OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Denton City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - April 21, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, April 21, 2026
BodyAustin, Texas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:25:33

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Good afternoon and welcome to this meeting of the Denton City Council.

0:07

Today's date, Tuesday, April 21st, 2026.

0:11

We do have a quorum call of meeting order.

0:14

First thing on before we get in, well, let me just make sure citizen comments or any sentence.

0:22

Great.

0:22

So that then I'll recognize the city manager to talk about the finance department.

0:29

Go ahead.

0:30

Um good afternoon, Mayor.

0:31

Council, thanks for letting me take a few minutes before our work session to recognize some staff members that do great work that you may not interact with on a daily basis.

0:43

I want to recognize Amy Caslick, our chief strategy officer, who is our department head of the Office of Strategy and Budget, and her team.

0:54

The city, well, Amy, can you bring your team up?

0:58

So the City of Denton has once again received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association, marking our 40th consecutive year of earning this honor.

1:11

So this year's recognition was especially meaningful because it highlighted the city's successful transition to a fully digital budget book.

1:27

So it hand enhanced our accessibility, usability, and transparency for both the council and the public.

1:32

So thank you, budget team.

1:34

I appreciate it.

1:39

So can we get a can we get a team picture?

1:43

Is that all right for me for them?

1:45

So y'all young slot, maybe over by the flag that way you're not lit up.

1:58

Shirley, you have to get it in front of the code here.

2:08

Okay, one, two, three, same money.

2:12

Yeah, I like it.

2:15

Awesome.

2:16

Thank you all very much.

2:17

Again, thank you.

2:18

That's good.

2:23

All right, that takes us to our first.

2:27

Well, first, let me see.

2:28

There's a request for clarification of agenda items listed on the agenda for public hearing or individual consideration request for clarification of agenda items listed on the agenda for public hearing or individual consideration.

2:41

Any questions?

2:42

Seeing none, that takes us to our works.

2:46

Oh, representative from district two.

2:50

Uh just being careful that I I this morning very early asked for the the work session or sorry, the um the closed session on item AM to be addressed.

3:02

And I'm bringing it up at this time so that we're all clear.

3:07

Okay.

3:08

So that takes us to our work session.

3:10

Um nothing was pulled.

3:13

First item is 3A, ID 260154, receive report, hold discussion, give staff direction on the city's financial policies.

3:24

And Mayor and Council, before Matt kicks off this item, I just wanted to um remind you that as we prepare for the upcoming budget season, it's vital that we align our long-term planning with several of the pillars that we're going to be discussing today.

3:42

So, transparency, connectivity, and resiliency.

3:46

The goal of this work session and discussion is to um talk about the practices that we currently have in place and how we strengthen those to ensure that we um remain financially stable.

4:00

Um, so just wanted to give you some context before Matt kicks off the discussion.

4:04

So I'll turn it over to Matt.

4:06

All right.

4:07

Thank you.

4:07

Good afternoon, Mayor, members of council.

4:09

Matt Hamilton, Chief Financial Officer.

4:11

Uh, here this afternoon to talk about our financial policies and uh developing a comprehensive financial policy.

4:21

So, what we're looking to do is to start an initiative that would establish a comprehensive financial policy that will outline strategies in a couple different areas.

4:31

The first is long-term financial planning, reserve funds, capital and reinvestment, cost of service-based rates, linking specific revenues to expenses, uh, incremental rate adjustments to avoid spikes, and competitive rate benchmarking.

5:00

The goal of this is to enhance compliance with federal and state laws, accounting and financial standards, and to ensure alignment with various national associations such as the Government Finance Officers Association, GFOA, American Waterworks Association, AWWA, and the American Public Power Association, APPA best practices.

5:11

It will also enhance the financial position of the city and support high credit ratings, while also providing a centralized framework for financial policies within the city.

5:23

So currently within the city, we have a number of standalone financial policies, but what we lack is a comprehensive overarching financial policy.

5:33

So as I mentioned, one of the areas that we'll focus on is developing a long-term financial plan.

5:41

So establishing a long-term financial plan, which would be performance or financial statements out 10 years.

5:50

Currently, we only produce five-year forecasts with a focus really on that next budget year.

5:56

But GFOA recommends a financial plan greater than five years for all governments that utilize debt financing and/or utility rate setting, both of which the City of Denton does.

6:08

Within this, we would define specific forecast assumptions supported by available data, including population and customer growth, volume and demand growth, inflation, service levels, future staffing levels, rate changes, capital projects, and reserve balances.

6:27

And through this, our goal is to identify any structural imbalances early and develop strategies to address them proactively.

6:37

Looking at reserve funds, we currently do have a reserve fund policy.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████████████27%
Economic Development██████████████████18%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████████15%
Procedural████████8%
Community Engagement███████7%
Land Use and Zoning██████6%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Historic Preservation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Denton City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Denton City Council held a work session beginning in the afternoon and a regular meeting that reconvened at 6:31 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The work session included presentations on financial policies, police and fire department annual reports, and a council member pitch. The regular meeting featured proclamations, public hearings, and individual consideration items, including votes on a historic landmark designation, zoning change, utility contracts, and an economic development incentive agreement.

Proclamations

  • National Police Volunteer Week (April 19–25, 2026): Recognized the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association and volunteers for their support to the Denton Police Department.
  • Ryan High School Lady Raiders State Championship: Celebrated the girls' basketball team's second consecutive UIL Class 5A state title, won on March 7, 2026, against Leander Glenn High School (45–34).
  • Child Abuse Prevention Month (April 2026): Highlighted the work of CASA of Denton County, which served over 600 children in 2025, including more than 200 in Denton.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda, including routine approvals, was approved 7–0 without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Barbara Kuzma (Denton resident): Expressed concerns about a four-story mini storage building under construction near Country Club and Fort Worth Drive. She noted its inappropriate height, destruction of historic oak trees, lack of setbacks, traffic hazards at the Hobson–Country Club intersection, and the area's need for a grocery store or restaurant. She requested a traffic light study. Council directed staff to follow up on traffic options.
  • Adam Horwitz (Denton resident): Alleged corruption and misconduct by the Denton Police Department, including a false arrest during a family medical emergency, excessive force, perjury in supporting affidavits, and failure to respond to his complaints over seven months. He also questioned why the city attorney signed paperwork on behalf of an officer named in a federal lawsuit.
  • Chance Harrington (District 2 resident): Urged the council to reject federal grants containing immigration enforcement collaboration clauses. He cited the RTIC grant and anti-terrorism funds as examples and demanded a public hearing and a formal review protocol for all incoming grants to flag such clauses. He warned of financial traps similar to Dallas's recent experience with state funding threats.
  • Jeremy Gingrich (UNT graduate student): Opposed the economic development agreement with Cratosky LLC, arguing the company had no production history, verified revenue, or track record. He claimed incentives were based on hypothetical projections and clawbacks were insufficient. He also raised moral objections to autonomous drones and urged rejection on fiscal and transparency grounds.

Discussion Items (Work Session)

  • 3A - City Financial Policies (ID 260154): Matt Hamilton, CFO, presented a proposed comprehensive financial policy initiative covering long-term planning (10-year forecasts), reserve funds, capital reinvestment, rate adjustments, and benchmarking. Council members expressed broad support for moving forward, with direction to proceed. Councilmember Beck requested incorporation of land use and infrastructure design cost efficiency as a third option for managing cost increases. Councilmember Holland supported a 10-year forecast but raised concerns about staffing and state-level changes. District 2 member asked for a 'red line' showing new vs. existing practices. Direction was given to proceed.
  • 3B - Denton Police Department Annual Update (ID 260033): Interim Chief Tony Salah reported a record-breaking recruitment year (largest civil service test turnout, 17 graduates in a single academy class), staffing levels (172 deployable officers, 21 vacancies), and a 15% decrease in violent crime. Property crime increased 10%, driven by a 24% rise in motor vehicle thefts, primarily at apartment complexes. The drone-as-first-responder program was highlighted, with drones reaching scenes 60% faster than ground units. Discussion covered drone deployment times, repeat offenders, data control policies, and officer safety (bulletproof vehicle funding).
  • 3C - Denton Fire Department Annual Update (ID 260033): Chief Kenneth Hedges announced the department's 'triple crown' achievement—dual accreditation (CAS and AMLS) and ISO Class 1 classification, placing it among 20 of over 33,000 U.S. and Canadian fire departments. Emergency call volume continues to rise (~8% projected increase). Key initiatives included transitioning to a 48/96 work schedule, introduction of a community paramedic program, arrival of new apparatus (enforcer pumpers, medic units, electric fire truck), and progress on fire station construction (Station 6 opening fall 2026, Station 5 foundations underway). Collaboration on a drone program (DFR) was emphasized as a force multiplier.
  • 3D - Environmental Neighborhood Toolkit for Infrastructure Response and Enhancement (ENTIRE): Councilmember Beck proposed a program modeled on neighborhood empowerment grants, using public-private partnerships to address drainage, creek stabilization, and green infrastructure without new funding. Discussion revealed split opinions: some supported further exploration (medium priority), while others lacked sufficient information or raised concerns about city involvement on private property. No consensus was reached; the item did not advance to committee.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved 7–0.
  • Public Hearing 5A - Historic Landmark Designation (1403 Kendall Drive): Approved 7–0, designating the Mid-Century Modern home designed by Mount Miller Architects.
  • Public Hearing 5B - Zoning Change (Mayhill Road LI): Approved 7–0, rezoning 1.67 acres from Rural Residential to Light Industrial to legalize existing non-conforming use.
  • Item 6A - Special Use Permit Extension (S260001): Approved 7–0, extending the SUP for equipment sales/rental until May 2027.
  • Item 6B - Advanced Metering Infrastructure Contract (Badger Meter Inc.): Approved 7–0, authorizing up to $26 million over 5 years for smart water meters. Savings estimated at $18 million in labor over implementation.
  • Item 6C - Water Utility Monitoring & Analytics Contract (Xylem View Inc.): Approved 7–0, authorizing up to $6.5 million over 5 years for real-time flow monitoring and leak detection.
  • Item 6D - Economic Development Agreement with Cratosky LLC: The initial vote passed 5–2. After a request for revote by Councilmember Byrd (citing a vote recording issue), the second vote passed 4–3. The agreement provides up to $871,771 in performance-based incentives (ad valorem rebate, sales tax rebate, job-based grant, headquarters grant) for the company to lease a 167,000 sq. ft. facility at 3411 Mingo Road, projecting 258 jobs (average salary $70,000+) and $23.5 million in capital investment. Councilmember Holland voted 'no' citing concerns about defense sector applications, and Councilmember Jester opposed on lack of end-use assurances. Discussion included potential drone testing at UNT or the airport rather than on-site.

Closing Items

  • Council recognized April 23 as the birthday of Denton native and 1960s pop singer Ray Peterson.
  • Council noted Earth Day (April 22) and early voting.
  • Councilmember Byrd acknowledged the tragic passing of Coral Springs, Florida Vice Mayor Nancy Bowen.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon and welcome to this meeting of the Denton City Council. Today's date, Tuesday, April 21st, 2026. We do have a quorum call of meeting order. First thing on before we get in, well, let me just make sure citizen comments or any sentence. Great. So that then I'll recognize the city manager to talk about the finance department. Go ahead. Um good afternoon, Mayor. Council, thanks for letting me take a few minutes before our work session to recognize some staff members that do great work that you may not interact with on a daily basis. I want to recognize Amy Caslick, our chief strategy officer, who is our department head of the Office of Strategy and Budget, and her team. The city, well, Amy, can you bring your team up? So the City of Denton has once again received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association, marking our 40th consecutive year of earning this honor. So this year's recognition was especially meaningful because it highlighted the city's successful transition to a fully digital budget book. So it hand enhanced our accessibility, usability, and transparency for both the council and the public. So thank you, budget team. I appreciate it. So can we get a can we get a team picture? Is that all right for me for them? So y'all young slot, maybe over by the flag that way you're not lit up. Shirley, you have to get it in front of the code here. Okay, one, two, three, same money. Yeah, I like it. Awesome. Thank you all very much. Again, thank you. That's good. All right, that takes us to our first. Well, first, let me see. There's a request for clarification of agenda items listed on the agenda for public hearing or individual consideration request for clarification of agenda items listed on the agenda for public hearing or individual consideration. Any questions? Seeing none, that takes us to our works. Oh, representative from district two. Uh just being careful that I I this morning very early asked for the the work session or sorry, the um the closed session on item AM to be addressed. And I'm bringing it up at this time so that we're all clear. Okay. So that takes us to our work session. Um nothing was pulled. First item is 3A, ID 260154, receive report, hold discussion, give staff direction on the city's financial policies. And Mayor and Council, before Matt kicks off this item, I just wanted to um remind you that as we prepare for the upcoming budget season, it's vital that we align our long-term planning with several of the pillars that we're going to be discussing today. So, transparency, connectivity, and resiliency. The goal of this work session and discussion is to um talk about the practices that we currently have in place and how we strengthen those to ensure that we um remain financially stable. Um, so just wanted to give you some context before Matt kicks off the discussion. So I'll turn it over to Matt. All right. Thank you. Good afternoon, Mayor, members of council. Matt Hamilton, Chief Financial Officer. Uh, here this afternoon to talk about our financial policies and uh developing a comprehensive financial policy. So, what we're looking to do is to start an initiative that would establish a comprehensive financial policy that will outline strategies in a couple different areas. The first is long-term financial planning, reserve funds, capital and reinvestment, cost of service-based rates, linking specific revenues to expenses, uh, incremental rate adjustments to avoid spikes, and competitive rate benchmarking.

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