Murphy City Council Regular Meeting - May 19, 2026

The Murphy City Council met in regular session on May 19, 2026, at 6 p.m. The meeting included public comments, oath administration for newly elected council members, proclamations, a financial report, a water loss update, and a vote to restructure the Youth Advisory Committee. The council also entered executive session on litigation, land use, and real property matters but took no action upon return.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8A and 8B (routine approvals) were approved unanimously.
• Item 8C, a resolution authorizing a two-year contract with Valley View Consulting LLC for investment advisory services, was removed from the consent agenda by the mayor. Councilmember Ison recused herself. The item was then approved unanimously after brief discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Luke Trahan (Chamber of Commerce, immediate past chair and co-chair of the Murphy Local Option Campaign) provided updates: the Chamber is rebranding with a new website launching this Friday; a golf tournament is set for November 13; the local option campaign aims to gather 2,698 signatures by July 17 to place a packaged alcohol sales question on the November ballot; the Chamber awarded six $1,200 scholarships to graduating seniors, with a reception on June 2. He encouraged council and community support.
• Rhonda Bellamy Hodge (421 Hawthorne Drive, longtime resident and former Murphy Messenger reporter) spoke passionately against a campaign postcard she received before the May 2 election. She described the postcard as using fear tactics—darkened images, weapons, and references to threats—and compared Murphy to Dearborn, Michigan. She asked that the council and the candidates who benefited from the mailing disavow such rhetoric, emphasizing the need to treat all neighbors with love and respect. She noted that she is Christian and not Muslim, but urged the community to reject hate.
• Michael Padilla (323 Apache Trail) stated that many community members and candidates block-walked and knocked on doors for weeks, showing personal engagement beyond mailers and texts.
• Dedra (Precinct 25) noted that many residents were unaware of the election and that precinct chairs worked to inform voters about candidates to keep Murphy safe.

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Report: Mayor Bradley welcomed newly elected council members and thanked departing members. He emphasized that council focuses on local priorities—streets, sidewalks, police, parks—regardless of party affiliation, and committed to serving the entire community.
• Oath of Office: The mayor administered the oath to councilmembers Debbie Ison (Place 3), Kevin Kelly (Place 5), and himself as mayor, all elected on May 2, 2026. He congratulated them and reiterated the importance of nonpartisan service.
• Proclamation: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May 2026) – Councilmember Elizabeth Abraham read the proclamation and welcomed representatives from the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, India Association of North Texas, and South Asian American Voter Education (Save Texas).
• Proclamation: National EMS Week (May 17–23, 2026) – Councilmember Scott Smith read the proclamation. Fire Chief (unidentified) noted the department already has two life saves and one birth in the ambulance this year, and thanked EMS personnel.
• Financial Report for Quarter Ending March 31, 2026 (Second Quarter FY2026): The city’s financial condition is healthy; no contingency plan activation needed. Total sales tax revenue collected exceeded $3.2 million, at 55.9% of budget (ahead of target). Permits and licenses were down compared to prior year due to fewer storm-related permits. Municipal court expenditures decreased because of a staffing restructure (from three to two and a half employees). Solid waste costs increased due to higher contract disposal fees, which were anticipated and covered by a rate adjustment. Interest income rose due to a revised investment strategy and deposit of 2025 CO funds into a TexPool, generating additional interest for project use. Total fund balance projected at $67.1 million as of March 31, 2026, up from $62.1 million at the start of the fiscal year. Capital projects total $26 million remaining; a correction was noted for streets and sidewalk maintenance line items. Council discussed permit fluctuations, court spending, solid waste costs, and debt management.
• Water Loss Presentation: For the first quarter of 2026, water loss improved significantly compared to 2025: January 7% (vs 15%), February higher due to multiple cold-weather leaks, March 9% (vs 14%), April 6% (vs 18%). Total 2025 water loss was 186 million gallons (13%), down from 497 million in 2023. The city repaired 51 leaks in 2024, 40 in 2025, and 14 so far in 2026. The major ongoing project is replacing the remaining 5,300 copper service lines with high-density polyethylene; initial bids were rejected as too high, and the project was re-bid on May 14 with bids opening June 4. Staff aim to bring a contract to council by July 7. Construction would take 12 months. Council questioned metrics on leak response times; staff will add performance metrics to future reports. The Texas Water Development Board standard is 15%; below 10% is considered excellent.
• City Manager Staff Reports: The Sounds at Sundown summer concert series begins June 5; the second Citizens Academy will run June 11–August 6; City Hall will be closed May 25 for Memorial Day; the Murphy Veterans Tribute dedication is scheduled for May 27 at 11:30 a.m. Two new staff members were introduced: Assistant to the City Manager Cameron Thompson and Planning Manager Stephanie Scott Sims.
• Youth Advisory Committee Restructuring: Kayla (staff member) presented a proposal to restructure the Youth Advisory Committee after three years of declining participation—the committee lost quorum for four consecutive months in 2026. Proposed changes include pausing the current standalone committee for one year, developing a Youth Citizens Academy (modeled on the adult program) with six to seven weekly sessions, and after completion, allowing teens to apply as liaisons to existing boards (e.g., Parks and Recreation, MCDC, MDB). The goal is deeper engagement and learning about city governance. Council expressed support for the restructured format and the liaison approach. Motion to approve restructuring passed unanimously.
• Executive Session: Council recessed at 7:20 p.m. for executive session under Texas Government Code sections 551.071 (consultation with attorney on pending/contemplated litigation and land use matters, including a pedestrian bridge) and 551.072 (deliberation on real property for Project Alpha). Reconvened at 8:47 p.m. with no action taken.
• Future Agenda Items: Councilmember Abraham requested a Juneteenth proclamation with a presentation; the mayor confirmed it will be handled as a proclamation and speaker.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Items A and B approved unanimously.
• Resolution for investment advisory services (Item 8C) approved unanimously (Councilmember Ison recused).
• Youth Advisory Committee restructuring approved unanimously.
• No action taken following executive session.
• The next regular council meeting is scheduled for May 27, 2026, as a budget workshop in the community room.