Frisco Insider - Water Rates Up + Pastor Resigns + More

Howdy, Frisco!

Happy Friday, neighbors! You’ve survived another week of early alarms, traffic that feels personally targeted, and the mystery of why H-E-B is always out of your favorite salsa. The weekend’s here, and with it comes fresh local news, a packed events lineup, and weather that’s basically saying: “It’s still Texas, y’all, don’t put that sunscreen away yet.”

Frisco Keeps Tax Rate Flat in $304.7M Budget….But Raises Water & Sewer Rates 💧

The Frisco City Council approved its 2025–26 budget at $304.7 million, keeping the property tax rate flat at $0.425517 per $100 valuation.

💰 62 new city positions funded (51 from the general fund)
🚓 $79.9M headed to police, $61.5M to fire
📈 Water rates up 9%, sewer rates up 15%, storm water rates up 20%

Mayor Jeff Cheney called the budget a balance between protecting current assets and preparing for growth. Translation: your tax rate won’t change, but your next water bill might sting a little more.

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Hope Fellowship Lead Pastor Resigns Over “Moral Failure” ✝️

Hope Fellowship Church in Frisco announced that lead pastor John McKinzie resigned Sept. 14 after confessing to “sexual sin and moral failure.”

• Church averages 5,000+ attendees across locations

• No staff changes aside from McKinzie’s resignation

• Comes months after a youth pastor was fired for abuse

The church elders said details will remain private “out of respect,” but many congregants are processing the second leadership scandal this year. It’s part of a troubling trend across North Texas megachurches, raising bigger questions about oversight and accountability in faith communities.

Frisco Legacy Kicker Nails 64-Yarder, Just Before Cowboys’ Aubrey Did 🏈

Senior kicker Jack Drygas from Frisco Legacy Christian hit a 64 yard field goal on Sept. 13, the second longest kick in Texas high school football history.

🎯 64-yarder made during a 30–7 win vs. Dallas HSAA
⚡ Only his second year playing football (former soccer player)
👏 Even Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey gave him props

Drygas nearly didn’t get the chance, his coach initially sent out the punt team before giving him the green light. Now, colleges from Washington to Oklahoma are circling, and Frisco’s got its own Friday night kicking legend in the making.

UNT to Dismantle Collaborative Studies Program in Frisco 🎓

UNT announced it will dismantle the College of Applied and Collaborative Studies, which had been housed at Frisco Landing.

• Programs will continue but shift into other colleges

• Focus was interdisciplinary learning + Collin County partnerships

• Reason: the model “has not scaled” financially

Provost Michael McPherson admitted the decision was hard but said UNT remains committed to a strong Frisco presence. Faculty say it’s a loss for innovation, while the university says it’s a necessary step to keep the budget sustainable.

🎨 Paint & Sip @ Sheraton Stonebriar Hotel | Friday, Sept. 19 | 6:30–8 PM | Ticketed
Guided painting, wine in hand, and no judgment if your “masterpiece” looks like stick figures. Perfect for a date night or just a solo unwind.
Details: Here

🎗️ Purple Heart Monument Dedication @ Frisco Veterans Memorial | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 9 AM | No Cost
Join Medal of Honor recipient Captain Florent Groberg and the community in honoring combat veterans with the unveiling of Frisco’s new Purple Heart Monument.
Details: Here

🎉 SaturYAY Family Fun @ Kaleidoscope Park | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 10 AM–12 PM | No Cost
Petting zoo, arts and crafts, and toddler music classes, it’s basically a Saturday energy burn for kids while parents grab coffee and breathe.
Details: Here

🛍 Shop Local Fall Market @ Kaleidoscope Park | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 10 AM–4 PM | No Cost
Fall candles, artisan goods, and cozy décor. Think “Etsy IRL,” plus it supports small businesses in our own backyard.
Details: Here

🍻 Game Day at The Star (Miller LiteHouse) | Sunday, Sept. 21 | 3:25–6 PM | No Cost
Cowboys cheerleaders, jumbo games, $5 Miller Lite, and all the tailgate vibes you can handle. Whether you’re there for football or just the nachos, it’s the place to be.
Details: Here

Fri 19 – Partly Cloudy | 93° / 71°
Sat 20 – Mostly Cloudy | 92° / 72°
Sun 21 – Partly Cloudy | 88° / 73°
Mon 22 – Partly Cloudy | 92° / 74°

Translation: still hot, still sticky, but hey, we’ll take “cloudy” as Texas’ version of shade.

That’s it for this week, Frisco! Whether you’re honoring heroes, shopping local, or just perfecting your wine to brushstroke ratio, enjoy this stretch of late summer fun. And remember, check on your neighbors, wave at your mail carrier, and maybe bring Main Street businesses a little love.

Catch y’all Monday!

— Hamza Sohail | Frisco Insider | Sept. 19th