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50 Plus Zone
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An activity center run by the City of Wichita Falls, Parks & Recreation Department for people over the age of 50 that targets activities based on their interests and hobbies. Come check us out free for a whole day, if you like us, join up. More... |
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Although it covers most everything, there are a few classes and special events that require a minimal fee to cover costs. These programs are optional and the fees are directly associated with additional cost that the Zone incurrs to offer them. |
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The Zone is open to everyone over the age of 50 regardless of which city or county you reside in. All programs held within the facility are open to all members of the Zone. We do not cater to private parties, although we have parties all the time.
Guests are welcome at the monthly Thursday night dances and at certain listed special events (see a newsletter for specific programs). More... |
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We are so sure you will like us at the Zone that we offer you a one day pass to try us out. If you like what you see and want to come back we require that you get a membership that runs until January of each year for $15 per person. |
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No, we have members from all over. |
Abatement Liens
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On June 6th the City began to notify all the citizens of Wichita Falls who own property upon which City liens have been filed. There are over 2,000 such property owners and over 6,000 liens. The City has hired a lien clerk who will send out 150 notification letters per week. All property owners wiht such liens will be notified within 90 days. Three temporary clerks have been hired to assist with processing the paperwork and answering phone correspondence. |
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Whenever the City mows grass or demolishes a dangerous structure on private property, it does so using taxpayer money. The City is authorized to recoup the money by placing a lien on the property. The City has been abating nuisances and placing liens for 40 years. |
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We are notifying the owners of property upon which liens have been filed. |
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The City only recently computerized its records and discovered the extent of the debt owed the City. |
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It is accruing at 10% interest and will cost less to pay off now rather than later. An outstanding lien may also hinder the property owner from selling the property, as title insurance cannot be obtained on a property encumbered by a lien. |
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Go to Departments on the home page of this website and click on Code Enforcement Liens, call 940-761-7463 to talk with one of the four lien clerks or check the records at the Wichita County Courthouse. |
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If you pay the principle the interest will cease to accrue. The City will also assist you in setting up a payment plan. |
Accounting & Finance
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The sales and use tax for the city is 8.25%. The State of Texas receives 6.25% and the City receives 2% of this tax. The proceeds from the City's portion of this tax are used to support the general operations of the City and to provide funds for infrastructure improvements and economic development. Specifically, 1.5% of this tax is deposited in the General Fund of the City, .25% is governed by a private non-profit economic development corporation (established pursuant to Section 4A of the Texas Development Corporation Act of 1979), and the remaining .25% is governed by a private non-profit corporation designed to make infrastructure improvements to attract economic activity to the community (established pursuant to Section 4B of the Texas Development Corporation Act of 1979).
Sales Tax Rate |
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The City's property tax rate on real property is $0.59246 per $100 of assessed value. In other words, the owner of a $75,000 home, would pay the City $444.35 in property taxes. These taxes are collected by Wichita County through an inter-local agreement between the City and the County. The proceeds from this tax are deposited in the General Fund of the City and used to support general operations such as police and fire protection, street maintenance, traffic control, parks and recreation, library service, engineering service, health and safety, and general finance and administrative services.
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The City's fiscal year is October 1 through September 30 of each year. The City's total operating budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year is $138,985,156. This budget includes the following funds: General Fund, Federal and State Grant Fund, Auditorium Fund, Hotel/Motel Tax Fund, Debt Service Fund, Airport Fund, Transit Fund, Sanitation Fund, Water and Sewer Fund, Storm Water Drainage Fund, Golf Course Fund, Multi-Purpose Events Center Fund, and Fleet Maintenance and Print Shop Internal Service Funds.
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Aviation
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If you are checking baggage arrive 90 minutes prior to your flight departure.
If you are JUST taking carry-on baggage arrive 60 minutes before your flight departure.
Passengers arriving inside of 45 minutes prior to departure may not be allowed to check any baggage. Failure to check-in 30 minutes prior to departure may result in the loss of your reservation and prevent you from boarding your scheduled flight. More... |
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For the daily flights to the Dallas Fort Worth Airport please contact American Eagle by calling 1-800-433-7300 or by going to the Americam Airlines website at www.aa.com.
For charter flight information to Lake Tahoe and Reno, Nevada go to
http://www.casinosinternationalinc.com/.
For charter flight information to Laughlin, Nevada go to http://www.riversideresort.com/Html/Flights-08.html American Airlines... |
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There is a flat $2.00 exit fee no matter the length of stay. There is no daily or hourly fee involved. If you are going to be at the airport for 30 minutes or less we do offer parking meters in front of the terminal building at a fee of only .25 |
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A: Weight and size restrictions may vary by air carrier. For American Airlines flights, checked baggage should be no more than 50 pounds and the size should not exceed 62 dimensional inches (length + width + height). Passengers are allowed one carry on bag and one personal item free of charge. Carry-on bags should be no more than 40 pounds and the size should not exceed 45 dimensional inches (length + width + height). A personal item would include a purse, backpack, briefcase, etc and should not exceed 36 dimensional inches. If flying out of Wichita Falls, please visit American Airlines website below. American Eagle Baggage Information |
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In August 2006, the Transportation Security Administration issued new regulations regarding the amount of liquids, gels, creams and lotions that may be carried aboard the aircraft. TSA instructs passengers to think “3-1-1.” Any liquids, gels, creams or lotions should be in a 3 ounce container or smaller, all such containers must fit comfortably in a 1 quart clear zip top bag, and you are allowed one bag per passenger. This includes items such as lip gloss, mascara, hand sanitizer, etc. This does not include any liquid medication or other medical related items. Please visit the TSA website. Passengers will be asked to remove their zip top bag from carry on bags prior to inspection for separate screening at the checkpoint. If flying out of Wichita Falls, you are encouraged to inquire with the TSA officers at the ticket counter about any items you may be unsure are approved for carry on. This will allow you the opportunity to place any unapproved items in your checked bag or return them to your vehicle. This will also speed up the screening process at the checkpoint. More... |
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Charges for checked baggage vary by air carrier. For American Eagle service out of Wichita Falls, the current fees are $15.00 for the first checked bag and $25.00 for the second bag and passengers should be aware that this is a one-way fee. Fees may not apply to all flights or passengers. This fee is to be paid for at the ticket counter when you check in for your flight. Cash or credit/debit cards only. If paying by cash, please try to have the correct amount due. If flying out of Wichita Falls, please visit American Airlines website listed below for more information. Baggage price information |
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YES, however, it is recommended that you use a TSA approved lock. Please visit the TSA website regarding locked baggage. More... |
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If you lost luggage while on an American Eagle flight coming into or going out of Municipal Airport please call 1-800-866-4010. If your luggage was lost through another carrier please contact that air carrier directly. |
Building Permits & Inspections
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We all do - whether in our homes, offices, schools, stores, factories or places of entertainment. We rely on the safety of structures that surround us in our everyday living. The public need for protection from disaster due to fire, structural collapse and general deterioration underscores the need for modern codes and their administration. |
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Practically, it is the government's official statement on building safety. Technically, it is a compendium of laws and ordinances setting minimum safety standards and arranging them in a systematic manner (codified) for easy reference. It embraces all aspects of the building construction - fire and structural items as well as the plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems. |
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Most aspects of building construction - electrical wiring, heating, sanitary facilities - represent a potential hazard to building occupants and users. Building codes provide safeguards. Although no code can eliminate all risks, reducing risks to an acceptable level helps. |
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It is the only way to verify independently that code compliance has been achieved. Did you know that before you moved into your home, office or factory, an average of ten inspections has been made to verify conformity to minimum standards affecting electrical safety and sanitation as well as structural and fire and the like? |
Candidate Questions
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Candidates must be registered to vote, must have been full-time residents of the city for at least one year prior to qualifying, and must not hold any other elective office. |
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A potential candidate may begin raising funds at any time after filing designation of a campaign treasurer and bank designation with the City Clerk. The campaign account must be separate from any personal accounts and used only for depositing campaign funds and making campaign expenditures. |
Cemeteries
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Yes, we will need the name of the person and we will give you the lot, block and space of the gravesite. |
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Yes, but you must own the site and either perform or contract the maintenance on them. If they become unsightly or limit access to other lots they will be removed and discarded. |
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Yes, there are hose bibs throughout the cemeteries. You must provide your own hose and abide by any water restrictions that may be in effect. |
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Yes, but only in Rosemont and Lakeview. All of the plots in Riverside have been sold. |
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A double space is $1990.00 and can be purchased pre-need. Singles are $850.00 and can be purchased at time of need only. |
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No, they must be paid in full. We do accept Visa or Mastercard. |
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Yes, but flowers will be removed when they become unsightly and discarded. Holiday arrangements will be removed no sooner than four weeks after the holiday. |
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Billy Crawford and Elmer Lewis are buried in a single gravespace in Block Q, space 311 in Riverside Cemetery. |
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Block N of Riverside Cemetery. |
Citizen's Police Academy
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Applications are available through the Crime Prevention Section. Call Officer Steve Carroll at 720-5007 |
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The Citizens' Academy is open to everyone who is at least 21 years old. Every generation has been represented in past sessions. |
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The academies generally last about 11 weeks. The current academy meets on Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 9 pm. |
City Clerk
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According to State law, there are 2 uniform Election dates: The second Saturday in May and the first Tuesday in November |
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The City has certain requirements and one is that you must be a resident of the City of Wichita Falls. Individual Boards and Commissions have specific requirements which are found under the Summary of Boards/Commissions |
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Permits are not required, however, garage sales can only be held four times per calendar year and are to last no more than three consecutive days. |
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Solicitation Permit - Soliciting whether door-to-door, business-to-business or telemarketing within the City.
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The fact that a person, firm or corporation holds a City permit does not constitute endorsement of the products or services ordered or sold. It is an effort to provide residents with more information on vendors in the event it is needed. Always check before you buy. |
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Marriage Licenses are issued by the County Clerk at the Wichita County Courthouse. Please visit their website for further information. More... |
Code Enforcement
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One courtesy letter is sent a year per violation per property. If the issue is not resolved within the stated time frame, citations may be issued without further notice. |
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In some cases, yes. You will need to speak with the Code officer who sent you the letter. They can be contacted at the phone number listed on the letter. |
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Yes. A property owner is responsible for any violations on their property. |
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If city water is active in the tenant's name, they will get the same letter as the owner and the tenant will be responsible for any citations. However, if city water is active in the property owner's name or is inactive, citations may be issued to the owner. |
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No,as long as the vehicles are operable and have current tags and inspection stickers. |
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No. You would need to contact a tow company to remove vehicles from your property. |
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No. Code Enforcement officers cannot look over, under or through fences to view a violation. Code officers can only inspect complaints that can be seen from public view such as a street, alley, or from another property with the property owner's consent. |
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Yes. Each property owner is responsible for keeping the alley cleaned and mowed to the midpoint of the alley. |
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No. That would be a civil issue between you and your neighbor. |
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No. There is no ordinance requiring the removal of dead trees-only the removal of tree limbs that are on the ground. |
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No. Please contact the Building Inspections Division at (940)761-7459. |
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No. Please contact the Police Department at(940)720-5000. |
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No. Please contact the Police Department at (940)720-5000. |
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No. Please contact the Police Department at (940)720-5000. |
Crime Prevention
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Crime Prevention officers will inspect your home at no cost to you. Call 720-5007 to schedule an appointment. More... |
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Call the Crime Prevention officers at 720-5007. Programs can be customized for your group or event. |
Criminal Investigations
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Make a Police report immediately, call your bank and your credit card company right away |
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The case must first be reviewed by a Sergeant to be assigned, please wait a few days to call, if you have additional information you can make a supplemental report with an officer or the Information Desk. |
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The forgery affidavits must be notarized and should be delivered to the merchants to whom the checks were passed. |
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Every case is different, some require weeks of statements from witnesses, processing of evidence, and just the back log of cases sometimes increases the time it takes to get the case to the Grand Jury. Once the investigation is concluded the prosecution schedule is detemined by the District Attorney's Office. |
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If you made a police report of the burglary when it happened, and you can identify your property, call an officer to meet you at the pawn shop and point out the property. Pending investigation, the property will be placed on hold for a property hearing to determine ownership. |
D.A.R.E
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Drug Abuse Resistance Education incorporates innovative prevention science and research-based strategies to improve student skills and outcomes. D.A.R.E. offers interventions during the critical years of a student's education. |
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Yes! Scientific evaluation has documented that kids who complete the New D.A.R.E program have improved decision-making skills, view drug use as unacceptable and possess a significantly decreased likelihood of ever using drugs. |
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Yes. D.A.R.E. Officer can speak to any age group from Pre-K to adults. Contact the D.A.R.E. office to schedule your event. (940) 720-5005 |
Emergency Management
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We sound the Outdoor Warning System Sirens on the first Monday of the month, weather permitting. The sirens will not be tested if the weather appears threatening. Testing the Outdoor Warning System allows people know what the sirens sound like and to allow us to determine that the 20 older sirens in our system are working. The 34 new sirens in our warning system can be silently tested at any time. |
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The Outdoor Warning System is designed to warn people who are outside to take cover due to hazardous weather conditions. The Outdoor Warning System is not designed to warn people inside homes or businesses. The best warning system for inside your home is a NOAA Weather Radio. These can be purchased for a minimal cost. |
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No. This area is under Tornado Watches so often that people would not go to these shelters during a Tornado Watch. Once a tornado is spotted on the ground, the worst place to be is in an automible. In the 1979 tornado, half of the people who died were in cars. |
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The Federal Emergency Management Institute, the Texas Governor's Division of Emergency Management, the Red Cross and many other agencies offer training on various emergency management subject. The Red Cross offers training for individuals who would like to volunteer to assist in the local area. The telephone number for the Red Cross is 940 322-8686. |
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You can volunteer with the Red Cross or you can become a member of the Citizen Emergency Response Team training through either the Wichita County CERT program or through the City of Wichita Falls CERT program. Contact City of Wichita Falls Emergency Management Office at 940 720-5045 for more information. |
Fire Department
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