Duncanville · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Duncanville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Life School Development Litigation
The revised settlement deal in the Life School lawsuit against the city got pulled from the agenda, so the lawsuit isn't resolved yet.
City Manager Recruitment
Duncanville has a new city manager — Dr. Ana Alvarez takes over November 2. This is the person who'll run day-to-day city operations and drive priorities like infrastructure and development.
Animal Services Forum
The Police Department briefed the council on animal control rules regarding cats, recommending no changes to current leash laws or household limits as they align with neighboring cities.
Committee Appointments
The city is reviewing and interviewing candidates for local boards and ad hoc committees to fill volunteer positions and shape local policy.
Curb Appeal and Neighborhood Beautification
The board was scheduled to discuss initiatives and strategies for improving local curb appeal across Duncanville neighborhoods.
FY 2026-2027 Proposed Budget and Tax Rate
The city council adopted a $99.2 million budget and set the property tax rate at $0.611659 per $100 valuation, resulting in a tax increase for residents while funding key city services and absorbing trash rate hikes.
Audit Committee Policy Manual Update
Duncanville’s Sister City program is under fire after reports of workplace bullying and $35,000 in missing taxpayer money. It’s a classic case of lack of oversight, and it’s your hard-earned cash that’s potentially being wasted.
City Manager Recruitment
Duncanville is officially on the hunt for a new City Manager after the previous one stepped down. Since this person basically runs the city's daily operations, the choice of their replacement will have a huge impact on how our local government functions.
Park Litter Prevention
Board members reviewed ongoing and new strategies to reduce litter in Duncanville's parks to keep public spaces clean.
Urban Design Demonstration
Duncanville is teaming up with the Better Block Foundation this November to test out safer streets, public art, and outdoor seating on South Main Street, and they want your ideas through a public survey first. It's a quick chance to help reshape a local corridor with temporary, fun street designs before making any permanent changes.
Creek Erosion and Private Property
Public Works presented the Drainage Master Plan, identifying $41 million in capital needs and discussing potential policy options to assist private property owners with natural creek erosion.
Municipal Leadership Appointment
Duncanville just made Marlon Goff the permanent Director of Economic Development after he spent time running the department as interim. This move confirms the city is doubling down on its current strategy to lure new businesses and boost the local economy.
City Administration Appointment
Duncanville just hired Mark J. Rauscher as the new Assistant City Manager for Community Services. He’s stepping in to manage the day-to-day city operations that affect your neighborhood and local amenities.
Cybersecurity Policy
Duncanville is officially banning TikTok on all city-issued phones and computers to fall in line with new state cybersecurity mandates. It’s a standard move to keep local government data safe from potential security risks.
City Leadership Change
Duncanville’s city manager just got the boot, signaling a major shift in how our local government handles daily business. Expect some turbulence as the council looks for new leadership to steer the ship.
State of the City address
Mayor Gordon just laid out the game plan for Duncanville’s future in the 2022 State of the City address. It’s a quick pulse check on where our tax dollars are going and what projects are hitting the front burner this year.
Personnel Appointments
Duncanville is bringing in a new City Secretary and a familiar face to lead police operations. These leadership changes could shift how the city manages public records and handles day-to-day law enforcement.
Redistricting
Duncanville just redrew its district map, which means your local representative might have changed. You should double-check your new district before the next election to make sure you know who’s on your ballot.
Municipal Staffing
Duncanville just hired a new economic development chief to lead the charge on bringing fresh businesses and jobs to town. This person is basically the city's new point person for making our local economy grow.
Utility Disconnections
Heads up, Duncanville is back to cutting off utilities for unpaid bills starting August 10. If you're behind on payments, you'll need to reach out to the city ASAP to set up a payment plan before your service gets shut off.
Judicial Appointment
Duncanville is losing longtime Judge William J. Neilon, so the city is officially on the hunt for his replacement. This is a big deal because this role keeps our local court system running smoothly.
Legal Settlement
Duncanville finally settled its legal beef with Pelican House, putting an end to a dispute that had local business owners on edge. This move clears the air and lets the restaurant get back to business as usual.
Facility Closure
The Duncanville Starcenter has officially shut down, and locals are rightfully annoyed by the city's lack of clear communication. It’s a frustrating example of poor management that raises real questions about how our public facilities are being run.