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March 6, 2023

Make your voices heard, Waco! We want your feedback on our capital improvement project (CIP) budget. What resources do you think should be allocated for parks, fire stations, or infrastructure improvements, such as streets, sidewalks or bridges? The input you provide helps us make the City's budget for the next fiscal year beginning October 1.

💰Help us balance our budget using our easy online tool at waco-texas.com/budget.

Budget Feedback

In case you missed it! On Saturday, February 25, the City of Waco, McLennan County and family and friends of The Honorable Lester Gibson hosted an unveiling of the Lester Gibson Way honorary street signs.

The honorary street name was designated as a way to recognize former Commissioner Gibson who passed away in June 2022. The honorary title, Lester Gibson Way, is displayed on special street signs from University Parks Drive to N 6th Street. The signs are also placed alongside City Hall and the McLennan County Courthouse where Gibson served as a City of Waco council member and a McLennan County commissioner during his lifetime.

DID YOU KNOW?In March, we celebrate National Women's History Month. In the City of Waco organization, women lead the departments of Police, Public Works, Legal, City Secretary's Office, Library, Health, Human Resources, Neighborhood Engagement, Water Utilities, and Communications & Marketing.

In addition to the numerous women throughout the city organization providing vital city services to our residents, the positions of Deputy City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Chief of Staff are also held by women.

This month, we honor women’s contributions to society and culture in celebration of our City of Waco staff helping us move forward together and contribute to a brighter Waco!

Despite recent rains, the regional drought continues. In order to improve conditions with the lake level, a major rain event is needed in Lake Waco's

watershed.

What is a watershed?

A watershed is an area of land that drains or "sheds" rainfall into other bodies of water like rivers, creeks or lakes. The watershed that feeds into

Lake Waco is about 90 miles and is located along the Bosque River. However, not all water from a watershed flows out, so that means we need

enough rain to saturate the watershed's groundwater and then run off into the lake. Essentially, the health of Lake Waco depends on the watershed.

Where are we now?

As of early March, Lake Waco is 57.5% full and at a 451.01-foot

water level. A full lake is 462 feet. Each day, the water level fluctuates but is trending downward. We're hopeful that spring rains will be enough to reduce drought conditions and reverse the trend, but we also need your help in conserving the levels we have!

Water Conservation!

Remember! We are currently in stage 2 of water restrictions, so that means:

No watering between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
Odd numbered addresses may water Tuesdays & Saturdays.
Even numbered addresses may water Wednesdays & Sundays.
Business customers may water Mondays & Fridays.
No watering on Thursdays.
Hand watering is allowed any day of the week.

Under this water restriction stage, violations can reach up to $2,000.

💧For more information and additional water conservation tips, contact us at (254) 299-CITY (2489) or visit wacowater.com.

Water Conservation Tips

City of Waco Housing & Community Development invites qualified organizations to submit applications to receive funding from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME).

Applications will be accepted from March 6, 2023 through April 6, 2023.

👉To apply, visit waco-texas.com/subrecipients. Need help? Contact us at (254) 750-5656.

The City of Waco receives funding from two federal grant programs—CDBG and HOME. Both support several programs and activities that benefit our residents. CDBG funded activities must benefit low- and moderate-income residents, eliminate slum or blight, and/or meet an urgent community need. HOME funded activities must provide affordable housing to low- and moderate-income households.

Apply Now!

Waco residents! Did you know spaying/neutering and microchipping your pet is the law in Waco?

If you live in Waco city limits, your pets qualify for FREE spay/neuter surgery and microchipping!

👉 Call us at (254) 750-7099 to schedule a surgery for your pet OR schedule directly online with the Animal Birth Control Clinic: animalbirthcontrol.org/surgeryappointment

(If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message, and we'll get back to you! Se habla español.)

Schedule Your Appointment

Animal Shelther public service announcement requesting shelter bed donations.

The Animal Shelter needs beds! Kuranda Shelter Beds offers a program that allows residents to donate a bed directly to the Waco Animal Shelter. With over 175 kennels and more in foster care, our kennel beds show a lot of wear and tear. These chew-proof Kuranda beds provide a stable, sanitary and comfortable place for our special guests to sleep off the ground. Consider donating! Purchased beds can be sent directly to the shelter at 2032 Circle Road, or purchased on Amazon. Just search for 'elevated dog beds'.

Donate!

Whether you're new to living in Waco or a long–time resident, consider joining your neighborhood association!

Organizing as a group gives you the platform to discuss your concerns, brainstorm solutions, meet your neighbors, and communicate with your City organization!

To find your next neighborhood association meeting or start a new association, visit waco-texas.com/neighborhoods or call us at (254) 750-5774.

Find YourNeighborhood!

NeighborhoodMeeting Calendar

STARTS TODAY! The Waco-McLennan County Library has your Spring Break mornings covered with the return of Library on the Go! This whole week at 10:30 a.m. from March 6 – 10, your local library is on the road to bring you story times and free tours to some of Waco's local attractions. Plan to arrive early!

Today, Monday, March 6 - McLane Stadium
Tuesday, Fire Station on Elm Avenue
Wednesday, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum
Thursday, Bear Habitat @ Baylor University
Friday, Storywalk Celebration @ Dewey Community Center

📚🚐For more information, visit calendar.wacolibrary.org.

Check out More Library Events!

Don't miss out on Cameron Park Zoo's annual spring break scavenger hunt happening now through March 18. Take on the interactive scavenger hunt as a team throughout the zoo using the Goosechase app and search for clues to learn more about the zoo's animals. More information about how to participate will be available at admissions.

🐘🐅For more information, contact Cameron Park Zoo at (254) 750-8400.

Stop The Bleed Training registration information.

With three quick actions, you can be trained to save a life. The #1 cause of preventable death after an injury is bleeding. That's why the McLennan County Public Health District is hosting opportunities for the public to attend a Stop the Bleed training!

5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 9
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, March 25

The training will be held in the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District training room, 225 W Waco Drive. Registration is required and class size is limited.

❤️To learn more and register, visit: http://ow.ly/RiWt50MStyh

THIS SATURDAY! The District 1 Clean Up is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. March 11. Remember to separate bulky trash from brush and have the items clearly marked before the pick up time.

🗑 🚛 To find out what items are accepted visit waco-texas.com/solidwaste or contact Solid Waste at (254) 299-2612.

To find your district, visit waco-texas.com/my-area or click the below and enter your address!

Find Your Council District

District Clean Up Guidelines

(UNITED: The police working with the Hispanic community. Together with family.)

The Waco Police Department invites you to a series of meetings presented in Spanish covering topics, such as car seats, crime prevention, traffic stops, vehicle accidents, seat belts, and more! The series of meetings are designed to foster trust and relationships between police and the Hispanic community.

Each meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. at the South Waco Community Center, 2815 Speight Avenue. The first meeting is Wednesday, March 15. Upcoming meetings will be on:

Wednesday, June 21
Wednesday, September 20
Friday, December 15

👮‍♀️🚓For more information, contact Officer Anita Gomez at (254) 750-7060 or Noralba Almanza at (254) 750-1761.

Join us in celebrating the hard-working transit team on Saturday, March 18 for Transit Team Appreciation Day! This holiday honors transit employees, ranging from bus operators to maintenance staff.

Do you know a special bus operator who deserves recognition or just want to thank WTS staff? Consider sending a thank you message to wtscomments@wacotx.gov.

🚌🚏If you ride with Waco Transit on March 18, be sure to thank your operator for their commitment to safety and service.

PRE-REGISTER! — City of Waco Solid Waste Services is providing residents of Waco, Bellmead, Hewitt, Lacy Lakeview, and Woodway with a FREE service for disposal of hazardous waste. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 25 at 501 Schroeder Drive.

Pre-registered residents have access to the “Fast Lane” and everyone else will have to wait in line. Please bring an ID and city utility bill for proof of residency.

Entrance: Schroeder Drive is located between The "Out House" & Bob Mills Furniture Store.
Exit: Access Road of Imperial Drive.

For a full list of acceptable and non-acceptable items and to register for the fast lane, visit waco-texas.com/solidwaste or call (254) 299-2612.

Pre-register!

The next Parents As Teachers workshop is Thursday, March 16 at Dewey Community Center, 925 N. 9th St. Join us as we provide strategies and resources you can use at home to help your student (in grades 3-12) improve their math and reading skills.

The program will take place from 6 to 6:45 p.m. and is free to attend. Registration is not required. The next opportunity to attend the workshop will be April 20.

For more information, call Dewey Community Center staff at

(254) 750-8677.

Are your kids prepared for the upcoming STAAR test?

Free STAAR test tutoring will be available at Dewey Community Center. 925 N 9th Street, through April 5 for students in grades 3, 4 and 5. Registration is not required.

⭐Grade 3: Mondays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
⭐Grades 4-5: Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, which is the state's student testing program.

📝For more information, contact Dewey Community Center at

(254) 750-8677.

Check out this week's City Beat!

February 27 to March 3:

Longhorn statues back at Indian Spring Park.
Budget simulator allows residents the opportunity to give feedback on next year's capital improvement project budget.

Watch the Latest City Beat!

The We Are Waco series by City of Waco Productions showcases Wacoans with local businesses, organizations, and talent. They represent what makes this city a vibrant, thriving place to live. It's what we do, how we live & who we are... #WeAreWaco.