Don’t you just love fall? The smooth taste of pumpkin spice lattes and a crisp breeze in the air bring a cozy feeling to the changing season. Maybe you love the roar of a football game or catching up on your next best read. At the Southlake Library, you get the best of books and a unique autumn experience.
As you enter the library, the richness of the season is displayed in orange and golden trees that gracefully arch over recommended books, sure to stir the imagination. Go deeper into the library and search for a great pumpkin in the youth department. Festive touches invite readers to slow down, take a breath, and enjoy the season. On discovering their next best read, visitors can swing by the circulation desk to receive a warm greeting from friendly staff. Don’t forget! Stop by the amazing drink bar to discover new tastes in coffee and tea.
Here’s a big Thank You to our incredible volunteers and staff for making the library such a fun and welcoming place for everyone to enjoy.
This week on Southlake City Spotlight, we join Councilmember Amy Torres-Lepp as she talks about her family and how she finds meaning in Public Service.
Councilmember Torres-Lepp also shares why local businesses are essential to Southlake and the impact they have on the community.
Check out this week’s Southlake City Spotlight and learn more about Councilmember Amy Torres-Lepp at the link below:
Join us in celebrating our incredible hometown hero, Korban Best, for his outstanding achievements at the Paris Paralympics! Korban showcased exceptional skill and determination, bringing home two prestigious medals: a bronze in the Universal Relay and a silver in the T47 100m.
To honor his remarkable accomplishments, we invite you to a special celebration at the steps of Town Hall on November 2nd at 9:00 a.m. This is a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together, show support, and express our pride in Korban's dedication and success.
Let’s rally to celebrate not just his medals, but the hard work and perseverance he embodies. We look forward to seeing you there!
At the City of Southlake, we are proud to uphold a dedication to world class customer service that aligns with our core values of integrity, innovation, accountability, commitment to excellence, and teamwork. Customer Service Week serves as a reminder of why we aim to provide outstanding service to our residents and visitors alike.
Southlake is renowned for its world class customer service, with various departments consistently receiving positive feedback from our community. We believe that good customer service extends beyond our interactions with residents; it also encompasses the support and collaboration we provide to one another as city employees. By fostering a culture of internal customer service, we enhance our ability to serve the public effectively.
One way we prioritize customer satisfaction is by actively gathering input through various channels. Residents can easily share their thoughts and experiences via our customer service feedback form, the Southlake Serves Portal, our social media platforms, phone calls, and emails. By utilizing these avenues for communication, we continuously gather valuable insights that enhance our services and address any concerns. Your feedback is vital to our mission of fostering a thriving community that meets the needs and expectations of all Southlake residents.
Take a look at some feedback we've been getting lately!
Recently, a resident shared their appreciation for our library staff through our customer feedback form: “The library staff is awesome! I use the library often and always have a positive experience.”
Another resident praised a water utilities staff member's exceptional service: “Aloha was incredibly friendly, efficient, and helpful. Please let her know.”
Apart from our online portal, the City has also received positive feedback from applicants during City Council meetings. For instance, one applicant requesting a zoning change had the following to say: “I have to commend the staff in this whole transaction. They have been most accommodating, very helpful, and made it an absolutely smooth transition for us.”
In line with our focus on customer service, the City of Southlake proudly recognizes outstanding employees through the monthly Grow Awards. This award allows team members to nominate one another, fostering a culture of appreciation and collaboration.
Since October 1st, 200 awards have been presented, with the Community Services Department being the largest recipient. These awards underscore our employees’ unwavering dedication to meeting community needs, both externally to residents and internally among colleagues. Internal feedback is crucial as it not only enhances team morale but also drives improvements in our services, ensuring that we remain responsive and effective in our mission.
A recent example of this award in action is when a team member praised Valerie Snyder from our Police Department for her remarkable collaboration: “She routinely goes above and beyond to support the department and demonstrates incredible teamwork to help others accomplish goals and objectives. We are lucky to have her!”
As we kick off National Customer Service Week, let us celebrate our dedicated employees and their commitment to our community. We encourage residents to continue sharing their feedback and experiences, as it helps us grow and improve our services. Thank you for being a vital part of what makes Southlake an exceptional place to live, work, and play!
This week on Southlake City Spotlight, join Mayor Shawn McCaskill and Chamber of Commerce President Mark Guilbert as they gear up for the exciting 23rd anniversary of Oktoberfest!
From adorable wiener dog races to mouthwatering Bavarian cuisine and spectacular performances by local talent, this year’s celebration promises unforgettable fun for everyone! Be sure to mark your calendars for this weekend, October 11th through 13th!
Don’t miss out! Check out the episode below to catch all the details:
The Southlake City Council has officially approved the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 2025) Budget, focusing on tax relief, planning for smart growth, and maintaining Southlake’s high quality of life as the city continues to grow.
Crafted with the City’s core values—Integrity, Innovation, Accountability, Commitment to Excellence, and Teamwork—the FY 2025 Budget ensures funds are allocated effectively, responsibly, and with the citizens' best interests in mind. Each decision reflects the City’s financial guiding principles, ensuring a balanced approach that supports both current needs and future growth.
Take a look at a few key highlights included in the approved FY 2025 Budget.
Tax Impact:
The FY 2025 Budget features a $0.3050 tax rate, which is below the no-new-revenue rate, and represents the 7th consecutive year of tax relief measures aimed at helping property owners manage rising costs. In addition, the City continues to provide a 20% homestead exemption, the highest allowed by law, ensuring even greater savings for homeowners.
Priorities and Focus Areas:
Safety and Security: Continued investments will maintain the highest levels of safety for Southlake schools and all who live, work, or visit the city. This includes ongoing funding for School Resource Officers (SROs) and upgrades to public safety equipment. Funding is also included to enhance safety at City parks and other public facilities.
Infrastructure and Development: Funding is allocated for essential infrastructure projects that support sustainable growth and enhance mobility throughout the city. This includes investments in vital services such as water and wastewater management. Ongoing investment to enhance in the City’s public infrastructure and open spaces also continues with this budget. From landscaping and public amenity upgrades in Town Square to supporting tree planting across the City through reforestation funding, this budget maintains the City’s commitment to high quality public spaces that are inviting and engaging to residents and visitors. Furthermore, each year, substantial investment is essential for Southlake’s technology infrastructure to maintain reliable and accessible city services. This budget allocates funds to ensure the ongoing maintenance and security of this critical infrastructure.
Partnerships and Volunteerism: Volunteerism and partnerships are critical to not only the City’s services but also to developing and maintaining strong connections with key stakeholders and individual partners and volunteers. Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting and enhancing Southlake’s programs and events. In the past year, 1,149 volunteers contributed over 23,743 hours, which is valued at more than $755,000. This budget continues funding for our volunteer programs and community events. . Also, new for FY 2025, this budget provides for exciting new holiday programming (hint – get ready to practice your ice skating skills!) that would not be possible without vital partnerships with key community stakeholders. We’re dedicated to continuing to strengthen partnerships in the coming year to enhance city services and boost community engagement and connection.
Performance Management: Attracting, developing, and retaining a talented workforce is crucial for lasting world-class performance. Allocations have been made to recruit and retain top talent in our organization, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional service aligned with our resident and customer needs.
The FY 2025 Budget reflects Southlake’s commitment to upholding the best fiscal practices while prioritizing citizen’s needs. It ensures that the city remains focused on its mission of providing exceptional services, fostering community, and planning for a prosperous future.
View this week’s Southlake City Spotlight to hear Mayor Shawn McCaskill talk more about the Approved FY 2025 Budget in the video below.
For more detailed information on the FY 2025 Budget, residents can visit the City's Budget webpage.
Six months ago, Loving Long Ears Donkey Therapy & Sanctuary added a new member, Georgie, to their long ears family.
Councilmember Frances Scharli visits Loving Long Ears to check in with Founder & Executive Director Jules Peterson on how Georgie is doing and some of the challenges they have faced at the sanctuary.
To view this episode of Southlake City Spotlight, click the video below:
If you’ve visited the library, you’ve likely been greeted by Marva’s warm smile and friendly hello. Marva has been an incredible addition to our team, assisting patrons in finding their next great read and crafting beautiful, thoughtful displays. Her creativity and dedication shine through in every project she undertakes.
“Marva is an invaluable team member,” said Youth Librarian Stacy Wells, when asked about Marva's contributions to the library. “Her creativity and exceptional customer service transform every library visit into a delightful experience. She makes our patrons feel truly welcome and inspired, pouring her heart into every interaction. This dedication extends to her impressive large-scale displays, such as those for Black History Month, as well as smaller book displays that not only inform but also spark curiosity and the imagination.”
Marva is also an active member of the Southlake Library staff matrix team, bringing fun treats and words of affirmation to her colleagues.
Next time you visit the library, be sure to say hello to Marva and compliment her on her hard work. Her creativity and enthusiasm create a magical world for everyone who walks through our doors to enjoy!
Protecting a vital resource like water requires expertise and dedication, and the Southlake Water Team has proven to be up to the challenge every day. From the pipes under our streets to the creeks that flow through our parks, every drop is cared for by a group of experts who approach water conservation and management from every possible angle.
Ensuring reliable access to clean water is a true team effort. While the Southlake Water Team is on the streets maintaining infrastructure and repairing leaks to ensure a steady water supply to every home, the Environmental Services Division focuses on protecting the quality of the water reaching your tap and ensuring our natural environment is thriving.
Excellence in water is not just about daily maintenance, though. Our team is also ready to respond to whatever challenges come our way— unexpected weather events, new state or federal regulations, or any unforeseen crises. This team is constantly ready to do whatever is necessary to ensure our water remains top-notch.
A prime example of this adaptability is the City’s Lead and Copper Testing initiative. In response to updated EPA regulations requiring a city-wide inventory of water lines for lead presence, our team has been proactively and diligently gathering data to prepare for compliance. You can expect to see the results of this initiative in early Fall, and can learn more about this work at the City’s Lead and Copper Testing webpage.
Our commitment to excellence doesn’t stop with city-owned and managed land. We’re here to help you make a difference in your own home too! Tools like EyeOnWater and the WiseGuys program make it easy for you to conserve water and save money, all while contributing to our collective goal of protecting this natural resource.
The combination of all these dedicated efforts isn’t just about keeping you safe—it’s about making sure every drop of water you use is the best it can be. As reflected in our 2024 Water Quality Report, our comprehensive approach is not only meeting but exceeding standards. So as the Southlake Water Teams continue raising the bar for excellence, rest assured that every sip you take has been meticulously protected and designed for greatness – down to every last drop.
Do you want to be part of the City of Southlake’s team? The City Council is seeking residents who want to be engaged in their community and help support the City Council in their mission.
On October 1, 2024, the Mayor and City Council will make appointments to the Alliance for Community Engagement, Library Board, Metroport Teen Court, Parks Board, Senior Advisory Commission, and the Southlake Arts Council.
Citizens interested in helping their local government in the areas of community engagement and outreach, community enhancement and development, crime control and prevention, library planning and programming, advancing the Teen Court Program, issues and programs for Southlake’s senior citizen population, and those interested in all matters related to public art are encouraged to complete an application for a board or commission.
Each appointment is for a one-year or two-year term, unless appointed to fulfill an existing vacancy for an unexpired term. It takes a team to run a City, and City Council wants you to be a part of their team. If you have the desire and the commitment to devote to our community, please complete an application online by Friday, September 6, 2024.
If you have questions about serving on a board or commission, or the appointment process, please visit our boards and commissions webpage or call the City Secretary’s Office at 817-748-8183.