On Nthe Horizon EWSLETTER October 2026
16th Annual Festival at the Switchyard Celebrate “sweet 16” years of free concerts at the City’s signature event on Saturday, November 7 in Historic Downtown Carrollton.
E
njoy FREE family-friendly concerts, shop Festival booths, take a break in the beer garden, and grab a bite to eat from food vendors or local restaurants while the kids enjoy free rides and games, a craft area, face painting, bungee trampolines, arcade games in the Main Event Plaza, and more!
Main Stage
11:05 a.m. Students from Vivian Field Middle School’s award-winning choir program will kick off the Festival with the National Anthem. 12 p.m. Bird Brains, featuring instructors from Lark Music Loft, will school attendees on how to rock with timeless throwbacks. 12:50 p.m. Feel the rhythm as 10-piece Latin powerhouse Elias Y Su Orquesta will ignite the stage with live salsa, merengue, cumbia, and bachata, including tributes to Marc Anthony and Héctor Lavoe. 2 p.m. Dallas-based Midtown 10 will pump up the jams, fusing brass, killer vocals, and soaring guitar solos with DJ-style drops and crowd-favorite Top 40 hits. 3:10 p.m. Texas Female Artist of the Decade Bri Bagwell will return to the Festival lineup with chart-topping, toe-tapping Texas country tunes. 4:20 p.m. Heartbyrne will bring Talking Heads’ irresistible mix of pop, funk, art rock, and African rhythms to Downtown Carrollton for a high-energy 1970s dance party. 5:50 p.m. Pop-rock band Wheatus will turn the Festival into a nostalgia-fueled singalong with their viral smash hit “Teenage
Dirtbag” and fan-favorite Erasure cover “A Little Respect.” 7:20 p.m. Eve 6 will deliver an energetic performance featuring “Inside Out” and “Here’s to the Night” for rock fans who have loved the group’s grunge and punk influences since the late ‘90s. 8:50 p.m. Double platinum-selling alt rock favorites Toad the Wet Sprocket will headline with an electric, hit-packed set featuring “All I Want,” “Walk on the Ocean,” and “Good Intentions.”
Main Event Plaza
11 a.m. Arcade games & pinball through 5 p.m.
Front of Stage
11:15 a.m. R.E. Good Elementary School Dance Department 11:30 a.m. R.L. Turner High School Lionettes Drill Team 11:45 a.m. 410 Line Dancers 12:30 p.m. Alianza Rumbera Dance Studio 1:40 p.m. Class Act Tap Company
Strolling Entertainment
Cosplay group Cause to Play • Hula Hoop Artist Amanda Slick • Juggler David Slick • Magician David Knight • Costumed cast members from Pocket Sandwich Theatre Festival at the Switchyard
FY2027 Budget Summary City Council approved a new annual budget and set a reduced property tax rate for the 13th year in a row.
Shop, Dine, and Give Local
With the holiday giving season just months away, residents can help maintain Carrollton’s quality of life by thinking local first. For every $100 in taxable sales made in Carrollton, $1 goes directly to the community to support public safety, parks, streets, and other essential services. Carrollton’s eclectic mix of locally owned retail shops and restaurants provides unique shopping experiences and one-of-a-kind products. Shopping local keeps Carrollton businesses thriving and helps strengthen the community. Business Resources
Register Alarm Permits
Residential and commercial alarm systems operating within City limits must have a valid alarm permit under Chapter 110 of the City Code of Ordinances. Permits must be renewed annually to avoid potential suspension of emergency response services. Alarm systems may be registered online, by mail, or in person. 972-466-3525 Register or Renew Alarm Permit
Toilet Conservation Kits
Household leaks waste nearly one trillion gallons of water nationwide each year. A single running or inefficient toilet can waste thousands of gallons annually and add hundreds of dollars to household water bills. To help residents conserve water, the City is offering FREE toilet conservation kits while supplies last. Each kit includes dye tablets to detect leaks, cycle diverters to improve efficiency, and a toilet water bank to reduce water use. Together, these improvements can save approximately 1.8 gallons of water per flush on inefficient toilets. To request a toilet conservation kit, visit the site below and fill out the form. Water Conservation Tips
O
n Tuesday, September 1, City Council adopted the budget and property tax rate for the fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027, decreasing the property tax rate from $0.537500 to $0.537000 per $100 assessed value. Many Carrollton homeowners will see an average $72 tax reduction, depending on their taxable valuation in conjunction with the tax-rate cut.
Tax Relief Options Available
• A 20% homestead exemption from the appraised value • An additional $110,000 exemption for homeowners age 65 or older or those with a qualifying disability • An exemption for disabled veterans based on the their disability percentage with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
User Rate Increases
• Water and wastewater rates will increase due to increases from Dallas Water Utilities & Trinity River Authority. • The base rate for sanitation services will adjust to $27.36 due to contractual increases with Republic Services. • The stormwater fee adopted in November 2025 became effective Thursday, October 1. The fee is based on the amount of impervious surface area on a property.
For Every Dollar Residents Pay
Sales Tax
City 12¢ DART 12¢
State 76¢
C
Additional conveniences include online meeting room reservations and payments, as well as new holds pickup lockers at both Library locations that allow cardholders to retrieve eligible materials 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Scan the QR code to sign up for a free Library card today using the Library’s identity-verification system. Parents or legal guardians may apply for children younger than 18. Carrollton Public Library
Subscribe to The Carrollton Connection, the City’s official eNewsletter.
City 30¢
Property Tax* School 59¢
*Based on an average of participating districts. Property Tax costs will change based on rates adopted after publication. Does not include Community College or Hospital District taxes.
Major Capital Projects Funded in FY2027 (General Fund) Fire Station Bond Match NTECC Radio Replacement Fire Station 5 & South Service Center Professional Services for IT Projects Facility Maintenance Fund Strategic Community Reinvestment Residential Streetlights Phase 4 Parks Strategic Amenity Fund Online As-Built Assistance Fire Station Improvements
$3,500,000 $2,055,442 $1,500,000 $1,200,000 $950,000 $556,801 $500,000 $500,000 $287,500 $250,000
Carrollton Finance & Accounting
Online Library Card Registration
arrollton Public Library continues to make its services more accessible and convenient. Residents can now sign up for a free Library card completely online, giving them instant access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming media, online databases, and more.
County 11¢
Not All Trash Is Created Equal Products labeled danger, warning, caution, poison, corrosive, reactive, toxic, or flammable must be disposed of properly. Common Household Hazardous Waste
K
eeping the environment safe from household hazardous waste (HHW) is everyone’s responsibility. Below are some helpful tips. • Always store HHW materials in their original containers. • Never combine leftover dangerous waste with other products. • Always follow labeled disposal instructions to avoid injury and environmental harm. • Dispose of HHW properly by calling and scheduling an appointment with Republic Services’ Household Hazardous Waste collection service or filling out the online form. Verbal instructions will be provided, and a collection kit with a ruggedized bag will be sent before the scheduled pickup.
• Aerosols • Automotive fluids • Batteries: lead acid, alkaline, and NiCad • Cleaners: acidic and basic • Cooking oils • Ethylene glycol and antifreeze • Light bulbs: fluorescents, high intensity, and compact fluorescents (CFL) • High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps • Medical sharps • Mercury and mercury equipment • Oil/petroleum-based lubricants • Paint: latex and oil-based • Paint thinners, gasoline, solvents • Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers • Pool chemicals • Propane, helium, and Freon® cylinders (MUST BE EMPTY) • Resins and epoxy Use the Waste Wizard to find safe disposal options for hundreds of everyday items. 469-451-3713 Solid Waste Services
Everything in Carrollton • Ask AI Carrie 24/7 • Explore City trails • Keep up on City news • Pay utility bills • Find City employment • Report issues • Review restaurant scores • And more
Download the new official app today. Available on
More information at cityofcarrollton.com/apps
Crime Prevention Tips
As shopping, travel, and celebrations increase over the holiday season, so does the risk of theft and online scams. The Carrollton Police Department reminds residents to stay alert and take the following precautions to protect themselves and their property. • Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas, and lock the vehicle. • Put all shopping bags in the trunk or somewhere out of sight to prevent a vehicle break-in. • Remain alert to the surroundings and limit distractions, such as mobile devices or carrying too many bags. • Have keys in hand when walking back to the vehicle. • Make purchases through trusted websites using secure networks. • Watch out for phishing emails, fake charity drives, and deals that seem too good to be true. • Always verify links, discount codes, and the retailer’s legitimacy. • Use a single credit card instead of a debit card when possible. • Check receipts against accounts to spot fraudulent transactions quickly. • Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately to issuing companies. • Track purchase deliveries to avoid leaving packages at the front door for extended periods. Carrollton Police Department
Safe Rx Disposal
Missed one of the two drug takeback events the City holds each year? Residents can dispose of unused or expired prescription and over-thecounter medications, such as pills, patches, and ointments, as well as vitamins, medication samples, and pet medications, in the year-round drug disposal box located in the Carrollton Police Department jail lobby. More information and a list of unaccepted items are available on the Police website. Prescription Drug Disposal
Questions/Comments? Email the Marketing Services Department.
Cease the Grease: Free Cooking Oil Disposal Thanksgiving meals with fried turkeys, buttery foods, and yummy gravy can be hard on the diet — and sewer systems.
F
ats, oils, and grease (FOG) come from meats, butter, margarine, lard, food scraps, sauces, dressings, gravy, dairy products, and cooking oil. When FOG is poured down the drain, it sticks to the inside of pipes. Over time, FOG can build up and block the entire pipe. This can cause raw sewage to overflow into homes, yards, neighborhoods, and streets, resulting in costly plumbing repairs.
Do This
• Wipe or scrape excess food scraps into the trash or compost bin. • Place strainers in the sink drains to collect solids, then empty them into the trash. • Pour cooled oil or grease into a sealed, nonbreakable container and throw it away. • Use paper towels to wipe excess oil from pots, pans, and dishes before washing. • Avoid using the garbage disposal. • Take large amounts of used cooking oil or grease to the free drop-off event.
FREE Cooking Oil Disposal Drop-off Monday, November 30 & Tuesday, December 1 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Service Center 2711 Nimitz Lane
Don’t Do This • Don’t pour oil and grease down sinks, toilets, or storm drains. • Don’t use cloth towels or rags to scrape plates or wipe oily or greasy items. When washed, grease still ends up in the sewer. Did you know? Running hot water with the FOG won’t prevent it from congealing. As the water cools, the grease solidifies and coats pipes, trapping food particles and creating an expensive, messy problem. 972-466-3425 Stormwater Program
Pick Up a Free Leisure Connections Magazine Discover City-sponsored events, programs, classes, and activities at Carrollton’s recreational facilities. Arts & Fitness: Offerings include cultural arts & dance classes, dance fitness, indoor cycling, Pilates/yoga, core fitness, and more. Community Events: Each issue highlights upcoming free festivals, live entertainment, movies, concerts, holiday experiences, and other special events.
P
ublished three times a year, Leisure Connections brings Carrollton’s recreation opportunities together in one convenient guide. Whether exploring a new interest or staying active, residents can find activities to fit the whole family. Adaptive Recreation: Carrollton provides activities for individuals with special needs of all ages and abilities, along with a fully accessible synthetic turf baseball field. Adults 50 and Over: The Carrollton Senior Center offers seminars, fitness classes, educational programs, social activities, games, creative arts, and group outings.
Education: Programs range from archery, kayaking, and nature exploration to computer and coding classes, cooking lessons, CPR/ AED training, and more. Library Activities: The Carrollton Public Library offers free programs, including story times, reading and STEAM activities, health and financial education, job-skills resources, computer classes, and small-business support. Sports: Seasonal offerings include adult and youth leagues, esports, martial arts, sports camps and classes, golf, tennis, and more. Pick up a free copy at a City facility or view it online. Leisure Connections Magazine
Leisure Connections Magazine: cityofcarrollton.com/leisuremag
Upcoming Events Veterans Day Celebration, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Senior Center – Enjoy a patriotic concert by The New Horizons Band Dallas. Due to limited seating, registration is limited to veterans and a guest or widow(er)s of a veteran and a guest. Registration is required by Nov. 6. Cocoa for Coats @ Sounds on the Square, Nov. 20, 5-7 p.m., Downtown Carrollton – Swap gently worn coats and winter garments for a warm cup of cocoa, then stay for the music (in partnership with Metrocrest Services). Enchanted Library, Nov. 20, 5-8 p.m., Josey Ranch Lake Library – Unlock the wonder of fantasy with crafts, activities, a bubble artist, strolling cosplayers, and the first Baby Ball for the littlest guest. Costumes are encouraged. Winter Reading Challenge, Dec. 1Feb. 1, Carrollton Public Library – Open the door to a new journey, all from the comfort of a cozy chair. Make every minute count by registering for the Challenge, logging reading time, and earning prizes along the way. Sensory Friendly Santa, Dec. 3, Perry Museum – Enjoy the holiday lights and beautiful Victorian décor, then take your own photos with a sensory-friendly Santa. Multiple time slots ensure a quieter, more comfortable experience for everyone. Registration is required. Santa on the Square, Dec. 5, 4-8 p.m., Downtown Carrollton – Visit with Santa and his reindeer, watch the tree lighting ceremony, enjoy performances from local groups, shop from an array of vendors in the Christmas village, and more. Christmas at the Perry, Perry Museum – Stroll through Gravley Park’s holiday lights throughout December. Selfguided tours of the Perry Homestead available on Dec. 10 and 17 from 5:30-8 p.m. featuring a turn-of-thecentury Christmas décor with a modern twist. Preregistration is encouraged. Events Calendar