Mold Remediation in Mckinney, TX

The McKinney city council asked for more time in office — but voters appear to have shut that down.

With 112 out of 117 voting centers reporting late Tuesday, almost 51.2% of voters opposed Proposition A, which would have increased council members’ term limits from two consecutive four-year terms to three. And almost 56% of voters opposed bumping council members’ pay to a monthly stipend of $750 and the mayor’s pay to $1,000 a month.

Almost 74.2% of voters favored Propositon C and almost 73% favored Proposition D. The propositions will amend the city charter to comply with new state laws that have been passed since the last charter amendment election in 2019 and remove provisions and policies the city no longer follows.

The city council put the propositions on the ballot earlier this year. The term limit extension would’ve applied to current council. The pay raise would only have applied to future council members.

Tom Michero, who founded the Keep McKinney Unique PAC to oppose the term limit proposition, said the charter amendment was self-serving. Michero’s PAC raised over $5,000 to oppose the term limit extensions.

“It just doesn’t pass the smell test,” he said.

The current city charter allows elected officials to serve eight years as a council member and another eight years as mayor after a year break. Proposition A would’ve increased that to twelve years in each position.

McKinney Mayor George Fuller is about to finish his second term. Critics of the term limit extensions said it was put on the ballot to give Fuller another term. But the mayor told KERA before the election he wasn’t sure if he’d run again. He is eligible to run for a city council seat. Fuller told KERA he wouldn’t decide to run for office until the January deadline to declare candidacy.

Fuller said term limits should be determined by voters. Several incumbents in Collin County and the state of Texas have served more than two terms.

“We're able to vote for who we believe is the best candidate, and it's not suppressed by an arbitrary number of terms,” he said.

Bridgette Wallis, who writes the McKinney Citizen to Citizen blog, said allowing members three terms in each seat would decrease diversity.

“The longer the establishment is in charge, the less they will be looking for new ideas and perspectives,” she said.

Wallis and Michero both said they support adding term limits to other elected positions.

Michero said turnover at the city council allows for new ideas and increased participation in local government. He also said the term limits are about more than the current council.

“What happens if we don’t have a good city council in the future?” Michero said.

But A.J. Micheletto, a volunteer with the Citizens for McKinney PAC, said consistent leadership is key for the growing city. McKinney is the county seat of Collin County, the third-fastest-growing county in the nation according to the U.S. Census. McKinney has 213,509 residents as of July 2023 according to Census data — about 100,000 more than the city’s population in 2010.

Micheletto said McKinney needs leaders who have experience tackling the impact of growth on local infrastructure and government services.

“It’s important for our leadership to understand and have a forward future plan so that we can grow in the best and most mindful way possible,” she said.

Michero said the electorate should decide the future direction of the city, not the council members.

“Growth needs to be managed, and it needs to be managed by the will of the people,” he said. “And if there’s an incumbent that gets into office and is not listening to the will of the people, then that’s not going to be good for the city.”

Got a tip? Email Caroline Love at clove@kera.org.

Caroline Love is a Report For America corps member for KERA News.

KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.

This summer, Fairview, a town of nearly 11,000 people about 30 miles north of Dallas, became the center of a heated debate after the Town Council denied The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a permit request for the McKinney Texas Temple.

The proposed temple is a 43,200 square-foot building, 65 feet tall with a spire reaching almost 174 feet. The temple was planned for a lot next to an existing meetinghouse in the town. The lot falls under residential-area zoning restrictions that state buildings can have a maximum height of 35 feet. If built, it would be the town’s tallest building.

The temple has drawn national attention in a debate around religious freedom, zoning laws and the town’s identity. Most recently, Fairview announced a Zoning Defense Fund to collect donations to protect the town from potential litigation from the church.

Related:Anticipating lawsuit from Church of Latter-day Saints, Fairview announces defense fund

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Here’s a timeline of the proposed temple, the town’s denial and what’s happened since.

October 2022 - December 2023

In October 2022, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans for a temple in Prosper at a general conference.

The temple was one of 18 announced at the conference to be built around the world, including Korea, Nigeria and Guatemala. The church’s construction of temples has accelerated, with 168 new temples announced in the past six years by President Russell M. Nelson, according to the church’s website.

In December 2023, the church announced it was moving the proposed temple site to Fairview and renaming it the McKinney Texas Temple.

If built, the McKinney Texas Temple will be the church’s third North Texas. The church has five temples operating in the state, two under construction and three announced, including the McKinney Texas Temple, according to the church’s website.

Spring 2024

In March and again in May 2024, according to the church’s temple website, the church hosted community open houses to share information, answer questions and hear concerns, according to previous reporting.

Some residents expressed opposition to the temple’s size at the open house, WFAA reported. They wore green shirts that read “Fairview United” and “Keeping it Country and not an inch more,” a reference to the town’s motto.

The church sought a conditional use permit to build the temple in a residential area where zoning laws allow buildings with a maximum height of 35 feet.

About a week after the May open house, the Fairview Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend the Town Council reject the church’s proposal.

Early summer 2024

On June 4, debate over the church’s construction continued when hundreds attended a Town Council meeting. Dozens spoke at a public hearing about the church’s permit request, about 25 in opposition and six in favor, town documents show.

While members of the church have said the proposed temple would accommodate the church’s growing population, those in opposition said a building of that size would look out of place in a residential neighborhood.

The council decided to continue the discussion at its Aug. 6 meeting and give the church time to revise its plans.

Related:Fairview, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unable to agree on temple plan

In July, church and city officials met to try to reach an agreement, but were unsuccessful.

The church offered to reduce the height of the temple by 15 feet and change its name, but town representatives did not support the proposed changes.

Fairview Mayor Henry Lessner, who has spoken out against the church’s proposed temple, said previously the town would allow the church building to reach 42 feet and the top of the spire to reach 68 feet, but church officials rejected those dimensions.

August 2024

On Aug. 6, the Fairview Town Council denied the church a conditional use permit for the proposed temple after a four-hour meeting

The public meeting, which was held in an event space rather than town hall to accommodate a bigger audience, was filled with people dressed in either white or green shirts to show their support or opposition to the proposed temple. Hundreds more gathered outside the building or watched the meeting online.

After more than 70 people spoke, the council decided to deny the permit request.

Church members argued that the temple is protected under state and federal law, and that arguments by the opposition are misinformed. Some religious institutions in the town have been permitted to exceed 35 feet in height, and the church says laws allow religious organizations to ask for additional height for a house of worship.

Those against the temple raised concerns at the meeting about the potential impact on property values, lighting and traffic. The church maintains that temple engineers and architects have complied with the town’s ordinances in its plans, including those regarding lighting and land use.

Related:Fairview council denies Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints special approval for temple

“We are disappointed with tonight’s vote by the Fairview city council and express gratitude for the tireless efforts of those who worked to provide correct and positive information to the community about the temple project,” the church said after the council’s decision.

The church said the vote is “part of an ongoing process seeking building approval,” and a spokesperson said the church is evaluating its options for next steps.

A letter sent to the Town Council in August from church lawyers Richard Abernathy and Jared Pace states temple sites are selected “under the direction of the Lord.” Temple architecture reflects the church’s belief that the temple is “literally the house of the Lord,” the letter states, and the architecture, particularly the steeple, reflects the church’s belief in looking up and ascending to God.

“Religious freedom outweighs subjective concerns about aesthetic appearance and neighborhood character,” the letter states, citing the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

October 2024

After the council’s denial, Lessner told The Dallas Morning News editorial board his office received notice that two church members planned to file a lawsuit against the town. The planned lawsuit, which came from individuals and not the church itself, had not been filed as of mid-October, Lessner said.

Art Rascon, a leader in the church, said at the time the church had taken no official action against the town of Fairview and was still considering all its options. Lessner said the church has said “several times” it would sue the town if officials don’t approve the proposed building.

Related:What to know: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ proposed Fairview temple

In October, Fairview created a defense fund for legal costs in anticipation of a lawsuit from the church over the town’s denial of the permit for the temple.

The Zoning Defense Fund, meant to protect the town’s zoning ordinances from potential litigation, collects donations from the public through the town’s website. Present Town Council members unanimously voted to approve the fund in an Oct. 2 meeting.

What’s next?

The council denied the church the conditional use permit without prejudice, meaning the church can present revised plans to the planning and zoning commission and the council without time restrictions.

It’s unclear whether the church will go forward with a lawsuit against the town. Melissa McKneely, communications director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Dallas, said she and others in the church are unable to comment at this time and did not give information on potential litigation or the town’s defense fund.

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Results will be available on this page on election night.

Voters in McKinney voted against extending term limits four members of the City Council and for increasing their pay but supported propositions to update the city charter.

The propositions can be read below. Voters will consider the following propositions and be asked whether they are "for" or "against" each.

PROPOSITION A -- Term limit extensionsMembers of the McKinney City Council are currently limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms. Proposition A, if passed, would allow three consecutive four-year terms, beginning with the election in May 2025.

Shall Section 9 of the McKinney City Charter be amended to read as follows: “Sec. 9. Council election. - There shall be held in the City of McKinney on the uniform election date in May 2025, and every four (4) years thereafter, or on such date or dates as may be prescribed by the laws of the State of Texas, a City election for a Mayor, a Council Member-at-large 1, a Council Member representing District 1, and a Council Member representing District 3. There shall be held in the City of McKinney on the uniform election date in May 2027, and every four (4) years thereafter, or on such other date or dates as may be prescribed by the laws of the State of Texas, a City election for a Council Member-at-large 2, a Council Member representing District 2, and a Council Member representing District 4. Each person duly elected to the position of Mayor or Council Member shall perform the duties and discharge the obligations conferred and imposed upon them, respectively, by the law, this Charter and by the City Ordinances of McKinney and shall hold their office for a period of four (4) years and until their successors are elected and qualified. Beginning with the 2025 election, and every election thereafter, the Mayor shall be allowed to hold his/her seat for a limit of three (3) consecutive, full four-year terms, including three (3) terms consisting of a currently-held four-year term. Beginning with the 2025 election, and every election thereafter, each person duly elected to the position of Council Member shall be allowed to hold any at-large seat, including consecutive terms in separate district or at-large seats, for a limit of three (3) consecutive, full four-year terms, including three (3) terms consisting of a currently-held four-year term. Beginning with the 2025 election, and every election thereafter, each person duly elected to the position of Council Member shall be allowed to hold any district seat, including consecutive terms in separate district or at-large seats, for a limit of three (3) consecutive, full four-year terms, including three (3) terms consisting of a currently-held four-year term. After serving three (3) consecutive terms in an at-large or district seat(s), an at-large member shall not be eligible to serve in a district or at-large seat until the passage of one (1) year from the end of such three (3) consecutive terms; however, such member may serve as Mayor. After serving three (3) consecutive terms in an at-large or a district seat(s), a district member shall not be eligible to serve in an at-large or district seat, until the passage of one (1) year from the end of such three (3) consecutive terms; however, such member may serve as Mayor?”

PROPOSITION B -- City Council compensationIn Proposition B, voters are being asked to increase the compensation given to members of the City Council. They are each paid $50 per meeting, with the mayor receiving an extra $100 monthly. If approved, starting on Oct. 1, 2025, council members would be paid $750 per month, and the mayor would receive $1,000 per month. Two years later, the compensation would be adjusted annually by the same percentage change in the CPI for DFW.

Shall Section 16 of the McKinney City Charter be amended to read as follows: “Sec. 16. – Council Compensation. Beginning October 1, 2025 for any newly-elected Council Member or a newly-elected Mayor, each member of the City Council, exclusive of the Mayor, shall receive the sum of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) per month as compensation for the performance of their official duties. The Mayor shall receive the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per month as compensation for the performance of his/her official duties. On October 1, 2027 and annually thereafter on the same date, the compensation shall be adjusted by an amount equal to the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) over the prior, one-year period. In the event that the Mayor Pro Tem serves as Mayor for more than thirty (30) consecutive days, the Mayor’s compensation shall be awarded to the Mayor Pro Tem. In addition, all actual reimbursable expenses, including eligible expenses allowed by State law, incurred by all members of the City Council in the performance of their official duties shall be paid by the City.”?

PROPOSITION C -- Charter editsShall the McKinney City Charter be amended throughout to correct non-substantive errors such as misspellings, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure; conform notice and publication requirements to state law; harmonize conflicting sections; and revise references to repealed or obsolete provisions of state law?

PROPOSITION D -- Outdated practices removedShall the McKinney City Charter be amended to delete provisions, practices and policies which are no longer employed by the City of McKinney?

Read more about McKinney's Special Charter Amendment Election here.

Mosquito spraying is scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25 after a mosquito pool tested positive

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The city of McKinney announced plans to conduct mosquito spraying in two specific areas of the city following the detection of West Nile Virus in local mosquito pools.

The spraying will take place on Sept. 24, and Sept. 25, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., weather permitting, covering a one-mile radius around the affected locations at 2608 Valley Creek Trail and 920 Laredo Court, respectively.

To inform residents of the spraying, the city will post signs at major intersections in the affected areas, and additional information, including maps of the spray zones, will be available on the city’s official website at McKinneyTexas.org/MosquitoControl. The city advises residents within the spray zones to remain indoors during the spraying hours and to bring pets inside as a precautionary measure. Those who prefer not to have their homes sprayed can contact McKinney Health Compliance at 972.547.7447 to opt out.

This mosquito control measure is part of McKinney’s broader efforts to address the ongoing risk of West Nile Virus, which has been a concern throughout North Texas. Neighboring cities, including Carrollton, The Colony and Frisco, have also reported positive mosquito samples and have implemented similar targeted spraying campaigns to mitigate the spread of the virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), West Nile Virus is the most prevalent mosquito-borne disease in the United States, with activity peaking during the summer and fall. The CDC advises residents to take personal precautions, such as wearing long sleeves and pants during peak mosquito activity, using insect repellent and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes can breed.

Currently, there are no vaccines or specific treatments for West Nile Virus in humans. While most infected individuals do not exhibit symptoms, about 20% may experience mild symptoms such as fever, and approximately 1 in 150 cases can develop into severe, potentially life-threatening illness. Residents experiencing symptoms like high fever, severe headache, disorientation or neck stiffness are urged to seek immediate medical attention.

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