🥶 BITTER COLD BRINGS CITY ACTION AND NEIGHBOR HELP

The Princeton Community Development Corporation met January 21 with a full agenda focused on growth, finances, and how city assets are being used. From strong sales tax numbers to approving new community programs and reviewing major public safety investments, the meeting covered where the city stands and what is coming next.

📊 SALES TAX REVENUE STARTS THE YEAR STRONG
The CDC reported sales tax revenue is up about 8 percent compared to last year, which was already a record-setting year. City staff noted the budget for the year was built conservatively, so early performance in the green puts Princeton in a solid financial position heading into the rest of the fiscal year.

🏘️ BUILDING PERMITS COOL, BUT GROWTH CONTINUES
Residential building permits finished the year about 19 percent lower than last year, with 1,603 single-family permits issued. City staff emphasized this still represents roughly 5,000 new residents and remains strong compared to nearby cities, many of which saw significantly steeper declines. Officials said a backlog of permits and new subdivision phases could boost early 2026 numbers.

🏢 PROFESSIONAL PARK REZONED WITH NEW LIMITS
The Professional Park was officially rezoned from light industrial to Commercial-2 with a planned development overlay. This change allows commercial uses but adds restrictions, including limits on storage units, car washes, and fast food concentration. The goal is to guide higher-quality development rather than open-ended commercial growth.

🏠 COMMUNITY CENTER REOPENS WITH NEW USES AHEAD
Renovations at the Steve and Judy DeFibon Community Center are complete. The building will be used as a warming center during extreme cold events and then transitioned to Parks for scheduling and management once final agreements are confirmed. Board members discussed a possible open house or small public event to mark the reopening.

🤝 BUILDING STRONG FUTURES PROGRAM APPROVED FOR COMMUNITY CENTER USE
The board unanimously approved sponsoring the use of the community center for the Building Strong Futures program. The program provides a six-week workshop series for parents and children focused on food security, resilience, health education, and family support. It serves qualifying families in the 75407 zip code and includes weekly food distribution, monthly enrichment activities, and community health fairs. The move gives the program a larger, more flexible space than the library, where it previously operated.

💰 CDC FINANCIAL POSITION REMAINS SOLID
Two months of financials were presented due to a prior lack of quorum. No unusual expenses were reported, with most costs tied to staffing and the annual administrative services agreement with the city. The CDC reported a balance of just over $5 million in the bank.

🚓 SWAT VEHICLE REQUEST REVIEWED, NO VOTE YET
The Princeton Police Department presented a request for funding a Teradyne armored SWAT vehicle with an estimated cost of about $355,000 and a projected 15 to 20 year lifespan. The vehicle would replace the current MRAP, offering better maneuverability, lower maintenance complexity, and expanded use for emergency response, rescues, and community events. Due to agenda posting requirements, the board could not take action but expressed general support, with a formal vote expected at a future meeting.

🎓 SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES APPROVED
The board approved final guidelines for the Officer Nancy Dominguez Scholarship Fund in partnership with Collin College. The scholarship will prioritize Princeton ISD graduates who are residents of Princeton or Collin County, with GPA and recommendation preferences set to keep the award competitive and merit-based.

🧾 AGREEMENTS UPDATED AND APPROVED
The board approved amendments to the community center management agreement and the administrative services agreement with the city. Changes focused on clearer conflict resolution steps and annual review requirements, without altering financial terms.

🏛️ NEW CDC OFFICERS ELECTED
Board members unanimously elected new officers for 2026, filling chair, vice chair, treasurer, and secretary roles to lead the CDC through the coming year.

Overall, the meeting highlighted a city still growing, financially stable, and actively investing in both community support programs and long-term public safety planning.

The Princeton Economic Development Corporation met January 20 to review financial performance, development activity, board governance, and several action items tied to local business support and city operations.

📊 SALES TAX REVENUE CONTINUES STRONG START
City staff reported sales tax revenue is up more than 8 percent year to date, following a record-setting year. January marked the second consecutive month of growth, with the first month up 9 percent and the second month up 6 percent. Officials emphasized that the current fiscal year budget was built conservatively, with projected income just slightly above last year’s total.

🏘️ RESIDENTIAL PERMITS DOWN, BUT OUTPERFORMING PEERS
Single-family residential building permits finished the year about 19 percent lower than last year, with 1,603 permits issued. Staff noted that this decline is significantly smaller than nearby cities, many of which experienced drops of 25 to more than 40 percent. Officials cited higher interest rates and national market trends as key factors, along with a permitting backlog that is expected to be processed in the coming months. The permits issued still represent an estimated 5,000 new residents.

📬 BOARD COMMUNICATION CONCERNS RAISED
The CEO raised concerns about board communication during time-sensitive matters, citing a recent short reapplication window for incumbent board members that some missed due to limited notice. Staff emphasized the request was not for back-channel decision-making, but for a reliable way to alert members to check their city email when urgent issues arise.

🏢 PROFESSIONAL PARK REZONING COMPLETE
The EDC confirmed that the Professional Park rezoning was approved unanimously by City Council at its previous meeting, finalizing the transition and allowing the project to move forward under the new zoning framework.

🏠 COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATIONS NEAR REOPENING
Renovations at the community center are complete. A revised management agreement between the EDC and the city is returning for final approval, after which the facility will be fully open and available for rental and scheduling through Parks.

🧾 FINANCIAL POSITION REMAINS STRONG
The EDC reported minimal expenditures for the month, totaling about $22,000, primarily related to staffing and marketing. With the fiscal year beginning October 1, the corporation still has approximately 97 percent of its budget remaining and reported $10.8 million in retained earnings.

🏛️ EDC OFFICERS REELECTED FOR 2026
The board unanimously reelected its officers for the year, including chair, vice chair, treasurer, and secretary, with all votes passing 6–0.

🏥 INFRASTRUCTURE ASSISTANCE APPROVED FOR PRINCETON PEDIATRICS
The board approved up to $107,000 in infrastructure assistance for Princeton Pediatrics to offset the cost of installing a required fire hydrant at their South Second Street location. Staff explained the request falls within the EDC’s authority to support business infrastructure and was time-sensitive due to regulatory requirements. The funding will come from retained earnings and will require City Council reauthorization, as well as a performance agreement with the business.

📄 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT UPDATED
The board approved amendments to the administrative services agreement with the city. Changes include clearer language around approval of additional services by both governing bodies and a requirement for annual review of the agreement to ensure it continues to meet the needs of both the city and the EDC.

🔒 EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
The board entered executive session to discuss multiple active economic development projects. After returning to open session, the board approved authorization for the chair or designee to sign an agreement related to those discussions.

Cold weather brought neighbors together this week to share questions and experiences about staying warm at home. Many discussed heating systems, especially when emergency or auxiliary heat is needed, with residents offering tips based on their own homes and what has worked for them during freezing temperatures.

Community members also checked in on local conditions, asking about road safety, school and city closures, trash pickup, and which businesses were open. Reports varied by area and time of day, and neighbors helped fill in gaps by sharing what they were seeing as conditions slowly improved.

There was also discussion about recent activity at Lovelady, with residents asking questions and seeking a better understanding of how situations are handled at schools. Conversations reflected a shared interest in safety, communication, and supporting students and families.

Transparency, Records, and Accountability

Some neighbors asked for clearer updates from schools and the city during weather events and other disruptions. Questions focused on notifications, decision-making, and how information is shared with families and the broader community.

Community Support & Acknowledgment

Many neighbors offered reassurance, practical advice, and encouragement throughout the week. Residents shared updates, checked on one another, and highlighted people helping each other during the storm, reinforcing a sense of community during challenging conditions.