Fresh Air, Fun, Family and Fishing! Don't Miss the Prosper Fishing Derby February 19
Pack up your crew, pick up some bait and head to the pond at Frontier Park for the annual Prosper Fishing Derby! The event will be hosted from 9-11 a.m. on February 19 at Prosper’s beautiful premier facility, Frontier Park. This free and fun family event features a relaxed morning of fishing, capped off with fun prizes awarded to children up to age 14. Throughout the event, judges will be stationed around the pond to document the number of fish caught by each participant. At the conclusion of the event, the fish will be tallied and prizes awarded in various age categories to those with the most fish caught. The Prosper Fishing Derby, presented by Parks and Recreation, is free of charge. Thank you, PondMedics, Title Sponsor for the fourth year!

Registration is not required to attend the event, yet participants are reminded to bring bait and a pole and cooler. For the duration of the event, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has granted the Town of Prosper an exemption to the fishing license and any stamp requirement for those who fish or volunteer for the event. The pond will be stocked in advance by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, with mostly rainbow trout. The Derby is a catch-and-keep event for trout only, with a limit of five per person. Catch-and-release is encouraged.

”Parks and Recreation Department staff is very excited about this year’s Prosper Fishing Derby,” said Dan Baker, Director of Parks and Recreation. “We’ve worked hard to provide the community with a fun, quality event. Whether you are an experienced angler, or someone who has never had a chance to wet a line, the event will be a great opportunity for families who want to enjoy the experience of catching fish,” he added.

This is a free event and no registration required. For additional information about the Prosper Fishing Derby, please contact Trevor Helton, Recreation Supervisor, at thelton@prospertx.gov or call 972-569-1064.
Are You Eligible for a Homestead Tax Exemption?
A 10 percent discount in the taxable value of residential properties is assured to those eligible Prosper homeowners who take advantage of the Town’s homestead exemption, now entering its sixth year.

Prosper’s homestead exemption is among the most generous in the North Texas area and applies to homes in both Collin and Denton Counties and will remain at 10% unless changed by Town Council action. Even so, residents who’ve not already applied for the exemption must actively request the exemption from their respective appraisal districts. Those who’ve already done so in previous years, need not reapply.

Homeowners who have not previously applied for a homestead exemption should fill out the necessary forms from their respecting appraisal district between Jan. 1 and April 30. The original exemption was passed in 2015 at 7.5 percent, subsequently increasing to 10 percent in 2017.

The exemption, by state statute, is applicable only to homes that serve as the primary residence for the applicant, and only one exemption is applicable. The minimum reduction in the value of residential properties is $5,000. The exemption is not applicable to commercial concerns or income-producing properties.

While tax bills for Prosper residents include levies by several entities, the homestead exemption lowers the exposure for property taxes levied only by the Town of Prosper.

Prosper’s 10 percent exemption is the second-highest in Collin County. Of the 27 municipalities in Collin County, only eight offer a homestead exemption.

The tax rate of 51 cents per $100 valuation, was decreased from 52 cents per $100 valuation in the current tax year. The rate divides property tax revenue into roughly 33 cents for the General Fund, used for maintenance and operation, and 18 cents for the Interest and Sinking Fund, used to pay debt service.

The typical home in Prosper is valued at $563,531, and with the exemption in place, the tax exposure will decrease by $56,353 saving the homeowner about $287 in ad valorem taxes to the Town.

For more information, visit your county's appraisal district website.
Do You Have Yard Debris to Dispose of Following the Winter Storm?
Did you have fallen tree limbs or other yard debris that you need to get rid of following the winter storm that rolled through last week? If so, there are a few ways you can properly dispose of your yard debris:

Place Your Yard Waste with Your Trash and Recycling
Yard waste will be collected weekly on your trash and recycling service day. Limbs should not be greater than six (6) inches in diameter, should weigh no more than 50 pounds, nor be longer than four (4) feet. All limbs should be placed with trunks parallel to the street without obstructing the sidewalk.

Leaves and grass clippings must be placed in brown biodegradable bags in order to be recycled. Unlimited tied and bundled brush will also be accepted. Use only biodegradable cotton/jute rope, twine or string to tie and bundle tree and brush trimmings. Do not bundle tree and brush trimmings with nylon rope, plastic, metal, garden hoses or other non-compostable materials.

Bulk Dropoff Every Saturday at 601 W. 5th Street
Bulky items may be dropped off at Prosper Public Works located at 601 W. 5th Street on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and noon. Please be prepared to show your Prosper Utility Bill proving your residency in the Town of Prosper.

Bulky Waste Pickup at Your Home
Download the myProsper mobile app to sign up for collection reminders. You can also view the 2022 bulk calendar or view CWD's bulky waste and trash collection days as it relates to your neighborhood.

If you have questions about your bulk pickup day, please contact our Utility Billing Department at ub@prospertx.gov or call 972-569-1180.
Get Moving on the Mayor's Fitness Challenge Before it Ends on April 18
It's not too late to participate in the 2022 Mayor’s Fitness Challenge! The Challenge is issued each year as a fun way for the Prosper community to focus on fitness after the holidays. Families are encouraged to turn their attention to health and wellness by engaging in and documenting their fitness routines for 90 days. Those who successfully track 90 fitness minutes per week throughout the contest and turn in a completed tracking sheet will earn a free t-shirt and be entered to win a Fitbit. To participate, visit prospertx.gov/mayorschallenge or follow these simple steps:

  • Step 1: Register (Prosper residents only)
  • Step 2: Download the tracking sheet or pick one up at the Parks Administration building (409 E. First St.)
  • Step 3: Log minutes through April 18 (a minimum of 1,170 total fitness minutes, an average of 90 minutes per week).
  • Step 4: Submit the completed tracking sheet by April 24, 2022, online or drop off at the Parks and Recreation office (409 E. First Street).
Stay Connected
The Prosper Community Library offers year-round programming and resources for Prosper residents. Sign up to receive a free library card to access all of the great things the library has to offer. Check out the February program guide to find upcoming classes and programs.
Register today for Parks and Recreation spring camps and classes. Have you heard about our new spring break camps for kids? Learn more by visiting prosperparksandrec.org.
Have you signed up for the ACE portal? Utility Billing has set up a dashboard that allows you to monitor your monthly bill, how much water is being consumed and to better manage your water utilization.
Download the myPROSPER app to track water usage, report potholes, get trash notifications, construction updates and more. Get the app today on the App Store and Google Play.
Looking for a rewarding career? Come work for the Town of Prosper! No matter what your experience, industry or educational level, we've got a career for you. Visit our jobs portal to learn more about career opportunities with Prosper!
Visit prospertx.gov/coronavirus to find helpful information and links to resources by the County, State, CDC and DSHS. Also find out where to get tested and where to go to get the vaccine. Join us in protecting our friends, family and neighbors by wearing a mask and getting the vaccine.
Meeting notices and agendas may be found on the Town website. Town Council meeting agendas are typically posted by 5 p.m. on the Friday before the meeting.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Town of Prosper | prospertx.gov