COUNCIL WRAP-UP MEETING DATE: MAY 19TH, 2026
CITY COUNCIL APPROVES FUNDING REALLOCATION FOR LAYDEN SENIOR CENTER About a month ago, a representative from the Layden Senior Center spoke during a City Council meeting regarding ongoing funding concerns and operational challenges facing the organization. In response, Council Members Sarah Salgado and Zahnd Schlensker brought forward an agenda item amending the FY 2025-2026 budget to reallocate $25,000 from the City Council budget to the Layden Senior Center. City Council approved the item during Tuesday’s meeting. The funding will help support meals for seniors as well as aging kitchen equipment and furniture. The reallocation does not increase taxes or impact the overall tax burden. More information is available at nohungrysenior.org.
GIRL SCOUT TROOP 7150 PRESENTS “WATER WISE” COMMUNITY PROJECT Members of Girl Scout Troop 7150 recently presented their “Water Wise” community project to City Council. Their project focused on water conservation and included recommendations for improving water fountain efficiency and sustainability in City parks. We appreciate the troop’s hard work, creativity, and commitment to making a positive impact in the community. Great job, Troop 7150!
CITY COUNCIL FILLS EDC BOARD VACANCY
Council discussed and considered board and commission appointments. City Council voted to appoint Weston Themer to the vacancy on the EDC Board. Congratulations and welcome!
UPDATE ON RENTAL REGISTRATION AND NUISANCE ABATEMENT EFFORTS
Police Chief Carrie White and Community Development Director Peter Morgan presented an update on the City’s Criminal and Nuisance Abatement Program and rental registration efforts. The Criminal and Nuisance Abatement Program targets historical criminal activity on specific properties by going beyond traditional reactive policing to help address long-standing nuisance conditions. Under the program, a property may be activated for review if three or more qualifying instances of criminal activity occur within 365 days. Property owners may then be required to take corrective action or face potential civil remedies, including court-ordered closure. City Council has also directed additional resources toward rental property registration and enforcement efforts. In addition, Council previously established a Crime Control and Prevention District to supplement enforcement and public safety initiatives for the Forney Police Department. The City currently has 1,358 registered rental properties, compared to 588 in 2024. Rental inspections have primarily been handled by one rental inspector and two code enforcement officers, with an additional dedicated rental inspector being added this month. The City will also be adding an administrative support position for the program. As part of the rental registration program, Council also required rental property owners to utilize a signed crime prevention lease addendum. Council additionally discussed coordination with state legislators, local partners, property owners, and the Dallas Housing Authority regarding housing concentration, neighborhood stabilization, and public safety concerns. The next council meeting will be on June 2nd. More information at forneytx.gov/meetings