Plano City Council Regular Meeting, August 10, 2026

The Plano City Council reconvened into open session on August 10, 2026, with all council members present. The meeting included an invocation led by Bishop Paul Donison of Christ Church Plano, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem Rick Horn, a proclamation for Professional Engineers Day, approval of the consent agenda, public hearings on a rezoning case and the FY 2026-27 budget and CIP, discussion and setting of the proposed ad valorem tax rate, acceptance of certified appraisal rolls, an overview of the Community Investment Program (CIP), a vote to call a special election for venue taxes, and public comments on various topics.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously (8-0).

Proclamation: Professional Engineers Day

• Mayor John Muns presented a proclamation declaring August 5, 2026 as Professional Engineers Day in Plano, recognizing licensed engineers for their contributions to infrastructure and public safety. Director of Engineering Caleb Thornhill and staff were recognized.

Zoning Case 2025-21 (Public Hearing and Council Action)

• Director of Planning Christina Day presented a request to rezone 0.9 acre at the northeast corner of Los Rios Boulevard and Fitzgerald Drive from agriculture to single-family residential (SF7) and to expand an existing Specific Use Permit (SUP) for a private recreation facility from 1.1 to 1.6 acres. The city-owned property is adjacent to the Trails of Glenwood HOA amenity center; the rezoning and SUP expansion would allow the HOA to incorporate the parcel. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0.
• No members of the public spoke.
• The council approved the item 8-0.

Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget and CIP (First Public Hearing)

• Budget Director Karen Rhodes Whitley presented the recommended budget of $841.9 million and a Community Investment Program (CIP) totaling $290 million. The proposed property tax rate is 43.76 cents per $100 valuation, unchanged from the current year.
• Public testimony: Brett Cooper expressed general pride in the budget but raised two concerns: (1) Plano Rides funding is drawn from the general fund rather than from GMP money, and the line item was not transparently labeled; (2) a proposal to transfer $5 million to Willow Bend redevelopment at a time when the general fund ending balance is projected at 61 days (just above the 60-day reserve target). He requested future public input on transit projects.
• Mayor Muns noted the city's conservative policy of budgeting sales tax revenue based on a three-year average.
• No vote was taken; a second public hearing is scheduled for August 24, 2026, and a tax rate public hearing for September 14, 2026.

Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate (Discussion and Direction)

• Karen presented the certified tax rolls: total certified value $66.3 billion (2.73% increase). The no new revenue rate is 43.32 cents, the voter approval rate is 45.85 cents, and the recommended rate in the budget is 43.76 cents. The city has no unused increment (pennies) from prior years.
• Council discussion highlighted the impact of commercial growth, the 20% homestead exemption, and the need to maintain service levels. Council was informed that future years will require additional adjustments to cover debt service.
• Mayor Pro Tem Rick Horn moved to set the published ceiling at the proposed 43.76 cents; Councilmember Maria seconded. The motion passed 8-0.

Acceptance of Certified Appraisal Rolls

• Council approved a resolution accepting the certified appraisal rolls from Collin and Denton Counties for FY 2026-27, reflecting the $66.3 billion in assessed value. The vote was 8-0.

Community Investment Program (CIP) Overview

• Multiple department heads presented the proposed $290 million CIP:
  • Parks and Recreation: $43.5 million for park improvements, capital maintenance, park fees, and drainage projects, including renovations at Bob Woodruff Park and development of Bruce Glasscock Park.
  • Engineering: $88.3 million for street improvements, $11 million for transportation/traffic, $12 million for drainage, and $43.5 million for water and sewer infrastructure. Key projects include pavement rehabilitation, intersection improvements, and pipeline replacements.
  • Facilities: $25 million for 79 projects, including bond projects (Oak Point maintenance facility, new generators) and capital maintenance (HVAC, roofs).
  • Special Projects: Approximately $41 million for five major projects: combined police headquarters/911/fire station 14, fire station 14, police training facility, fleet operations, and fire station 8.
  • Public Works: $71 million for street rehabilitation (concrete repair and overlay) and residential/ally repair, plus water/wastewater infrastructure and drainage studies.
• Council questions addressed drainage fees (Councilmember Thomas), water/sewer capacity (Councilmember Kerr), and traffic cabinet replacement progress (Deputy Mayor). Staff responded that drainage rates were increased on a three-year plan, capacity improvements are primarily for aging infrastructure and surcharge relief, and about 80 of 270 traffic cabinets have been replaced.
• No action was taken.

Venue Tax Election Ordinance (Public Hearing and Council Action)

• Deputy City Manager Doug McDonald presented an ordinance to call a special election on November 3, 2026, for voters to decide whether to impose a short-term motor vehicle rental tax, hotel occupancy tax, event parking tax, admissions tax, and venue facility use tax under Chapter 334 of the Texas Local Government Code. The taxes would be used to finance a sports and community venue project. The proposed maximum rates align with those of neighboring cities (e.g., 2% hotel tax already in effect in Dallas and Frisco). Bond counsel Greg from McCall Perhurst and Hurt Horton was present to ensure compliance.
• Public testimony:
  • Michael Fourner opposed the project, citing traffic congestion in West Plano and questioning the placement of a sports arena in a residential area.
  • Eileen Shabata opposed, citing research that sports arenas do not provide net economic gains, and raised concerns about transparency and costs that could exceed $1 billion.
  • Judith Walsh, a resident living less than two miles from Willow Bend Mall, asked the council to pause the process until enforceable neighborhood protections (noise limits, lighting, traffic abatement) are formally committed.
  • Jeremy Matthews opposed the $700 million city contribution, arguing that the ballot language does not clearly connect the arena financing and that public borrowing through TURS 6 bypasses voter approval.
• Councilmember Kerr moved approval, stating that it is still early in the process and that ongoing studies, town halls, and bi-monthly updates will provide additional information. Councilmember Maria seconded, emphasizing that the vote calls the election and residents will ultimately decide.
• The motion passed 8-0, scheduling the venue tax election for November 3, 2026.

Public Comments of Interest

• Ramesh Shastri raised concerns about the deployment of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), urging the city to respect privacy, avoid placement near sensitive locations, and adopt data-use safeguards.
• Benjamin Godsmith expressed concerns about potential abuse of ALPR data by state or national governments and called for oversight.
• Harlan French cited Fourth Amendment cases (U.S. v. Jones) and argued that ALPRs constitute unconstitutional search without probable cause. He called for a citizen referendum on the camera program.
• Brianna Morello, an independent journalist, described an incident of stalking and alleged inadequate response and cover-up by the Plano Police Department. She called for oversight of the police department.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 8-0.
• Zoning case 2025-21 approved 8-0.
• Tax rate ceiling set at 43.76 cents per $100 valuation (to be published, can decrease); approved 8-0.
• Certified appraisal rolls accepted 8-0.
• Venue tax election ordinance approved 8-0, calling an election for November 3, 2026.
• First public hearing on FY 2026-27 budget and CIP held; second public hearing scheduled for August 24, 2026; tax rate public hearing set for September 14, 2026.
• CIP presented; no vote taken.