Number 228, September 2022

Crime Stats update

Help UPPD reduce vehicle burglaries

While our neighborhoods remain very safe, vehicle burglaries are continuing to occur with some frequency. Purses, wallets, jewelry, watches, laptop computers, sports equipment and handguns are just some of the items that are routinely left in plain sight for thieves to take. Here are some recent numbers to keep in mind: 

Sixty vehicle burglaries were reported to UPPD from May 1 to August 16, including 23 cars and trucks parked in the Plaza at Preston Center. During this 108-day span, 23 victims mentioned they didn’t lock their vehicle. 

It just takes a moment to protect your possessions. When you leave your vehicle, even if it’s just for a few minutes, whether you are parked in your driveway, on the street, in a parking lot or in a parking garage, please take time to place your valuables in the trunk or at least hide them from view. If you are driving a vehicle that automatically collapses the side mirrors when it’s locked, make sure that function is enabled. Extended mirrors are a clear sign to thieves that a vehicle is unlocked, and that makes it a target. Lastly, whenever you exit your vehicle, in whatever community you are visiting, please remember to take your keys or key fob with you. If you don’t, you may have to ask someone for a ride home.     

Electric bikes and pedestrian safety

Electric bikes are growing in popularity locally and across the country. Used by people of all ages and ability, traveling at a speed of about 20 miles an hour, riders now have an easy and relatively quick way to get from place to place. Although electric bikes and regular bikes are not prohibited from operating on City sidewalks, City ordinance requires all bikes to yield to pedestrians. That includes sidewalks that are in retail areas and those close to campus (HPISD and SMU).

Council considers proposed FY2023 Budget

On Tuesday, September 6 and Tuesday, September 20, the City Council will hold public hearings so that the public may comment on the City’s FY2023 proposed budget and tax rate. The Council will vote to adopt the FY2023 budget and tax rate during its Tuesday, September 20 meeting. Both Council Meetings will begin at 5 p.m.

Totaling $61.3 million, the operational budget for the City of University Park provides the annual funding to ensure the efficient delivery of municipal services. This includes services related to public safety, sanitation, road maintenance, parks, water delivery, wastewater collection, and UP Public Library. In addition to funding annual operations, the budget provides transfers of revenue into the Capital Projects Fund. In the aggregate, the annual budgeting process sets the spending plan for day-to-day services, while also providing a funding path for large-scale capital projects.

As the budget process kicked off in April with the input of proposed expenditures by senior staff, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported rolling 12-month Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation of 8.3, 8.6, and 9.1 percent for April, May, and June respectively – the highest level of inflation in four decades. Given this environment, total expenditures in the FY2023 budget represent an 8.8 percent increase from the previous year. While expenditure increases in the past five budget cycles has averaged a more modest 2.2 percent, higher expenditure growth in this fiscal year is driven by inflationary pressures and wage growth.

On the opposite side of the ledger, revenues are also affected by inflation. With the goods purchased by University Park households costing more, overall receipts on sales tax see a similar growth pattern. This inflationary effect also holds true for other sources of non-property tax revenues such as investment income and franchise fee collections. Overall growth in non-property tax revenue for FY2023 is led by increases in sales tax – up $1,030,000 from the prior year; investment income on interest earnings – up $400,000 from the prior year; and natural gas franchise fees – up $100,000 from the prior year. While this is welcome growth, caution is warranted given the recessionary red flags in the economy, and the susceptibility of non-property tax revenue to economic cycles.

The Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) certifies the taxable value for all property within University Park. Based on proposed expenditures and the taxable value of all property in University Park, the FY2023 budget recommends a tax rate decrease from 26.4388 cents (per one hundred dollars of value) to 24.5975 cents (per one hundred dollars of value). The average single-family homeowner with a homestead exemption will pay approximately $23 more per month in City property taxes. The City remains one of the smallest overall percentages of the combined tax bill. When including the other taxing entities, the City’s portion of the tax bill is just 13 percent.

The presentation of the proposed budget to the City Council is the culmination of a process that began in April, followed by a thorough review and vetting by numerous resident committees throughout the summer.

Highlights of the FY2023 Budget include the following items:

• Wage and salary adjustments that are necessary to recruit and retain talented public sector employees;
• Additional funding for health insurance and other benefits;
• Increased funding for pension liabilities;
• Continued funding increases for capital projects; and
• Operational funding of Centennial Master Plan Action Items

Comments about the proposed budget

If you want to make your comments in person on either of the hearing dates, you are welcome to do so. If you would like to register to speak before you arrive at City Hall, here is the online form. 

All Council Meetings are streamed live on the City's website at uptexas.org. If you want to comment remotely or have comments included in the Public Comments portion of a Council Meeting, you can use our website’s eComment feature, or you can contact Christine Green, City Secretary, at [email protected] or 214-987-5302. Please note that the Mayor will acknowledge receipt of written comments, but written comments are not always read aloud.

Sign up for Leadership UP class before the deadline

The City is still accepting applications for our next Leadership UP class. This 17-month program is designed for those who are interested in learning more about the City’s history, opportunities, challenges, and resources. Monthly presentations will start this October, and conclude in February 2024.



The program is open to UP residents only and costs $250 a person. There are two ways to submit payment. You can write a check to the City of University Park – Leadership UP, or pay by credit card. Look for more specifics on how to pay on the application form.

Class size is limited to no more than 25 people. Regular attendance is required.

In addition to covering all aspects of City operations, classmates will receive presentations from sister entities including HPISD, SMU, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Dallas County Park Cities Municipal Utilities District. The program’s ultimate objective is to provide a pathway for residents who are interested in serving on one of the City’s boards or committees.

The application deadline is September 12.  

9/11 Memorial Event - Friday, September 9 at 8:45 a.m.

On Friday, September 9 at 8:45 a.m., the Police and Fire Departments will participate in the annual Memorial Service honoring firefighters and police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. SMU is hosting the event, and representatives from SMU Police and Highland Park Public Safety will also take part in the ceremony. 

The ceremony will include:

• Posting of Colors
• Ceremonial ringing of the bell for those killed in the line of duty
• Remarks from Mayor Stewart and Highland Park Mayor Beecherl
• Comments from SMU President Gerald Turner
• Prayer led by Highland Park Fire Chaplain Scott Ferguson

The ceremony will take place at the main flag pole on the SMU campus, just north of Bishop Blvd and south of Dallas Hall.

Your dog will have a howling good time at the Holmes Aquatic Center during Doggie Splash Day! The fun takes place on Saturday, October 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

To participate you must be a University Park/HPISD resident and you must register. The registration fee is $10 per dog and proof of current Rabies and Bordetella vaccination records will be required for all dogs entering the pool facility. Space is limited, so register early to secure your spot!

Sign up for WaterSmart

Residents have been benefitting from WaterSmart for the past few months, allowing them to quickly and easily access detailed information about household water use from the online portal. Have you signed up for WaterSmart yet? If not, what are you waiting for?

With the WaterSmart Portal, you can:

• Receive leak alert notifications
• Track daily water use
• See how your household water use compares to City water customers with similar lot size
• Receive notifications when your daily consumption exceeds the prior day's consumption by a use threshold you set
• Get bill forecast notifications

To register for this free service, just enter your billing account number and email address. You can then access all of your utility data as soon as it becomes available each billing period.



If you have questions about your water bill or City water services, our Utility Billing Office staff is always happy to assist you. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 214-987-5322.

Story Time at UP Public Library

After a brief summer break, Story Time is back at the library!

Here is the September Story Time schedule:

Baby Story Time (0 to 18 months) is every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. 

Preschool Story Time (ages 3 and up) is every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Outdoor Toddler Story Time (18 months to 3 years) is every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. located at the Goar Park Gazebo. Starting on September 8, we will be joined by community helpers from across the city!

Code requirements for POD unit placement and use

The City continues to enforce restrictions on the placement and length of time residents can house portable storage devices (PODs) within their front yard space. To help with a move or the temporary storage of household items, residents are allowed to use PODs in their front yard or driveway. However, City Ordinance limits the placement of a POD in the front yard/driveway to one week. PODs cannot block sidewalks and cannot be placed within street rights-of-way without approval from the City. In addition, trucks cannot use the alley to deliver or pick up PODs. On corner lots, all deliveries must be accessed through the front or side of the property. If you have questions, please contact the Community Development Department at 214-987-5411. 

Friends of UPPL Event