Around Argyle

Budget Discussed At Town Council Meeting
Argyle Town staff discussed the proposed fiscal year 2012 annual budget on June 28.

According to Town Manager Lyle Dresher, fiscal year 2011 total revenues have been somewhat stronger than projected, particularly sales tax revenues and franchise fees.

Certified property values from the Denton County Tax Assessor’s office show a 9 percent increase over last year with a total assessed value of $437,488,017.

With all Town department expenditures being well under budget, the result has been a projected increase in the ending fund balance.

“In total, the current total tax rate of $0.3975 per $100 of assessed value will not increase, current levels of Town services will remain the same and all reserve fund balances maintained,” Dresher said.

Phase II of Street Reconstruction Program Underway
The second phase of the town’s street reconstruction program is moving along as planned.

According to a news release, the Harpole Road intersection widening at Hwy 377 is underway and will be completed prior to the start of the school year.

Projects also included in the Phase II program are the reconstruction of the streets within the Tanglewood Addition, overlay of portions of C. Taylor Road including the C. Taylor Road/Old Justin Road intersection, overlay of the streets within the Skyline Addition, and overlay of the streets within the Rolling Acres Addition.

Council Approves Gas Drilling Ordinance
Town Council approved a revised gas drilling ordinance at the June 26 council meeting.  Council members voted to increase residential setbacks from 600 to 800 feet and add language requiring environmental testing of water, soil and air in the vicinity of gas wells.

Road Improvements Continue
Developer Williams Gulf Coast is reconstructing Frenchtown Road from Hwy 377 to Jeter Road, which will ultimately result in the installation of a 30-foot-wide concrete roadway section with bicycle lanes.

“The old roadway surface has been removed, storm drainage improvements are underway and the paving of one new lane is planned to begin in late August,” Dresher said. “Local traffic is currently restricted to one-way westbound on Frenchtown Road to Hwy 377; however, the contractor may vary the detour route from time-to-time given the construction.”

Project construction time is projected to be 127 days.

Yard of the Month
The Keep Argyle Beautiful committee has named two winners this month for their Keep Argyle Beautiful Yard of the Month: Raymond and Mary Williams at 705 Johns Well Ct. and Joe and Tina Bohn at 813 Prairie View Ct.

“Both of the homes have very well designed landscaping and areas that receive little or no water yet have beauty and interest,” said KAB board member Debbie Ingram. “With the extreme temperatures and lack of rain, xeriscaped beds definitely fit into our restrictions.

“Xeriscape comes from the Greek word “xeros” meaning dry, but it doesn’t mean we need brown grass, weeds and only cacti and succulents. Many of us already incorporate xeriscape into our yards by planting local flowers, shrubs and plants needing minimal water and using our natural rainfall. Drip irrigation also saves on water yet supplies the plants roots.”

Ingram said that Xeriscape saves water (50-70% less); requires less maintenance (weeding/pruning); uses less fertilizer and pesticides; can look beautiful, protect the environment and increase property values by drought-proofing landscaping.

“You can find out about some of our “superstar” plants at ww.texassuperstar.com.  There are sections on growing tips covering landscape and watering needs.  You can also learn more about Texas landscaping at www.txsmartscapes.com and click on North Central Texas,” said Ingram.

Several Argyle homeowners associations are also choosing yards of the month to showcase their neighborhoods.  The Country Lakes HOA recognized Craig and Karen Aune’s yard this month.

If you would like to nominate someone in Argyle for Yard of the Month, please send their contact information and address to Debbie Ingram at [email protected].

Chamber to Hold Fourth Annual Clay Shoot
The Argyle Chamber of Commerce will hold it’s fourth annual Sporting Clay Shoot on Sept. 29 at the Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds at 7282 N. FM 51, Slidell, TX  76267. Shotgun start is at 10 a.m.

The annual event raises money for the Argyle Chamber Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to Argyle and Liberty Christian High School students.

Contact Curtis Langston at 940-390-9989 or register a team online at www.ArgyleChamber.org.

New Office Building Proposed
A proposal for a one story, 4,900 square-foot medical office building to be constructed on the southeast corner of Hwy 377 and Old Town Blvd. N. is expected to come before the town’s Planning and Zoning Board this month, according to town officials.

Residential Development Report
The developer of County Lakes recently opened up 42 new home lots on the Argyle side of the neighborhood.  The town also processed eight building permits for single family homes during the month of July.