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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.