January 8, 2016

Employee Service Awards

The City held its annual Employee Service Awards this week and recognized 186 employees who have given a combined 2,705 years of public service to the community. The City could not be prouder of its employees and their dedication to Mesquite.

Housing Waiting List

The Mesquite Housing Division will open the waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program on Monday, January 25. The online waiting list will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Applicants will be selected and ordered using a random lottery system. Only 2,000 applicants will be selected in the lottery and will be placed on the waiting list. The online pre-application will be available at
https://www.waitlistcheck.com/TX1169.

Hagan Hill Development

The Hagan Hill development erected its subdivision sign this week. The development will have 272 lots total with several large, open spaces and hiking trails. The minimum dwelling size for each home is 2,600 square feet. Lot sizes range from 9,000 square feet to 1/2 acre in size and the homes will range in price from $280,000-$400,000. The development and lots will be constructed in phases. Currently, the developer is in Phase I with utilities and street construction.

For more information about the developer and the type of homes that will be constructed, visit: www.bloomfieldhomes.net.

Urgent Animal Adoption Special a Big Success

Mesquite Animal Services offered an Urgent Adoption Special from December 29-31 due to the high number of intakes following the tornado outbreaks. During the special, 40 animals were adopted and of those, 26 qualified for the discounted adoption fee (21 dogs and 5 cats). Several of the animals adopted had been in the shelter for 2-3 weeks, but had been overlooked for adoption.

Building Inspection Assists with Tornado Damage

Last week, Building Official Keith Smith and Building Inspector Jesse Alfaro assisted Ellis County with damage assessment in Red Oak. They were part of a team created by the Building Officials of Texas to provide information to FEMA on the condition of individual structures. The team inspected 103 houses. After inspectors assessed the extent of damage on a home, they assisted with filing paperwork for FEMA. Less than two hours later, FEMA declared it a severe destruction area. Homeowner assistance was provided the next morning.

Traffic Signal at Military Parkway and Legacy Preparatory Charter School

City staff has installed a traffic signal at Military Parkway and Legacy Preparatory Charter School Driveway, located at 2727 Military Parkway. The signal is equipped with video detection on all approaches, pedestrian signals and emergency vehicle preemption. The signal was turned on to working colors on Monday, January 4. The operation of the signal is expected to ease the traffic congestion at the school campus during the school arrival and departure times. This signal will be included in a coordinated signal system that extends from IH-635 and Military Parkway to Military Parkway and Town East Boulevard. Legacy Preparatory Charter School paid for the signal installation.

Ambulance 6 In Service

In response to an increasing number of ambulance calls throughout the city, the City Council approved the operation of a peak time ambulance at Fire Station No. 6. Ambulance 6 is now in service between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., seven days a week. With this addition, the Mesquite Fire Department will continue to provide the best service possible to the citizens of Mesquite

Saturday Code Enforcement Inspectors

Beginning Saturday, January 9, the City will have two Code Enforcement Inspectors inspecting neighborhoods and high business-traffic areas each Saturday. These additional hours spent by Code Enforcement will further the City’s goal of enhancing the appearance of its neighborhoods. Inspectors will be on duty from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monthly Sales Tax Report

The State Comptroller’s Office reported a two percent increase in January sales tax revenue for the City of Mesquite. January’s report is based on sales reported by local businesses during the month of November, which would include Black Friday sales leading into the holiday season. The increase in monthly sales tax was a slight increase over the City’s revenue forecast, which projects a total decrease in sales tax of 1.5 percent for the coming year. Last year, the City collected a record high of $30.9 million in sales tax, which represents 30 percent of the City’s total annual revenue.

Mesquite Industrial and Retail News

Mesquite had the 19th largest industrial lease and the largest retail sale according to the current issue of D CEO Real Estate Annual 2016 magazine. Display Source Alliance leased 400,000 square-feet at 1371 South Town East Boulevard as they consolidated operations from other communities and relocated its corporate headquarters to Mesquite. Fidelis Realty Partners purchased the 348,440 square-foot Market East Shopping Center on Town East Boulevard and has begun attracting new tenants to the center, including the soon-to-open R Taco.

Contact Your City

Let us hear from you. If you have a concern or are experiencing an issue, please contact the City at (972) 288-7711 or visit the City's website at www.cityofmesquite.com/questions.