Princeton · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Princeton public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Library Board Governance and Volunteerism
The Library Advisory Board is reviewing member expectations and volunteer opportunities to support library operations and community engagement.
Pet scanner for J.M. Caldwell dog park
The board will hear an update on the purchase of a pet scanner for the dog park at J.M. Caldwell Sr. Community Park, which can help reunite lost pets with owners.
Fitness equipment for new Parks Administration and Maintenance Building
The board is asked to authorize spending already-approved equipment funds on fitness equipment for the employee fitness space in the new Parks and Recreation Administration and Maintenance Building. No new money is requested — the funds were allocated when the City Council approved the building project in 2024 and 2025.
Meeting Schedule Change
The Community Development Corporation cancelled its regular October 21 meeting and moved business to a joint session with the EDC on October 20.
Parks Bond Program Capital Projects Update
The board will get an update on the voter-approved parks bond projects. At the October meeting, staff reported the projects were on schedule for December completion, with grand openings planned.
Longneck Road Rezoning to Planned Development 46
Two linked requests would rezone 1.14 acres at Monte Carlo and Longneck from estate residential to commercial and allow major auto repair, bringing a Christian Brothers Automotive shop to the corner.
Commercial Gas Station Expansion at Myrick and South Beauchamp
A 1.49-acre corner in Princeton Business Park could shift from light industrial to office and retail uses under Planned Development 47. It would change what can be built near the Beauchamp/Myrick intersection.
Highway 380 corridor platting activity
Seven plat cases — from a KB Home housing phase to multiple commercial lots along U.S. 380 — show continued rapid growth pressure along the corridor.
155-foot cell tower at Walmart
Walmart wants a Specific Use Permit for a 155-foot cell tower with a fenced equipment area in its parking lot at 701 W Princeton Drive. Nearby residents may weigh in on visual and property impacts.
Council Vacancy and Governance
The city council is set to address the resignation of Councilmember Steven Deffibaugh from Place 5, which will create a vacancy on the governing body.
Public Information Request (PIR) Process and Workload
City staff presented metrics showing a high volume of public information requests, leading to council discussions about response times, portal accessibility, and administrative procedures.
Board and Commission Appointments
The city council is set to address the resignation of Councilmember Steven Deffibaugh from Place 5, which will create a vacancy on the governing body.
Steven and Judy Deffenbaugh Community Center Audit
Auditors presented a close-out report on the Steven and Judy Deffibaugh Community Center, noting missing documentation and questions over purchasing splits.
Fire Department SAFER Grant Reconsideration
Council debated whether to accept a FEMA grant for six new firefighters. Concerns centered on the city's long-term ability to fund the positions after the grant tapers down, but supporters emphasized the heavy strain and overtime costs currently facing the department.
Development Services and Fire Department Fee Schedule Update
Council reviewed and adopted new graduated fees for false alarms and residential remodels to make sure residents aren't hit with unfair flat charges.
Library Operations and Senior Programming
The board reviewed seasonal program results, digital offerings, and budget planning for the upcoming fiscal year. These reviews ensure the library meets community needs efficiently.
Harvest Point Economic Development Negotiations
The boards will discuss potential economic development agreements for the Harvest Point project behind closed doors.
Monthly Financial and Sales Tax Performance
Review of the latest sales tax revenue collections and financial standing for both development corporations.
CDC and EDC Bylaw Amendments
The boards debated updating their bylaws to clarify governance, CEO oversight, attendance policies, and financial purchasing limits.
Public Notice of Quorum for Community Event
City officials are letting the public know they might bump into each other at a local fall festival. It's just a transparency measure so everyone knows no secret meetings are going down.
Multi-Year Roadway Management Plan and Pavement Repairs
Staff presented a draft five-year roadmap to address failing local roads based on Pavement Condition Index ratings, balancing major reconstructions with interim maintenance.
Residential Tree Planting vs. Utility Easement Conflicts
Residents face challenges complying with mandatory front yard tree requirements due to overlapping underground gas, water, sewer, and telecom lines.
Delivery Drone Noise and Flight Paths
Residents expressed concerns regarding the increasing frequency and low flight paths of commercial delivery drones over residential neighborhoods.
Innovative Plastic Road Technology Pilot
The city is exploring a partnership with UTA to test plastic-infused asphalt on local streets to reduce cracking, potholes, and long-term maintenance costs.
City-Wide Wayfinding and Signage Initiative
Staff proposed a $156,000 initiative to install pole banners and portable LED message boards across main city corridors to improve public communication regarding events, road closures, and safety alerts. The board tabled the item for further review.
Princeton Business Park Conveyance Plat
The city rezoned its business park property from manufacturing to professional services with enhanced design standards to fit surrounding residential growth.
Princeton Micro-Hospital Final Plat
Princeton is working to expand local medical facilities and healthcare options to reduce the need for residents to travel to McKinney for medical care.
Stormwater Drainage Master Plan and Impact Fees
The city is moving forward with a revised stormwater master plan and exploring stormwater impact fees for new development to address localized flooding.
Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Budget
The board reviewed the upcoming fiscal year budget, which outlines projected revenues of over $2.9 million driven by sales tax collections and interest income.
Non-Resident Winter Quarterly Averaging (WQA) Water Billing
The city re-implemented winter quarter averaging for residential sewer bills, helping residents lower utility costs by basing winter sewer charges on winter water usage when outdoor irrigation is minimal.
Cybersecurity Incident and Data Privacy
Multiple residents raised alarms during public comments regarding a recent IT security breach, reporting unauthorized credit card charges and questioning the city's transparency on cybersecurity.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund & Lead Service Line Inventory
Public works presented an update on federal lead and copper inventory requirements and a potential TWDB funding application to investigate unknown service lines.
Sex Offender Ordinance Enhancements
The city considered strengthening residency and loitering restrictions for registered sex offenders to enhance child safety.
U.S. 380 Overlay District Zoning Amendment
The city is moving forward with an overlay district along U.S. 380 to improve landscaping, signage, and design standards along Princeton's main commercial corridor.
Community Waste Disposal Rate Adjustment and Reroute
The council is reviewing Community Waste Disposal's collection rates, annual performance, and proposed route adjustments to improve efficiency.
Princeton Town Center Phase 1 Platting
Developers are seeking approval for a final plat covering 66.623 acres for the Princeton Town Center commercial development along U.S. 380.
Princeton-180 (Serenity) Public Improvement District Assessments
The city is moving forward with the assessment process for the Serenity Public Improvement District, setting the stage for public input on financing public improvements.
EDC and CDC Executive Leadership Transition
Following the departure of their CEO, the EDC and CDC boards approved contracts with recruitment firms to find both interim and permanent leadership.
Acorn South Addition Wastewater Agreement
Council reviewed and approved a wastewater service agreement with Lennar Homes after verifying connection fee protections.
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Systems
The council examined contracts, data privacy rules, and operational guidelines for automated license plate reader cameras.
TMRS Retirement Benefit Contribution Rate Adjustment
The council voted to lift the retirement contribution cap so the city can maintain competitive retirement matching for municipal employees.
2026 Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update
The city is reviewing its long-term water and wastewater capacity, future demands, and capital improvement needs to make sure infrastructure keeps up with local growth.
Arcadia Farms HOA Facility Usage Agreement Termination
The city decided to let its agreement with the Arcadia Farms HOA lapse to save on maintenance costs, as new city-owned turf fields are coming online.
Facade Improvement Grant Program Expansion
The board granted a deadline extension for a downtown facade improvement project, encouraging continued commercial investment in Princeton's historic core.
EDC and CDC Staffing Study and Organizational Capacity
The board reviewed data comparing Princeton's economic development staffing levels to peer Texas cities to evaluate future organizational capacity.
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Property Tax Rate and Debt Service
The city approved a debt tax rate of 20.5 cents to fund the second tranche of the 2023 parks bond without draining reserves, while pulling other tax and budget items for further evaluation.
Non-Resident Library Card Fee
The library proposed establishing a non-resident card fee to help offset operating costs, since county funding is absent, while considering exemptions for local teachers and city staff.
Council Decorum and Meeting Conduct
Council members discussed adherence to meeting bylaws, proper parliamentary procedure for motions and debate, and expectations for mutual respect among elected officials.
Data Center Zoning Regulations
The city is updating its zoning rules to better regulate data centers, looking at setbacks, noise limits, and utility needs.
FY 2026-2027 Economic Development Budget
The Economic Development Corporation locked in its financial plan for the coming year, setting aside funds for business retention, marketing, and a cool $1 million for strategic land buying. This budget dictates how local sales tax dollars are reinvested to attract new commercial enterprises to Princeton.