What’s new in Runaway Bay?

Last year, the Runaway Bay Chamber of Commerce, Home and Property Owners Association and the Arts Council merged into one group called the Greater Runaway Bay Alliance. The new group still puts on the Bay’s traditional events such as the Fourth Fest near Independence Day and the Festival of Lights in December, and more events could be added in the future.

Population

• 1,200

City Hall

• 101 Runaway Bay Drive
• (940) 575-4745
• City secretary: Elizabeth Penny
• City administrator: Mike Jump

Web site

• www.runawaybaytexas.com

City Council

• Mayor: A.L. Jowitt
• Council members: Lee Braun, Robert Ryan, Tayna Fulmer, Jim Davis and Mark Allen

Tax rate

• $0.57616 per $100 property valuation

Meetings

• City Council meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at city hall
• Planning and zoning meets at 4 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at city hall
• EDC meets as needed at city hall
• Parks board meets at 6 p.m. the first Monday of the month at the Norma Coble Civic Center

Amenities

• The Norma Coble Civic Center located at 51 Runaway Bay Dr. is available for rent by calling city hall at (940) 575-4745.
• The Club at Runaway Bay has banquet facilities for groups of 10 to 200 people, an 18-hole golf course and a driving range.
• Cricket Ridge Park, next to the Civic Center, and West Side Park, located on Runaway Bay Drive near Elm Court, each have playground equipment provided by EDC funds.
• The Park at Runaway Bay, located on Blue Bird Lane next to the municipal swimming pool, features a walking trail, a playground, picnic areas and will soon feature a youth ballfield.
• The municipal swimming pool, located on Blue Bird Lane off Exit 8, is open Wednesday through Monday from June through August and on weekends in May and September.
• A public beach is located on Ratliff Drive.
• Call city hall for information about marinas and boat slip rentals.

Events

• June - Runaway Bay Volunteer Fire Department dinner
• July - The Greater Runaway Bay Alliance sponsors Fourth Fest and fireworks show on the nearest Saturday to Independence Day.
• September - The Alliance sponsors a Summer Pool Party.
• December - The Alliance hosts a holiday dinner and a tour of lighted homes to showcase Christmas decorations.
• The Alliance also sponsors a city council candidate forum each year before the election.

Police department

• Headquarters at 580 U.S. 380
• Phone number is (940) 575-2200.
• Police chief is Drew Paschall with four full-time officers including the chief

Volunteer Fire Department

• Station at 410 Runaway Bay Dr.
• Fire chief: Shawn Hale
• Emergency calls are directed through the police department or by dialing 911.

Greater Runaway Bay Alliance

• Office located at Norma Coble Civic Center
• Phone number is (940) 575-4525
• Web site: www.greaterrunawaybayalliance.com
• Tayna Fulmer, president
• Quarterly membership dinners are held.
• Board meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at the Runaway Bay Community Church.

Schools

• Bridgeport ISD Administration building is at 2107 15th St. in Bridgeport.
• Class 3A district, Bridgeport has five campuses: elementary, intermediate, middle school, high school and A.C.E. High School.
• Eddie Bland is superintendent.
• The administration phone number is (940) 683-5124.