The resolution is tied to a provision in the city charter requiring council to review its meeting procedures every two years. Council acted on recommendations presented by City Secretary Leah Granger.

Council considered the resolution in six parts, examining each individually. Granger proposed minor changes to the Rules of Order, which were last reviewed Aug. 5, 2024.

Read the full story in the September 24th edition. Stay informed — subscribe to The Sachse News.

Council members met Sept. 8 to finalize four items left to complete the budget. It approved three of them on unanimous recorded votes that called on council members to state publicly their decision on the budget.

Council’s first budget action was approval of an ordinance authorizing certain budget and capital improvement amendments pertaining to the 2025-2026 budget. The FY 2025-2026 budget was about $34,000 short of being balanced, according to Finance Director David Baldwin. Council approved the ordinance in a unanimous vote.

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Sachse City Council on Monday set Sept. 8 as the date for approving a municipal budget for fiscal year 2026-2027.

The current fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.

Council approved the proposed budget on July 31 after a series of public hearings and open meetings, including a burger event with Mayor Jeff Bickerstaff in June.

The new budget projects a surplus at the end of the new fiscal year and keeps the municipal tax rate at 68.0416 cents per $100 assessed property valuation, according to Finance Director David Baldwin. He said the new tax rate is below both the no-new-tax-rate and the rate needed to avoid calling for an election.

Read the full story in the August 20th edition. Stay informed — subscribe to The Sachse News.

They made history Sunday at Sachse High School by renaming the gymnasium in honor of a man who left an indelible mark on generations of students. The gym now carries the name of Steve Hammerle.

In inviting the community to the celebration, Garland ISD described the dedication as a “historic occasion,” honoring an educator who “dedicated himself to the students, staff and community of Sachse High School, leaving a lasting impact through his leadership, commitment and service.”

The dedication ceremony drew a large crowd of former students, fellow educators, family members and friends. The Sachse High School Mighty Mustang Band, color guard, drill team and cheerleaders performed before the ceremony.

Hammerle called the recognition “the highlight of my career” and thanked the students he met throughout his years in education “for everything you taught me.”

Hammerle spent nearly 50 years as a public educator, including more than 30 years with Garland ISD, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, middle school principal and high school principal. During his career, he earned Principal of the Year honors at both the high school and middle school levels, TASSP Region 10 Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year honors and a PTA Lifetime Membership Award. A graduate of Texas A&M University, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1977 before completing graduate studies in counseling and student services and school administration.

Former Sachse High principal Shae Creel, who succeeded Hammerle in 2016, praised his predecessor’s vision and leadership.

“Stepping into a post that Steve founded was truly special,” Creel said.

Construction on Sachse High began in 2000, and the campus opened in 2002 with an inaugural class of 815 freshmen and sophomores. Additional grade levels were added in subsequent years, with the school’s first graduating class earning diplomas in 2005.

Creel said Hammerle, who oversaw the project from “the ground up,” was dedicated to ensuring “everything was done right” and built a culture that continues to shape the campus today.

Brandy Schneider, a former Sachse High assistant principal, recalled Hammerle’s high standards during construction of the campus.

“Everything must look in 20 years like it does today,” he insisted.

Steve Evans, who met Hammerle while the two attended Garland High School, remembered him as someone who “never had a negative thing to say about anyone” and said he was “passionate about friendships and was always willing to help others.”

The announcement of the dedication on the Sachse High School Facebook page prompted dozens of congratulatory comments from former students and colleagues. Richie Harris wrote, “He was the only reason I graduated from Garland High School in ‘90. He was tough but fair.” Another former student, Charles Stiles, a member of Sachse High’s first graduating class, wrote that Hammerle encouraged students “to leave our mark on the campus,” adding, “You knew he cared about every student that walked in those doors.”

The ceremony also included heartfelt remarks from Hammerle’s son, Sean, who spoke about his father’s decision to adopt him after marrying his late wife, Marlene, former principal of Rowlett High School.

“I knew I was a Hammerle all along,” Sean said. He closed by thanking his father “for showing me what a father should be.” He also recalled family vacations that often turned into impromptu reunions because his father seemed to know someone everywhere they went. “Our family vacations became more like family reunions,” he said to laughter from the audience.

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Council members received a lengthy report on the budget process from finance director David Baldwin, assistant city manager Lauren Rose and public works director Corey Nesbitt. 

City Manager Gina Nash introduced the discussion by reminding council members that the city “accelerated the budget process” from previous efforts.

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The county could seek $820 million in bonds to fund several projects, including  a major expansion of the county jail, which officials acknowledged is at or above capacity most of the time.

County administrator Yoon Kim said he considered a package totaling $1.2 billion but reduced the proposal to the $820 million total that is now under consideration.

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The Sachse City Council welcomed a new member to its ranks after canvassing the results of the June 13 runoff election during a special meeting Wednesday, June 24.

The council swore in Tim Legh-Page, who took the oath of office from City Secretary Leah Granger. His wife and three children joined him for the ceremony. Legh-Page defeated Gurvinder Singh in the runoff election, receiving 1,217 votes, or 53.75%, compared with Singh’s 1,047 votes, or 46.25%.

The council had canvassed the election results the previous day and officially declared the outcome.

Legh-Page won the Place 4 seat previously held by former Councilmember Chance Lindsey, who did not seek reelection. Prior to the June 24 meeting, council held a brief reception in the City Hall Council Chambers to recognize Lindsey’s service.

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Nearly 25 years after city planners first envisioned a downtown district near Sachse’s original town site, the effort continues to evolve. City leaders are still working to determine the right mix of development and amenities needed to create a district that remains relevant to Sachse’s future, according to Economic Development Director Jerod Potts.

The Fifth Street/Old Town District came to life as part of the city’s 2001 comprehensive land-use plan, Potts said. The plan, he said, “included a reference to the creation of a new ‘Old Town District’ in the vicinity of the original town site through zoning and business incentives.”

The city’s 2017 comprehensive plan then established “the Old Town catalyst area, which became the impetus of the Old Town Zoning District.”

Read the full story in the June 25th edition and stay informed — subscribe to The Sachse News.

Finance Director David Baldwin said the city plans to present portions of the budget as they are developed, rather than unveiling a nearly completed document later in the process.

Baldwin said property taxes are expected to account for 61% of the fiscal year 2027 budget. Sales tax revenue is projected to provide 11%, while franchise taxes are expected to contribute about 8%. 

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Sachse City Council invited public input during its June 1 meeting, offering residents an opportunity to share their budget preferences before formal budget discussions begin. No residents spoke during the public comment period dedicated to the budget.

While no comments were received, city leaders emphasized that residents will have multiple opportunities throughout the summer to weigh in on spending priorities, city services and other budget considerations before the council adopts a final budget in September.

Mayor Jeff Bickerstaff reminded residents that several opportunities remain for public participation as the budget process moves forward throughout the summer.

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