City of Terrell, Texas - City News and Press Releases

The City Of Terrell wants to keep you, our citizens, informed about the latest changes and developments in your city government. You can sign up to receive periodic emails whenever a news item or press release is posted to this page.

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Keep up with the latest news from The City of Terrell:

Kaufman County Habitat for Humanity looking for Terrell Family

Kaufman Habitat to break ground on new home in Terrell and is looking for local Kaufman County low-income families interested in buying a new home.

Terrell (May 10, 2013) — Kaufman County Habitat for Humanity is preparing to break ground on its first project in Terrell at 502 S. Medora in July. To prepare for the building of the new home Kaufman Habitat and the City of Terrell are partnering up to recruit a local home buyer.

Kaufman County Habitat for Humanity along with the City of Terrell first announced Kaufman County Habitat’s plans to build starting in 2013 at the demolition of a dilapidated structure at 502 S. Medora last summer. The two organizations are currently working together again to hold a Home ownership Orientation where local residents can learn more about the Habitat home buying process.

Kaufman Habitat does make home ownership affordable for families by providing a 0% interest mortgage for the term of the loan. To qualify, a family must meet three main requirements: a need for shelter, have a willingness to partner and the ability to pay. The family will also contribute sweat equity hours in building the home alongside community volunteers in lieu of a cash down payment. Habitat will also provide the family with ongoing pre and post purchase services throughout the term of the home loan.

All applicants must attend the mandatory orientation session to apply for a home. Interested low-income applicants should bring a $25 money order to the orientation, should they decide to fill out a homeowner application. For more information, interested low-income families should contact Debbie Woods at 214-678-2334.

Hotel Occupancy Tax Application Now Being Accepted

The City of Terrell Hotel Motel Occupancy Tax Grant Funding Requirements and Funding Application Form for fiscal year 2013-2014 is now available. The intent for the use of local Hotel Occupancy Tax funds is to promote the City of Terrell as a tourism destination through a broad program of advertising and historic preservation programs, to maintain and improve the City’s image as a place to visit, to attract increased numbers of travelers and to increase tourist spending in the City of Terrell.

Please send your request for funding from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Funds by May
31, 2013. The City Council will review the applications at its annual budget retreat.
If you have any questions, please contact John Rounsavall at (972) 551-6600, extension 226 or email: jrounsavall@cityofterrell.org.

Edwards Named Public Administrator of the Year

(March 19, 2013) –Terrell City Manager Torry L. Edwards has been named 2013 Public Administrator of the Year by the North Texas Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishment and achievement in public service.

Drawing on 25 years experience in local government and non-profit administration, Edwards is a proven fiscal manager and a strong leader in local government. Under Edwards’ leadership, Terrell is a leading city, creating a competitive environment with surging capital investment, while also stimulating economic growth east of Dallas.

David Denney Receives Code Professional of the Year Award

The Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT) has selected David Denney, Terrell Building Official, to receive the Code Professional of the Year Award at their annual conference held in August. This award honors individuals who provide outstanding service to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the public as it relates to the construction, occupancy and maintenance of buildings and structures in communities.

Nominees are selected from a state wide pool of building officials, permit technicians, plans examiners, inspectors, supervising inspectors, code enforcement officers, and fire officials. Nominations are accepted from a director, building official, mayor, or city manager.

Lawrence Crow, President of BOAT, who also serves as the Inspections Field Operations Manager for the City of Irving, presented the award to Mr. Denney at the September 4 Regular City Council meeting.

The workload for the Municipal Development staff has increased almost exponentially in the past several years. For example, Mr. Denney has experienced a recent surge in permitting activity with a 67% increase in the number of inspections. Total valuation for permits issued in 2009 was only $4.4 million, but in just the past 2 1/2 years the total has exceeded the $55 million mark.

Throughout this period David has not only provided outstanding customer service, he has stood in the gap to ensure construction meets or exceeds the minimum safety standards defined in the International Building Codes. The role of a Building Official, such as David Denney, in maintaining these critical safety standards is best illustrated in the fact that the primary role of Fire Departments throughout the country has transitioned into more medical emergency responses than fire fighting because of the increased safety of the structures currently being built.

David Denney's dedication to public safety is also demonstrated by his 24/7 response to emergencies such as catastrophic storms where restoration of power to storm damaged homes and businesses is greatly expedited by performing inspections and meter releases sometimes in the middle of the night.

Terrell Citizens University

Terrell residents have an opportunity to learn more about their city at the Terrell Citizens University.

Scheduled for this spring, the University is designed to promote citizen awareness of City of Terrell government services and a working knowledge of City processes and procedures.

Terrell Citizens University is accepting applications thru April 5, 2013. Please print the application or pick one up at the City of Terrell Human Resource office, 201 East Nash, Room 132.

One of Terrell Citizens University’s goals is to assemble a diverse group of individuals with a common interest of “building a better community.” For this reason, the application seeks data on age and race/ethnicity.

Crime Rate Continues to Fall

According to Police Chief Jody Lay, the Uniform Crime Report summary for the past year shows a considerable reduction in crime in Terrell.

"In 2008-2009, we had 1140 UCR Crimes. In 2011-2012 we finished the year with 792 UCR Crimes," said Chief Lay. This is 348 fewer crimes in this fiscal year than in FY 2008-2009 – a remarkable 30.5% reduction in UCR Crime in 4 years.

"This is phenomenal progress," said Lay. "We have great momentum heading into the Holiday Season. Our partnerships with each other, our law enforcement colleagues in the county, as well as the District Attorney's Office, and our overall steadfast diligence is making all the difference."

Chief Lay urges all citizens to remain vigilant. "Be alert to suspicious activity and all call the police if you suspect criminal activity is afoot. We are working really hard WITH you to fight crime. Good job, City of Terrell!"

Citizens can monitor monthly Uniform Crime Report statistics using the Fighting Crime Together – Month UCR Statistics link on the left side of the opening page of the City of Terrell website.

Talk to the City of Terrell

The City of Terrell now offers a new way for citizens to report problems or request services from the City. Talk to the City of Terrell is available for everyone – from homeowners to contractors – to contact the City using one universal form. This will replace the separate forms used to report potholes or mosquitoes or to request a line locates (Right of Way Permit).

To make a service request for water, sewer, streets, drainage or mosquitoes, go to Talk to the City of Terrell. Fill out the form and send it by clicking the "Submit Request" button at the bottom of the form. The form goes to the City's work order program for routing to the appropriate department. It's also possible to track the status of a request online.

Customer service is a priority for the City of Terrell. This new service is designed to make it easier for citizens to report problems and find solutions.

City of Terrell Withdraws from Stage 3 to Stage 2 - Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Response Plan

(June 1, 2012) City of Terrell officials announced the withdrawal from Stage 3 to Stage 2 of The City of Terrell Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Response Plan. The reduced restrictions take effect June 1, 2012; however, residents are urged to continue water conservation efforts. Under Stage 2, the city will continue its attempt to reduce water usage.

The implementation of Stage 2 comes at the request of the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), the city’s water supplier. NTMWD will withdraw from Stage 3 to Stage 2 of the NTMWD Water Conservation and Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Response Plan, effective June 1.

“We are very thankful that Lavon Lake has returned to its normal conservation pool elevation from abundant winter and early spring rains, and Lakes Jim Chapman and Tawakoni are near full elevation. This increase in water supply, the water supply model projections, and the NTMWD Member Cities and Customers meeting the 10% water use reduction goals is allowing us to return to Stage 2,” said Jim Parks, Executive Director of NTMWD. “While we can’t predict what the summer weather will be, the months of June, July, and August are traditionally the hottest and driest months of the year so it’s important to continue conservation efforts and efficient use of our water supply. The water supply from Lake Texoma, 28% of the total NTMWD water supply, remains offline due to the infestation of an invasive species, the zebra mussel.”

The City of Terrell requests that customers implement the following water conservation strategies:

Extending the water supply during Stage 2 through the efficient use of existing water resources is crucial to meeting the City’s long-term water needs and will help delay the possible return to Stage 3 water restrictions.

Texas Giant Salvinia Effort Reaches Boaters, Raises Awareness

AUSTIN – Survey results show last year’s giant salvinia public awareness campaign by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reached more than half of boaters living within 60 miles of four East Texas lakes targeted in the effort and that 96 percent of those boaters said they were “more likely to clean their boat, trailer or gear as a result of seeing information or advertising.”

Giant salvinia is usually spread unknowingly by people moving their boats from lake to lake. The plant “hitches a ride” on boats, motors and trailers. The invasive plant was first discovered in Texas in a small pond near Houston in 1998. It has been reported in 17 Texas lakes, including some of the state’s most popular recreational water bodies: Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Caddo Lake, Sheldon Lake, Lake Texana and Lake Conroe.

Last spring’s “Hello Giant Salvinia, Goodbye Texas Lakes” campaign media buy generated more than 28.5 million audience impressions amongst boaters, anglers and the general public. Efforts included floating messages on buoys near key boat ramps, fish measuring rulers with campaign messages, online web banner ads, social media, gasoline “pump toppers” and billboard ads near key lakes, and even an amusing TV ad featuring “salvinia monster” trying hitch a ride with a hapless boater.

Given the success of the salvinia awareness effort, the department is now considering a similar initiative for zebra mussels, another serious invasive threat that is not yet widespread in Texas. The non-native mussels multiply rapidly and attach themselves to boats, piers, cables and other objects. Zebra mussels can block water treatment plant intakes and pipes, as well as cause declines in fish populations, native mussels, and birds.

“We are actively seeking partners to help make a zebra mussel awareness campaign a reality,” said Carter Smith, TPWD executive director. “Although currently only established in Lake Texoma in Texas, this exotic invader is on the doorstep of the Metroplex region and could eventually spread throughout the Trinity River system toward Houston.”

FEMA Publishes New Flood Maps for City of Terrell

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has presented preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM’s) to the City of Terrell.

The FIRM’s assist city officials and local residents to identify flood risk and are used for insurance, lending and development decisions.

The preliminary maps revise and update information on the existence and severity of flood hazards in the City’s corporate limits. The maps are based on updated topographic data and decades of rainfall and storm gauge information.

Residents, property owners and business owners who believe the flood maps contain errors have until March 16, 2011, to file a protest or appeal by submitting information to FEMA through their local floodplain manager. After all comments are resolved, FEMA will notify the City, insurance companies, and residents of the effective date of the final maps.

“Flooding is the most common disaster in the U.S., and I urge Terrell residents to review the maps and be familiar with the flood risk for their property”, said Steve Rogers, City Engineer and Floodplain Administrator for the City. “The FIRM maps can assist residents, business owners and developers make informed decisions about insurance and flood protection.”

The City will host a meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 24, 2011, in the Council Chambers of City Hall. A representative from FEMA will be present to discuss the new FIRM maps and flood insurance options.

Kaufman County Crime Stoppers Hotline

Terrell residents now ways to help thwart illegal activity in the community.

Kaufman County Crime Stoppers provides a simple way for citizens to supply important information to help law enforcement agencies fight crime. The Crime Stoppers Hotline and Web Tips (online tip reporting) allow residents to remain anonymous while reporting suspicious activity or giving facts pertinent to specific cases.

Callers are eligible to receive cash rewards if the information they give leads to an arrest or a grand jury indictment of a felony offender.

The Kaufman County Crime Stoppers Hotline number is 877-TIPSKCC (877-847-7522). Submit a tip online at this site

When submitting a tip, residents are urged to provide as much detail as possible, including the date, time, location, descriptions or names of persons, and details of the incident. A license plate number and description are also helpful if a vehicle is involved.

City News and Press Releases

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