On Tuesday night, our City Council passed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

This was the conclusion of a nine-month process driven by City Council priorities and the needs of our community, with a strong commitment to the best overall value for each dollar being spent. HERE is a short video in which our City Council members explain this year's budget and the process by which it was developed.

The new budget will reduce property taxes in Farmers Branch by two cents, which is the City's largest tax reduction in four decades. It totals $186.8 million and maintains a focus on public safety and a reliable infrastructure. It will pay for enhancements to the lobby of City Hall, the Justice Center, The Branch Connection senior center and build a new event center at the Historical Park. It also adjusts for economic factors including inflation and a tight labor market.

As always, the new budget will serve as a financial roadmap for the City in the coming fiscal year, which begins October 1.

The entire document is available for review HERE.

October means it's time for National Night Out.

This nation-wide block party tradition fosters the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community and allowing police and neighbors to meet in relaxed circumstances.

The state of Texas celebrates National Night Out the first Tuesday in October.

Farmers Branch Community Watch is encouraging neighbors to get outside and get together, spending the evening outdoors with outside lights on to present a united front against crime and promote crime prevention in the community. Registered parties will be visited by as many members of the Farmers Branch City Council, staff, and Farmers Branch Police Department as possible.

For more information on National Night Out or to register a party, call 972-919-9304.

Councilman Omar Roman will host a Town Hall for residents of District 1 on Wednesday, October 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Branch Connection. He’ll discuss city-wide topics as well as those specific to District 1. All District 1 residents are invited.

(Pictured above are Redouane Essafi and Mayor Terry Lynne.)

At Tuesday night's Council meeting, Mayor Terry Lynne recognized Redouane Essafi as the August Employee of the Month.

Redouane, or "Red," as he's known, is a dedicated member of the City's Innovation and Technology Department. He originally joined the City in 2013 as an intern and then

re-joined City Hall in July of 2022 as a part-time System Support Specialist.

His unwavering dedication and commitment as a part-timer distinguished his work ethic from the beginning. Red consistently goes above and beyond his work requirements, promptly addressing technical issues and demonstrating exceptional follow-up skills, ensuring that our operations continue to run seamlessly.

Thank you, Red, for your service!

Now’s the time to gather up all your expired or unused paint, pesticides, batteries and oils.

The City will host a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event this Saturday, September 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Senlac Service Center on Senlac Drive.

You can also drop off old lightbulbs, garden chemicals, auto supplies, craft supplies and pool chemicals. This will be for residents only.

Three times per year, Farmers Branch residents are invited to take advantage of a free shredding event hosted by Farmers Branch Sustainability & Public Health. Residents can responsibly and securely discard household documents free of binders, clips and magnets. The upcoming fall event is set for October 14, from 9 to 11 a.m.

• The event will take place in the parking lot of City Hall, located at 13000 William Dodson Parkway.
• Shredding event is for residents only, not commercial entities.
• Only sensitive documents should be brought to the event. Magazines, junk mail, and any other non-sensitive documents should be recycled or disposed of using the normal household garbage or recycling services.

For questions, please contact the Sustainability Department at 972-919-2613 or by email.

The Pickleball National Championship is headed to Farmers Branch.

Brookhaven Country Club will host the event November 5 through November 12.

It will mean an unprecedented national spotlight and a tremendous opportunity for our local economy.

To prepare, Brookhaven leaders are hosting a community meeting on Thursday night, October 5 at 6 p.m. in the main ballroom of Brookhaven Country Club at 3333 Golfing Green Drive.

Leaders from the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Brookhaven will present an overview of the tournament, including the plans for parking, tickets, security, live music and fireworks during the week-long event.

All Brookhaven members and neighbors are invited to attend. Representatives from the City of Farmers Branch will also be available to answer questions and explain some logistical details.

If you are a neighbor of Brookhaven Country Club and/or the Brookhaven Campus of Dallas College, please join us for an overview of this world-class tournament.

Beginning October 1, 2023, the Parks and Recreation Department will implement a modest fee adjustment for most Recreation Center memberships, day passes, and rentals.

Current Recreation Center members will continue to enjoy their existing rates until January 2024, to help ensure a seamless adoption of the new fee structure. It's important to note that many fees at the Recreation Center, including fitness memberships, have remained unchanged since 2004, reflecting the City's long commitment to affordability. Some Aquatics Center programs and athletic field rental fees will also see slight fee adjustments.

For more details, please visit fbparksandrec.com, call, or stop by the Recreation Center, Aquatics Center, or The Branch Connection.

Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls, oh my!

Get ready for the spooky season with this super fun cookie decorating class. Kids will learn several cookie decorating techniques with royal icing and take home their creepy cute creations. All supplies and materials will be provided, and we recommend you bring an apron.

Sunday, Oct. 1 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Dodson House at the Historical Park.

Ages 7 to 14

$50 per person; space is limited and pre-registration is required HERE.

Calling all craft enthusiasts and lovers of unique creations! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 21. Once again, The Branch Connection Craft Fair will align creativity and craftsmanship in a delightful showcase of talent.

Apply while there is still space available! Applications can be submitted online through the City's website at FarmersBranchTX.gov.

Preparing for U.S. Citizenship? Classes will be available at the Manske Library on Saturdays, from September 16th through October 28th at 10 a.m.

Students must meet basic requirements:

   • Basic skills in reading, writing, and understanding spoken English.

   • Meet the requirements of Naturalization.

   • Register for the class.

Applications may be picked up at the Library or contact [email protected] and an application will be sent to you.

For more information, call Rick Lyon at 972-268-0322.

James Wand puts on a dazzling display of magic and spy craft and the Manske Library on Tuesday, October 10 at 4 p.m.! For ages 2-10.

Learn how to spot and avoid financial fraud with this seminar brought to you by Edward Jones Financial Advisors, Olivia & George Price on Tuesday, October 17 at 12 p.m.

UFOs (now called UAPs) are once again making headlines!

As featured in the Dallas Morning News, this thought-provoking lecture explores the

U.S. government's ongoing investigations. Join us and welcome presenter, Neil Pinto, on Saturday, October 21 at 2 p.m. and hear why government officials are taking a once ridiculed topic seriously, and see what revelations may emerge in the months ahead.

Neil Pinto is an independent researcher on the UFO/UAP topic and works in the Aerospace industry.

Do you have a plan in place for when disaster strikes?

September is National Preparedness Month, designed to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.

To prepare, you can: create emergency plans, build emergency kits, ensure financial preparedness and stay informed of hazards

To learn more, visit www.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov for Spanish speakers. You can also follow the Farmers Branch Fire Department on Facebook for weekly preparedness tips. 

Delores is a happy, playful girl. She is just so sweet! She LOVES kids (but she does jump a lot) and she has played nicely with all of our dogs. She is currently in a doggy playgroup!

Delores has been waiting more than 2 months for her furever home.

Come by and meet this little lady today!

Animal Adoption Center Hours:

• Tuesday to Friday: 11a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Officers will field calls Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.



Animal Adoption Center | 3727 Valley View Ln | 972-919-8770

(Click above to see the WFAA-TV news story on plans for a Farmers Branch solar farm.)

The City of Farmers Branch has plans to build a solar farm on an abandoned landfill near the George Bush Tollway. It's about twenty acres that will produce around 6.5 megawatts of electricity. When operational, we will be the first City in Texas producing enough energy within the City limits to power all City facilities.

We already have solar panels on the Rec Center, Manske Library and Fire Station #2.

It's one more example of our City leading the way in sustainability!