Number 252, September 2024

Sign UP for a library card!

Library Card Sign-Up Month occurs each September where libraries nationwide join together to remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning.

Did you know that the UP Public Library has downloadable eBooks, audio books, movies, magazines, music albums and more available online for free with your library card? These can be accessed on your computers, Kindles, tablets, and smartphones.

Additionally, in celebration of Library Card Sign-up Month, City Council approved waiving the $10 card replacement fee every September to promote library services, so if you misplaced or lost your card, now is the perfect time renew. Participate in the celebration by renewing or signing up for a UP library card this month!

Council considers proposed FY2025 Budget

On Tuesday, September 3 and Tuesday, September 17, the City Council will hold public hearings so that the public may comment on the City’s FY2025 proposed budget and tax rate. The Council will consider adopting the proposed FY2025 budget and tax rate during its Tuesday, September 17 meeting. Both Council Meetings will begin at 5 p.m.

Totaling nearly $70 million, the operational budget for the City of University Park provides the annual funding to ensure the efficient delivery of municipal services. This includes services related to public safety, sanitation, road maintenance, parks, water delivery, wastewater collection, and a public library. In addition to funding annual operations, the budget provides transfers of revenue into the Capital Projects Fund. In the aggregate, the annual budgeting process sets the spending plan for day-to-day services, while also providing a funding path for largescale capital projects.

While the economic outlook for Texas remains strong, economic indicators and geopolitical uncertainty merit a conservative outlook. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas projects normal economic growth, but concerns about weakening demand persist. Additional details about the local performance of key economic indicators are provided in the expenditure analysis of this report; however, the following economic indicators are projecting slight decreases or leveling-off from the prior year:

• Consumer Spending – minimal growth in revenue for local sales tax and franchise fees.
• Residential Building Permits – construction permits for new homes are lower than three previous years.
• Interest Earnings – anticipated interest rate decreases from Federal Reserve.

Revenue and expenditure projections within the proposed FY2025 Budget align with historical trends, but are limited by both economic conditions and statutory requirements. When combined with all funds, total expenditures for the operational budget will increase $3.4 million or 5.3 percent from the prior year. The tax rate needed to balance the General Fund budget will decrease to 22.9964 cents. In addition, the proposed budget recommends a number of structural and transactional changes including:

• Public Works Administration – creates a new department from existing personnel to reflect new organizational structure within the Public Works and Engineering Departments.
• Aquatics Proprietary Fund – removes the expenditures and revenues of the Holmes Aquatic Center from the General Fund to create a new proprietary fund.
• Fund Balance – recommended transfer of existing fund balances to provide funding to the Holmes Aquatic Center with the goal of the pool becoming a self-sustaining operational fund.
• Credit Card Processing Fees – instituting pass-thru fees that will offset expenses the City has traditionally absorbed from credit card fees.

The Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) certifies the taxable value for all property within University Park. Based on proposed expenditures and the taxable value of all property in University Park, the FY2025 budget recommends a tax rate decrease from 23.6226 to 22.9964 cents. The average single-family homeowner with a homestead exemption will pay approximately $44 more per month in City property taxes. The City remains one of the smallest overall percentages of the combined tax bill. When including the other taxing entities, the City’s portion of the tax bill is just 14 percent, based on 2023 rates.

The presentation of the proposed budget to the City Council is the culmination of a process that began in April, followed by a thorough review and vetting by numerous resident committees throughout the summer.

Highlights of the FY2025 Budget include the following items:

• Wage and salary adjustments that are necessary to recruit and retain talented public sector employees
• Creation of a new Aquatics Fund
• Additional funding for health insurance and other benefits
• Increased funding for pension liabilities
• Funding for Centennial Master Plan Action Items
• Continued funding increases for capital projects

Comments about the proposed budget

If you want to make your comments in person on either of the hearing dates, you are welcome to do so. If you would like to register to speak before you arrive at City Hall, here is the online form. 

All Council Meetings are streamed live on the City's website at uptexas.org. If you want to comment remotely or have comments included in the Public Comments portion of a Council Meeting, you can use our website’s eComment feature, or you can contact Christine Green, City Secretary, at cgreen@uptexas.org or 214-987-5302. Please note that the Mayor will acknowledge receipt of written comments, but written comments are not always read aloud.

Next Leadership UP class forming now

The City is now accepting applications for our next Leadership UP class. This 17-month program is designed for those who are interested in learning more about the City’s history, opportunities, challenges, and resources. Monthly presentations will start this October, and conclude in March 2026.



The program is open to UP residents only and costs $300 a person. There are two ways to submit payment. You can write a check to the City of University Park – Leadership UP, or pay by credit card. Look for more specifics on how to pay on the application form.

Class size is limited to no more than 25 people. Regular attendance is required.

In addition to covering all aspects of City operations, class members will receive presentations from sister entities including HPISD, SMU, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Dallas County Park Cities Municipal Utility District. The program’s ultimate objective is to provide a pathway for residents who are interested in serving on one of the City’s boards or committees.

The application deadline is September 13.  

9/11 Memorial Event - Wednesday, September 11 at 8:30 a.m.

On Wednesday, September 11 at 8:30 a.m., the Police and Fire Departments will participate in the annual Memorial Service in remembrance of 9/11, which also honors all firefighters and police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. SMU is hosting the event, and representatives from SMU Police and Highland Park Public Safety will also take part in the ceremony. 

The ceremony will include:

• Posting of Colors
• Remarks from Mayor Stewart and Highland Park Mayor Beecherl
• Ceremonial ringing of the bell for those killed in the line of duty
• Prayer led by Highland Park Fire Chaplain Scott Ferguson

The ceremony will take place at the main flag pole on the SMU campus, just north of Bishop Blvd and south of Dallas Hall. Additionally, attendees of the event are welcome to attend a free tour of the Bush Presidential Library following the ceremony.

Your dog will have a howling good time at the Holmes Aquatic Center during Doggie Splash Day! The fun takes place on Saturday, September 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

To participate you must be a University Park/HPISD resident and you must register. The registration fee is $10 per dog and proof of current Rabies and Bordetella vaccination records will be required for all dogs entering the pool facility. Space is limited, so register early to secure your spot!

UPPD officers sport special Centennial Badges to honor a century of service

In honor of the City's Centennial Celebration, you may have noticed that our police officers are wearing a special commemorative badge. This badge was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the City's charter in 1924 and the establishment of the police department in May 1926. The Centennial badges were thoughtfully designed by Sgt. Rod Edwards, Officer Todd Jenkins, and Lt. Curtis Ellenburg, with approval from Chief Bill Mathes and other department members.

The badge incorporates elements from each of the three previous badges issued by the department. The first badge, used by officers from 1925 to 1974, was a six-point star. The second badge, issued between 1974 and 2005, was a gold shield topped with an eagle. The third and current badge is a gold shield featuring a star and the Texas flag. The Centennial badge combines these elements, taking the form of a gold six-point star adorned with a star, the Texas flag, and a banner denoting the years 1924-2024.

Chief Mathes has authorized officers to wear the Centennial badges as part of their regular duty uniform from April 2024 through May 2026.

Tree inventory underway

As part of the Centennial Master Plan, the City of University Park has begun a comprehensive tree inventory! Davey Resource Group has been contracted to carry out this inventory, which includes a detailed assessment of the condition of trees on public property, the development of a thorough tree maintenance plan, and recommendations for tree-related ordinances, policies, and procedures. Don’t be surprised if you notice the friendly Davey arborists, easily identifiable by their high-visibility vests and badges, in City parks and rights of way assessing City trees!

The tree inventory will encompass all public areas within University Park and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024. This project aims to ensure the health and longevity of our urban forest, fostering a greener, more sustainable environment. For any questions regarding the tree inventory, please contact the Parks Department at 214-987-5488.

SMU Football Gameday: What to expect this year

Southern Methodist University football gameday is always an exciting time in University Park, but this year promises to be even more electrifying as the Mustangs make their debut in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

One of the most noticeable differences this season will be the size of the crowds. As SMU faces off against new ACC opponents, larger numbers of fans are anticipated at Ford Stadium. This increase in attendance will bring more energy and excitement, but it may also mean heavier traffic and more noise in the neighborhood. SMU is implementing new directional signage and traffic flow improvements to help alleviate the additional congestion.

Additionally, fireworks will now light up the sky whenever SMU scores a touchdown. While this will surely enhance the celebratory atmosphere inside the stadium, it also means residents can expect more noise on gamedays.

To accommodate the larger crowds and ensure a smooth experience, SMU is encouraging fans to take the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) to the games. DART provides a convenient and stress-free way to get to the stadium, avoiding the hassle of parking and traffic.

For all of the football gameday information, visit the link below. SMU’s debut season in the ACC is poised to be an unforgettable one! Go Mustangs!

Friends of the UP Public Library

North Texas Giving Day

NTGD Early Giving is now open! Support the UP Public Library until Sept 19.

Act fast to TRIPLE your donation! Every dollar donated to FOUPPL for North Texas Giving Day will be matched by CORIENT Wealth Management up to $5,000 and COMERICA Bank up to $5,000. So, if you donate $100 before the first $5000 is reached, it will be worth $300 to the Library! 

Meet Me at the Library Lecture Series

This Autumn, the Meet Me at the Library Lecture Series returns with three dynamic speakers. The presentations will take place in the UP Public Library Community Room at 7pm. Light refreshments will be served starting at 6:30pm.

Sept. 10 – Glenna Whitley, Investigative Journalist and Co-author of Stolen Valor: How the Vietnam Generation Was Robbed of Its Heroes and Its History

Oct. 8 – Rusty Williams, Author of Texas Loud, Proud, and Brash: How Ten Mavericks Created the Twentieth-Century Lone Star State



Nov. 12 – Jim Blakely, World War II enthusiast who will expound on his late father Captain Everett Blakely’s experiences portrayed in the Apple TV+ production, Masters of the Air

Presentations are free and open to the public. No reservation is required.

Elliot Engel Fundraiser

For its annual fundraiser, the Friends of the UP Public Library is honored to welcome back Dr. Elliot Engel who will be speaking on “The Mystery of Robert E. Lee.” The presentation will be in the UP Public Library third floor Community Room on Wednesday, November 6 at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served starting at 6:30 p.m.

Seating is limited so reserve your seats today! Tickets are $40 per person.