News from Town Hall - May 2021
Hello Double Oak neighbors,
This will be my final News from Town Hall column. I hope you have found it useful to stay informed on town events and happenings. It has been an honor to serve as your councilman and as your mayor. I am truly grateful for your confidence, support and trust.
Residents have been clear with the town’s elected officials about how they want the town managed. Mayors and councils have worked with our residents to maintain five key priorities for Double Oak. I have taken the position of being your Mayor seriously and have embraced the responsibility of leading our town.
Working together, here is what the Town has achieved:
1. A low property tax rate - At the current property tax rate of $0.229210 per $100, Double Oak’s rate is one of the overall lowest in Denton County and North Texas.
2. A debt free town - Double Oak is debt free. According to an independent auditor, the town’s balance sheet and reserve funds are well funded. The town is in excellent financial condition. The financial records, budget oversite and accounting processes are in place and followed.
3. One acre lot requirement - Double Oak continues to require one-acre minimum residential lot standard.
4. A safe town - Double Oak is annually recognized as a safe community. This recognition is due to the outstanding work of the Double Oak Police Department and the Double Oak Volunteer Fire Department. We owe our gratitude and thanks to the men and women who serve in our public safety departments. Both departments have implemented new protocols, technology and communication channels that keep our town safe, informed and moving forward.
The Double Oak Police Department operates with an officer on duty at all times. In December 2020, AdvisorSmith named the Town of Double Oak as the Safest City in Texas.
The town is thankful for the leadership of Police Chief Rivas, Assistant Chief Gaines, former Chief Watson, and the entire Double Oak Police Department, past and present. Thank you to our officers for serving and protecting our town. Thanks to Sheriff Tracy Murphree, Precinct 4 Constable Danny Fletcher, and our neighboring police departments for your assistance and support.
The Double Oak Volunteer Fire Department remains 100% volunteer. The volunteer members absolutely deserve our thanks. Under the leadership of Fire Chief Whisenhunt and Assistant Chief Heimerdinger, the department maintains an ISO rating of 3 with a new, improved rating expected later this year. This ISO rating helps keep your homeowners insurance rates low. The DOVFD volunteer firefighters are our neighbors who love serving others. In addition to responding to 9-1-1 calls for help, the department hosts the annual July 4th parade and picnic, they bring Santa to town, and help the community in many other ways. Current and former members of the DOVFD truly make this an amazing department. Thank you to all members for your dedicated service.
Thanks to Flower Mound Fire Department Fire Chief Greaser and Denton County Emergency Services District #1 Fire Chief Hohenberger and their respective departments for continued cooperation and support.
5. A family friendly town - Niche.com rated the Town of Double Oak A+ as one of the best places to live in Texas. The town received A ratings for schools, low crime & safety, health & fitness, and a good place for families. The town was also recognized for having one of the lowest cost of living in Denton County. Double Oak is recognized as a “Scenic City” by the State of Texas and as a desirable place to live and operate a business.
In 2020, the Double Oak Volunteer Fire Department, Police Department and town worked together to organize a 13.2-mile July 4th parade.
Double Oak residents are always willing to volunteer to help the town and their neighbors. Our residents pick up trash, collect food donations, help with handyman projects at Town Hall, and many have volunteered at Texas Motor Speedway assisting with the COVID-19 Vaccination Hub. Double Oak even has a small farmers market in the park on Saturday mornings.
We have welcomed wonderful businesses that adds commercial property to our tax roll and provides sales tax revenue which lessens the tax burden on our residents. The town appreciates all of the businesses that operate in Double Oak.
Our Double Oak Women’s Club is very active in welcoming new neighbors to our community, providing social events for the town and raising funds to help support our Police and Fire departments. Our town could not be what it is without the vision of current and former Women’s Club leaders and members. The Double Oak Women’s club is the “Heart of Our Town”.
Double Oak is grateful to our partners at Crossroads Bible Church and Senior Pastor Charlie Ridenour.
I have enjoyed working with our federal, state, county and local elected officials and their staff. Congressman Dr. Michael Burgess, State Senator Jane Nelson, former State Representative Mary Denny, State Representative Tan Parker, former County Judge Mary Horn, County Judge Andy Eads, former County Commissioner Jim Carter, and County Commissioner Dianne Edmondson’s leadership and partnership has been invaluable to Double Oak.
Double Oak enjoys a great partnership with our public school districts led by Dr. Jamie Wilson, Denton ISD, and Dr. Kevin Rogers, Lewisville ISD, and their respective Board of Trustees.
We value our relationships with neighboring municipalities and communities along with our utility and service provider partnerships. I especially want to thank Max Miller and The Cross Timbers Gazette for keeping our residents informed. As Max says, “Local Lives Here”.
I want to acknowledge former mayors Bernie Carrico, Dr. Charles Bimmerle, Dick Cook, Bill Wilkinson (deceased), Pam King and Tom Pidcock (deceased) who provided great advice and guidance over the years. Let’s support our incoming mayor, Von Beougher, and town council as they lead our town into the future. Double Oak’s foundation was set in May 1974 when J. F. Brittain and the 164 residents voted to incorporate as a town.
It has been a pleasure to serve with excellent council members and town treasurers over the years. I listened and learned a lot during our discussions. You will always have my admiration and respect. Thank you to current council members, Mayor Pro-Tem Joe Dent, Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Billie Garrett, councilmembers Anita Nelson, Scott Whisenhunt, and Von Beougher.
I wish to thank the residents who have served on the town’s boards, commissions, and committees. Your dedication and service to the town is greatly appreciated.
What can I say about our administrative staff? I am so proud of them! They are committed and dedicated to serving the residents and this town. My sincere thanks to Eileen Kennedy, Lynn Jones, Brian Shults, Charlotte Allen, Charlie Wright, Wendy Withers, Kathrine McBride, and all former town staff. It has been a pleasure working side-by-side with them.
Thanks to every resident in Double Oak. You, the residents, make our town wonderful and very special. Double Oak is truly a great place to live.
Lastly, a special thanks to my wife, Treva, and daughter, Elizabeth. Thank you for your love, prayers, and support.
May 2021 Updates
Saturday, May 1, 2021 General Election - Election Day is Saturday, May 1, 2021 with voting from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Double Oak residents will vote at Town Hall. Please contact Town Secretary, Eileen Kennedy, with any questions.
Double Oak voters will elect a mayor and two town council members in the May election. Double Oak residents will also cast votes for candidates in the Denton ISD or Lewisville ISD School Board elections depending on which school district covers your area of town.
Von Beougher is unopposed for the mayor’s seat. His term of office will be from May 2021 to May 2023. Von will be an outstanding mayor, provide great leadership and representation for our town.
Three candidates have filed for the two council seats that are up for election. The two candidates receiving the most votes will be elected and serve from May 2021 to May 2023. The candidates for council, in ballot order, are Patrick Johnson, Scott Whisenhunt and Casey Garrison Parsons.
Spring Clean Event - Saturday May 8. Drop off household hazardous waste, e-waste, and paper shredding at Town Hall. Check Town website for more information.
Waketon Road Improvement Project - The bids have been received and tabulated. We are expecting the contract to be awarded in May.
Business Development News - Stay tuned for some exciting news coming to our business district.
National Police Week - May 9-15. As you see our officers around town, please thank them for their service.
Mayor and Council Swearing In - Monday, May 17, 7:00 PM, Double Oak Town Hall
Double Oak Volunteer Fire Department Independence Day Parade and Picnic - We are excited that the DOVFD has announced that they will host the annual parade and picnic. Please note, the event will be held on Saturday, July 3. Parade line up will be at 9:00 AM on Simmons Road with the parade starting at 9:30 AM. The picnic is from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the J. B. Wright Park at Town Hall. More information can be found on the town and DOVFD websites.
Happy Mother’s Day
Best wishes to Mayor Von Beougher and the incoming Town Council.
On Memorial Day, please pause and remember those who have died in service of our nation.
Congratulations to all of our town Graduates.
Thank you, Double Oak neighbors, you are absolutely the BEST!
God Bless the Town of Double Oak
Mike