Plano City Council Regular Meeting – August 24, 2026

The Plano City Council reconvened in open session on August 24, 2026, with all members present. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Kelvin Foley of North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge. Mayor John Muns read a proclamation declaring September 2026 as Hunger Action Month, and the council recognized the Public Works and Engineering Departments' re-accreditation. The council approved the consent agenda and all subsequent voting public hearing items by 8-0 votes.

Proclamation and Presentation

• The Mayor proclaimed September 2026 as Hunger Action Month in Plano, joining the North Texas Food Bank and community partners in the annual peanut butter drive. The proclamation noted that last year the North Texas Food Bank distributed 30,343 backpacks and 33,350 mealboxes to Plano ISD elementary students, equal to 2,235,598 meals.
• Abby Owens, Director of Public Works, announced that Public Works and Engineering had received their sixth re-accreditation from the American Public Works Association, maintaining accreditation for more than 25 years. Two model practices were recognized this year as a joint effort with planning, engineering, and HR.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda, containing routine and non-controversial items, was approved in one motion by an 8-0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Budget public hearing (Item 1): Karen DuBrau expressed support for the Community Investment Program's focus on infrastructure, technology, renovations, and prudent financial management, and praised keeping property tax rates constant. She also expressed concern about the arena proposal, saying the city lacks a solid business plan, finances, and proof of revenues, and urged the council to 'Show me the money.'
• Budget public hearing (Item 1): Connor Boykin, identifying himself as a member of Revolutionary Front DFW and DSA North Texas, spoke about inadequate street lighting in the Douglas community. He described flickering, widely spaced, and tree-blocked lights, supported LED replacement bulbs for safety and long-term savings, and asked for a street light replacement project in the proposed Community Investment Program, saying the city's annual budget surplus in the millions makes it a realistic ask.
• Heritage landmark hearings (Items 4 and 5): Applicant Michelle Giltner, owner of 1012 Westwood Drive, and Marvin Jolly, owner of 1016 Westwood Drive, testified in support of the two heritage landmark designations, sharing the history of the Harrington family, Mayor Robert Lee Harrington Jr., the Dallas North Estates, architect Jim Scoggins, and the properties' connections to Plano history.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – FY 2026-27 Budget, Community Investment Program, and Tax Rate: Staff presented the public hearing on the city manager's recommended operating budget totaling $842 million, the Community Investment Program totaling $290 million, and the proposed tax rate of 43.76 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation. The council is scheduled to approve and adopt the budget, CIP, and tax rate on Monday, September 14. No vote was taken at this meeting.
• Item 2 – Downtown Plano Public Improvement District: Downtown Plano Manager Michelle Hawkins presented the 2026 annual service and assessment plan, a rolling five-year plan for the PID's ten-year term, with only budget-related changes, and requested approval of the annual assessment levy. No public speakers appeared.
• Item 3 – TIF Reinvestment Zone No. 5 Boundary Amendment: Peter Brasser, Director of Special Projects, presented the recommended amendment to enlarge the existing TIF reinvestment zone from mainly the old EDS campus to the larger Legacy business area. He stated the TIF board had recommended the amendment, and the dedicated fund would help address infrastructure capacity, including sidewalks and trails, and support economic development for large campus relocations. The term and percentage would not change, with 65 percent of the incremental revenue going into the zone. Councilmember Levine asked how the TIF differs from general-fund spending, and a councilmember asked about amendment frequency; staff responded this was only the second amendment in the zone's history.
• Item 4 – Heritage Landmark Designation No. 38, 1012 Westwood Drive: Planning Director Christina Day presented the request for the Donna Belbogas Harrington House. The property meets three heritage criteria: association with the first master-planned subdivision Dallas North Estates, representation of architect Jim Scoggins' work, and association with Donna Harrington and Mayor Rob Harrington Jr. The request included side-yard modifications to bring the nonconforming house into compliance. Staff reported one letter in support within 200 feet, one in opposition, and citywide two letters in support and five in opposition. The Heritage Commission recommended approval 5-0 and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 8-0.
• Item 5 – Heritage Landmark Designation No. 39, 1016 Westwood Drive: Christina Day presented the adjacent Mayor Robert Lee Harrington Jr. House. The property meets three criteria: post-war expansion significance, distinct period characteristics as a custom home based on a Southern Living Magazine plan, and association with Mayor Harrington. The request included front-yard and side-yard modifications. Responses included one support, one neutral, and one opposition, with no formal response from the owner. The Heritage Commission recommended approval 5-0 and Planning and Zoning recommended approval 8-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda: approved 8-0.
• Item 2 – Downtown PID 2026 annual service plan and assessment levy: approved 8-0.
• Item 3 – TIF Reinvestment Zone No. 5 boundary amendment: approved 8-0.
• Item 4 – Heritage Landmark Designation No. 38: approved 8-0.
• Item 5 – Heritage Landmark Designation No. 39: approved 8-0.
• The FY 2026-27 budget, Community Investment Program, and tax rate were not voted on and remain scheduled for adoption on September 14, 2026.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.