The DeSoto City Council met on Feb. 18, 2025, to review progress on the city’s fiscal year 2025 business plan and discuss major initiatives to enhance public services, community engagement, economic growth, and city infrastructure. City officials and department directors provided updates on key projects and outlined the next steps to ensure continued progress.
Strengthening Community Engagement and Communication
A major focus of the meeting was the city’s effort to improve communication and transparency with residents. One of the most anticipated initiatives is implementing professional Spanish translation services for city meetings.
Assistant City Secretary Tasha Williams, along with representatives from the IT and Planning departments, provided an update on the initiative, detailing its phased rollout. Phase One, which included data collection and workflow discussions, was completed last summer. The city is now finalizing process confirmations before advancing to Phase Two, which involves system configuration and a live demonstration. The full implementation is expected between June and early July 2025, improving accessibility for Spanish-speaking residents.
The city is also expanding its use of video communication to provide regular updates on municipal services. The initiative includes scheduled informational video messages featuring the mayor, city staff, and department heads. These videos will be distributed via social media and digital platforms to keep residents informed. While the project is on track for full implementation by the second quarter of 2026, some council members, including Nicole Raphael, raised concerns about the extended timeline, citing previous discussions that suggested a more immediate rollout.
Advancing Neighborhood Support and Development
The council highlighted recent efforts to improve neighborhood engagement, particularly for non-HOA communities. The city successfully hosted its first-ever Neighborhood Collaboration Workshop in January, which was completed ahead of schedule due to a reported high participation. An additional workshop is planned for the summer of 2025 to continue this outreach.
The council also discussed the ongoing revitalization of Nance Farm, a historic site in DeSoto that will be converted into a multi-use community space, including an arts venue. With permit approvals secured and construction documents nearly finalized, the next step is a formal bid solicitation process in the third quarter of this year. The groundbreaking ceremony has been delayed to late 2025, with project completion expected in late 2026.
Infrastructure and Zoning Enhancements
To support business growth, city leaders are working to streamline the zoning and permitting process. Officials acknowledged that current zoning ordinances are difficult to navigate, prompting the decision to hire a firm to codify the city’s zoning regulations. This will create a user-friendly guide for developers and residents.
The council also addressed creek maintenance and erosion control, a pressing issue for several neighborhoods. The city has hired Half and Associates to conduct a comprehensive study, identify stormwater drainage needs, and propose solutions for affected properties.
City officials referenced Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price’s initiative to study Ten Mile Creek and other regional waterways, which has secured funding for specific projects in DeSoto. However, additional improvements will depend on future funding availability.
Economic Development and Business Initiatives
Efforts to revitalize the Hampton Road Corridor continue to gain momentum. The city has acquired several key parcels of land and is preparing a request for proposals (RFP) to attract developers.
An innovative competition-based model will be used, in which multiple developers submit proposals simultaneously, allowing the city to select the most viable projects. City Manager Brandon Godfrey introduced this approach, which aims to spur high-quality development proposals that align with DeSoto’s long-term vision.
Public Safety and Emergency Response Improvements
Public safety was a key topic, with updates on crime prevention initiatives and the city’s Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT).
DeSoto Police Chief Costa announced that the city will host a town hall meeting April 3 to educate residents on crime prevention and strengthen the Neighborhood Crime Watch Program. The initiative seeks to empower residents by increasing communication between neighborhoods and law enforcement.
The council also reviewed the development of a regional Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT) to address mental health crises and social service needs. DeSoto is working with nearby cities to establish a proactive crisis intervention model. The pilot program is scheduled for the third quarter of 2025, with full implementation by 2026.
Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Efforts
DeSoto is making significant investments in parks and recreational facilities, including the construction of a new aquatic and recreation center, set to open in March 2026. Project costs have increased to $55 million, however, city leaders reassured residents that much of the cost will be offset by membership fees and facility usage revenue.
City officials are also considering plans to beautify major bridges along Ten Mile Creek to enhance the city’s visual appeal. However, funding for the project has not yet been secured, and city leaders are exploring public-private partnerships to finance the improvements.