City Council inspects successful street bond program

This week, the City Council toured the successful street bond program that will repair more than 100 miles of residential streets and met with on-site inspectors who have daily contact with residents. Repairs to many of the streets first selected for the program, called Real. Texas. Roads., are nearing completion. Voters overwhelming approved a $125 million bond sale in a special election in November 2015 to fund the repairs. For more information, visit www.cityofmesquite.com/RealTexasRoads.

Fiscal Year 2016 – 2017 Budget amounts available online

Operating amounts for the City’s fiscal year 2016 - 2017 budget are now available online at www.cityofmesquite.com/FY2017Budget. The budget was approved by the City Council on September 19. Additions to this year's budget include: three new police officer positions, a police K-9 program, on-site veterinarian services at the Animal Adoption Center to be implemented mid-year, a downtown development market analysis, an IH-20 Corridor water simulation model and a market feasibility study. For more information on the budget process, visit www.cityofmesquite.com/BudgetDepartment.

Increase in appraised values and voter approved bond sales lead to higher property tax bills

Mesquite property owners will soon receive their 2016 Tax Statements. The increase in property taxes is the result of three factors: first, appraised property values have increased by an average of 9 percent for all properties; second, a 4.7 cent tax rate increase was approved by voters in November 2016 to fund residential street repairs; and third, a 5 cent tax rate increase was approved by voters in 2015 to fund capital improvements for the Mesquite Independent School District. For more tax rate information and available exemptions, visit www.cityofmesquite.com/PropertyTax.

PumpkinFest to be held
on October 15

The 16^th annual PumpkinFest will be held on Saturday, October 15 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. at City Lake Park, 403 S. Galloway Avenue. Activities will include a decorated pumpkin contest, children’s costume contest, carnival games, bounce houses, stage performances and more. Admission is free. However, refreshments and some activities will have a fee. For more information, visit www.cityofmesquite.com/PumpkinFest.

Mesquite goes pink for
Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is an annual campaign to raise awareness and encourage breast cancer screenings. In response, Mesquite has gone pink to help bring further attention to the disease. Large pink ribbons have been painted on 51 athletic fields by the Mesquite Parks and Recreation Department and Public Works employees have implemented a pink out of the Town East water tower with its programmable lights. For more information on breast cancer awareness, visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org.

Boys Scouts of America program offered at select RASP locations

Last month, the City of Mesquite began a partnership with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to expand Scouting opportunities for youth in our community. Boys in grades first through fifth at Beasley, Florence and Rutherford Elementary Schools now have the opportunity to participate in a BSA program during the Recreation After School Program (RASP) at those locations. To date, 38 boys have registered for the program. Enrollment is available at any time. Fees are $8 a year and assistance is available. More information is available by contacting the BSA, Circle Ten Council at 214-902-6700.

Registration underway for
Winter Youth Basketball League

Registration for the 2017 Winter Youth Basketball League is underway. This program is for boys and girls ages five to 14 and consists of seven league games and a single elimination tournament. The fee for the program is $65 and includes a jersey and a player’s card. Players may register at any recreation center or at the Parks and Recreation office located at 1515 N. Galloway Avenue. Players must present a birth certificate at the time of registration. Registration runs through October 30 with games beginning the week of December 10. Visit www.cityofmesquite.com/Basketball for more information.

October Real. Texas. Recreation. news program available online

Each month, the Mesquite Parks and Recreation Department produces a Real. Texas. Recreation. video news program featuring the month's activities. The video provides information on special events, athletics, camps, active adult programs and more. The October edition is currently available online and can be viewed at www.cityofmesquite.com/RealTexasRecreation.

Range School Park redevelopment near completion

The redevelopment of Range School Park, 2600 Bamboo Street, is nearing completion. Park amenities include one game baseball field, one practice baseball field, two basketball courts, open space for additional play, sitting areas with awnings and a computer-controlled lighting system. The park is expected to be open by early November.

Mesquite participates in
International Walk to School Day

On October 5, City Councilmember Bill Porter joined students, parents, teachers and more in recognizing International Walk to School Day. International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event to promote basic safety skills, healthy habits and a cleaner environment.