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1. I have a suggestion for the upcoming budget that I believe will have a huge impact on the city ...

Q: I have a suggestion for the upcoming budget that I believe will have a huge impact on the city of Irving, as well as the residents and anyone who chooses to visit. Something that I have noticed a lot of in Irving is litter, and it ruins the parks, creeks, and streets where we live and spend our time. 

Obviously, it’s impossible to completely stop littering from happening, but there’s a relatively simple solution that would drastically decrease the amount of litter in our beautiful city: trash cans. I see firsthand what happens when bags of trash are left on the street, even if only for a few hours ‐ stray animals get into them, trash falls out, and it’s made worse when they get thrown into the trash truck, leaving litter flying everywhere. 

Trash cans would keep it all contains and drastically reduce the litter we see daily on our streets. PLEASE consider adding trash cans into the next budget so we can keep Irving clean.

A: Thank you for your concern about the beautification of Irving. Please know that your email will be shared with the Solid Waste Services Director, as well as the Mayor and City Council. Please feel free to contact the BFF’s with any budget questions or suggestions for the upcoming budget process.

2. ... Citizens seem left out when it comes to their neighborhood needs in regards to street and infrastructure improvements.

Q: I would like to make a suggestion for consideration as a budget item for FY2022-2023. As a longtime Irving resident of 43 years I feel the City of Irving improvements to the city streets and right of ways have been very proactive and aggressive in making our city look updated and well maintained. The failing I have noticed are infrastructure changes that are not as visible to the public, but nonetheless impact how it’s citizens seem left out when it comes to their neighborhood needs in regards to street and infrastructure improvements. I have discussed this issue with my Councilman, contacted the City Streets Department and talked with the Municipal Drainage Department about an ongoing concern in my neighborhood without much success. 

I live on XXX Drive which shares a rear entry alley with XXX Court. The alley serves as the major drainage source and the only venue for the McArthur High School football field water runoff collection area. The alley consistently is deluged with water runoff from the field which, dependent on the amount of rain runoff, can overwhelm the alley's capability to effectively contain the flow and prevent flooding and constant erosion of the alley asphalt surface. 

I would like to see this corrected by adding the funding resource to our budget to fix the problem permanently. I have suggested either building a closer drainage area by the school that would not use the alley as its main drainage source or reconstruct the alley out of a more durable material such as concrete with curbs to assist in preventing flooding. Please consider adding this project and any other similar projects that are known or have been reported as a funded budget item in the FY2022-2023 cycle. It does not seem fair that the citizens of Irving are not held in equal regard concerning their needs over the interest of the city or school district. I would like to comment favorably on the communication avenues the City has recently introduced to its citizens in regards to collaboration on making Irving a GREAT CITY to live in!

A: Thank you for your suggestion concerning the infrastructure and street improvements for your neighborhood. 

The Municipal Drainage Utility and Capital Improvement Project departments are aware of the issue, but at this time do not have it slated to be funded as project for the upcoming fiscal year. More information about projects and how funding for capital improvement projects are allocated can be found on the City’s website. 

3. Long-time Irving resident dreaming of "Keeping Irving Magnificent!"

Q: First: Thanks so very much for all you are doing to upgrade so many areas, and infrastructure in Irving!!!!! Long-time Irving resident dreaming of "Keeping Irving Magnificent!"

1. I hope the city is coordinating with the state to install double underpass/overpass at Irving Boulevard and Story Road.
2. Look at pictures of Washington D. C. What's missing? Millions of electric poles and wires. I realize to go underground is a super major project involving many parties. But what would Beltline Road look like without all the leaning poles and wires everywhere? Please consider upgrading Beltline between 183 and Country Club Road. Street level business signs, more trees and shrubs, a few benches etc.
3. Related to #2, ChicFilet- needed: reconfigure adjoining parking area on the north side of the building to make a larger to-go line, to have traffic on Beltline backing up is unacceptable. Don't you agree?
4. Due to the immense increase in traffic Rochelle from Beltline to Wingren needs 2 lanes each direction, plus dedicated left turn lanes, and yield only right turn lanes at each intersection.
5. Along Riverside Drive could the electrical/phone cabinets be hidden with slow-growing shrubs? Beautiful neighborhood, grass, street, bridges, and boom! Ugly green boxes. Maybe the bright white and orange utility markers could could be shorter?
6. In all construction of signs and fences in public areas please put concrete around the pole, or under the fence line so no edging is ever required.
7. Please reduce the number of flashing lights on Police Vehicles, they are blinding at night and a real distraction in the day.

Please keep up the great work you do!

A: Thank you for your input on the upcoming budget for FY 22-23. Please know that your email will be shared with the Mayor and City Council. 

4. I would really like to see a grant program for individuals or small businesses who want to invest in renewable energy.

Q: I saw in the weekly Irving email I could suggest things for the 2023 budget. I would really like to see a grant program for individuals or small businesses who want to invest in renewable energy. It would cut back on a heavy bill if individuals/small business could buy solar panels. Maybe for the corporate offices in Las Colinas, we could create a special tax break if they have solar panels on their building?

A: Thank you for the budget suggestion for the upcoming budget preparation. Please know that this email will be shared with the Mayor and City Council.

5. Please be conservative with the budget for the upcoming year.

Q: Budget team: Please be conservative with the budget for the upcoming year. Also, please consider lowering the tax rate or adopting a "no new revenue rate" for our property taxes. I'm retired and on a fixed income. I'm concerned that some homeowners may be priced out of their homes due to increasing value and property taxes. I've lived in Irving since 1959 and don't want to have to move elsewhere. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

A: Thank you for your input to the Ask the BFF’s email. Please know that this email will be shared with the City Manager, Mayor and Council.

6. Change our garbage collection to just once a week and have plastic bins.

Q: I would like to ask that we change our garbage collection to just once a week and have plastic bins, one for recycling and one for non-recycled trash. We are putting ridiculous amounts of plastic bags into our environment. Carrollton is doing it and it’s working great. Why can’t Irving? The amount of money for the bins will certainly be paid for in reduced pick up. Or the homeowner could be responsible for paying for them.

 A: Thank you for contacting the BFF email. This is an issue that the City Council and the Mayor have been looking at. Please know that this email will be shared with them as well as the Director of Solid Waste Services Travis Switzer. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any further budget suggestions.

7. I would like to suggest for consideration several service points increases/improvements within the Fire department.

Q: I know the City of Irving is seeking input for the 22-23 annual budget. I would like to suggest for consideration several service points increases/improvements within the Fire department. First, with the increase in population both during the day and evening of the entertainment/business district Fire Station 8 covers that  a paramedic ambulance/MICU be added full time at Station 8. This station which also includes a ladder truck is constantly being dispatched to traffic incidents along the highways that once surrounded the Texas stadium site. 

A MICU is dispatched from a different outlying station which increases response time and leaves a void in the district that the MICU was dispatched from creating a domino effect in surrounding areas if that district is in need of a MICU during the same period of time which happens frequently. In addition, Medic 8 would supplement current staffing of Station 8 which is the HAZMAT station for the city of Irving. 

An additional request would be to increase the staffing of all ladder trucks to four members. The city has seen the safety benefits of the IFD Blocker program which are housed in conjunction with the ladder companies. An additional member would increase operational efficiency of this added duty to the company. In addition, the ladder trucks provide initial rescue capabilities for entrapments while Station 6 is responding with its rescue. Station 6 is located on the western side of Irving next to DFW airport. The response time for the rescue could be considerable if during high commute times or inclement weather. In addition Station 6 might already be on a call and unavailable for assignment. Currently, the officer on the truck is overseeing the rescue while the other two firefighters are performing the rescue. An additional firefighter would increase the safety for all personnel on scene and expedite the removal of the entrapped victim. 

This same job function can be applied with structure fires. You have the officer overseeing the job function with the firefighters performing the necessary task. These task are very labor intensive while two can make do, an additional firefighter makes this dangerous function more manageable. Thank you taking the time to read my input for the fiscal 22-23 budget.

A: Thank you for contacting the BFF email. Your insightful commentary is appreciated. Please know that this email will be shared with the City Council and Mayor as well as Fire Chief Victor Conley. 

8. Would recommend plans to fix up and utilize the pool at Lee Park.

Q: Would recommend plans to fix up and utilize the pool at Lee Park. It is currently in disrepair after two seasons without use and water just sits in it. Could be used for pool again or part of it changed to a splash pad. Many families in these areas have young kids that would love to utilize it.

A: Thank you for contacting the BFF email. Mr. Moses who is the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Irving has hired a consultant to evaluate the pools in Irving and the findings from the consultant will be presented to the City Council and Mayor. At that time further direction will be provided. 

Currently all pools citywide are facing a shortage of staff to operate them, there are over 70 summer lifeguard positions unfilled. If you would like further information please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Moses, his information is below. 

Joe Moses | Parks and Recreation Director
Email: jmoses@cityofirving.org
Phone: (972) 721-2501

9. I wanted to find more details on the "Bear" armored vehicle.

Q: Hello, I was looking through the budget this year and I wanted to find more details on the "Bear" armored vehicle mentioned as necessary Police capital in slide 113 of the budget. I couldn't see explanations for cost or usage. Any additional info would be great thanks.

A: Thank you for contacting the BFF email. The vehicle that you are inquiring about is an armored vehicle that officers use when responding to a tactical situation. The Irving Police Dept. was awarded grant funds that allowed for the purchase of a smaller bear armored vehicle in the amount of $141,924.

10. Please be careful of letting the pension funding get out of hand.

Q: Good day. The city has done a good job of balancing its budget. Please be careful of letting the pension funding get out of hand as this has doomed more than a few cities. Borrowing money to pay another debt is a tricky road to walk and usually doesn't end well.

A: We appreciate your input and concernment for the pension. Please know that there are financial reports that give a financial summary of the City of Irving’s debt and financial standing. The link to these pages is below. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any future concerns or questions. Have a great week.

https://www.cityofirving.org/974/Financial-Reports

11. More parks! More trees planted. An indoor pool in South Irving with more open hours than the Senior Center.

A: Thank you for contacting the Ask the Budget Fiscal Friends. We appreciate your input regarding parks, pools, and trees. Please know that your input is important and will be shared with Joe Moses, director of Parks and Recreation, along with the City Council and Mayor.

12. Lower property taxes.

Thank you for contacting the BFF’s email. Please know that for the upcoming fiscal year 2022-2023, the City Manager is proposing to lower the tax rate for the City of Irving. 

For further information, please see the City of Irving’s website. There is also a City Council budget retreat taking place on Aug. 19. During this retreat there will be further information about how the budget for next year is planned and what key areas of the city are being addressed with the proposed budget.

13. Are there NOT ANY "exemptions" for persons over the age of 65?

Q: Are there NOT ANY "exemptions" for persons over the age of 65? I am an 87-year-old male living on a small pension from American Airlines & Social Security. The tax rate "approved by the voters" does not take in consideration of facts, like these.

A: This upcoming fiscal year the City Council increased the Over 65/disabled Person exemption to $50,000 from $45,000 for property tax relief. To apply for this exemption, visit the Dallas County Appraisal District’s website. Also, the City of Irving’s website has more information about the tax exemption and how to apply.

14. Please clean up Northwest Park.

Northwest Park has retention ponds, and unfortunately after heavy rains we often have litter left behind. Our team will take care of this.

15. I recently heard that our trash pick up is being reduced to once weekly and I was wondering if my taxes will be reduced accordingly?

Q: I recently heard that our trash pick up is being reduced to once weekly and I was wondering if my taxes will be reduced accordingly? If my taxes are not being reduced I am wondering why that might be. I eagerly await your response and appreciate your time.

A: Thank you for reaching out to us regarding solid waste services. We continue experiencing a very significant employee shortage in solid waste collections despite a number of measures we have implemented. In solid waste collections there are 74 approved positions. Currently, the collection services require 61 individuals each day to cover all collections (trash, recycling, brush/bulky). Once vacancies, sick, vacation, and other leave is considered the actual number of employees available each day is 48. Meaning each day collection crews operate with 35 percent fewer people than approved and are working six days a week instead of their scheduled four, 10‐hour days. 

A comprehensive analysis of the city’s solid waste collection system is in the works; however, until the analysis is complete, we anticipate the employee shortage continuing. Therefore, the interim strategy in which you are aware is being implemented providing weekly collection services on a set schedule with the available current staffing level. The interim collection service, which contains a once‐a‐week collection model, allows for all services to continue with the current staffing level. 

While the frequency of weekly trash collection is changing, unfortunately, the volume of trash being collected by city crews is not changing ‐ meaning, the same amount of trash is being collected. Additionally, the monthly solid waste rate is built to fund collection operations, but it also funds necessary landfill capital improvements, and necessary vehicle replacements. Therefore, a reduction in the monthly solid waste rate is not possible. 

We understand the interim changes may not be ideal. However, we must deal with the very real staffing shortages we are experiencing and continue providing excellent service. Our goal is to bring a permanent collection solution to City Council for their consideration as quickly as possible. Here is a link to an interactive map in which addresses can be entered to determine the Oct. 1 new collection day. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through the employee shortage.