The Argyle Police Department now provides access to accident reports through the Internet. Go directly to http://argylepdtx.policereports.us/ . Copies of accident reports are $6 each, the same price as at our records counter. This service saves you time and makes our office more efficient.

In response to requests from Argyle Senior Citizens on April 13, 2010, the Town Council considered and approved an increase in the Town’s property tax exemption from $32,000.00 to $40,000.00 for persons age 65 and over and the disabled, effective for the 2010 tax year. Even though the Town’s property tax rate of $0.385/$100 of assessed value ranks low compared to many area cities and towns, the Town Council recognized that property appraisals had increased significantly since the current $32,000.00 exemption was approved in 2003.

The long-awaited regional sanitary sewer project to extend public sewer from the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Roanoke to parts of Argyle, Flower Mound and Northlake is scheduled to be completed in September 2011. The estimated $17.2 million project has been funded largely from private development with some financial participation by each Town. The project is being constructed and will be operated by the Trinity River Authority of Texas. Specifically, the Town of Argyle, using funds from its Wastewater Utility Fund, is participating in the financing of the construction of a new sewer line along U.S. 377 Highway to serve the southern portion of the Town adjacent to the highway corridor benefiting areas intended for commercial development. Sewer lines are also being extended through the southwestern portions of the Town terminating west of IH 35 and north of Corral City in the Argyle ETJ. For more information concerning the routing of the sewer system, contact the Town Administrator.

After 14 months of study, the Town Council adopted an update (increase) in both wastewater and roadway impact fees intended to defray or lessen the financial impact of new development on the Town’s infrastructure - sewer system and roadways. In an effort to address future growth of the Town, the Town Council first adopted roadway impact fees in 1996 and added wastewater impact fees in 1998. Impact fees are paid by contractors at time of building permit in accordance with a fee schedule set by Town Ordinance. The new fee scheduled was approved following a public hearing on May 25, 2010.

In January 2010, the Planning & Zoning Commission completed and recommended to the Town Council for adoption the Town Development Standards. The Town Development Standards can be found (on line) in the Town’s Code of Ordinances as Chapter 14, Zoning. The Town Development Standards (Chapter 14) has consolidated the Town’s subdivision, all zoning, sign, and oil & gas drilling and production regulations, as well as tree preservation requirements into one chapter, Chapter 14, for easy reference.

Town Hall and Police/Municipal Court renovations approved by the Town Council in January 2010 are complete. Town Hall operations (Town Council Chambers, Administration, Finance, and Development Services) are located at 308 Denton Street (former Argyle United Methodist Church). The Argyle Police Department and Municipal Court are located in the previous Town Hall at 506 N. Highway 377. (Municipal Court sessions will be held in the Town Council Chambers at 308 Denton Street.) Not only does the new Town Hall provide needed Town Council Chambers and operating space, but also provides the community with nearly 3,000 square feet of community room space that may be reserved for various community or private functions. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony, dedication and building tours are scheduled for August 24, 2010.

. Beginning in March, the Town Council commenced discussion with the Town Staff concerning long-term roadway and public drainage improvements. As a result, the Town Council is considering the re-construction of the following roadways and streets, including necessary drainage improvements, within the Town:
Thornridge Subdivision (remainder) The Settlement Subdivision
Portions of Harpole Road Frenchtown Road
Old Town Streets (Collin, Dallas, Surrey Lane
East, Walnut, Mesquite, & Cypress) C. Taylor Road
Skyline Addition Rolling Acres Addition
Hickory Hill Road
The preliminary project cost estimate is $3.64 million. The Town Council is considering long-term debt financing using either certificates of obligation or general obligation bonds in an effort to address significant deterioration of the Town’s roadways as well as taking advantage of very favorable long-term interest rates. To lessen the financial impact, the Town is considering partnering with Denton County on certain roadways, using local option street maintenance sales tax funds, roadway remediation funds paid by mineral producers, and capital funds. It is anticipated that improvements could be completed within 2 years. Discussions will continue as part of the deliberations on the FY 2011 annual budget process in August and September.

In an effort to communicate more effectively to the community I have filed several Briefs on subjects that are currently being worked on by your Town Council and Staff. It's my hope that providing these updates will give everyone a chance to get a clear picture of what is happening at Town Hall. I will work to keep these items current and will add new subjects as our activities change.
Greg Landrum, Mayor