Seagoville Quarterly Newsletter
First Quarter 2019
City of Seagoville Preparations Begin for 2019 City Officers
The 2019 City Officers election will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019. This year’s slate of offices includes Councilmembers to represent Mayor, Place 2 and Place 4.
The first day to file an application for a place on the ballot is Wednesday, January 16, 2019. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 15, 2019. Applications for a place on the ballot are available at City Hall in the office of the City Secretary. Candidates must meet any state requirements along with the City qualifications for candidacy including: petition signed by twenty-five (25) qualified voters residing within the City and shall be a resident of the City for one (1) year.
The Mayor and all Councilmember Places are elected at large by majority vote.
Anyone not currently registered to vote has until April 4, 2019 to register in order to cast a ballot in the May 5, 2019 election. Voter registration applications may be obtained at City Hall.
Questions concerning voter registration should be directed to the Dallas County Voter Registration Department at (214) 819-6389.
Additional information regarding the upcoming election may be obtained by contacting the City Secretary at (972) 287-6819.
City of Seagoville Budget in Brief
The comprehensive Fiscal Year 2019 Budget is available on the City of Seagoville website. Please follow his link to view it: https://www.seagoville.us/DocumentCenter/View/2092/FY-2019-Adopted-Budget
News Release: 2018 Completed Street Projects and 2019 Proposed Street Projects
In 2018, the City of Seagoville completed the following street projects.
- Woodhaven
- Parkhaven
- Hillhaven
- Greenhaven
- Hall Street from Kaufman to Shady
- Netherland
- Elmo
- Seago
- Stafford
- Moore
- Portions of Seagoville Road
In 2019, the following Capital Street Projects have been identified and plans are underway to make the necessary repairs.
- Kaufman County Portion of Malloy Bridge Road
- Crestview (between Hall Street and Malloy Bridge Road)
- Ross
- Johnnie Row
City staff are continuously evaluating roads and bridges in Seagoville and working to fund improvement projects. We realize we have many additional streets to repair and we promise that we are working to make Seagoville a great example for those that live, work and visit our community.
Central Park Updates
C. O. Bruce Central Park, located at 1801 N. Highway 175 will receive much needed upgrades in the coming weeks. The City has contracted for the installation of a new public restroom facility near the tennis courts. The restroom will include one men’s and one women’s facility, hand wash stations and interior fluorescent lighting. This addition will provide a second facility of restrooms for the park. The photo above depicts what the new restroom facility will look like. like.
The City will also be installing 20 new security lights along the walking trail. The lights will have an antique design and will provide a safer environment for those citizens who use the Bruce Park trail later in the evening. We will provide more details later as we move forward with both projects.
Officer Kenny Dickerson Retirement
It is with great sadness, but at the same time a great honor that we announce, Officer Kenny Dickerson has made the decision to retire from the Seagoville Police Department after 25 years of very dedicated service to this organization and this community.
Officer Dickerson has been instrumental in many areas throughout the organization in his 25 years and he will be sorely missed. Kenny’s main role for many years, as most know has been the department’s Crime Prevention Officer and coordinator of the Citizens Police Academy and C.O.P. program along with a multitude of other community oriented services. Kenny has served this City very well in these capacities.
The Seagoville Police Department will be hosting a retirement reception for Officer Kenny Dickerson on Friday, January 18, 2019 at Victory Baptist Church from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Seagoville Ranked among the top safe Cities in Texas for 2018
The City of Seagoville was ranked among the top safest Cites in Texas for 2018, according to SafeWise which is a web-based security analyst and consultant firm. We are very happy to announce that SafeWise has released its annual "50 Safest Cities in Texas Report" for 2018 and Seagoville was ranked #47 this year. These finding are based on total population, the number of violent crimes per one thousand population, the number of property crimes per one thousand population and a total crimes percentage calculations. To view the full list of Texas Safe Cities, please follow this link: https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-texas/
Seagoville ranked #47
Population: 16,085
Violent crimes per 1,000: 1.06
Property crimes per 1,000: 28.97
Total crime: 3.65% violent, 96.35% property
Winter Crime Prevention Tip: Don’t leave the engine running while away from your vehicle.
With the upcoming winter season and cold mornings ahead, the police department will usually experience an upward trend in vehicle thefts. These thefts are usually contributed to vehicles left unattended, unlocked and with the engine running.
Let’s face it, who really wants to sit in a car while it warms up on a freezing cold day? Many of us have the routine of starting and warming our vehicle on cold mornings before leaving home to go on with our day. We return inside our homes to gather our belongings or grab that last cup of coffee, coming back outside to get into a warm and toasty car. But, this 5 to 10 minute vehicle warm-up can end up being costly and cause you great inconvenience and frustration.
This is the perfect opportunistic scenario for a thief to steal your car! Consider this: How much time did you save? You now have to report your vehicle stolen with the police department. You now have to file a claim with your insurance carrier.
Did you know that you must have a comprehensive auto insurance policy to be compensated for the theft of your vehicle? Also, some carriers do not look favorably on practically handing your car over to thieves by leaving it running unattended in your driveway with the keys in the ignition and doors unlocked. As a result, they might have language in the coverage to exclude the policyholder from claiming a loss if this should happen. Read your policy carefully. Note any language about the policyholder being liable if he or she “increases the risk of theft” (like leaving your car running unattended).
Not only do you now have the hassle of dealing with your insurance agent, obtaining a rental car and potentially having to replace your vehicle; leaving your vehicle running and unattended is actually against the law. The Texas Transportation Code §545.404, Unattended Motor Vehicle, prohibits leaving your vehicle unattended with the engine running and the key in the ignition. The only exception to this law is a vehicle equipped with a remote starter or a vehicle that has a push start with a key fob to be physically present for the vehicle to operate.
A violation of this law is a Class C Misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $200 if convicted.
Never leave your vehicle running unattended!
Sewer Line Replacement at 175 and Environmental Way
The city’s Water and Sewer Department is proud to announce that a much needed sewer line replacement at Highway 175 and Environmental Way is underway. The old 10” steel gravity sewer line is being replaced with a 15” SDR 26 PVC (thermoplastic pipe that is pressure rated for water) that is encased in a 24” steel pipe.
The City has contracted the work for this $424,399.00 project to Wilco Underground, who is doing the line replacement by boring underneath Highway 175 at May Road to Environmental Way. Two new manholes will be installed and connected to the pipe on both sides of the highway.The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of January 2019.
Please exercise caution when travelling in the area of the work as the contractor will be setting up detours and barricades for the length of the project.
Road Hazard Prevention
Runoff from irrigation systems cause road hazards during freezing temperatures. Please remember to turn off your sprinkler systems during freezing weather.
Seagoville Library Partners With Dallas Community Tax Centers
The Seagoville Public Library will carry the 2018 Federal Tax Forms beginning January 1, 2019 or as they become available from the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, the library is spreading the word to eligible taxpayers about DALLAS COMMUNITY TAX CENTERS (DCTC) for FREE Tax Preparation this tax season! Free tax preparation could save you hundreds of dollars and help you claim valuable tax credits. There are two ways you can save big during tax season:
- You can get personalized help from an IRS-certified tax preparer at seven site locations with IRS Certified staff and volunteers to prepare your returns for FREE if you earn less than $58,000 at the Dallas Community Tax Centers.
- Or you can file for free online through United Way’s www.MyFreeTaxes.com, if you earn less than $64,000. Learn more at www.DallasTaxCenters.org or visit Facebook and Twitter @DallasCTC.
Dallas County Tax Center is the largest Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in North Texas, which operates seven no cost tax preparation sites throughout Dallas County, serving anyone earning $58,000 or less per year.
Additionally, DCTC provides ITIN application renewals, certain small business and 1099 self-employed tax preparation (for some businesses who don’t carry inventory), plus promotes a robust tax time savings and incentive program. Bilingual assistance is available at each location.
Third Saturday Clean Up
In response to citizen requests, the City of Seagoville provides access to city sponsored dumpsters on the third Saturday of each month. Trash, debris and electronics may be disposed of at the City of Seagoville Service Center.
This service is free to Seagoville residents. A Seagoville water/trash bill and driver’s license must be presented at the disposal location, 101 N. Watson, Seagoville, Texas. Service hours are from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm on the third Saturday of each month.
Dragon's Don't Litter
Learn more about this great program at: http://reverselitter.com/tenontues/
Keep Seagoville Beautiful 13th Annual "Don't Mess with Texas" Trash Off
Seagoville Area Businesses, Civic Groups, Church Organizations and School Campus Groups,
your group is invited to help keep Seagoville and America beautiful! April 6, 2019.
Litter, is far more than just unsightly, but is a symptom of uncaring behavior and a wake-up call for citizens who are concerned about their community’s quality of life. Keep Seagoville Beautiful needs your help in answering that call! This spring, your group can make a visible difference in Seagoville by joining us for the Don’t Mess With Texas Trash Off and Great American Cleanup™!
This year, we expect more than two million volunteers to participate in the Great American Cleanup™ nationwide. Here in Seagoville, Keep Seagoville Beautiful is seeking 200 volunteers for our Don’t Mess With Texas Litter Clean Up event on Saturday, April 6, 2019.
The schedule for the day’s events include:
8:30 am – 9:00 pm Group Check In
9:00 am – 12:00 pm Litter Clean Up at assigned location.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Volunteer Hot Dog Lunch and Door Prize Drawings.
To register your group in this year’s Great American Cleanup™, call Keep Seagoville Beautiful staff liaison Liz Gant at 972-287-7720 X2022 or download the volunteer registration form on the city's website at: https://www.seagoville.us/DocumentCenter/View/1455/2019-Trash-Off-Volunteer-Registration Please return the completed registration form to us in person, mail, email or fax by April 5, 2019. Complimentary trash bags, gloves, safety vests and safety guidelines will be provided for volunteers. We hope you'll join us in making Seagoville clean and beautiful this spring!
Dates To Remember
The City of Seagoville Municipal Building, Library and Senior Center will be Closed:
- January 1, 2019 - in Observance of New Year's Day
- January 21, 2019 - in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- February 18, 2019 - in Observance of Presidents' Day
Mark your calendar - April 6, 2019
Keep Seagoville Beautiful "Don't Mess With Texas" Trash Off
C.O. Bruce Central Park