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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX INCREASE

A tax rate of $0.684934 per $100 valuation has been proposed by the governing body of City of DeSoto.
PROPOSED TAX RATE $0.684934 per $100
NO-NEW-REVENUE TAX RATE $0.613457 per $100
VOTER-APPROVAL TAX RATE $0.684934 per $100

The no-new-revenue tax rate is the tax rate for the 2024 tax year that will raise the same amount of property tax revenue for City of DeSoto from the same properties in both the 2023 tax year and the 2024 tax year.

The voter-approval rate is the highest tax rate that City of DeSoto may adopt without holding an election to seek voter approval of the rate.

The proposed tax rate is greater than the no-new-revenue tax rate. This means that City of DeSoto is proposing to increase property taxes for the 2024 tax year.

A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE WILL BE HELD ON September 17, 2024 AT 07:00 PM AT 211 E. Pleasant Run Road, Desoto, TX 75115.

The proposed tax rate is not greater than the voter-approval tax rate. As a result, City of DeSoto is not required to hold an election at which voters may accept or reject the proposed tax rate. However, you may express your support for or opposition to the proposed tax rate by contacting the members of the City of Desoto City Council of City of DeSoto at their offices or by attending the public hearing mentioned above.
YOUR TAXES OWED UNDER ANY OF THE RATES MENTIONED ABOVE CAN BE CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:

Property tax amount= (tax rate) x (taxable value of your property)/100

FOR the proposal: Proctor, Hughes, Marks, Byrd, Raphiel, Parker

AGAINST the proposal: None

PRESENT and not voting: None

ABSENT: Chism

Visit Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes to find a link to your local property tax database on which you can easily access information regarding your property taxes, including information about proposed tax rates and scheduled public hearings of each entity that taxes your property.

The 86th Texas Legislature modified the manner in which the voter-approval tax rate is calculated to limit the rate of growth of property taxes in the state.

The following table compares the taxes imposed on the average residence homestead by City of DeSoto last year to the taxes proposed to be imposed on the average residence homestead by City of DeSoto this year.
2023 2024 Change
Total tax rate (per $100 of value) $0.685092 $0.684934 decrease of -0.000158 per $100, or -0.02%
Average homestead taxable value $266,123 $290,981 increase of 9.34%
Tax on average homestead $1,823.19 $1,993.03 increase of 169.84, or 9.32%
Total tax levy on all properties $46,078,689 $52,468,113 increase of 6,389,424, or 13.87%

For assistance with tax calculations, please contact the tax assessor for City of DeSoto at 972-274-2489 or visit https://www.ci.desoto.tx.us/ for more information.

The post CITY OF DESOTO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX INCREASE appeared first on Focus Daily News.

Tetuan Moffett is doing his part to make the world a better place. And if you’d like to watch him do so, just turn on your TV or computer.

“Empowered by my experiences in the military and the media industry, I am driven to make a positive impact in my community and beyond,” Moffett, a DeSoto resident, said.

“The numerous awards and recognition I have received are a testament to my unwavering dedication to excellence and my passion for serving others.”

Moffett is the oldest of three siblings, with one sister and one brother, who reside in Hampton, Virginia, with his mother. His late father, Councilman Will Moffett, served in the community, government, and politics.

He is married to Shayna E. Moffett, a native of Flint, Michigan, and a registered nurse. They have a blended family of eight children and three dogs.

Military Reporting

Moffett was a public affairs specialist for the Navy during his last five-year tour in Japan. He was responsible for producing a weekly news magazine show called “Yokosuka Report.”

He anchored the weekly news, conducted interviews, and worked as the weekend sports and special events reporter. He was also the producer of “Commanders Call,” a live community show that was aired on Armed Forces Network Radio in Japan.

In addition to reporting for the Navy, he left Japan and went to Virginia to work for Joint-Base Langley-Eustis. He was a broadcasting supervisor and managing editor for the Peninsula Warrior Military News publication.

“I believe reporting for the military news shares several similarities with civilian news reporting, despite the unique context and environment in which military news operates,” he said, citing some key similarities:

• Both strive to provide accurate, factual, and unbiased information.
• The fundamental principles of storytelling.
• Research and verification and ethical standards.

“The distinct differences may be context, audiences, and access to information,” he said. “One thing for sure is that the military audiences may have specific sources they trust, such as official military communications and established veteran organizations.

“Civilian audiences may rely on a broader range of news outlets, leading to varying levels of trust in different media sources. However, the differences are essential for effectively communicating with and serving the needs of both military and civilian news audiences.”

Video Production

Moffett entered the world of video production and found success with involvement in such works as:

• ESPN “30 For 30: No Crossover, Allen Iverson” – Camera operator/videographer.
• “Trojan Horse 1: The Truth Behind Holy Hip Hop” – Executive producer/director/editor.
• “Trojan Horse 2: The Pride of Life” – Executive producer/director/editor.
• “Operation Black 2: The Light ‘Hades Seven'” – Executive producer/director/editor.
• “Project 1619: History and Legacy of Enslaved Africans” – Producer/editor.

Among those with whom he has worked is Steve James, director of the Oscar-winning documentary “Hoop Dreams.”

“Working with Steve James was nothing less than an honor and privilege. I met Steve James, a native of Hampton, Virginia, through David Squires, who is currently a lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of N.C. A&T State University,” Moffett detailed. “My role with Steve James was a contract via ESPN, and I was responsible for a great portion of the videography for the documentary ’30 For 30 No Crossover. ‘ I filmed interviews with Iverson, family moments, press conferences, and hours of footage of him engaging his fans and supporters.

DESOTO – The DeSoto City Council spent a good part of the meeting Tuesday night discussing the upcoming FY 2024/2025 budget.

There was one citizen comment, 34-year resident Anna Williams who thanked the DeSoto Police Department regarding city safety. Williams mentioned a former local Sheriff having said “Thank you for the most thankless job in America” adding “quite often that happens in DeSoto. Chief Costa and his policemen and policewomen, they are great and they do an amazing job in helping us in DeSoto to clean up crime, to clean up gambling that should not have been here, but they have done that and they have done an amazing job and I hope they continue to stay with us and with the citizens.”

Bernadine Harrison did not speak, but noted on a public comment card she was confused on how agenda items are presented.

The budget item was a discussion-only public hearing with no residents speaking.

The adoption of the Budget, Tax Rate, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and Council Business Plan is set for Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 7 p.m.

DeSoto City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry said regarding the budget that staff was able to maintain the existing tax rate, and create a balanced general fund “as well as focusing to achieve the business plan priorities and strategic plan finally investing in areas identified as high priorities with citizen survey results while focusing on implementing large and prioritizes capital projects.”

The proposed budget, including the CIP, was first presented to the council on July 11 with two budget workshops held at the end of July.

The next steps will be for the council to prepare the draft and finalize its business plan during its upcoming summer retreat.

In staff notes it was pointed out the tax rate necessary to pay the debt obligations and provide the level of operating services as proposed in the budget is 68.4934 cents per $100 valuation, which is slightly lower than the tax rate in Tax Year 2024. The proposed rate is comprised of the Debt Service and Maintenance & Operations rates. The Debt Service rate is 18.1000 cents per $100 valuation, 0.0607 cents lower than Tax Year 2024. The Maintenance and Operations rate is 50.3934 cents per $100 valuation, 0.0449 cents higher than the Tax Rate in 2024. Adopting this tax rate will lower the overall tax rate by .000158 and enable the City to cover additional personnel compensation, salary, and associated benefits increases, supplies and equipment costs, contractual services, and professional fees.

The City is not required to hold an election with the proposed tax rate equal to the voter approval tax rate. The FY2024-25 budget is projected to raise more total revenue taxes than last year’s budget by $6,389,424 or 13.87%. Of that amount, $1,067,228 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year.

The Public Utility Fund Budget for FY 2024-25 has proposed a 9% increase in the water base and volume rates from the current base rate of $10.64 to $11.60 and the current volume rate of $3.70 to $4.03. The fund also has proposed a 9% increase in the sewer base rate from the current rate of $12.87 to $14.03 and a 9% increase in the sewer volume rate from the current rate of $12.87 to $14.03. The increase is proposed to cover the costs of contract water and wastewater treatment services, maintain current service levels, and continue capital improvements.

The Sanitation Fund Budget for FY 2024-2025 proposes a 5% increase in the sanitation rate from the current $29.97 to $31.47. The increase is proposed to maintain current service levels and cover the cost of the City’s new waste hauler contract with Republic Services.

Place 2 councilmember Pierette Parker had several questions about the increase $11.64 average of residential accounts proposed increase for water and sewer. Staff emphasized these costs are not controlled by the city and are passe

A male suspect is dead following an early morning fatal officer-involved shooting in DeSoto.

Police were initially called to the 1100 block of Greenbriar Drive shortly after 4:00 AM Sunday after the unidentified armed suspect, a Hispanic male who was carrying a small child and was accompanied by two women, began knocking on random residential doors and trespassing through their front and back yards.

When police arrived, they encountered the male suspect who was armed with a handgun and was holding a small child. The man then threatened to shoot any police officer he encountered. Officers tried to talk to the man and deescalate the situation but the group fled into a creek behind the homes where police temporarily lost visual contact. Police formed a perimeter and encountered the group about 30 minutes later in the 1200 block of Springbrook Drive. They continued to talk to the man who was holding the gun in his hand and tried to get him to drop his weapon and let the small child go but he remained uncooperative.

Fearing for their safety and that of the child, one officer who was armed with a rifle fired on the suspect striking him. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene by DeSoto Medical Personnel.

Police are still working to identify the deceased male. The two women who were with the suspect were taken in for questioning but were not successful in helping the police identify the suspect. The child was turned over to family members.

The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave per departmental policy. Grand Prairie Police are the outside agency investigating the officer-involved component of the shooting. The Public Integrity Unit of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office was also notified and responded to the scene. The involvement of both agencies is routine after an officer-involved shooting and is designed to ensure an objective outside investigation.

The post BREAKING NEWS: Suspect Dead After Early Morning Officer-Involved Shooting in DeSoto appeared first on Focus Daily News.

DESOTO—Last week, Kim Britton, Deputy Executive Director of Star Transit, presented an update to the DeSoto City Council regarding the company’s services. Antonio Harris, the company’s Transportation Director, also attended the meeting.

During the presentation, Britton highlighted the increasing trend of monthly trips for demand-response services. In 2024, there were 5,762 trips compared to 4,886 in 2023. The presentation also noted a significant rise in ridership for same-day services, with a total of 10,329 trips reported. These rides included activities such as shopping, visits to senior centers, and medical visits.

Britton started by providing information on the services offered by Star Transit in DeSoto, then proceeded to discuss the budget for Fiscal Year 2025 and service improvements.

She mentioned that Star Transit does not have a dedicated sales tax but does receive grant subsidies.

Star Transit currently operates in DeSoto in a Demand Response Dial-a-ride format, offering service from Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rides can be booked up to two weeks in advance.

Since 2018, rides can go anywhere in DeSoto or the service area, and even outside that parameter for medical services. The service area includes the Glenn Heights UNT Station, the Social Security Office, the DART Redbird Transfer and the Redbird Health Complex, as well as Glenn Heights Park and Ride and Cedar Hill or Duncanville.

Star Transit’s fares are based on distance and range from $1 to $12.

Service efficiency was measured using the information provided regarding the introduction of the STARNow app. Same-day service has improved rider experience, leading to 96% positive reviews. The average wait time for rides has decreased from 24 minutes in 2021 to approximately 15 minutes in 2024.

Star Transit also offers staff that can help riders with disabilities, however, staff does not go into the home or to doctor’s appointments.

This ride does not cost riders. These are part of the grant funds program.

Britton also reminded Star Transit offers promo codes for discount rides for trips like job fares or voting.

Over the last few years, Star Transit has been working with TxDot and NCTCOG on grants and ways to improve services.

Star Transit is now receiving grants and last year they received 60% of the cost of $539,125 from federal subsidies for 323,475 in DeSoto Star Transit costs. That left 40% of the city’s portion at $215,650 to be paid breaking down to a monthly amount of $17,971.

Currently, Britton said DeSoto operates 38 hours of service every day with Star Transit, and the company charges per hour. Every year, the Board of Directors determines the cost of service per hour. Last year, it was $55, and this year, FY 2025, it will be $56.75.

Britton mentioned the company’s Lyft Pilot Impact, which launched in DeSoto in December 2022. The Lyft pilot program has resulted in shorter wait times, reduced costs per trip, and better control over monthly expenses. The current service model now includes UberX Share as an option, enhancing service delivery, and Britton said it will go into the company’s service portfolio and will no longer be just a pilot program.

Councilmember Place 3 Nicole Raphiel asked Britton about the current capacity compared with demand.

Britton said it depends on the demand response threshold of 10%, which would be the case before they would come to the city and say they needed to add capacity.

Britton emphasized, “We ca