Denton City Council

The Denton City Council is reviewing a proposed $2.22 billion budget that would lower the property tax rate and increase employee pay. But officials warn a boost from business personal property tax revenue, including from data centers, may not last. Residents can weigh in at a Sept. 15 public hearing.

The Denton City Council voted 4-3 to proceed with a possible moratorium on data centers in the city. This is following a wave of other cities in Texas banning data centers, and Gov. Greg Abbott ordering a halt to data centers until the completion of a statewide audit.

Denton City Council Member Jordan Villarreal says he is resigning so he can focus on taking care of his personal health. He was elected in May.

“Every vote counts,” Chris Watts, a former mayor, wrote in all-caps to his supporters in late May on his Facebook page, as he offered a breakdown of the Denton County Precinct 4 commissioner race that was decided by fewer than 40 votes.

“Kindness wins,” George Ferrie’s supporters posted to social media on Saturday night when news spread that Ferrie defeated Erica Garland, a Planning and Zoning commissioner, in the runoff for citywide Place 5 on the Denton City Council.

The city of Denton announced on Tuesday evening that Deputy City Manager Cassey Ogden is the new interim city manager, effective April 1.

So far, 19 people have been arrested and face a range of federal and state charges that include hindering prosecution of terrorism in connection to what authorities called a “North Texas Antifa Cell.” The most recent arrest occurred last week in Weatherford.

Here’s a look at who has announced their plans to run on social media since the mayoral candidates’ announcements in early December.

A council majority voted to approve all three requests by Craver Ranch developer Old Prosper Partners for amendments to the city’s 2040 comprehensive plan and mobility plan and a zoning change from rural agricultural to planned development.

Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth traveled to Austin on Friday to testify in support of the GOP’s rare mid-decade congressional redistricting efforts, which would add five Republican-leaning seats to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Denton Arts and Jazz Festival will be scaled back this year due to the city's budget cuts. The festival has four months to figure out how to handle a loss in funding and an increase in park rental fees.

According to Tuesday’s staff presentation, $27 million of the funds will be used to supplement projects from the 2019 general obligation bond election, and some of it will go toward replacing old and adding new infrastructure due to growth.