OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City of Murphy Regular City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, October 7, 2025
BodyIdaho Falls, Idaho
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:21:17

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

All right.

0:06

Welcome as I call to order the October 7th City of Murphy Regular City Council meeting.

0:11

Time is 6 p.m.

0:13

Rise with me as I offer the invitation to leave the pledge of allegiance.

0:19

Our heavenly father bless us as we consider the agenda in front of us tonight.

0:23

Give us the wisdom to act with compassion and vision for what is best for the community.

0:27

Bless and watch over our public safety officers and the community they serve.

0:33

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:40

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

0:51

Mayor Scott Bradley?

0:52

Here.

0:53

Mayor Pro Tim Elizabeth Abraham?

0:55

Here.

0:55

Deputy Mayor Pro Tim Janay Butler?

0:57

Here.

0:58

Councilmember place to Scott Smith.

1:00

Councilmember place three, Andrew Chase.

1:03

Here.

1:03

Councilmember place four, Ken Oldman.

1:05

Here.

1:06

Councilmember place five Laura Deal?

1:08

Here.

1:08

Mayor certify the presence of a quorum.

1:10

Thank you, Susie.

1:12

All right.

1:12

Item four public comments is time we said candy.

1:18

Keene.

1:20

Oh well.

1:21

Thank you.

1:22

Thank you for calling that out.

1:23

I appreciate it.

1:27

Public comments.

1:28

This is the time we set aside on the agenda to allow residents to adjust counsel on an item not on the agenda this evening.

1:33

I do have a number of public comment forms.

1:37

We're going to work our way through those, and if uh anyone else would like to address council, I will uh give them the opportunity at that time.

1:45

Uh first uh public comment form I have is Mr.

1:48

Maynard Little.

2:06

Good evening.

2:07

My name's Maynard Little.

2:09

I reside at 1004 St.

2:11

Mark Drive.

2:13

At the last council meeting on September 16th, 2025, I stated that Murphy has a spending problem.

2:21

The evidence is crystal clear.

2:24

Year over year, 10% increases in the budget, with taxes and fees increasing 20 to 50 percent to fund it.

2:34

I asked each of you to estimate how much these tax and fee increases would add annually to an average household.

2:43

Initially I estimated it was resulting in an additional 500 uh dollars sent to the city, and have since revised it to 1,000 dollars.

2:54

Not one of you replied with an estimate.

2:58

Of course, this negative fiscal impact on residents is not just for 2026.

3:04

It has been reoccurring for the last several years.

3:08

During these years, the city has dedicated dictated, dictated spending on numerous non-essential projects, including millions of tax dollars on Roxford Earth medians, redundant sidewalks, the loop project, and tennis courts, all without approval from those who must pay for them.

3:30

The nonessential vanity spending has been approved by council to continue in 2026, with millions to be spent on bridges to nowhere, a floodable tunnel, more redundant sidewalks, solar lights for a basketball court, bike repair stations, overhead netting for a volleyball court, etc.

3:51

That's council members.

3:52

You are supposed to represent all residents.

3:56

How are you representing those who do not approve of tax dollars being spent in this manner?

4:03

I look forward to hearing an explicit answers from each of you.

4:08

At the last meeting, I also asked for justification abstantiation of the annual transfer of 20% of the projected general fund budget from the utility fund to the general uh fund for quote administration unquote.

4:26

Additionally, I asked for sub substantiation of the 20% reserve balance for the utility fund.

4:35

Why isn't it 10%?

4:37

Why isn't it 30%?

4:39

How and when was either of the 20% figures calculated?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████18%
Public Engagement█████████████████17%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Planning And Zoning█████████9%
Veterans Affairs████████8%
Arts And Culture███████7%
Religious Accommodations██████6%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

City of Murphy Regular City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025

The City of Murphy Regular City Council meeting convened at 6:00 PM on October 7, 2025, with all council members present and a quorum certified. The meeting included multiple presentations, public comments, and approvals of various resolutions. The meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Maynard Little (resident) expressed concerns about the city's spending, citing 10% year-over-year budget increases and 20-50% tax/fee increases. He requested justification for the 20% transfer from the utility fund to the general fund and the 20% reserve balance, stating he had not received answers.
  • Jatin Patel (on behalf of Swaminarayan Gurukul USA) invited council to a Diwali celebration on October 25, 2025, at 6 PM at their temple in East Plano.
  • Mary Lang (Commander of American Legion Hale Combat Post, Wylie) announced the Vietnam Veterans Memorial traveling wall will be at Founders Park in Wylie from October 30 to November 1, 2025, and encouraged attendance.
  • Mohammed Kasim (Maidwood Companies) presented a street naming honor: "Bradley Drive" (facing HEB) in recognition of the city's partnership and economic development. Mayor Bradley accepted on behalf of council.

Presentations

  • Community Planning Month Proclamation: October 2025 designated as Community Planning Month in Murphy.
  • Fire Prevention Week Proclamation: October 5-11, 2025, proclaimed as Fire Prevention Week, focusing on lithium battery safety.
  • Employee of the Quarter: Melvin Capers (Parks and Recreation) recognized for going above and beyond.
  • Murphy Veterans Tribute Update (Reagan): Proposed site at City Hall parking lot east island. Design includes an accessible 6-foot sidewalk, six stone benches (one per military branch), paver stones for honorees (approx. 120), and a bronze monument (folded flag of honor) from Randolph Rose Collection. Estimated cost under $100,000, funded by cash on hand and Collin County Parks grant. Council expressed strong support for the conceptual design.
  • Annual Economic Development Report (Reagan): Reported average home value of $620,000, average household income $160,000, sales tax revenue flat at $5.8 million, 95% commercial occupancy. HEB opening late spring/early summer 2026. Murphy Marketplace expansion underway. 22 new businesses opened.
  • Murphy Master Plan Update (Abra Nusser, LJA): Presented community feedback highlights, vision guiding principles (neighborly, thriving local economy, connected walkable community, etc.). Recommended approval of vision statement and guiding principles. Next community forum (virtual) on November 20, 2025, from 6-8 PM.

Discussion Items

  • East Renner Road at Tall Tree Drive Intersection Modification: Resolution to authorize $64,500 design contract with Burkhoff, Hendricks & Carter LLP. Council discussed concerns about spending for a single house but noted history of traffic hazards. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Texas Municipal League Board Election: Cast official ballot for Mayor Mays of Capell as Region 13 Director, over incumbent Stanley Jackowski. Council noted Capell as peer city and recommendations. Passed unanimously.
  • Christmas Lighting Services Contract: Three-year agreement (with two one-year extensions) with Splendid Christmas Lighting Company at $39,000 per year (down from previous $45,000). Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved consent agenda.
  • Approved resolution for engineering services at East Renner Road/Tall Tree Drive ($64,500).
  • Cast ballot for Mayor Mays for Texas Municipal League Board.
  • Approved Christmas lighting contract ($39,000/year for 3 years with extensions).
  • After executive session, approved merit increase of 3% for City Secretary Candy Jackson and market adjustment of 2% plus merit increase of 3% for City Manager Aretha Adams.
  • Received presentations and provided direction on Veterans Tribute design and Master Plan vision guiding principles.

Meeting Transcript

All right. Welcome as I call to order the October 7th City of Murphy Regular City Council meeting. Time is 6 p.m. Rise with me as I offer the invitation to leave the pledge of allegiance. Our heavenly father bless us as we consider the agenda in front of us tonight. Give us the wisdom to act with compassion and vision for what is best for the community. Bless and watch over our public safety officers and the community they serve. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mayor Scott Bradley? Here. Mayor Pro Tim Elizabeth Abraham? Here. Deputy Mayor Pro Tim Janay Butler? Here. Councilmember place to Scott Smith. Councilmember place three, Andrew Chase. Here. Councilmember place four, Ken Oldman. Here. Councilmember place five Laura Deal? Here. Mayor certify the presence of a quorum. Thank you, Susie. All right. Item four public comments is time we said candy. Keene. Oh well. Thank you. Thank you for calling that out. I appreciate it. Public comments. This is the time we set aside on the agenda to allow residents to adjust counsel on an item not on the agenda this evening. I do have a number of public comment forms. We're going to work our way through those, and if uh anyone else would like to address council, I will uh give them the opportunity at that time. Uh first uh public comment form I have is Mr. Maynard Little. Good evening. My name's Maynard Little. I reside at 1004 St. Mark Drive. At the last council meeting on September 16th, 2025, I stated that Murphy has a spending problem. The evidence is crystal clear. Year over year, 10% increases in the budget, with taxes and fees increasing 20 to 50 percent to fund it. I asked each of you to estimate how much these tax and fee increases would add annually to an average household. Initially I estimated it was resulting in an additional 500 uh dollars sent to the city, and have since revised it to 1,000 dollars. Not one of you replied with an estimate. Of course, this negative fiscal impact on residents is not just for 2026. It has been reoccurring for the last several years. During these years, the city has dedicated dictated, dictated spending on numerous non-essential projects, including millions of tax dollars on Roxford Earth medians, redundant sidewalks, the loop project, and tennis courts, all without approval from those who must pay for them.

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