The Colony · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in The Colony public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Election Sign Ordinance Cleanup
Old sign ordinances don't fit the reality of city property serving as polling sites — candidates were confused during early voting. Council wants a full review and update after the first of the year.
Crossing guard pay and school-year services
The city renewed crossing guard services for 2026-27 at $153,430.20 — the same meeting a resident asked that guards get a raise.
NTTA law enforcement services agreement
With DPS gone from the tollway, The Colony police will formally cover NTTA property and get reimbursed up to $672,068 over two years — money in, not out.
Automobile Fatality Memorial Markers
New city rules let families of traffic fatality victims request a city-installed memorial sign showing the victim's name and date of birth; signs stay up two years and then go to the family. The ordinance responds to a fatal crash on North Colony and concerns from neighbors living near an existing memorial.
Short-term rental inspection fee
The $500 annual inspection fee for short-term rentals survived its review. With about 115 active rentals, the fee covers whole-house fire inspections and matches what nearby cities charge.
Drone as First Responder program
Year one of the $150,000 Flock Safety drone program is funded, plus a state grant helping offset year two and buying catalytic converter etching equipment for free theft-prevention events.
SPAN Senior Transportation and Meals on Wheels Funding
The council renewed its $162,049 contract with SPAN for senior rides and Meals on Wheels. Councilmember Ensweiler flagged a $53.30 round-trip cost and two-hour rides; SPAN pledged to work on efficiency and cost per trip.
Flock License Plate Reader Cameras
The city signed a two-year, $126,000 contract with Flock Group for automatic license plate readers — a public safety tool that also raises routine questions about data use.
SPAN paratransit and meals-on-wheels contract
The SPAN contract for senior and disabled resident services was pulled from the agenda and will be considered August 4.
Opioid abatement funds for recovery housing
The council granted $8,000 of its opioid settlement funds to Next Steps The Colony for recovery housing, leaving $800 in the fund. The nonprofit runs women's and men's recovery houses locally.
Denco Area 9-1-1 District board seat
The council cast the city's vote to keep former County Commissioner Jim Carter on the Denco 9-1-1 District Board of Managers, with no other candidates having come forward.
Police catalytic converter etching program
A $12,868 budget amendment reimburses the Police Department for catalytic converter etching equipment through a state crime prevention grant — a tool against theft of converters from parked cars.
Lewisville ISD litigation response
In closed session, the council authorized the city attorney to file an answer in Lewisville ISD v. Deirdre A. Furtado, a Denton County lawsuit naming the city.
Motor vehicle crime prevention grant
The city got the green light to apply for up to $550,000 in state grant money aimed at fighting catalytic converter theft.
Grandscape July 3 fireworks exemption
Grandscape got permission to launch fireworks at 10:40 p.m. on July 3, an exception to the usual 10 p.m. noise cutoff — deliberately the night before the city's own Liberty by the Lake show.
Retirement of Fire Chief Scott Thompson
The Colony said farewell to Fire Chief Scott Thompson after 17 years leading the department and 40 years in the fire service. The department grew from three firehouses under his tenure, and both the mayor and State Rep. Jared Patterson honored him.
Police Department and Court Facilities Renovation
The police station is overcrowded and past its intended capacity, so the council hired Parkhill for $159,500 to design a renovation that keeps police, dispatch, and court operations running during construction. The old rec center will be converted for Municipal Court and the warrants division.
Public safety dispatcher recognition
The city celebrated its 911 dispatch team: director Tonya Nyer won a statewide Operations Professional of the Year award, two dispatchers earned a scholarship to a national conference, and two received Silent Hero awards.
Repeat nuisance offense penalties
Some property owners just pay nuisance citations without fixing trash and debris violations. The new ordinance lets fines escalate for repeat offenses within a year, giving municipal court a stronger deterrent.
Winter Storm Fern response recognition
Public Works got a mayoral proclamation and $200 bonuses for the January ice storm response: 1,211 man-hours, 213 lane miles cleared, 26 tons of salt and 70 tons of sand. Business owners told the council The Colony's roads were passable when neighboring cities' weren't.
Police 5-year strategic plan and 2025 annual report
The police department launched a community survey (open through March 31) to shape its five-year strategic plan, and presented 2025 stats: 33,000+ calls, 4:39 average response, and double the warnings versus citations. Council also heard a resident's concerns about traffic enforcement tactics on Main Street.
Police fleet replacement
The city bought two replacement police Tahoes for $106,928 to replace units that were wrecked and totaled, keeping patrol staffing on the road.
Firefighter protective gear replacement
The fire department needs to keep replacing turnout gear on the state-mandated ten-year cycle. This purchase covers part of the 98-member force plus full sets for three new firefighters.
Weekend severe weather readiness
Bad weather is expected this weekend. The city has extra public safety staff scheduled, public works on call, and plenty of sand and salt ready.