1. DFW Airport runway rehabilitation underway
Construction on Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s 10-year infrastructure rehabilitation continues with the closure of one of its runways.
Runway 17R/35L—the third runway to be worked on as part of the rehabilitation program—fully closed the week of Aug. 15, according to a news release from the airport.
As part of the closure and impact analysis, airport staff released information regarding temporary noise impacts for cities affected by aircraft noise. Based on the information from a city news release, it appears there will be "minimal temporary noise impacts" in Coppell.
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2. DART board extends Collin County Rides program by 4 months
DART’s board of directors approved a resolution to execute agreements with Allen, Fairview and Wylie for extending the program. Under the agreements, DART will provide services through January before the Denton County Transportation Authority is expected to take over the program.
The extension will be funded by the three municipalities receiving service, according to a staff presentation.
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3. Dallas Animal Services staff want $114M for new, bigger facility
Dallas Animal Services staff are advocating for funding from the city's 2024 bond program to build a new facility that could be double the size of the current shelter. Staff are asking the city to designate $114 million, more than a tenth of the $1 billion bond, for the project.
The new facility would replace Dallas Animal Services’ current shelter at 1818 N. Westmoreland Road. While the current shelter is less than 60,000 square feet, the proposed design for the new shelter includes 122,000 square feet, Dallas Animal Services Director MeLissa Webber said at a town hall Sept. 5.
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4. Chief appraiser resigns from Tarrant Appraisal District
Chief Appraiser Jeff Law resigned from the Tarrant Appraisal District on Sept. 1 after receiving nonconfidence votes from local elected officials.
Law’s last day in the office was Sept. 6, according to his resignation letter to the TAD’s board. The TAD’s website states he had served as chief appraiser since 2008. Prior to becoming the chief appraiser at the TAD, he served for 10 years as the chief appraiser of the Hood Central Appraisal District in Granbury.
“The 2023 appraisal roll has been certified to all taxing units and the remaining staff are fully capable of finalizing any outstanding protests and other issues along with the future roll supplements to the Tax Assessor/Collectors TAD serves,” Law said in his letter.
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5. Empower begins managing child placement services in north Texas
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services awarded a community-based care contract to Empower in February. Empower began working with the department and the Office of Community-Based Care in March to prepare for the transition.
Community-based care is a new model for Texas foster care. Under the new initiative, most Child Protective Services duties will transition to local service networks operated by what is called a single source continuum contractor such as Empower.
The model is being implemented in six other regions throughout the state, according to the department’s website.
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