April 18, 2021
This Week's News
May 1 Local Elections: Early Voting Begins Tomorrow
The City of Garland will hold a General Election for two-year terms for Mayor and Districts 3, 6, 7, and 8 and a Special Election for the final year of an unfinished term in District 1 on May 1, 2021.

Early voting begins tomorrow, April 19, and ends Tuesday, April 27. Early voting locations in Garland include the Dallas College Garland Campus, 675 W. Walnut St., and the South Garland Branch Library, 3845 Broadway Blvd.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, May 1. Garland residents may vote at any polling place in Dallas County. Learn more.
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
If you’re age 18 or older, you can get your vaccine at the Garland Public Health Clinic, 206 Carver Drive, without an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Anyone who is medically unable to come to the clinic or a mass vaccination event may contact the Garland Health Department at 972-205-3900 to make alternative arrangements.

Those who are due for their second Moderna dose will receive a notification when their appointment is scheduled.

Updates will be posted to GarlandTX.gov/COVIDVaccine and to the City’s Twitter and Facebook pages as they become available.
Updated COVID-19 Recovery Resources
The City of Garland and other community partners are facilitating access to various recovery programs for residents who have been impacted by COVID-19.

FEMA is providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020, for death related to the coronavirus.

Rental assistance is available through Catholic Charities of Dallas. You can check your eligibility and apply for this assistance online or contact a case manager for assistance by calling 214-257-0674. One-on-one meetings can be scheduled, as needed, between noon and 4 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday at Garland's Central Library, 625 Austin St.

Assistance is available for a variety of additional services. Visit our Recovery Resources page at GarlandTX.gov to find out more.
Hidden Garland: All You Have to Do Is Find It
Through June, grab your fedora and venture through Downtown Garland to discover local history.

Start your adventure by downloading the Visit Garland, TX app. Follow the tour clues to gather eight images, then turn them in for treasure at the Garland Landmark Museum or the Visit Garland office.

Be sure to share your treasure images with us on social media using #HiddenGarland.
BioBlitz at Spring Creek Forest Preserve
The Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest jumps into spring Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2, with scheduled nature walks and a BioBlitz at the Spring Creek Forest Preserve, 1770 and 1787 Holford Road.

Using the iNaturalist app, BioBlitzers will help identify organisms that are essential to the local ecosystem and also invasive species that present potential harm.

Participants will take photos and then identify their finds using the iNaturalist app. The goal is to identify as many plant, insect and animal species as possible.

The local event is part of the City Nature Challenge, which drew 244 regional participants from six continents in 2020. Learn more and find the full schedule of nature walks at SpringCreekForest.org.
Temporary Disaster Exemption Available Following Winter Storm
The Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD), in accordance with state law, is offering a temporary disaster exemption following this winter’s devastating storm.

This exemption only applies to damage to buildings or structures, not land value. Property owners must apply for the exemption by May 28, 2021. To apply for the exemption, go to dallascad.org/forms.aspx. The form is called Exemption Application for Temporary Disaster (11.35). Learn more.

The application deadline for individual assistance from FEMA has been extended to May 20, 2021. Visit our Winter Storm Recovery Resources page for more resources and additional information on how to submit assistance applications.
COVID-19 Updates
The Garland Health Department has received reports of 321 active cases out of 27,571 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Garland residents since the beginning of the pandemic, as well as 427 deaths. The City will update its posted case numbers each afternoon.
Events and Announcements
City Council Meetings
April 19 and 20
The Garland City Council Work Session will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, April 19. Regular Meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 20. 

Boards & Commissions Meetings
All upcoming Boards & Commissions meetings can be found on the Public Meetings calendar at GarlandTX.gov.

Due to COVID-19 public gathering restrictions, the meetings will be virtual. You can watch the meetings online. The virtual meeting link will be included in the individual meeting agenda. You may participate by telephone. Dial-in numbers will be posted with the virtual meeting information.

View agendas at GarlandTX.gov and be sure to click the "subscribe" button to receive notifications when meeting agendas are posted.

April Is #NationalFairHousingMonth!
The City of Garland Office of Fair Housing & Human Rights protects you from discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on color, race, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or because your family has children under the age of 18 living at home. To learn more about your rights or if you have questions, call us at 972-205-3300.
Garland Youth Council Accepting Applications Through Friday, June 4
Interested Garland residents who will be in grades 9-12 during the 2021-22 school year are eligible to apply to serve on the Garland Youth Council. Learn more and download an application on the Garland Youth Council page at GarlandTX.gov. Email GYC@GarlandTX.gov with any questions.
Public & Media Relations
P.O. Box 469002 | Garland, Texas 75046