Boards and Commissions
 

Board and Commission members have an important role in assisting the City Council in fulfilling its obligations to the citizens of Farmers Branch, as well as helping maintain the high quality of life enjoyed by the City's residents.

As a member of one of the City's appointed boards or commissions, you will focus upon community needs that require your understanding, dedication and vision.

Participation on a board or commission provides an opportunity to become aware of the operating policies and challenges of municipal government. It gives citizens an opportunity to play a vital role in the communication process between citizens and elected officials. However, the City Council has the ultimate political and legal responsibility for conducting local government for the welfare of the entire community.

City boards and commissions include:

To request an application and handbook for Board and Commission Service, please contact City Secretary Cindee Peters via e-mail or call 972-919-2503.

All meetings dates and times are subject to change. Please call 972-247-3131 for verification of any meeting date, time or location.

 

ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meetings
At least three times per year. Dates, times and place to be determined.

Duties
The Advisory Committee will assist the City in complying with regulations that include

  • Standards for housing and sanitation

  • Standards for separation and holding of animals

  • Standards for feeding and watering animals

  • Inspection of the shelter by a veterinarian for compliance with state regulations

  • Record keeping on the disposition of animals

  • Standards for personnel training and euthanasia

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METROCREST HOSPITAL AUTHORITY

Meetings
Meetings are typically held the third Tuesday of each month at 12 p.m.

Duties
The purpose of this board is to finance, facilitate, evaluate and oversee the development and operation of healthcare facilities, services and projects to ensure optimum quality healthcare. The hospital authority has jurisdiction over RHD Memorial Medical Center in Farmers Branch and Trinity Medical Center in Carrollton.

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LIBRARY BOARD

Meetings
Second Thursday of each month at 7:15 p.m. at Manske Library.

Duties
Duties of the Library Board include

  • Consider requests from the community for the purchase of materials and services.

  • Make recommendations to the City Council.

  • Review the written input citizens have placed in the Board's suggestion boxes.

  • Keep current with trends and advances in public libraries.

  • Keep current with the Manske Library and its collections and services.

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PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD

Meetings
Third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at City Hall

Duties
Duties of the Parks and Recreation Board include

  • Recommend Parks and Recreation projects in the City to the City Council.

  • Serve as a liaison between other governmental agencies, civic groups and all citizens of the City in the planning and programming of parks and recreation.

  • Review and recommend the capital improvement budget for the Parks and Recreation Department.

  • Work with other City staff in the development of special events in Farmers Branch.

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PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

Meetings
Second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. Each regular meeting is preceded by a study session that typically begins at 6 p.m.

Duties
Duties of the Planning and Zoning Commission include

  • Consider requests for zoning changes, Specific Use Permits, site plan approvals and the subdivision or platting of land.

  • Consider public hearings and make recommendations to City Council with regard to all of these matters.

  • Responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of the City's Comprehensive Plan and Master Thoroughfare Plan.

  • Conduct special studies on issues that affect the physical, social and economic health of the community as needed.

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SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD

Qualification
Must be 55 years of age or older

Meetings
Regular meetings are typically held on the second Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center.

Duties
Duties of the Senior Advisory Board include

  • Recommend Senior Center projects and programs to the City Council.

  • Serve as a liaison between other government agencies, civic groups and all senior citizens of Farmers Branch in planning and programming the Senior Center.

  • Review and recommend the capital improvement budget for the Senior Center.

  • Work with City staff in development of special events for senior citizens.

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ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS

Meetings
Regular meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Duties
Duties of the Zoning Board of Adjustments include

  • Determine if the Administrative Official has committed an error in the interpretation and enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance.

  • Permit such modifications of the height, yard, lot area coverage, floor area, minimum access, parking regulations as may be necessary to secure appropriate development of a parcel of land which differs from other parcels in the district by being of such restricted area, shape or slope that it cannot be appropriately developed without modification.

  • Review the status of non-conforming uses.

Duties of the Building Code Board of Appeals include

  • Hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the Building Official relative to the application and interpretation of the construction codes.

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HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION BOARD

Meetings
Regular meetings are typically held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Dodson House in the Historical Park.

Duties
Duties of the Historical Preservation and Restoration Board include

  • Review the acquisition of historical buildings and artifacts.

  • Seek donations of artifacts.

  • Develop educational programs for the Park in conjunction with Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD and Dallas ISD.

  • Work with the City and Chambers of Commerce in development and implementation of special events.

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INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Meetings
As called.

Duties
The City created the Industrial Development Corporation for the special purpose of promoting and developing commercial, industrial and manufacturing enterprises and encouraging employment generally through the issuance of industrial development bonds. The Corporation is authorized to issue industrial development revenue bonds after approval by the City Council.

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HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION

Meetings
As called.

Duties
The City created the Housing Finance Corporation in 1993 for the special purpose of providing a financial mechanism for the development and ownership of residential and multi-family housing initiatives. The Corporation is organized solely to carry out the purposes of the Texas Housing Finance Corporation Act. Membership on this board is simultaneous with membership on the Industrial Development Corporation.

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VALWOOD IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

Qualification
Must be landowner in Valwood Improvement District

Meetings
Meetings are typically held the second Wednesday of each month at 12 noon.

Duties
The authority was established by State Law as a conservation and reclamation district. The authority is one of the largest planned industrial/business parks in Dallas County. One of its projects is to provide flood protection from both external and internal flood waters.

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TAX INCREMENT FINANCING REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER ONE BOARD

Meetings
As called.

Duties
The board shall make recommendations to the City Council concerning the administration of the TIF reinvestment zone number one. It shall prepare and adopt a project plan and reinvestment zone financing plan and must submit those plans to the City Council for approval. The board shall also submit an annual report on the status of the reinvestment zone.

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TAX INCREMENT FINANCING REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER TWO BOARD

Meetings
As called.

Duties
The board shall make recommendations to the City Council concerning the administration of the TIF reinvestment zone number two. It shall prepare and adopt a project plan and reinvestment zone financing plan and must submit those plans to the City Council for approval. The board shall also submit an annual report on the status of the reinvestment zone.

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FARMERS BRANCH LOCAL GOVERNMENT CORPORATION

Meetings
As called.

Duties
The FBLGC is organized to develop oil, natural gas and other mineral interests on behalf of the City.

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COMMUNITY WATCH COMMITTEE

Meetings
As called.

Duties
The Community Watch Committee serves as an organizing body to promote and encourage the development of neighborhood groups working together for the greater good and promotion of the City's residential neighborhoods and sense of community.

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SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Meetings
As called.

Duties
The School-Community Relations Committee assists in matters related to the Carrollton/Farmers Branch Independent School District including:

  • Keeping current with the activities of the school district board of trustees, administration and school campuses.

  • Communicating with the City Council and Staff concerning school district activities and plans.

  • Communicating with the residents of Farmers Branch relative to school district issues.

  • Evaluating and considering educational service alternatives.

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All meeting dates and times are subject to change. Please call 972-247-3131 for verification of any meeting date, time or location.