn will attract coyotes.
Use noise-making and other scaring devices when coyotes are seen: Portable air horns, motor vehicle horns, slingshots, and thrown rocks can be effective.
Use scent deterrents: Items like vinegar, citrus peels, mothballs, or cayenne pepper are harmless but unpleasant to many wild animals.
Try motion-triggered devices (see example): Lights or ultrasonic sound emitters can startle animals and encourage them to move along.

Keep in Mind

Most animals that pass through are just doing what wildlife does — looking for food, shelter, or water. In many cases, simply removing the attraction is enough to resolve the problem.

What About Trapping?

We know it can be frustrating when wildlife returns again and again. Our Animal Services team often gets requests to trap and relocate animals, but this option has limits:

It’s usually not a long-term fix: Most species are territorial. Removing one animal won’t prevent others from moving in.
Relocation isn’t always successful: State law only allows Animal Services to relocate wildlife in an approximate 5–10-mile radius within our own jurisdiction which means they will likely return.
Trapping is a last resort: Addison only traps wildlife if there’s a verified threat to public safety, and we follow strict guidelines to ensure any action is lawful and humane.

What Not To Do

Animal Services strongly discourages the use of chemical repellents, especially on public property, because they can harm non-target wildlife, contaminate the environment, and increase public health risks.

Now Accepting Applications for the Neighborhood Vitality Grant Program

Last year, the City Council approved the creation of a Neighborhood Vitality Grant Program to help fund residential screening wall infrastructure within Addison neighborhoods. Projects must provide a public benefit that promotes stronger, safer, and healthier communities.

Applications are accepted once a year from August 1 through August 31.

Please note that the grant program is contingent upon funding approved by the City Council as part of the budget process.

Applicants will receive notification of grant awards in October. Learn more and apply on the Town’s website. Please contact Neighborhood Services at 972-450-2880 or neighborhoodsvcs@addisontx.gov with any questions or concerns.

Apply Here

Addison Citizens Academy Now Accepting Applications!

Each year, residents learn about Town operations through the Addison Citizens Academy. With behind-the-scenes tours and insightful presentations by Town leaders, students get an up-close and personal look at the inner-workings that make Addison such a great place to live, work, and play.

Citizens Academy is an educational experience that affords the opportunity to learn how local government works and encourages active participation in the civic process and in shaping our community’s future.

For more information and to apply, visit addisontx.gov/citizensacademy.

Addison Eats

Cold and Caffeinated

Iced Coffee Spots in Addison

When it’s hot out, we take our coffee cold. And lucky for us, Texas loves to crank up the heat. Around here, iced coffee is a daily ritual, a badge of honor, and let’s be real... kind of a personality trait. Whether you’re sipping on a classic iced latte, a layered macchiato, an extra-caffeinated cold brew, or a frozen sugar bomb that doubles as dessert, there’s no denying the power of a chilled beverage on a scorching day.

Maybe you’re cruising down Belt Line Road looking for a drive-thru fix, chilling in Addison Circle with something sweet and foamy on the patio, or even powering through emails at a cafe with a nitro in hand. Whatever your vibe, there’s an iced coffee spot calling your name, and we’ve broken it down neighborhood by neighborhood. Because in Texas, the forecast is always sunny with a 100% chance of iced coffee.

Discover Iced Coffee Spots

Around Town

Vitruvian Salsa Festival

Saturday, August 9

6 - 10pm

Vitruvian Park

Bring your dancing shoes to Vitruvian Park every 2nd Saturday through September for the Vitruvian Salsa Festival. Enjoy live entertainment, salsa lessons (from 6:30 - 7pm), food trucks, food vendors, and more. Parking is $15. This month's entertainment lineup features Zone D'Mambo. Find more information here.

Pet Adoption Day

Wednesday, August 27

3 - 5pm

Lazy Dog Addison

5100 Belt Line Road, Suite 500

Are you ready to help one of Addison's adoptable animals find their furever home? Join us at Lazy Dog to meet some of these sweet creatures.

Singer Songwriter Showcase

Thursday, August 28

7 - 9pm

Addison Circle Park

Join us for the final Addison Singer Songwriter Showcase of the summer. This free monthly outdoor concert series has been celebrating the heart and soul of local music by highlighting talented singer-songwriters performing their original music.

Yoga in the Park

Saturdays at 9am

Addison Circle Park

Join Addison Outdoors for free yoga every Saturday at 9am! Head to the Visit Addison Instagram or Facebook for event updates.

How to Stay Informed

Addison shares information with the community in a number of different ways. Here are some ways you can stay updated on the latest news:

Website:

addisontx.gov: Find alerts and updates on the homepage and department-specific updates on department pages.
addisontx.gov/projects: Find information on major projects around town, including a map, status updates, and more
addisontx.gov/weather: This inclement weather page includes information on finding your main water shut off, reporting a gas leak, and protecting your pipes.
www.addisonalert.com: Get alerts about severe weather and other emergencies in the Town of Addison, as well as register to receive updates on Town programs.
addisontx.gov/myAPD: This platform makes it easy for residents and businesses to request a Close Patrol, submit a Parking Exemption, report a crime tip, file an online police report, and register their security cameras with the department.