City of Duncanville

Winter Weather Safety Tips and Updates

Winter Weather Updates from the National Weather Service

Duncanville Warming Center

The Duncanville Recreation Center (201 James Collins Blvd., Duncanville, TX 75116) will be open as a warming center on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This location is not available for overnight stays and is limited to a designated area for residents to remain warm. No food or beverages will be provided—please bring your own.

DeSoto 24-Hour Warming Center

The DeSoto Parks and Recreation Center (211 E. Pleasant Run Rd.) will operate as a 24-hour warming center beginning Saturday, January 24 at 6:00 a.m. through Monday, January 26 at 10:00 p.m. The warming center is open to Best Southwest residents. No animals are allowed inside; however, Tri-City Animal Shelter & Adoption Center will provide a heated animal trailer outside the warming center. No bedding or food will be provided, so please bring your own bedding and food.

Please share this information with anyone who may need it, and plan ahead by bringing any essentials you’ll need while you’re there.

• There were 64 total building inspections this week. 47 inspections passed, 17 failed, 0 canceled, and 0 partial pass.
  
• 56 Building Permits were issued this week.

Health Weekly Inspection Report

• This week, there were 9 total health inspections, 2 billing in person for Annual Health Renewal, 3 for the Health Certificate of Occupancy, and 0 for Annual Swimming Pool Inspections. 2 routine health inspections, 0 mobile food unit inspections 2 complaints.

Total Fees Collected for the Week: $36,514.40.

Rental Weekly Inspection Report:

• A total of 28 rental inspections were scheduled this week: 20 passed, 8 failed, and 0 were canceled. The primary reasons for the failed inspections were the absence of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection, missing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, inadequate ground rods, and water heaters that did not meet current code standards.
  
• 8 Single Family Rental Certificates of Occupancy have been reissued.
  
• A total of 12 Apartment Unit Inspections for this week have been completed.  

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West Nile Virus (WNV) Samples Results

Testing conducted by Dallas County Mosquito Control.

December 31, 2025 - NEGATIVE

January 7, 2026 - No Results

January 14, 2026 - No Results

January 21, 2026 - NEGATIVE

To protect yourself from West Nile Virus, use bug spray with DEET. It's also a good idea to stay inside during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are out the most.

Due to this weekend’s Winter weather forecast, the following Fieldhouse weekend events and rentals have been canceled or rescheduled:

• Church Service
  
• Elite Grass Roots Youth Basketball Tournament
  
• Masters League Pro-Am Adult Basketball League 

Emergency Management

• Emergency Management Team completed 2026 update for the Regional Debris Management Plan.
  

• EMT attended FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) World Cup Emergency Management Briefing.
  

• EMT coordinated with four cities for the upcoming winter storm event. Participated in scheduled city, county, and National Weather Service coordination calls.
  

• EMT the Best Southwest Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Board Meeting.

Fire Administration 

• Attended the State of the City event on January 16, 2026.
  

• Attended Fire Administration staff meeting.
  

• Attended the City Council meeting.
  

• Duncanville Fire Chief Chris Connealy conducted an interview with the Commission on Professional Credentialing for the Chief Fire Officer designation he has had since 2000. It must be renewed every three years. Awaiting confirmation by the Commission.
  

• Continued to work on the Insurance Services Office (ISO) project. ISO will be doing an evaluation later in 2026. Need to finish onboarding of First Due software modules.
  

• Attended the Duncanville Lions Club meeting and Rotary Club of Duncanville meeting.
  

• Continuing to work on the Texas Fire Chiefs Association Best Practices project. Making significant progress and expect to complete this project in 2026.
  

• Duncanville Fire Fighter Colton Broeske's helmet shield presentation, getting off probation.
  

• Attended Dallas County Fire Chief Association meeting in Dallas, Texas.
  

• Attended Winter weather planning meetings.
  

• Attended bi-weekly meeting with Interim City Manager Richard Abernethy.

Reviews

• Plan Reviews: 35
• Design Review Committee: 2

Inspections:

• Business: 4

 Miscellaneous:

• Deputy Fire Marshal Logan Henry passed his Fire Investigator State Skills and has scheduled his state exam.
  
• Fire Marshal David Carpenter was called out to investigate a residential structure fire in Cedar Hill on January 17, 2026.

Fire Operations:

The Fire Department responded to 119 calls for service in the past seven days. These included:

Fires: 4
1 Structure Fire in DeSoto, 1 Miscellaneous Fire in DeSoto, 1 Grass Fire in Duncanville, 1 Vehicle Fire.

Emergency Medical Services: 70

Accidents: 8

Personnel

•  Recruit Joseph Valdez completed week 12 of the North Central Texas Council of Governments Police Academy.
  
• Jacqueline Doss, Julio Padron, Ricky Logan, and Aidan Smith completed week 1 of the North Central Texas Council of Governments Police Academy.
  
• On January 17, 2026, Duncanville Police concluded an eight-day manhunt with the apprehension of a fugitive wanted for attempting to run over a Duncanville Officer while fleeing in a stolen vehicle. The incident prompted coordinated operations involving multiple divisions within the department. The suspect was safely taken into custody without incident.
  
• Congratulations to Officer Victor Gonzalez on successfully completing field training on January 21! We are excited to announce that he will begin his shift with Bravo Days on Sunday, January 25. Wishing him a safe and successful start as he takes on this new assignment.
  

Need something to read or watch during our winter weather? Duncanville Public Library cardholders (city residents, employees, and paid nonresidents) have 24/7 access to a wide variety of ebooks and audiobooks with Libby. Streaming television shows, documentaries, and movies are available with Kanopy. More information about these online resources is available on the Duncanville Public Library website.

Ongoing Adult Programs:

• Craftastic, Tuesdays at 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM. Craft something fantastic by hand! Create with paper crafts, collage, and other simple projects. For adults, but open to all ages.
  

• Computer Basics, Tuesdays at 6 PM – 7:30 PM. Learn the basic concepts of using a computer. Chromebooks are available, or bring your own device.
  

• Tech Tutors, Wednesdays at 7 PM – 7:45 PM. Get help with any of your own devices or on one of our public computers.
  

• New! Additional Thursday afternoon sessions (4:30 PM – 5:30 PM) available on January 15 and January 29.
  

• Sewing Tutorial, Saturdays at 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM. Join this small-scale sewing tutorial. Sign up in person or call us. Limit 3 per session.
  

• Maker Time, Saturdays at 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM. Use the makerspace to work on your creative projects.

Ongoing Youth Programs:

• Homeschool Hangout, Mondays at 10:30 AM. Calling all homeschoolers! Join us in a space where students can engage in fun STEAM activities…or hang out with each other! For children aged 6 –11 and their families or caregivers.
  

• LEGO® Maniacs, Mondays at 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Come play with Legos!
  

• Baby Play, Tuesdays at 10:15 AM. Come play with your child in our discovery stations. Kids explore early concepts and fine motor skills all through interactive play. Ages 0 – 3 years and a caregiver.
  

• Game On! Tuesdays (6 – 7:30 PM): Teens aged 12-18 can enjoy board games or console games (Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5) together.
  

• Preschool Story Time, Thursdays at 10:15 AM. Story time fun for ages 3 – 6 and a caregiver.
  

• Toddler Story Time, Thursdays at 11:15 AM. Story time fun for toddlers. Open to ages 0 – 3 and a caregiver.

Applications are now open for the Duncanville Community and Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) Design Incentive Grant Program, an initiative designed to support local businesses through financial assistance for exterior and interior design improvements, and more. Design Incentive Grant applications will be accepted through March 1, 2026. For more information and a copy of the grant guidelines, please visit the Economic Development’s ‘Local Incentives’ webpage at https://www.duncanvilletx.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=74321.

The DCEDC congratulates the 2026 Mayor’s Award of Excellence recipients, Xela Bistro and Methodist Charlton Medical Center! Awards were presented at the State of the City and Duncanville Chamber of Commerce Celebrate Duncanville event.

A special congratulations to DCEDC Board President, Patrick Harvey, for being selected as the 2025 Chamber Man of the Year!

BUSINESS VISITS: 

• Fabricon, Inc – Full Service Precision Machine Shop
  1146 Explorer Street Duncanville, Texas
  https://fabriconinc.com/about-us/

Business & Arts Networking Mixers 2026

• Staff liaisons for the DCEDC and Arts Commissions met this week to discuss plans for a series of quarterly networking and engagement events for 2026.
  
• Briefings with both DCEDC and Arts Commission targeted for February 2026.

Duncanville Community and Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) Updates

GRANTS (currently in process):

• Take Out Burgers – Signage Grant, $3,800, Approved by DCEDC– September 8, 2025
  
• Kim and Jenny’s Cafe- Incentive Agreement, $135,000, Approved by DCEDC – September 8, 2025 // Approved by City Council – October 21, 2025
  
• Railroad Flats Property – A briefing to discuss project proposals and the history of this development site is scheduled for the January 26, 2026, Joint Meeting of the City Council, DCEDC, and TIF Board.
  
• Parklane Investments dba Corinth Properties- Chapter 380 Sales Tax Incentive, Up to $150,000 over 5 years, Approved by DCEDC – December 15, 2025. Scheduled for the February 3, 2026, City Council Meeting for Consideration.

Special Events 

Planning is underway for the BloomFest Music & Arts Festival, scheduled for May 9, 2026, which will once again celebrate music, arts, and community engagement in Duncanville. BloomFest continues to serve as a signature event that supports local culture, attracts visitors, and provides opportunities for community participation.

As part of this year’s programming, staff has launched the Battle of the Bands, a live music competition designed to showcase local and regional talent during the festival. Bands are selected through an application process and will perform live on the BloomFest stage, with performances evaluated by a judging panel. Top performers will be recognized during the event.
Key highlights include:

• BloomFest Event Date: May 9, 2026
  
• Battle of the Bands: Applications are open until Jan 26, 2026. Live competition voted on by YOU-stay tuned for our top 10 post on February 2, 2026!
  
• Vendor Applications: Submissions now open

Additional details regarding participating bands, schedules, and festival programming will be shared as planning continues.

Accounting and Reporting

Week of January 15, 2026, to January 21, 2026

Electronic Funds Transfer Payments: 41 invoices were processed, totaling $558,381.70

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The Human Resources Department is currently recruiting for the following positions:

• Maintenance I - Streets
  
• Maintenance Worker II - Mowing
  
• Crew Leader – Streets
  
• Utilities Maintenance Worker I
  
• Park Maintenance – Part Time

The Human Resources Department is currently recruiting. Interested candidates may review current openings, including job descriptions, and apply online at Current Openings.

The Police and Fire Departments are actively recruiting candidates to fill vacancies within their Civil Service entry-level positions.

Become a member today! The minimum age to join is 50. For more information, contact the Senior Center at (972) 707-3864.

Upcoming Events

• Bingo with Life and Health Insurance – Friday, January 23, 2026 - 10:30 AM
  

• Mystery Lunch – Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 12:00 PM
  

• Alley Cats Bowling – Wednesday, January 28, 2026 - 10:00 AM
  

• Healthy Sweet Bites – Wednesday, January 28, 2026 - 1:30 PM
  

• Outback Steakhouse – Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 4:00 PM

PARKS

• Crews continued seasonal field maintenance across multiple parks in preparation for upcoming activities.
  

• Crews completed citywide tulip bulb planting across major facilities and corridors.
  

• Staff completed welding and structural improvements at athletic facilities.
  

• Staff conducted maintenance day across divisions, focusing on equipment inspections and facility cleanup.
  

• Staff installed banners along the Armstrong walking trail.
  

• Crews performed perennial trimming and general bed maintenance.

Recreation Center

Class Highlight

The personal training service we now offer is becoming more popular and students are signing up to receive one on one physical instruction and nutritional guidance. This program is offered throughout the week, and the trainer customizes the days and times to accommodate her customers. Rates vary depending on the number of sessions.

Upcoming Events: Health Fair & Instructor Meet & Greet

We are in full swing planning this year’s Health Fair / Meet & Greet Event. Currently, we have 14 plus instructors and health vendors signed up to participate. The event is this Monday, January 26, 2026 (Rec Center), 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Instructors and vendors will hand out nutritional pamphlets, energy bars, Powerade, swag items, and provide demonstrations. The intent is to sign up students on the spot. In addition, we hope to sell more memberships on the night of. The event may be cancelled due to the weather. We will monitor and let you know.

 Recreation Center

• January 1 through January 31 – Membership Drive
  
• January 26 - Health Fair & Instructor Meet and Greet - 6:30 PM
  
• February 21 – Daddy Daughter Dance – 6:00 PM

• The Planning & Zoning team is updating the Planning website and various Planning applications.

• Crew marked drainage utility locates for contractors.
  

• Crew poured a concrete pad for the Utilities Division.
  

• Crew installed asphalt millings at the Duncanville Fieldhouse for overflow parking.
  

• Crews continued to perform recurring maintenance work at Beavercreek Drive and Clark Road bridges.
  

• Crews prepared for winter weather operations in advance of the winter storm expected to arrive on Friday, January 23, 2026.

Summit Pump Generator

• The Automatic Transfer Switch for the generator has arrived and is being wired. The generator is expected to be fully operational next month.

• From January 12-18, 2026, 31,372,240 gallons of water were pumped. The estimated water loss for that week was 1,351,301 gallons, including main breaks and leaks.