[State of the City 2026 on February 3, 2026.]
[00:00:05]
INVOCATION THIS EVENING IS REVEREND RAMSEY JAY.
THANK YOU. LET US PRAY. ALMIGHTY AND GRACIOUS GOD, WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR THIS DAY AND FOR YOUR MERCIES WHICH ARE NEW TO US WITH EVERY BREATH.
AND ON THIS EVENING, LORD, WE ESPECIALLY GIVE YOU THANKS FOR THE CITY OF PLANO, ITS PEOPLE, ITS NEIGHBORHOODS AND PARKS, ITS SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES, ITS DIVERSITY AND SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM.
GRANT OUR LEADERS THE WISDOM, INTEGRITY AND COURAGE TO SEEK COLLABORATION OVER DIVISION.
SERVICE OVER SELF-INTEREST AND IMAGINATION ROOTED IN RESPONSIBILITY.
BLESS ALL THOSE WHO SERVE AND SUSTAIN THIS CITY.
OUR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, FIRST RESPONDERS AND EDUCATORS, ALL THOSE WHO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE, OUR INFRASTRUCTURE STRONG, OUR SERVICES RESPONSIVE, AND OUR COMMUNITY THRIVING.
GOD, YOU ARE IN ALL AND THROUGH ALL BY YOUR GRACE AND PROVISION.
NOT TO US, O LORD, NOT TO US, BUT TO YOUR NAME BE THE GLORY.
AMEN. AMEN. PLEASE RISE FOR THE PRESENTATION OF COLORS BY THE PLANO POLICE HONOR GUARD.
LEFT. LEFT RIGHT. LEFT. LEFT. LEFT.
DETAIL. HALT! PRESENT. ARMS. PLEASE JOIN ME NOW IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
COLOR GUARD. PORT ARMS. RETIRE THE COLORS. MARCH.
LEFT. LEFT. RIGHT. LEFT. LEFT. RIGHT.
TONIGHT WE COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE MORE THAN A YEAR OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
PLANO. PLANO, PLANO. PLANO. PLANO. PLANO. PLANO.
PLANO. PLANO. PLANO. PLANO. PLANO. FROM LEADING NEWS HEADLINES TO MAJOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WINS.
PLUS IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR PARKS, TRAILS AND ROADS.
WHEN WE LOOK BACK AT THIS PAST YEAR, WE SEE A COMMUNITY THAT CONTINUES TO SHINE.
OVER THE PAST YEAR, OUR COMMUNITY EARNED RECOGNITION AS THE TOP CITY IN TEXAS FOR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, RANKED AMONG THE NATION'S BEST PLACES TO RAISE A FAMILY.
[00:05:09]
THESE ACHIEVEMENTS UNDERSCORE A CITY THAT CONTINUES TO RISE AND LEAD.NOW, AS WE BOTH REFLECT ON OUR PAST AND LOOK FORWARD TO OUR FUTURE, WE SEE THAT PLANO'S STORY HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF PURPOSE, PARTNERSHIP AND PROGRESS. SURPASSING 1000 YOUTH IN THE MAYOR'S SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, CELEBRATING 60 YEARS FOR THE PLANO PUBLIC LIBRARY AND BECOMING THE FIRST ALL PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT IN TEXAS TO APPROVE A 24/72 SHIFT SCHEDULE. WE ARE LEADING THE WAY IN THE CITY OF EXCELLENCE.
OUR LEGACY DIDN'T HAPPEN BY CHANCE. IT HAPPENED BECAUSE OUR LEADERS, RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE. SERVING WITH HEART AND STRIVING TO MAKE PLANO THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND THRIVE. THIS YEAR'S STATE OF THE CITY THEME, OUR NEXT CHAPTER OF EXCELLENCE, HONORS BOTH OUR PROGRESS AND OUR CONTINUITY. THE SPIRIT THAT DEFINES WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE'RE HEADED NEXT.
GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.
I'D LIKE TO WELCOME MY FELLOW CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THERE THEY ARE GOING TO BE COSTARS TONIGHT. AND WHERE ARE YOU? CAN YOU STAND, GUYS? THERE YOU ARE. THERE YOU ARE.
I CAN'T SEE. AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO ANNOUNCE COUNCIL MEMBER ELECT SHUN THOMAS. WELCOME [APPLAUSE].
I'D ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR FEDERAL AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS.
THANK YOU FOR SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. PLEASE STAND SO WE CAN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I WANT TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION TO THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAKE PLANO THE CITY OF EXCELLENCE.
THANK YOU TO OUR EXCEPTIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, PLANO'S, NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS, FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFITS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS OUR PLANO CITY EXECUTIVES LED BY MANAGER CITY MANAGER MARK ISRAELSON. THANK YOU. MARK. SO WE INVITE YOU TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE MUSIC YOU'LL HEAR THROUGHOUT OUR PROGRAM TONIGHT.
THE PLANO OVERTURE, WHICH YOU JUST HEARD, WAS COMMISSIONED AND PERFORMED BY THE PLANO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND GRACIOUSLY, GRACIOUSLY SHARED WITH US TONIGHT. SO LET'S GIVE THEM A HAND [APPLAUSE].
THANK YOU. PLANO HAS ALWAYS MOVED FORWARD FROM OUR ROOTS AS A SMALL FARMING COMMUNITY TO THE DYNAMIC, INTERCONNECTED CITY WE ARE TODAY.
NOW, AS WE SURPASS A POPULATION OF 300,000 PEOPLE, WE ARE PRIMED FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKERS AND FAMILIES, AND THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE FROM OUR PARKS TO OUR SCHOOLS.
WE STUCK TO THE PLAN AND THAT PLAN HAS WORKED.
EVERY DECISION, EVERY INVESTMENT HAS POSITIONED PLANAR FOR LONG TERM SUCCESS.
WE CONTINUE TO ADAPT TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, NOT BY REACTING, BUT BY BEING PROACTIVE, ENSURING THAT THE EXCELLENCE WE ENJOY TODAY WILL SERVE GENERATIONS TO COME IT'S HARD NOT TO FEEL A LOT OF PRIDE IN PLANO.
PLANO STORY HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT STEADY PROGRESS, NOT SUDDEN LEAPS, BUT INTENTIONAL STEPS.
WE'VE NEVER BEEN A CITY THAT CHASES FADS OR REACTS OUT OF PANIC.
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WE PLAN, WE STAY THE COURSE AND WE KEEP IMPROVING.THINK ABOUT IT. 40 YEARS AGO, PEOPLE WERE ASKING THE SAME QUESTIONS THAT WE STILL ASK TODAY.
HOW DO WE MAKE THIS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY? THE DIFFERENCE NOW IS SCALE AND HOW WE ADAPT TO THE CHANGES AND THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME WITH STEADY GROWTH.
OUR COMMITMENT TO STRATEGIC PLANNING IS WHAT KEEPS PLANO STRONG.
WE'RE DOING THE HARD WORK THAT MOST PEOPLE NEVER SEE, THE KIND OF BEHIND THE SCENES WORK THAT ENSURES OUR NEIGHBORHOOD STILL FEELS LIKE HOME 20 YEARS FROM NOW. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR NEXT CHAPTER, IT'S REALLY ABOUT HONORING WHAT'S WORKED.
WITH SMART PLANNING, STRONG PARTNERSHIPS, AND A COMMUNITY THAT ALWAYS LOOKS FORWARD.
AND IT'S THIS FOUNDATION THAT LETS US DREAM BIG FOR WHAT'S NEXT.
OUR MOST RECENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BEGAN WITH INNOVATIVE COMPANIES WHO SAW SOMETHING SPECIAL HERE.
EDS, JCPENNEY, AND FRITO-LAY LED TO OUR WELCOME OF TOYOTA, JPMORGAN CHASE, AND LIBERTY MUTUAL.
ALL THESE VISIONARIES HELP DEFINE WHO WE ARE A CITY THAT WELCOMES INNOVATION, INVESTS IN ITS PEOPLE AND DEVELOPMENT, AND LEADS BY EXAMPLE. THAT SAME SPIRIT CONTINUES TO ATTRACT GLOBAL LEADERS AND NEW PARTNERS WHO SHARE OUR VISION FOR EXCELLENCE. WITH THE ARRIVAL OF SALLY BEAUTY HEADQUARTERS, DELTA ELECTRONICS, RYAN SIMPSON, STRONG TIE, NATURE'S TOOLBOX, USAA, ALIGN DATA CENTER, SYSGRATION, THE FUTURE MIYAKO HOTEL AND PLANS TO REDEVELOP 2700 PLANO PARKWAY AS A MANUFACTURING, INDUSTRIAL, OFFICE, AND RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT SPACE. ACROSS OUR CITY, GROWTH IS HAPPENING IN EVERY DIRECTION.
TEXAS HEALTH PRESBYTERIAN NEW TOWER, MEDICAL CITY PLANO'S EXPANSION AND RENOVATIONS AT CHILDREN'S HEALTH REFLECT HOW STRONG BUSINESS INVESTMENT SUPPORTS WORLD CLASS CARE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
IN PLANO, WE DO NOT JUST DEVELOP LAND, WE REIMAGINE IT, CREATING PLACES WHERE COMPANIES THRIVE AND OUR COMMUNITY BENEFITS PRESENTATION ENDS]. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS THE ENGINE OF EXCELLENCE. IT DRIVES OPPORTUNITY, FUNDS ESSENTIAL SERVICES, AND STRENGTHENS THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT MAKES PLANO STAND OUT. EVERY TIME I DRIVE PAST A CONSTRUCTION CRANE OR SEE A NEW SIGN GO UP ON A BUILDING, I'M REMINDED THAT PLANO IS A PLACE PEOPLE STILL WANT TO BE. COMPANIES HAVE BIG CHOICES AND THEY'RE CHOOSING PLANO.
THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT WHO WE ARE, AND THE STORY ISN'T SLOWING DOWN.
WITH MORE PROJECTS LIKE THE TEXAS RESEARCH QUARTER AND AT&T COMING OUR WAY, PLANO'S NEXT CHAPTER WILL CONTINUE TO SET THE STANDARD FOR REGIONAL LEADERSHIP AS A MODEL OF GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY.
SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK HAPPENING IN PLANO IS UNDERGROUND.
IT MAY BE OUT OF SIGHT, BUT IT TOUCHES EVERY HOME AND EVERY BUSINESS.
BY UPGRADING AGING WATER AND SEWER LINES NOW WE ARE STAYING AHEAD OF THE PROBLEMS PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND DELIVERING RELIABLE SERVICE OUR RESIDENTS EXPECT. THESE INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT OUR GROWTH TODAY AND KEEP PLANO STRONG FOR THE FUTURE.
HERE IN PLANO, WE INVEST IN SYSTEMS TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED AND MOVING.
[00:15:07]
FROM THE DAY US 75 ARRIVED, PLANO WAS BUILT WITH THE FUTURE IN MIND.AS BUSINESSES GREW, SO DID OUR ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.
WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOSPITALS AND BUSINESS PARKS, WE WITNESSED GROWTH WITH THE NORTH DALLAS TOLLWAY, SAM RAYBURN TOLLWAY, AND THE PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH TURNPIKE ALL SUPPORTING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND MOBILITY TRANSPORTATION ISN'T JUST ABOUT CARS. THE WAY PEOPLE MOVE IS CHANGING, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HAVING HONEST CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DART AND REGIONAL TRANSIT.
IT'S BEEN OVER 40 YEARS SINCE PLANO JOINED DART.
THE QUESTION NOW IS, DOES TODAY'S SYSTEM SERVE THE PLANO OF THE FUTURE? THESE ARE DECISIONS THAT BELONG TO YOU, OUR RESIDENTS, AND WE WANT EVERYONE TO BE INFORMED ABOUT TRANSIT OPTIONS AHEAD OF THIS YEAR'S ELECTION.
OUR PLAN IS SIMPLE. WE MOVE FORWARD. WE KEEP LISTENING, KEEP INVESTING IN SYSTEMS THAT MAKE IT EASIER FOR EVERYONE TO GET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.
FROM OUR FIRST FIREHOUSE TO OUR MODERN COMMAND CENTERS.
OUR APPROACH HAS ALWAYS BEEN ROOTED IN TEAMWORK, INNOVATION, AND TRUST.
OUR OFFICERS HAVE A NEW MOBILE COMMAND UNIT FOR CRITICAL INCIDENTS.
OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT CELEBRATED THE REMODEL OF FIRE STATION FIVE AND TO SUPPORT OUR PERSONNEL, PLANO FIRE RESCUE BECAME THE FIRST ALL PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT IN TEXAS TO APPROVE A 24/72 SCHEDULE.
THIS WILL ALLOW OUR FIREFIGHTERS TO WORK 24 HOURS AND REST FOR 72 HOURS, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE REST NEEDED TO STAY SHARP AND PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DEMANDING ROLES. PLANO REMAINS ONE OF THE SAFEST CITIES IN AMERICA.
SINCE 2024, WE HAVE SEEN A STEADY DROP IN CRIME RATES IN BOTH MAJOR CRIMES AND PROPERTY CRIMES.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TRAININGS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS REMAINS A PRIORITY IN PLANO.
WE CONTINUE TO PREPARE FOR TOMORROW WHILE SERVING OUR RESIDENTS TODAY THEY'RE PROMISES. PROMISES THAT WHEN YOU CALL FOR HELP, PLANO RESPONDS QUICKLY, PROFESSIONALLY AND WITH HEART.
SAFETY IS THE FOUNDATION FOR EVERYTHING. IT ALLOWS FAMILIES TO THRIVE.
BUSINESSES TO INVEST AND OUR COMMUNITY TO GROW IN PLANO.
WE TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY.
IT'S MORE THAN A TAGLINE WE USE FOR OUR CITY.
IT'S A PURPOSE AND GOAL THAT IS FELT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR PARKS, AND OUR SHARED SPACES.
IT GIVES US A QUALITY OF LIFE UNLIKE ANY OTHER CITY.
OUR PARKS AND TRAILS REFLECT WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY CONNECTED, ACTIVE AND PROUD.
WE'RE RENOVATING AND REIMAGINING PARKS LIKE RAVEN GLASS PARK, OUR NEWEST ADDITION, WHICH WILL SPAN 38 ACRES, MENDOMI AND GLASSCOCK PARKS WILL ADD MUCH NEEDED PUBLIC PARK SPACES WITHIN THE LEGACY BUSINESS DISTRICT.
MEANWHILE, SUCCESSFUL RENOVATIONS ARE UNDERWAY AT BOB WOODRUFF PARK NORTH.
ALTOGETHER, OUR 86 PARKS HELPED MAKE PLANO ONE OF THE MOST LIVABLE CITIES IN AMERICA.
THE TOM MUEHLENBECK RECREATION CENTER REOPENED IN DECEMBER FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE UPGRADES.
RESIDENTS WILL FIND A NEW CHILDREN'S PLAY POOL STRUCTURE, RESURFACED TRACK AND GYM FLOOR, EXPANDED PICKLEBALL ACCESS, NEW CARDIO EQUIPMENT, AND MORE.
THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF REINVESTMENT PAYING OFF.
WITH THE ADOPTION OF PLANO'S FIRST CULTURAL ARTS PLAN, OUR COMMUNITY SET A BOLD NEW COURSE TO CELEBRATE CREATIVITY, EXPAND ACCESS, AND REFLECT THE UNIQUE STORIES THAT MAKE OUR CITY STRONG.
[00:20:01]
COME, AND OUR SKILLED WORKFORCE DRIVES ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ATTRACTS GLOBAL BUSINESSES.INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES CHOOSE PLANO FOR ITS PRO-BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.
RECOGNITION, LIKE WALLETHUB'S TOP NATIONAL RANKING FOR ACCESSIBILITY, REMINDS US THAT EXCELLENCE MEANS OPPORTUNITY AND BELONGING FOR ALL ENDS]. WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME WHAT MAKES PLANO SPECIAL, I TELL THEM THAT IT'S NOT JUST OUR BUSINESSES OR OUR SCHOOLS.
IT'S THE WAY YOU CAN STEP OUT YOUR DOOR AND FIND GREEN SPACE, ART, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY ALL WITH JUST A FEW MINUTES FROM HOME. NATIONAL SURVEY SURVEYS REINFORCE THE IMPACT THESE AMENITIES MAKE.
SMART ASSET RANKING PLANO AS THE HAPPIEST CITY IN AMERICA.
THIS IS WHAT. YEAH, LET'S GO AHEAD AND SAY [APPLAUSE].
THIS IS WHAT THE QUALITY OF LIFE LOOKS LIKE. IT'S INTENTIONAL.
IT'S INCLUSIVE. IT'S WHAT KEEPS PLANO VIBRANT.
OUR CONNECTION WITH PLANO ISD, COLLIN COLLEGE AND PAUL QUINN COLLEGE IS BUILT ON SHARED VALUES OF EDUCATION, OPPORTUNITY AND SERVICE. TOGETHER, WE'RE HELPING STUDENTS PREPARE FOR SUCCESS AND BUILDING PROGRAMS THAT MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE.
THROUGH THE PLANO MAYOR'S SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AND OUR BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR, WE'RE CREATING REAL PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN, GROW, AND GIVE BACK. ADD IN OUR VOLUNTEERS IN PLANO PROGRAM AND THE WHOLE COMMUNITY SHINES.
THE IDEA OF BEING MORE HANDS ON MUCH MORE REWARDING THAN JUST A CASH DONATION.
IT JUST GIVES YOU SUCH A WARM FEELING ABOUT HELPING SOMEONE.
THE AMOUNT OF YOU KNOW, SATISFACTION AND JOY THAT BRINGS FOR US AND FOR HER TO I MEAN, SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO IT NO CITY ACHIEVES EXCELLENCE ON ITS OWN. OUR COLLABORATION WITH NON-PROFITS, FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND LOCAL LEADERS ENSURES THAT SUPPORT REACHES EVERY CORNER OF PLANO, FROM EARLY EDUCATION TO SENIOR PROGRAMS. THAT SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP IS THE BACKBONE OF SUCCESS, WHETHER IT'S ADDRESSING HOUSING CHALLENGES, IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH, OR SUPPORTING MENTAL WELLNESS.
WE'RE STRONGER WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER.
STORY HAS BEEN WRITTEN BY PEOPLE WHO BELIEVED IN SOMETHING GREATER.
THROUGH SERVICE, INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE. TODAY, WE CONTINUE THAT LEGACY THROUGH DISCIPLINED FINANCIAL PLANNING, THOUGHTFUL BUDGETING, AND A FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY.
WE'RE ENSURING PLANO'S FUTURE REMAINS STRONG.
WE FOCUS ON DISCIPLINED FINANCIAL PLANNING AS A KEY TO MAINTAINING THE QUALITY SERVICES YOU EXPECT.
FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOODS TO OUR SCHOOLS, FROM OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO OUR BUSINESS LEADERS.
EACH PERSON PLAYS A PART IN OUR CITY'S CONTINUED EXCELLENCE.
THEY'VE ONLY DEEPENED EXCELLENCE ISN'T A DESTINATION. IT'S A MINDSET.
IT'S ONE WE LIVE EVERY DAY. WE ARE PLANO. WE ARE PROUD.
AND TOGETHER WE'RE WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER OF EXCELLENCE.
THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.