Allen residents began paying slightly more on their monthly drainage and solid waste bills Oct. 1 after the City Council approved new utility rates Sept. 22.
The drainage fee for single-family homes rose $0.75 to $5.25 per month. Solid waste bills climbed $0.80, from $20.09 to $20.89 for a standard 95-gallon trash and recycling setup. Water and wastewater rates also increased 6.9%, as we reported Oct. 1.
The drainage increase is projected to generate about $537,000 in additional annual revenue, Community Impact reported. Of that, $317,000 will go into a drainage capital improvement fund for emergency repairs.
Part of the new revenue will fund Allen's first in-house street sweeper, a $440,000 purchase that comes with a new equipment operator position. Community Services Director Steve Massey told the council Sept. 22 that running the sweeper in-house instead of contracting the work should save the city $129,000 per year.
"All of our larger neighbors already have street sweepers … They're operated at a cost savings, and it's the time for Allen to implement that," Massey said at the Sept. 22 meeting, according to Community Impact.
Even after the solid waste increase, Allen will have the lowest solid waste and recycling rates among all five North Texas Municipal Water District member cities, according to city documents presented at the meeting.
September permits: 43 issued, $18.7M in valuations
The city's September building permit report logged 43 permits totaling $18,677,372.65 in project valuations.
The largest project: a 62,139-square-foot assisted living facility at 920 Stockton Dr. received its certificate of occupancy Sept. 2. Kevin White is listed as both tenant and owner on the permit.
At Allen Premium Outlets, two new tenants opened. A 3,792-square-foot collectibles store selling Funko Pops, anime and sports memorabilia at 820 W. Stacy Rd., Suite 310, received its certificate Sept. 17. Stephen Steelman is the tenant. A 2,302-square-foot specialty snack and candy shop at Suite 154, run by Tahseen Mahmood, followed Sept. 21.
Watters Creek saw a $300,000 jewelry store remodel at 843 Watters Creek Blvd. A Community Impact report from August said jewelry brand Gorjana planned to open at Watters Creek Village this year, though the September permit does not name the tenant.
Other notable permits include Barrio Burrito, a $300,000 new construction at 1480 N. Custer Rd. that received its certificate Sept. 9, and FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers at 105 N. Greenville Ave., a 2,000-square-foot rehabilitation clinic.
Several ownership changes also appeared: Eggsquisite Cafe at 1314 W. McDermott Dr., Laura Mac Salon at Watters Creek under new owner Fejiro Okiomah, and a boba tea shop at 204 N. Greenville Ave. The bakery at 803 E. Main St. formerly known as Honeybird rebranded as Cream Bunny Bakery under owner Chelsea H. Ahn.
The city's October permit report is expected around Nov. 1.
