Your North Richland Hills City Council will conduct public hearings for the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 proposed budget and property tax rate next Thursday, August 13. Because of continued economic impacts of the pandemic, the city is proposing cuts to special events, library programs and employee education and training. One full-time Development Services position, two full-time Parks & Recreation positions, one part-time Municipal Court position and one part-time Library position will not be funded. Each position is currently vacant. The budget proposal adds one new detective position to the Police Department, which is partially grant funded.

The city’s proposed property tax rate is $0.5757 per $100 of property value. If the rate is approved, the average NRH home with a taxable value of $206,645 will pay $1,189.66 in property taxes to the city. Individual taxpayers’ property taxes may decrease, increase or remain the same depending on changes in the value of their property. 27.4% of NRH homeowners benefit from the senior / disabled tax freeze. They will not pay more in property taxes to the city than what they paid in the year their tax freeze went into effect, unless they bought a new home or added onto their home. In accordance with Senate Bill 2, the Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act of 2019, you can view the proposed taxes for your property and submit comments to the city and other taxing districts online at http://www.tarranttaxinfo.com.

There are no changes to water rates or other fees in the proposed budget. For more information about the proposed city budget and to view the public hearing notices, visit https://www.nrhtx.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=917.

Positive West Nile Virus mosquito activity is now at higher than usual levels prompting Tarrant County Public Health to issue a public health warning to the general public. The City of North Richland Hills implements control measures each summer to reduce the mosquito population. This includes the use of larvicide in creeks and drainage channels where mosquitoes may breed and targeted spraying in areas where West Nile Virus is detected. While spraying can somewhat reduce the number of mosquitoes in a given area, the results are only temporary. Health officials concur that the reduction or elimination of mosquito breeding sites is the best technique for mosquito control. We need everyone's help with this effort. Please follow our backyard checklist to eliminate mosquito breeding sites on your property. Remember to wear insect repellent when spending time outdoors. For more information, visit http://www.nrhtx.com/mosquitocontrol.

The North Richland Hills Animal Adoption & Rescue Center is once again teaming up with shelters from across North Texas to find loving homes for pets in need with the Clear The Shelters pet adoption campaign. During the month of August, all adoption fees at the Animal Adoption & Rescue Center will be WAIVED in hopes of finding a fur-ever home for all of our wonderful four-legged friends.

To see pets currently available for adoption, visit the center at 7301 Iron Horse Blvd. or go to https://www.nrhtx.com/464/Adoptable-Pets. The center is open Saturday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Already have a house full of furry companions or not able to adopt at this time? Visit https://www.nrhtx.com/472/How-Can-I-Help for other ways you can help your NRH animal shelter.

Still need to complete your 2020 Census? Do it today at 2020census.gov or 1-844-330-2020 to avoid a visit from a census taker. Census takers have begun visiting homes that haven’t yet responded to the 2020 Census. Census workers will wear masks and follow social distancing protocols. If no one is home when a census taker visits, they will leave a notice about how to respond online, by phone or by mail.

If someone visits your home to collect information for the 2020 Census, check to make sure they have an ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. Census workers may also carry Census Bureau bags and other equipment with the Census Bureau logo. A census taker is not required to have a solicitor's permit from the city. If you have questions about their identity, call the Dallas Regional Census Center at 972-510-1800. Visit the Census Bureau website for more information about census takers.

Census workers will occasionally follow up with households over the phone to ask questions about your responses to the 2020 Census. A census caller will only review responses that you provided on your census form. They will not ask for financial information or Social Security numbers. If you receive a call and are asked for such information, do not provide it and report the call to the Census Bureau. To report suspected fraud, call 844-809-7717 to speak with a Census Bureau representative.

Shoppers can save money on clothes and school supplies during the state’s sales tax holiday on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 7-9. The law exempts sales tax on qualified items — such as clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks — priced below $100, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. The date of the sales tax holiday and list of tax-exempt items are set by the Texas Legislature. A list of items that may be purchased tax-free can be found on the comptroller’s website. Please remember to shop local and support our North Richland Hills businesses.

The City of North Richland Hills reminds all water customers that you may use sprinklers or irrigation systems no more than twice per week based on the following schedule.

Sign up to receive weekly watering advice at www.savetarrantwater.com.