Sanger Sentinel, January 2023

Community Engagement.

Each month, this digital newsletter is provided to our community. Past issues are also available here. The City Magazine is a publication of the City of Sanger Marketing and Communications Department. To sign up to receive the digital newsletter, please visit here.

Message from the City Manager

Happy New Year!

Ringing in the New Year is a cause for celebration, spending time with friends and family, setting new goals, and offering Happy New Year wishes. This is a time of new beginnings, new opportunities, and a chance to reflect on the past year.

Our past year was filled with incredible growth and evolution. As a City, we have much to celebrate. For a snapshot of our 2022 accomplishments, see pages 24 – 29. For 2023, we will continue to push forward with new ideas, improvements, and a dedication to making Sanger the best place to call home.

On behalf of our City Council and all of our City employees, we wish you all a Happy New Year! We hope this upcoming year brings health, joy, and abundant blessings to each of you and your families. We look forward to working together to make this a great year for Sanger, its residents, and businesses. Our City is a vibrant community filled with hard-working individuals, businesses, and organizations that strive for progress and success. We have a great opportunity to come together this year to create a brighter future for us all.

Wishing you a prosperous and joyous New Year!

John Noblitt City Manager, Sanger

SANGER CITY COUNCIL

Each month the Mayor recaps the council meetings. To hear this month’s recap or prevous months, visit our YouTube channel.

Thomas Muir Mayor, City of Sanger

Sanger

Winter is ComingIs Your Home Ready?

With winter approaching and the possibility of freezing temperatures, Upper Trinity encourages residents to winterize their sprinkler system, faucets, and swimming pools. Prepare now to save money and water!

Sprinkler systems should be turned off until next spring - - lawns and other plants are dormant and need very little additional water to make it through the winter. Turning the sprinkler controller to the OFF position ensures the sprinklers don’t water and create icy sidewalks. To prevent damage to sprinkler systems this winter, drain the water from the backflow prevention assembly (see photo) and insulate any exposed pipes

Protect outdoor faucets by disconnecting hoses and covering the faucet. Exposed pipes can be insulated with foam, towels, or other materials. These items are inexpensive and can be purchased at any hardware store.

Be sure that swimming pool pumps continue to circulate water when temperatures drop below freezing. If temperatures are expected to be below freezing for several days or you lose power to the pool, drain water from the pool equipment or contact a pool maintenance company for assistance.

For indoor faucets on an exterior wall, open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes. In extreme cold, allow a slow drip of water, not a constant stream.

Learn how to turn off the water to the house if a pipe breaks. This can be done by turning the valve next to the water meter one-quarter or one-half turn. Open as many faucets to drain as much water as possible. Consider draining the pipes when leaving town if freezing temperatures are predicted.

More information, including videos and other tips on winter weatherization, visit: https://www.utrwd.com/saving-water/help-us-conserve/winter-weatherization.

Christmas Tree Disposal

To disposed of your live Christmas Trees, place them on the curb during your normal bulk trash day.

Sanger Connected App.

The City of Sanger has partnered with CivicPlus to bring a better reporting solution, Sanger Connected. We believe this solution will provide a more robust experience to our residents, as well as improve efficiencies in responding to your inquiries.

Download the FREE app today. Apple Google Play

CITY UPDATES CITY UPDATES

Employment Opportunities

Come join our team!

We are currently hiring for the following positions:

• Facilities - Grounds Maintenance

• Maintenance Worker - Streets

• Utility Worker - Water

• Parks Crew Leader

NOW HIRING

Sanger Police Department Now Hiring

The Sanger Police Department is seeking officers to join their team.

For more information including salary and benefits, or to apply, click here.

Sanger Fire Department Now Hiring

The Sanger Fire Department is seeking an Assistant Fire Chief. For more information or to apply, click here.

Part-time Firefighter/Paramedic For more information or to apply, click here.

anger EDC

Property

Enhancement Incentive Program

Are you a business in the City of Sanger that is looking to enhance your existing site visually or in ways that increase the viability of your property for business use?

This program provides grants in the form of reimbursement up to ten thousand ($10,000) for eligible improvements to facades in the City of Sanger. Participants are eligible for up to one (1) grant in a twelve (12) month period from completion of the previous grant. The Program’s grant application process is administered by the City of Sanger’s Economic Development Corporation – applications and program guidelines are available online at www.sangertxedc.org. You can also call 940-458-2059 to speak directly with the Economic Development Office about the program, find out if your proposed improvement may be eligible for consideration, or with any questions or comments.

Let’s Connect!

Our focus is assisting Sanger businesses with their needs and developing a working relationship

to connect them with resources and programs that will improve the business climate and achieve economic success. We want to get to know you and your business! If you would like to schedule an on-site meeting, please contact Shani Bradshaw at 940-458-2059 or by email at sbradshaw@ sangertexas.org.

Sales

New Economic Development Website Coming Soon

The new Website, created by EDSuite, is designed to further strengthen its online presence and foster economic growth. The website will be user-friendly across all devices and effectively uses data and graphics to help tell the story of Sanger.

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

The Sanger Economic Development E-Newsletter aims to make it easy for you to know what development projects are going on in Sanger. Stay connected with news, updates and opportunities that will help our Sanger business community.

Click here to subscribe.

ICSD RED RIVER CONFERENCE

The Sanger Economic Development Corporation will be an exhibitor at the upcoming ICSC@Red River Conference in the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center, January 18-20, 2023. Staff will have an opportunity to interact with numerous retailers, brokers, and developers involved in the retail/restaurant industry to promote Sanger as a preferred location.

MUNI 101

How Cities Get Funds

Muni 101 - How Cities Get Funds

Municipal Finance Defined: Municipal finance is the revenue and expenditure decisions of municipal governments. It covers the sources of revenue that are used by municipal governments – taxes (property, income, sales, excise taxes), user fees, and intergovernmental transfers. It includes ways of financing infrastructure through the use of operating revenues and borrowing as well as charges on developers and public-private partnerships. Municipal finance also addresses issues around expenditures at the local level and the accountability for expenditure and revenue decisions, including the municipal budgetary process and financial management.

Sources of Municipal Income: Revenue is the income a local government needs to pay for all of the services it provides. A revenue structure describes the many sources of income a local government receives. The major sources of revenue include charges for services, taxes, other revenue sources, and intergovernmental transfers, which are defined below. Since local governments are corporations of state government, local revenue structures are largely determined by state doctrine. While state governments generally aim to provide sufficient autonomy and support to local governments, there are fifty state-local revenue systems that even vary within states. In this case, autonomy refers to the amount of authority a municipality has over its ability to initiate or modify the types and amounts of revenue it receives.

Charges for Services

Local governments provide a wide range of services to residents and businesses. Although many services are provided without charge, some services are supported by charging for the use of the service. While these services may vary, cities often provide utility services such as water, sewer, solid waste, and electricity.

Revenues from Taxes

Taxes are an essential source of revenue for all levels of government. Like other parts of the revenue structure, tax revenue setting by municipalities is restricted by state governments. States are not uniform in their approach to allowing municipalities to utilize the three major sources of tax revenue – property, sales, and income taxes – usually permitting some combination. In some states, municipalities receive revenue from two of these taxes, usually some combination of property and sales taxes.

Revenue from Other Sources

In order to bolster revenue, there are several other revenue sources, including local options taxes, franchise fees, and fees levied by municipalities, counties, or special district governments with state approval. These additional sources help municipalities, especially smaller cities, gain financial stability, broaden the tax base, expand the types of activities taxed and increase their independence from state and federal finances.

Borrowed Funds

Two common types of borrowing are general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. General obligation bonds pledge the “full faith and credit” of the local government. Local governments agree to use tax money to repay the debt. General obligation bonds cannot be issued unless a majority of the voters approve.

Revenue bonds are repaid from revenues the project itself generates. Water and sewer projects lend themselves well to the issuance of revenue bonds, where revenues from user fees can be used for repayment. Communities have also pledged the future revenue from a specific purpose of local option sales and use tax to finance bonds that allow for early construction of the approved project.

The City of Sanger

The city operates six major funds: General Fund, Enterprise Fund, 4A Economic Development Fund, 4B Economic Development Fund, Debt Service Funds, and Capital Improvement Funds.

General Fund

The General Fund is the fund used to finance the operations of the general government. The General Fund includes Public Safety, a portion of Public Works, Community Services, Sanitation, and a portion of Administrative and Support Services. Public Safety includes Police, Municipal Court, Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Fire and Ambulance departments. General Fund revenues come from a myriad of sources including property tax, sales tax, court fees, Fire and EMS revenues, and franchise fees. By far, the largest revenue stream is property tax.

Enterprise Fund

The Enterprise Fund is made up of utility departments including Water, Wastewater, and Electric. Expenditures include daily operations of the utilities, capital improvements, as well as transfers to the Internal Service Fund, The Enterprise Debt Service Fund, and the Electric Storm Recovery Fund.

Internal Service Fund

The Internal Service Fund includes departments with responsibilities in both the General and Enterprise Funds. The Internal Service Fund allows us to show the department’s entire budget in one place, making it more transparent and easier to manage. The departments include Non-Departmental costs, Mayor and Council, Administration, Public Works, Engineering, Finance, Facilities Maintenance, and Fleet Services.

Economic Development Funds

Under Texas Law, certain municipal governments can establish Economic Development Corporations for the purposes of attracting economic development and other limited purposes. These corporations are overseen by boards appointed by the City Council. Sanger is one of the few Cities that has both a 4A and 4B Economic Development Corporation. Both of these corporations receive revenues from a separate ½ cent sales tax. This sales

tax generates around $500,000 each year for each of the corporations. While these funds can only be used for limited purposes, having them frees up revenues for other purposes.

Debt Service Funds and Capital Projects Funds

Long-term, property tax-funded debt is paid from the Debt Service Fund. Likewise, the Enterprise Debt Service Fund accounts for a long-term debut supported by utility operations. The Capital Projects Funds are where expenditures on Capital Projects are paid. (There are separate funds for General Capital Projects and Enterprise Capital Projects.) Both debt service and capital projects funds serve as internal service funds used for accounting purposes.

Hotel/Motel Tax Fund

The expenditure of hotel occupancy tax (HOT) funds is tightly regulated by state law. To ensure that these funds are spent appropriately, they are placed in a separate fund and not commingled with the General Fund. The city also provides up to $14,000 a year in HOT taxes to the Sanger Chamber of Commerce for marketing.

Lessons of the Sanger ISD Schools

By Sanger Area Historical Society and Museum

School buildings have had quite a history in the community of Sanger. A few burned, new ones built in record time, old schools reconfigured to meet the needs of the students, and then the school district made decisions to build and accommodate the growing student population.

The original Sanger school stood where the current 6th Grade Campus is located. It was a wooden building with one room and dirt floors. The school classes began in 1888, although it became independent in 1898. Students attending this one-room school were for the immediate Sanger children, and country families used the Goodview, Union Hill, and Blue Mound schools. A photograph included in “Around Sanger” publication was taken about 1895. Miss Ida Allred is shown in the picture wearing a striped dress in the second row. She was the only child to be identified. The early school building was made of wood and had a broken window in the background. An attachment to this article shows this picture.

In 1910 a new school building was built. This school was made of brick and seemed to be a sturdy structure for the students. The building was located at the current 6th-grade campus site. The superintendent during the 1910 completion of the building was J.W. Beatty. The picture is also attached to the article and came from the estate of Bessie Kirkland, and her mother’s name was written on the back of the photo, “Mrs. Ola Kirkland.” The photographer’s stamp indicated “Hillyer, Sanger, Tex.”

The building of 1910 burned in October 1916. The students attended classes for the remainder of the school year in the Opera House (the W.O.W. building still located on Bolivar Street

downtown.) Students also had classes in the Dunn Building, which was located at the old Gentle’s Hardware store location and now a vacant lot at the northeast corner of Bolivar and 4th Street. Churches opened their building to hold classes for the students during this time of rebuilding the school building, which opened in 1917.

The school building was remodeled and restructured to include a new gym and stage on the upper floor. Extensions were added to both ends of this existing building and was added to meet the growing population of students. The school building held first through twelfth grades beginning on the far west end with elementary and moving eastward with the older student classes. This school became the middle school campus after the new high school was built, and burned in July 1984. All that remained was the administration office at the east end of the 6th grade campus between 6th and Elm Streets just west of 5th Street.

To the side of the administration building is a cornerstone placed by the WPA when the

Original Sanger School Building of 1888. Photo taken about 1895 according to writing on back of photograph. Sanger became independent in 1898. Miss Ida Allred is shown in the photograph in the second row, 5th from left and is the only child to be identified.

school building was built in 1917 after the fire of 1916. When viewing the photograph of this school building at the end of the article, you can see the white cornerstone on the right side of the building. This cornerstone was salvaged during the reconstruction of this building and is now placed at the admin building (photograph attached). The cornerstone reads:

1917 Sanger High School School Board

T. A. Gentle, Prest

H.D. Greene, Secty

D.M. Cowart

J.A. Fife

E. Horst

James McBride

J.M. Wilfong

J.W. Talkington, Supt

Wm. Albert Tacket, Archt J.G. Shelton & Son, Contractors

The opposite side of the cornerstone reads: Laid by Bolivar Lodge, No. 418, Sept. 27, 1917 (with a Masonic emblem)

In 1948, this 1917 building was remodeled. There was a gymnasium on the west end of the property which was separate from the main building which burned in January 1948. The loss was estimated at $75,000 by Superintendent C.D. Allen and was partially covered by insurance. A new gym and stage were added in the upper story of the renovated school building which opened in the fall of 1948.

Many former students of Sanger ISD attended school in the building that was built in 1917 and later remodeled in 1948. Current day the Sanger ISD has seven school campuses as follows:

• Chisolm Trail Elementary located on FM455

• Butterfield Elementary located on Indian Trail

• Clear Creek Intermediate located on I35

• 6th Grade Campus (at the site of the original school system located on 7th Street

• Sanger Middle School located on Berry Street (was the old high school until new high school built on FM455)

• Sanger High School located on FM455

• Linda Tutt High School located on Hughes Street (was the first separate elementary school built in 1958 for grades 1st through 5th). Three additions were added to the school, the last added in 1976.

A new high school was built in Sanger on FM455 and the previous school building located on Berry is now the campus for the Middle School.

Sanger continues to explode with growth with the need for new buildings to accommodate the students and a new high school is being planned.

Many surrounding Sanger students in early years attended the Goodview School. It was located

Sanger School Built in 1910. New brick building for Sanger students which burned October 1916.

School was built in 1917 after the previous school burned in October 1916. The school district was assisted by the Works Progress Administration funds.

Remodeled school building of the original one built in 1917. The remodeling was done in 1948 with school structure changed to add a gymnasium and stage on the upper level with an extension to the east end of the school to house classes for science, math and home economics classes and the western end to house elementary students.

at the southeast corner of Metz and View Roads, north of Sanger where it still stands today. The building was very similarly built like the Blue Mound School which is just south of the Blue Mound First Methodist Church on Interstate 35. In later years this Goodview School building was purchased by Joe Ashcraft and wife, Esta, and they converted to be used as their home. (photo attached)

Union Hill School was also known as Pond Creek School. The Union Hill community was just northeast of Sanger and the building was used as a Baptist church, also. The school was consolidated with the SISD in 1947 and in the 60s, the building was remodeled into a home by Billy Earl Switzer and wife, Gwen. It later was destroyed by a fire. (photo attached)

Since the inception of education provided to Sanger students officially in 1888, there is a constant focus on maintaining the importance of learning for the youth of Sanger. The high school campus may have some big changes in the not-so-distant future to accommodate continuing the education of students. Sanger should be proud of the history of education kept for generations to come.

Blue Mound School was constructed in the 1930s and used until the school consolidated with Sanger ISD in 1949. It also served as a community center. The building is located on I35 south of Sanger and is home to a small church.

Pictures of Downtown

Recap of the Season

That’s a

Holiday Events

Crafting with Mrs. Claus & Visit with Santa

What Can Be Recycled?

Glass

Clear, brown & green glass food & beverage containers are accepted. They should be drained completely with the lid off. Labels may remain on the glass. Light bulbs, drinking glasses, windo glass, mirrors, auto glass, tempered glass, and ceramic containers are NOT accepted.

No broken glass

Plastic Bottles

or other plastics with a #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and #7 can also be recycled. The cap should be removed and the bottle should be flattened and rinsed if possible.

Aluminum Cans

are accepted. They should be flattened if possible. Aerosol cans, paint cans, foil, pie tins, and aluminum siding are NOT accepted.

Paper, Paperboard & Cardboard

These items can be recycled unless they are wet or have been wet.

Food boxes (i.e. cereal & Jello boxes)

EMPTY paper towel & toilet paper rolls

Paperboard packaging (i.e. tissue boxes etc.)

Office paper—any color

Newspapers & inserts

Magazines, catalogs & brochures

Envelopes & junk mail

Paper bags

Phone books & other soft cover books

Corrugated boxes, such as pizza boxes, and large glued boxes are NOT accepted. Ensure all boxes are broken down.

Employee Service Awards

On Friday, December 16th, 2022, several City of Sanger employees were honored for their milestone years of service. Mayor Muir presented the awards.

Ramie Hammonds - 5 yrs. Terry Hardy - 5 yrs.

Sara Sexton- 10 yrs.

Laura Klenke- 10 yrs. Meghann Piercy- 10 yrs.

CONGRAT U LATIONS

Sheri Reynolds- 25 yrs.

Accomplishments of 2022

Public Works

• Removed/relocated water and sewer lines along the FM 455 corridor in preparation for upcoming roadway improvements scheduled to begin on 2/6/2023.

• Working with engineers on the upcoming removal/ relocation of water and sewer betterments on the I-35 project.

• Contracted with Aqua Metric for the installation of new water and electric meters and new electronic meter reading system.

• Contracted with Maguire Iron, Inc. for a full service maintenance contract for our four additional storage tanks.

Economic Development

• Increased Property Enhancement Grant from $5,000 to $10,000 (4B).

• New Economic Development Incentive Policy

• New Economic Development Website in progress

• Porter Park Project (4B)

Fire Department

• Added 5 new positions

• Placed an order for a 100ft. ladder truck. This will be the first one in our department.

• Placed an order for a new ambulance bringing the City’s total to 3.

City Secretary’s Office

• Implemented 3 new software items for the City (Laserfiche, Municode Meetings, and JustFOIA)

• Laserfiche is an electronic record storage and management software for municipal records. The software stores, files and will manage records by retention as adopted by the State retention requirements. Employees can perform a keyword search in Laserfiche for the record(s) they need to locate quickly and easily. As the City continues using Laserfiche, the next step of implementation with Laserfiche will be opening a public portal for citizens

to search all board minutes, ordinances and resolutions passed by City Council, and board agendas early in 2023.

• Municode Meetings is an agenda management software program. The program allows employees to create agenda items and upload supporting documentation, automating an approval workflow process, decreasing agenda preparation time and automating the process of posting agendas and minutes on the City’s website.

• JustFOIA software automates the request process for citizens requesting documents via the Public Information Act. Citizens will input their request into JustFOIA and then receive an email from JustFOIA with a request number and security key to access to follow and manage their request. Any responsive records and notifications will be sent through the program allowing the Requestor to follow their request through completion.

Police Department

• Calls for service were down 2.9% YOY from 8244 to 8011.

• Response time went from 8 minutes in 2021 to 6 minutes in 2022, a decrease of 25%.

• 1709 Training Hours logged 2022 2021 Difference Auto Thefts 29 19 +52% Burglary 14 9 +55% Robbery 1 1 0% Homicide 0 3 -100% Sex Offenses 9 5 +80% Theft 81 128 -36% Arrests 308 504 -38%

Accomplishments of 2022 - Continued

Development Services

• Sanger 2040 Comprehensive Plan

New Commercial

• Completion of Sportsman 2

• Completion of 551 N Stemmons Retail Building reducing the units from 6 to 3

• New construction began at 6100 N Stemmons for an Industrial Warehouse

• New construction began at 701 N Stemmons for a Quik Trip

• New construction began at 700 Acker St for a Starbucks

• In review for 1002 Cowling a new building for A&W Productions

• In review for 1660 W Chapman a new office building

• In review for 1800 S Stemmons a new Building for Enderby Gas

• In review for 521 S Stemmons a new building for Tuff Powder Coating

• In review for 802 Utility Rd a new building for Sanger Tx Truck Works

Development Services - Commercial Addition/Remodel/TFO

• Completion of the Bolivar Street Revival patio addition

• Currently under construction 1812 N Stemmons – New doors and windows

• Currently under construction 2120 N Stemmons – New parking lots

• Currently under construction 306 Bolivar St – Interior Remodel

• Currently under construction 1812 N Stemmons – Exterior Remodel

• Currently under construction 205 Bolivar St - Interior Remodel

• In review 1405 W Chapman – Interior Remodel

• In review 700 Acker – Tenant Finish Out

• In review 100 Indian Lane – Addition

• In review 105 Berry – Interior Remodel

• In review 209 N 5th St – Interior Remodel

• In review 508 7th St – Interior Remodel

• In review 204 Bolivar – Interior Remodel

• In review 711 N 5th St, Ste 100 – Interior Remodel

• In addition we have issued 74 New Residential permits and have 5 that are in review. We also reviewed and issued 264 miscellaneous permits.

Planning Processed the Following

• Minor Plats – 6

• Preliminary Plats – 4

• Final Plats – 5

• Replats – 2

• Amending Plat -1

• Zoning cases – 4

• Specific Use Permits – 2

• Planned Developments – 2

• Variances – 8

Code Enforcement Case Violation Types

• High grass & weeds 244

• Trash & debris 150

• Parked on an unimproved surface 156

• Blocking sidewalk 9

• Junked Vehicle 51

• Referred to another department 95

• Work without a permit 13

• Zoning violation 11

• Placement of Trash Containers 1

• Accessory Building Regulations 1

• Dangerous Building 1 Total Cases 732

Accomplishments of 2022 - Continued

Finance Department

• Received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers’ Association (GFOA) for the City’s 2021-2022 annual budget. The award recognizes government entities that prepare budgets of the highest quality that follow the stringent program requirements to reflect best practices and to improve budget transparency. This is the fifth consecutive year to receive this award.

• Received an “unqualified” audit opinion for the City’s financial statement for the year ended September 30, 2021. This is the highest level of opinion available, indicating that the financial statements are presented fairly, in all material aspects, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

• Managed the transition to a fiber internet connection, updating the internet speed and connectivity of all City offices.

• Oversaw the installation of a new VOIP phone system, replacing the City’s old phone system.

• Entered into an agreement with the Texas Utility Help program to assist low-income households in paying for utility services.

• Prepared the City’s fiscal year 2022-2023 annual budget.

• Organized City Council Work Session presentations from the Denton County Tax Assessor/Collector, the Denton Central Appraisal District, and the Texas Municipal Retirement System.

• Prepared 2,657 payments to accounts payable vendors.

• Processed 26 payroll periods, issuing 1,975 payroll checks to employees.

• Issued 446 Purchase Orders to vendors.

Marketing, Civic Engagement, & Events Department

• Created the 2023 Marketing and Communications Plan

• Created the Sanger Sentinel Magazine, a City Magazine that connects the City to both businesses and residents.

• Created, designed, and launched DiscoverSanger.com, our new lifestyle website.

• Updated the SangerTexas.org website.

• Launched new City Logo and branding.

• Designed Sanger PD’s new police car logo. It was the first redesign in more than 20 years.

• Gained approval from City Council for Fireworks within the City to celebrate Independence Day.

• Launched the first Freedom Fest in the Park. This free event offered shopping, a variety of food options, water slides, live music to include up-and-coming country star, Brandon Davis. The event concluded with a 20-minute firework show set to music.

• Established relationships with several local businesses for partnerships during events.

• Supported the EDC through the creation of updated marketing materials and booth redesign.

• Hosted the Mother - Son Valentine’s Dance

• Partnered with Carter Blood Care to host a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive where we far exceeded our goal.

• Redecorated the Downtown Park for Christmas.

• Hosted Santa and Mrs. Claus for two events.

Sanger Public Library

• Received a Federal Emergency Connectivity Fund grant for mobile hotspots. As a result, nine T10 Mobile Hotspots can be checked out to cardholders 18 years or older who have had a Sanger library card for three or more months.

• Launched two new digital services this fall for library cardholders, ComicsPlus and Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center. Both services provide unlimited access.

• Staff member Laura Klenke became the Technology Officer of the North Texas Library Consortium, which the library has been a member of since its inception in 2008. With the Chair and Secretary, she co-authored and received an Integrated Library Systems Cooperative Grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. This grant will enable the library to improve its cataloging, circulation, and reporting functions by moving to the Apollo system.

• Several new youth programs were introduced, including monthly Library Babies story times, Science with Attitude/Junior Master Gardener programs for elementary-age children, and Art Afternoons for tweens and teens.

• Our Summer Reading program was expanded, including the first “Battle of the Books” competition with the Krum Public Library, more options for logging reading, and more events for different age groups.

2023 Schedule of Events

Sanger Clean-up Day - March 11th - Railroad Park

• Spring is in the air! Let’s get out and clean-up our neighborhoods. Clean up your bulk trash, yard waste, old appliances and old electrical equipment.

• Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt and bring your camera to take your picture with the Easter Bunny!

Hooked Up Fishing Derby! - May 20th - Porter Park

• So, you think you can fish? Grab your poles and prove it! This free event is open to the young and young at heart. Come claim your bragging rights.

Freedom Fest - July 1 - Porter Park

• Join us for our 2nd annual Freedom Fest in the Park! This free event features live music, tons of vendors, water slides and carnival rides. The grand finale’ is the 20 minute firework show set to music. Bring the entire family for a day packed full of fun.

Easter Egg-apalooza - April 9th - Porter Park

Back 2 School Bash - August 12th - Switzer Park

• This event is designed to support those in need. Donations will be accepted throughout July and August. Come out and support this great cause. Let’s give every Sanger child a great first day of school.

Sanger Clean-up Day - October 7th - Railroad Park

Summer is over. It’s time to prepare for fall and the upcoming holidays. Bring your bulk trash, yard waste, broken swings, old appliances, and broken electrical equipment. We will ensure everything is disposed of properly.

Christmas on the Square and Holiday ParadeDecember 2 - Downtown Park

• Join us downtown for a full day of Holiday fun. This free to attend event offers tons of speciality shopping to get you started filling your Christmas list. We will have special animals from the North Pole, bounce houses, trains, and of course Mrs. Claus and Santa will be here! We will finish the day with our annual Christmas Parade.

WANT TO MEET YOUR LEADERS?

Join us for Coffee with the City Manager. This event is for residents and stakeholders to meet and network with city officials. This is an opportunity to speak oneon-one with City leadership and voice your opinion or ask questions.

Mark your calendars and join us Tuesday, February 7th, 2023, at 7:30 AM at Jus A Cup on the Square for Coffee with the City Manager.

Follow us on Facebook for more details and to learn about additional upcoming programing!

Cleaning Up After Your Pets

Recently we have noticed that pet waste is not being picked up in our Downtown Park and Porter Park.

Dog waste is not only smelly and unsightly, it pollutes landscapes, lawns, gardens and public spaces. It carries bacteria, parasites, and diseases that can be transmitted to humans and other animals, and over time, it breaks down and washes into the water supply, polluting our rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds.

Please be mindful of your neighbors and the environment and pick up pet waste when walking your pet. Do your doody pick pt the poo for the safety of yourself and others.