The Richardson ISD board of trustees agreed to hold off on a voter-approval tax rate election amid declining revenue and enrollment. The board also considered investment in a marketing campaign to increase revenue through greater enrollment at the May 14 meeting ahead of adopting the 2026-27 budget in June.

The overview: Growing enrollment is the primary method to increase district funding, so the board has been considering a “district awareness campaign” that would involve a partnership with an outside agency and a multichannel marketing push to recruit and retain RISD students. While original plans showed the marketing campaign could cost up to $500,000, board members supported a smaller investment with a phased approach.

Zooming in: The proposed voter-approval tax rate election would have put a 3.17-cent tax rate increase on the November ballot, which if approved would provide an additional $7.7 million in revenue next year. Trustees agreed to wait until after next year’s legislative session to consider holding a VATRE, citing costs to the district and community as well as uncertainties around legislative impacts.

Indoor golf simulator The Back Nine Golf is on track to open in Richardson after the City Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval for a special permit May 19.

The details: The Back Nine Golf is a 24/7 membership-based indoor golf training facility that will be part of a 17.4-acre shopping center on Coit Road, city planner Christine Ross said.

According to city documents, the location will have four simulator bays equipped with “Full Swing” technology that simulates a realistic round of golf by allowing players to hit the ball into a large projector screen. Sensors will provide instant feedback on swing speed, ball speed and launch angles. Members will also be able to book lessons with a trainer.

A closer look: Owner Anders Hultman said the golf simulator does not aim to replace outdoor golf, but to provide an opportunity for golfers to enhance their play.

“When it’s dark, when it’s rainy, when it’s cold, when it’s too hot, you can come into our facilities and get quality practice," Hultman said.

The World Cup is heading to the Dallas-Fort Worth region this summer, and leading up to the event, Frisco is preparing to host the Swedish national team. 

Although the matches will be played in Arlington, Frisco is positioning itself to be a key player in the area, officials said. Frisco is one of two base camps in the area, it will host several fan events and is the home to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. 

Zooming in: Teams will arrive in Frisco in early June to train and practice at their designated facility, said Monica Paul, president of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee. She said there may not be a lot of fans traveling to base camps, but it’s going to generate increased tax dollars for the city by just having a team staying locally.

Quote of note: “I hope [for] the families and the kids that get to experience it here in just a couple months that it creates one of those lifelong memories,” Mayor Jeff Cheney said.

Stay informed on five transportation projects around Dallas-Fort Worth.

1. Legacy Drive improvements
Project: The project will widen Legacy Drive to four lanes between Carey Road and Punk Carter Parkway and make improvements to the intersection of Legacy Drive and FM 428.
Update: Celina City Council approved a two-year contract for detailed design services at a May 12 meeting.

• Timeline: estimated completion December 2030
• Cost: $2.6 million
• Funding source: city of Celina

• Timeline: service starting late 2029
• Cost: $167 million
• Funding source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Trinity Metro, North Central Texas Council of Governments