Burleson Focus Winter 2019-2020 Edition
Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting & Fireworks December 7 | Old Town
Burleson hosting multiple holiday events for the entire family The City’s 20th annual Santa’s Breakfast takes place 7 – 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at the BRiCk. The event is geared to children from birth to 12 years old (children 2 and younger get in free). Tickets are on sale starting Nov. 4.
Santa and his helpers will then have the honor of turning on the City Christmas tree lights. The fireworks show will follow and is choreographed to holiday music. The show is a 10-15 minute low-aerial fireworks display at the corner of Johnson Avenue and Ellison Street.
Christmas at the Library will also take place on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Participants Join the Senior Activity Center the next will enjoy creating ornaments, decorating weekend for their Christmas Craft Fair, 9 cookies, door prizes, refreshments and more. a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. You can find lots of one-of-a-kind handmade The City’s annual tree lighting and fireworks items that will make a great unique gift. will take place that night. The Burleson Rotary Club’s Parade of Lights will start at Kerr Middle Russell Farm Art Center will celebrate the School at 6 p.m. and will bring Santa season with Carols and Cocoa under the Claus to his final stop in Burleson on Dec. beautiful glow of the farm’s holiday lights 7 at the corner of Johnson Avenue and from 6 - 8 p.m. on Dec. 13. Come back to Ellison Street. Dancers and singers will be Russell Farm the next day for Christmas on on hand entertaining the parade crowd. the Farm, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 14.
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City introduces interactive development map The City of Burleson introduced its new interactive development map, which will quickly answer resident’s questions about any construction project they see in town.
Using the interactive features, users can see projects that have been approved by City Council, under construction and completed for each location. The project’s information, along with renderings, are available for each project. View the interactive development maps at www.burlesontx.com/devmaps
Automated recycling service begins January 2020
Free 65-gallon recycling carts will be delivered to Burleson homes December 3 through December 20, 2019 in preparation for the automated recycling service that will begin in January 2020. New recycling trucks feature an automated lifting mechanism that requires (3) feet of clearance on both sides of they recycling cart. The green bin will no longer be used for recycling collection. You may keep the bin or place it out for regular trash collection. More information: www.burlesontx.com/trashtalk
Upcoming city closures CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY NEW YEAR HOLIDAY
MLK JR DAY
City Facilities (except public safety)
City Facilities (except public safety)
City Facilities (except public safety)
Trash/Recycling
Trash/Recycling
Trash/Recycling
Burleson Recreation Center
Burleson Recreation Center
Burleson Recreation Center
Hidden Creek Golf Course
Hidden Creek Golf Course
Hidden Creek Golf Course
Dec. 24 - 25 Closed
Trash and Recycling collections will not be affected. Dec. 24 Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dec. 25 Closed Dec. 24 & 25 Closed
Jan. 1 Closed
Trash and Recycling collections will not be affected. Dec. 31 Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Jan. 1 Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dec. 31 Open Regular Hours Jan. 1 Open Regular Hours
Watch City Council Meetings
Jan. 20 Closed
Collection will not be affected and continue as scheduled Jan. 20 Open Regular Hours
Jan. 20 Open Regular Hours
www.burlesontx.com/watchlive
City Council lowers property tax rate The new fiscal year budget, which began on Oct. 1, invests in public safety, street maintenance and more. The approximately $100.2 million budget includes $1.355 million to provide salary increases the city’s public safety employees, who were previously significantly below market. Other public safety response additions approved in this budget are the funding for three new police officers, a new police records clerk and victims assistance coordinator. The approved budget includes $73,733 for additional fire overtime funding which will improve staffing of the paramedic squad at Fire Station 1. The squad provides an enhanced service to the community by dedicating two paramedics at Fire Station 1 for emergency medical response. The budget also includes $62,000 for funding an additional firefighter at the Johnson County ESD #1 Station 83 on the west side of the city improving overall emergency response to the western portion of Burleson. The approved budget adds a pavement maintenance crew that will be responsible for enhancing the City’s street maintenance program and will be partially funded by reducing an existing contract for concrete roadway repair services. The City Council also voted to lower the property tax rate to $0.720 per $100 of accessed valuation, 1.50 cents lower than last year’s property tax rate. View the entire budget, burlesontx.com/budget
City wins state award for drowning prevention
During the 2019 Texas Municipal League (TML) Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio, the City of Burleson received a 2019 Municipal Excellence Award in public safety for cities over 25,000 in population. The award recognized the City for the Burleson Drowning Prevention Coalition. Inspired to prevent childhood drownings, the City of Burleson Fire Department and marketing team created a public service video to raise awareness and encourage parents to safeguard their children. Wanting to do more, the Drowning Prevention Coalition, which consists of multiple community partners, formed and began collaborating on ways to end childhood drowning deaths. The result was a successful effort to provide swimming lessons, free of charge, to Burleson youth. To date, the Coalition is responsible for providing 1,500 children with swim lessons.
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City Events
DECEMBER
December 7
Santa’s Breakfast, 7 - 10:30 a.m. Burleson Recreation Center Tickets go on sale Nov. 4
Christmas at the Library, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Public Library Create your own ornament, decorate cookies and more
Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting & Fireworks
Parade starts at 6 p.m. Fireworks at 8 p.m. Old Town
December 13
Carols & Cocoa, 6 - 8 p.m. Russell Farm Art Center
Celebrate the season under the holiday lights at the Farm.
December 14
Christmas Craft Fair, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Senior Activity Center Find that perfect holiday gift at this annual event.
Christmas on the Farm, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Russell Farm Art Center Join us for a country Christmas with crafts, tours and more.
December 17
Polar Express Pajama Party, 5:30 p.m. Burleson Recreation Center Watch Polar Express and other fun holiday activities.
JANUARY
LIBRARY CHRISTMAS
January 4
Member Appreciation Day, Burleson Recreation Center Time to start your New Year’s Resolution, check out what the BRiCk has to offer
January 16
State of the City presented by Mayor Shetter
STATE OF
Burleson Chamber of Commerce hosts this event where the public can learn about all the exciting things happening in the city. 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., First Baptist Church of Burleson Purchase tickets from the Burleson Chamber of Commerce
FEBRUARY February 8
Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Valentine Dance 4 - 9 p.m. Burleson Recreation Center Tickets go on sale Jan. 7
February 14
Senior Valentine Dance, 7 p.m. Senior Activity Center Live band, pictures, dance contest and more. $5 per person
FAMILY DANCE
For more information about these events and other upcoming city events visit burlesontx.com