1. Debated multifamily project heads for downtown Prosper
Prosper Town Council members approved development plans for a two-story, mixed-use project during an April 16 meeting.
The project was ultimately approved 4-2 following a failed motion to deny.
The development, located on approximately 0.3 acres at the Coleman Street and Sixth Street intersection, is a new concept for downtown Prosper—a shared, two-story building with multifamily units positioned above office and retail space.
2. Meet Cameron Reeves, Prosper’s newest town council member
Financial advisor Cameron Reeves was the sole candidate to file for Prosper Town Council’s Place 6 seat after its current holder, council member Charles Cotten, did not seek reelection.
As he was running unopposed, Reeves did not appear on the ballot and was sworn in during a May 7 council meeting.
3. Prosper Police encourage resident awareness with new community crime map
Prosper residents can stay informed about reported crimes in town with a new Prosper Police Department tool.
The Prosper Community Crime Map was unveiled May 7 as a user-friendly platform with information on where, when and what crimes were recently reported, according to a news release.
“Public safety is essential to our community, and one of the components for a safe environment is public involvement,” Mayor David Bristol said in the release.
4. Prosper raises homestead exemption rate to 17.5%
Prosper Town Council members approved raising the town’s homestead tax exemption from 15% to 17.5% during a June 25 meeting.
The 2.5% increase is expected to save qualifying residents an annual total of $1.16 million—roughly $111 for each property owner, Finance Director Chris Landrum said.
5. Prosper Town Council raises maximum-allowed apartment height with new amendments
Prosper Town Council members unanimously approved 12 amendments to the town’s multifamily development standards ordinance during an Aug. 27 meeting.
Included in the amendments was a new multifamily building height maximum of eight stories instead of three. The increase does not mean all apartments will be eight stories going forward, just that they have the option to, Director of Development Services David Hoover said.
6. Prosper’s FY 2024-25 budget brings property tax rate to its lowest since FY 2007
Prosper officials are investing in additional public safety programs and its staff in the town’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget.
Prosper Town Council members approved a $102.62 million total budget and a $0.505 per $100 valuation property tax rate for fiscal year 2024-25 during a Sept. 10 meeting.
The new property tax rate is the town’s lowest since FY 2006-07, according to budget documents.
7. ‘Technology is the key:’ Prosper’s police force utilizes license plate camera network
Since spring 2023, a network of nearly 50 cameras has been documenting the license plates of every car driving through Prosper.
The cameras, known as Flock Safety Cameras, have been a “force multiplier” for the Prosper police department by keeping an eye on the town’s major roadways 24/7, Prosper Police Chief Doug Kowalski said.
Since being deployed it has alerted police of 9,354 vehicles that could have been stolen or belonging to someone suspected of a crime.
“It never gets tired, it doesn't need a break, doesn't go to lunch,” he said. “It's always running.”
8. Prosper Fire Station #4 on track for 2026 opening after minor cost increase
The price behind bringing a fourth fire station to Prosper is increasing slightly, officials said.
Prosper Town Council members raised the guaranteed maximum price for Fire Station No. 4 from $13.67 million to a $13.81 million not-to-exceed rate during an Oct. 22 meeting.
Fire Station No. 4 will include five bays to house its fire engines. It will also include sleeping quarters, offices and a kitchen for its firefighters.
Overall, the station is a little smaller than some of the others in Prosper but “exactly what we need for that site,” Fire Chief Stuart Blasingame said.
9. Prosper Council prohibits engine idling in ordinance update
A town ordinance now includes updated language for an engine braking policy and now prohibits unnecessary engine idling for seven-ton trucks in Prosper.
Prosper Town Council members approved the ordinance updates during a Nov. 12 meeting. The new provisions apply to vehicles weighing more than 14,000 pounds and are in accordance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) guidelines, according to meeting documents.
The engine idling portion of the updates refer to when a large truck is running its engine for more than five consecutive minutes while the vehicle is not moving.
10. Prosper adds drone to police force
A drone purchased for the Prosper Police Department is set to take its first flight in early 2025, said Aidan Daily, a crime analyst with the Prosper Police Department.
Prosper Town Council approved a $150,000 contract with Flock Safety Inc. for a drone and accompanying software during a Nov. 26 meeting.
A way to understand what the drone will be used for is to imagine having an aerial visual of a car crash or an area named in a 911 call while first responders drive over, Daily said.
The drone is not Prosper’s first piece of Flock Inc. equipment—a network of more than 50 Flock Inc. license plate cameras have been operating at intersections across the town since spring 2023.
