On the Horizon - April 2026

On the Horizon NEWSLETTER

Paving a Way Forward

On behalf of the City, Mayor Steve Babick accepted a $9,625,000 check presented by Denton County Commissioner Kevin Falconer to support the reconstruction of Hebron Parkway and Frankford Road, covering approximately 50% of the project cost. This contribution reflects a strong partnership and a shared commitment to reliable infrastructure for Carrollton’s future.

View Capital Projects List

Mosquito Prevention

Even a small amount of water can become a nursery for hundreds of larvae. What can a homeowner do?

• Dump, drain, or cover any objects that could contain standing water.

• Place mosquito dunks in any stagnant or standing water (safe for humans, pets, fish, and wildlife).

• Regularly mow the lawn and keep shrubs and bushes trimmed.

• Ensure screens on windows and doors are clear of holes and seal any gaps. Remember to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and use a DEET-containing repellent when outside at dawn or dusk.

2026 Capital Improvement Projects

Carrollton is committed to maintaining a high quality of life by providing essential infrastructure and public facilities.

Capital improvement projects are upgrades, renovations, or new installations to City facilities and infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, water and wastewater mains, transportation, and drainage. Below are some of the active projects across the City in 2026. For a full list from the City’s five-year plan, visit the website below. Projects and estimated completion dates are subject to change.

Facilities and Culture & Leisure Projects

• City Hall Renovations, Phase 2*

• Crosby Recreation Center Upgrades**

• Dudley Branch Trail (Transit Center to Old Denton Road)*

• Fire Station 5 & South Service Center**

• Fire Station 6*

• McInnish & Sandy Lake Service Center Parking Lots*

• Oak Creek Tennis Center Upgrades**

• Detention Center Remodel*

• Tor Hill Park, Phase 2*

• Woodlake Lake Improvements, Phase 1*

Street Projects

• Bridge Replacement, Frankford Road at Furneaux Lane**

• Carroll Crest Neighborhood*

• Carrollton Heights Neighborhood, Section 1* & 2**

• Carrollton Parkway*

• Cemetery Hill Road (Peters Colony Road to Rosemeade Parkway)*

• Country Club Drive*

• Country Villas Neighborhood*

• Cromwell Drive*

• Duncan Heights Neighborhood, Phase 1*

• EW Brake Neighborhood**

• Francis Perry Neighborhood**

• Nob Hill, Phase 2**

• Northside Drive*

• Ridgecrest Estates Neighborhood*

• Sandy Lake Road**

• Whitlock Neighborhood, Phase 2** & 3*

• Windmill Hill Neighborhood, Section 1**

• Woodlake Neighborhood, Section 4*

Drainage/Water & Wastewater Projects

• Belt Line Lift Station**

• Don Cline Pump Station*

• Hutton Branch (IH-35E to Belt Line Road)**

Stay up to date on the latest improvements happening around Carrollton with the City’s awardwinning Behind the Build video series.

Making Cents of City Finances

The Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) is now available. This document provides an overview of the City’s financial standing and is designed to be easily understood by the general public. Information in this report is guided by best practices established by the Government Financial Officers Association. The purpose is to provide Carrollton citizens with a synopsis of how Carrollton meets its financial goals and maintains transparency.

View Financial Report (PAFR)

Join the Library Teen Advisory Council (TAC)

The Carrollton Public Library is seeking teens in grades 9-12 who are interested in organizing upcoming programs and making decisions about teen Library services. TAC helps keep Library staff informed on teen interests and trends, all while gaining leadership experience, working on a team, making new friends, and earning volunteer credits.

Applications will be accepted Monday, June 1 through Saturday, August 1. Interviews will take place in August, with the first meeting occurring in September. Apply for Teen Advisory Council

Volunteer Award Winners

Thank you to the 2025 nominees for their time, effort, and ideas to keep Carrollton a great place to live, work, and play.

The City of Carrollton honored community volunteers for their hard work and dedication at the 18th Annual Citizens’ Evening event on Wednesday, February 25.

The 11th annual Volunteer Awards received several nominations across four categories: Neighborhood Leadership, Outstanding Community Organization, Volunteer of the Year, and Youth Volunteer of the Year, facilitated by the City’s Community Development Division. These awards are designed to recognize individuals, organizations, and leaders who have gone above and beyond to deliver exceptional community service to the City of Carrollton and its residents.

Congratulations to the following volunteers for their dedicated work and high level of leadership and commitment:

• Neighborhood Leadership Award: Tiara M. Tucker

• Outstanding Community Organization Award: Ismaili Council for Central USA

• Volunteer of the Year Award: Marie Warwick

• Youth Volunteer of the Year Award: Shay Patel

For more information on how to get involved with the City’s volunteer needs, visit the link below.

972-466-5727

Volunteer Opportunities Information

Time to Check or Install a Rain Sensor

Maintain a healthy lawn while saving water and money by avoiding overwatering when nature has already done its job.

The weather is warming, and flowers are blooming. Spring is undeniably on its way, bringing rain showers and much-needed relief for lawns.

Unfortunately, spring can also sometimes bring the frustrating sight of sprinklers running during a rainfall. When automatic systems stay on during these conditions, the ground becomes oversaturated, wasting both water and money. Thankfully, many modern sprinkler systems come equipped with a rain sensor, which monitors the environment for signs of precipitation and can automatically shut off the system. This simple device is vital for water conservation, reducing utility bills and preventing overwatering.

Older systems can be upgraded by purchasing a rain sensor at a local hardware store and connecting it to the sprinkler controller.

For sprinkler maintenance, test a system’s rain sensor with five simple steps:

1. Check the sprinkler control box to ensure the sensor is on and active.

2. Locate the rain sensor by following the wires from the control box or looking near fence posts, gutters, or around the roof.

3. After locating the sensor, turn on a sprinkler zone within its sight line.

4. Spray the rain sensor with a garden hose to create a highly localized “rainstorm.”

5. If the sprinklers don’t turn off shortly, the sensor may be malfunctioning. Review online resources to troubleshoot.

Sprinklers that run in the rain are preventable. Don’t let grass suffer, or water and money run down the street.

972-466-5727

Water Conservation Guidelines

Spring Clean Up Guide

Follow the City ordinance when preparing yards for a healthy growing season to avoid fines.

Restoring the yard after winter left it in rough shape? Doing spring clean-up? Keep these guidelines in mind to improve trash collection efficiency and avoid missed pickups or delays.

Bin Basics

Solid waste collection works faster when everyone understands how, when, and where bins must be placed for pickup. This helps solid waste collection crews work safely and efficiently.

Trash and recycling carts should be placed at the designated collection location (alley or street) no earlier than 6 p.m. of the evening before and no later than 6:30 a.m. of the collection day

All trash should be tied in bags and placed inside the City-provided bin. The lid must close completely, and the bin should not weigh more than 85 pounds. Anything left on top or beside the bin will not be collected. Place bins at the curb or in the alley 3 feet apart from other bins, cars, trees, mailboxes, fences, and meters. Face lids toward the street and allow at least 14 feet of overhead clearance. Do not park vehicles in front of the collection areas on pickup day.

After the trash and/or recycling is picked up, bin/s should be brought back to the location they are stored by 9 a.m. the next day.

Waste 101

To ensure a timely collection, bulk and brush items must be properly placed.

Brush and yard waste, together, should measure up to 3 cubic yards and be placed at the curb for collection.

Tree/bush limbs and branches must be cut, bundled to under 4 feet in length, weighing no more than 40 pounds, and stacked neatly.

Yard waste (grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and other garden debris) must be in plastic bags or brown paper (kraft) bags.

Bulk items (furniture, mattresses, bicycles, household appliances, and other similar items) should also be placed at the curb in manageable piles. Place loose items such as picture frames or bagged garage cleanout trash in the trash bin.

If setting out appliances such as refrigerators or air conditioners, all refrigerants must be removed by a certified professional and must be clearly labeled as ready for pickup.

Water Restrictions Through Summer

Following the City of Carrollton’s Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, time-of-day water restrictions are now in effect through October 31. This means the use of automatic irrigation systems is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

Free Irrigation Inspections

Carrollton Water Utilities residential customers with an in-ground irrigation system may be eligible for a free irrigation inspection (available through September 30 or until annual program funding is exhausted).

Email contactus@cityofcarrollton. com or call 972-466-3120 to schedule a free inspection. Those who participated in 2024 or 2025 are ineligible for a free inspection this year.

972-466-3425

DO NOT:

• Stack or lean waste near trees, light poles, mailboxes, meters, or any other structures that makes removal difficult

• Block streets, sidewalks, or storm drains

• Place tree debris or yard waste in the recycle bin

Trash & Recycling Services

Request Irrigation Inspection

Holds Pickup Lockers

The Carrollton Public Library has made it easier than ever for patrons to pick up reserved materials. Thanks to suggestions received in the Library’s 2024 Citizen Feedback Survey, self-service holds lockers will launch mid-April and will be available at each Library location for cardholders to unlock their next read with 24-hour access to their hold items, perfect for after-hours pickups or for patrons on the go.

To ensure smooth operation and equal access to the holds pickup lockers, all requests will be held for seven days. If the items are not picked up within seven days of the system notification, holds will be cancelled.

The lockers are easy to use: patrons simply select a locker as the pickup location and scan their Library card, which is required to open the lockers, at the kiosk to retrieve their holds.

Place a Hold on Library Items

Minimize Property Risk with Insurance

Even residents who don’t live in flood-prone areas should secure flood insurance.

Between 20-25 percent of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims come from outside high-flood risk areas, and the NFIP’s Preferred Risk Policy is designed for residential properties located in low to moderate flood risk zones.

Carrollton’s local flood hazards generally come from the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, which flows down the western City limits, and branches into four streams: Dudley Branch, Furneaux Creek, Hutton Branch, and Indian Creek.

Damage caused by floods and high winds is often not covered by homeowners insurance.

Remodeling the Right Way

Everyone appreciates the beauty of a remodeled home and neighbors who complete their projects with minimal disruption to the neighborhood.

Know when to get a City permit. Permits are required for new building construction, such as the installation of a pool, fence, or patio cover, as well as building remodels, renovations, or repair work. New work is considered any new construction, commercial or residential, from vacant ground to a completed new structure.

Manage trash for efficient collection. Contractors are encouraged to remove and dispose of all construction debris from projects they produce. Up to 3 cubic yards of materials may be placed at the curb for collection no sooner than 6 p.m. the day before scheduled trash pickup.

972-466-3225

Residential Permits & Inspections

Residents should contact their insurance company to determine flood insurance eligibility. It takes at least 30 days to activate flood insurance.

Visit msc.fema.gov to find out if your home or business is located within a flood risk zone. For flood depth data, flood maps, or information regarding property protection assistance and site visits, contact the City of Carrollton’s Engineering department.

972-466-3204

Floodplain Information

Upcoming Events

Neighborhood Safety & Crime Prevention, May 12, 6-7:30 p.m., Josey Ranch Lake Library – Learn valuable crime prevention tips from the Carrollton Police Department, including practical safety precautions, resources for reporting incidents, and ways to work with the City.

Chalk the Park, May 21, 5-8 p.m., Mary Heads Carter Park – Kick off summer in style with an evening of family-friendly activities featuring a food truck, an obstacle course, a colorful water gun showdown, an outdoor movie, and of course, sidewalk chalk. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and prepare for splashes.

Memorial Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony, May 25, 10 a.m., Veterans Memorial Plaza – Remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

Trinity Nights, May 29, 6-10 p.m., Trinity Mills Station Esplanade –Explore Carrollton’s inaugural night market. Grab a bite from food trucks, shop artisan vendors, and hit the dance floor to some live country music.

Summer Reading Challenge, June 1-August 1 – Earn great rewards by reading and logging minutes this summer. Registration begins May 1 at carrollton. beanstack.org. Participants who log their minutes will receive a special invitation to an End of Summer Party at the Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex.

Carrollton Tails & Trails 5K & Fun Run/

Splash into Summer

at Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex or either Splash Park location! Find opening dates, hours of operation, or information on fees, swim lessons, rentals, and more.

Walk, June 6, 8 a.m., New Location: Josey Ranch Sports Complex – Leash up with a pup and hit the trails to support Carrollton Animal Services & Adoption Center. To guarantee a race T-shirt and packet, register before June 1 at cityofcarrollton.com/tailsandtrails

• May 20: Public Works Week

Equipment Rodeo

• June 1-Aug. 1: Everyday People: The Art of James E. Ransome Exhibit

• June 6: Youth Fishing Event Calendar Events