McKinney officials are considering implementation of a trap-neuter-release program with minimum staff involvement after receiving feedback from City Council members in December.

Some council members voiced support for a citizen-led TNR option during a Dec. 2 work session. Trap-neuter-release refers to trapping, spaying or neutering, vaccinating and ear tipping feral cats for identification before releasing them.

What happened: City staff returned to council members with three different options for allowing trap-neuter-release activities in McKinney. Code Services Director Phillip Hubbard’s presentation included an overview of each option that ranged from minimum staff involvement to high staff involvement.

What they’re saying: Council member Patrick Cloutier asked if the city could contact veterinary offices to determine if there’s a fixed price for neutering or spaying feral cats.

“The hard cost to this is the actual neutering, and in the low staff involvement [option] we haven’t provided any clarity to motivated citizens to let them know what that might be,” he said.

Officials with Atlanta-based Classic Collision are planning a new location at the northwest corner of Redbud Boulevard and Wilmeth Road in McKinney.

What happened: McKinney City Council members approved a specific use permit for the major vehicle repair facility during a Dec. 2 meeting. Staff recommended approval of the permit request since the subject property is located near other industrial uses such as outdoor storage and warehouse uses, according to a city document.

The details: Owen Bartlett, development manager for 6S Development, spoke on behalf of the applicant during the meeting. The new site will be one of Classic Collision’s first locations in the DFW region and officials are “very excited to invest in this community,” he said. The proposed building will measure about 17,000 square feet and all vehicle repair work will occur within the enclosed structure.

Collin College is getting closer to opening its new health sciences center at its Frisco campus.

The overview: College leaders along with city of Frisco officials celebrated a construction milestone as the final beam was lifted and placed on top of the Health Sciences Center during a topping-out ceremony held Dec. 3, according to a college news release. The 120,000-square-foot center will provide additional space for the college's current health science programs while creating spaces for new programs. 

The project is estimated to cost approximately $71.8 million and is expected to open in spring 2027.

Quote of note: "Great progress has been made toward creating this innovative learning environment,” Collin College district President Neil Matkin said in the release. “We can all be proud of contributing to a Health Sciences Center that will offer high-demand programs that align with local workforce needs. It’s a win for our students, for our healthcare partners and for the community who will benefit from receiving care from well-trained, highly qualified healthcare professionals.”

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unveiled a plan Dec. 9 to further raise property tax exemptions for Texas homeowners and lower the age at which Texans qualify for additional tax relief during the 2027 state legislative session.

The details: Deemed “Operation Double Nickel,” Patrick’s three-part plan asks state lawmakers to:

• Raise the property tax exemption on a Texas homeowner’s main residence, known as a homestead exemption, by $40,000
• Allow homeowners who are at least 55 years old to qualify for a larger exemption reserved for seniors and people with disabilities
• Pass legislation to drive down property taxes charged by local governments