DTX-KRN: Impact 9/22/2025

The city of Fort Worth continues to save money by using in-house labor to repair city vehicles.

During a City Council work session Sept. 9, council members had a chance to review the presentation from property management director Marilyn Marvin.

Put in perspective: According to the report, the fleet maintenance performed internally is saving the city money compared to going to contracted vendors. The city did have to contract out some work, but according to data, the city staff is doing about 94% of the work that is needed.

The backstory: During the past three full fiscal years, the city has had more than 31,000 work orders for maintenance and repair work.

Denton County commissioners approved the $2.1 million purchase of the Ponder Volunteer Fire Station at a Sept. 9 meeting as part of an effort to improve emergency services to unincorporated areas, according to a news release.

The gist: Proceeds from the sale will fund 24/7 staffing for emergency services at the Ponder fire station through October 2028, the release states. Denton County will lease the fire station to the Ponder Fire Department for $1 a year, according to county documents, and provide an ambulance to serve the town’s emergency response zone, per the news release.

Burger Bro’z will be opening later this year in Roanoke, Owner Rilind Adili said.

The gist: The burger joint will serve smash burgers made from certified Angus chuck beef, chili cheese hot dogs, chili fries and loaded french fries, Adili said. The restaurant will also serve a house sauce and onion rings deep-fried in beef tallow, he said. Desserts include Oreo, chocolate, lotus and vanilla milkshakes, and baklava cheesecake.

Quote of note: “At Burger Bro'z, we’re two brothers with a passion for great food, and our focus is always on quality ingredients, bold flavors and making sure every guest leaves happy,” Adili said.

• 296 Byron Nelson Blvd., Roanoke

This school year, students who are eligible for reduced-price meals can receive free breakfast and lunch at public schools across Texas.

The overview: During the recent legislative session, state lawmakers approved $19.8 million to cover the cost of reduced-price meals for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.

What parents should know: Eligibility for free school meals is determined based on a family’s income through the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

Families can contact their school district to fill out an application for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year. Students who are deemed eligible for reduced-price meals will receive them at no cost through the 2026-27 school year.

What they're saying: “Kids who would have paid a small fee for meals will now receive them at no cost,” said Stacie Sanchez Hare, director of No Kid Hungry Texas. “[School] is where we know so many kids get their meals—it is a guaranteed place for kids to have access to free and nutritional meals.”