Murphy City Council Regular Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Murphy City Council convened on August 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM for a regular meeting. The agenda included public comments, presentations on the Citizens Academy graduation, capital improvement projects, and citywide overtime, along with consent agenda items, a discussion on fee schedule amendments, a construction plat, and the adoption of the proposed FY27 tax rate. The meeting concluded with an executive session and future agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Items A, B, C, E, and I were approved unanimously via a single motion. Items D (fee schedule amendment) and G (construction plat) were pulled for separate consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Maynard Little (104 St. Mark Drive) criticized the city's spending, stating that the spending problem has worsened, leading to higher taxes, rates, and fees. He questioned the stormwater fee increase, noting a projected fund balance of $520,000 as of June 30, 2026, versus a 20% reserve of less than $80,000. He requested that the proposed fee schedule item D be removed and fully vetted.
• Mary White (121 Review Drive) asked the council to explain what specific expenditure reductions, deferrals, or reprioritizations had been made before requesting a 1.2% tax increase. She requested a five-year forecast under three scenarios, details on the structural imbalance, and justification for the increase rather than using reserves. She also asked about savings from leaving vacant positions, contract reductions, and capital project deferrals.
• Kevin McCallister (Murphy resident) commented on the need for better communication between city leadership and residents, and raised concerns about transparency on city-operated Facebook pages.
• Sheila Wilkinson (600 Horizon Drive) expressed appreciation for council responses to her concerns, praised the Citizens Academy, but urged careful review of expenses. She noted that inflation pressures residents and suggested cutting non-essential services like music in the park or closing some parks/trails. She offered her expertise as a process improvement analyst to find cost savings.
• Kevin McCallister (second comment) echoed support for zero-based budgeting and cross-department evaluation, and noted that property tax is a wealth tax driven largely by school district recapture, not the city.

Discussion Items

• Presentation: Murphy Citizens Academy Graduation (Cameron Thompson) – 14 graduates completed the program, which included behind-the-scenes sessions with all city departments. Graduates took an oath to remain informed and engaged citizens.
• Presentation: Capital Improvement Projects (Donald) – Provided updates on projects: Eastern Road/Tall Tree intersection (80% complete, open to traffic Aug 10), sidewalk repairs (25% complete, completion Nov), copper service line replacement (started Aug 18), Timbers area cast iron water main replacement (bid opens Aug 27), Rodeo tower rehabilitation (construction delayed to Dec), pedestrian bridge (options to be presented Aug 28), FM 544/McCurry right turn lane (60% design), McMillan Road pavement/drainage (advertise winter 2026-27), Skyline sanitary sewer rehab (design complete, construction 2028), and Table Rock Drive/Water's Edge drainage (estimated $400,000). CIP dashboard now available on city website.
• Presentation: Citywide Overtime (Berna, Finance Director) – Detailed overtime eligibility, categories, and monitoring. Key departments: Fire, Police, and Community Events. Fire overtime is 71% scheduling-driven; police overtime reduced by $90,000 after policy change separating non-worked hours. Both departments are mostly staffed. Parks and Public Works also monitor overtime. Council discussed the need for a uniform overtime policy and cross-department tracking.
• Item D: Fee Schedule Amendment – Solid waste collection (CPI increase of 4.7% per contract), water/sewer rates (rate study scenario three with conservation tiers). Approved unanimously.
• Item G: Construction Plat – Enclave of Maxwell Creek Phase 2 – After previous denial due to detention ponds and tree removal concerns, the developer revised the plan replacing ponds with dry swales, reducing grading and tree removal. The developer (DR Horton) confirmed the HOA will maintain the swales. Council expressed disappointment with the first phase construction (facades, rental community). Motion to approve failed for lack of a second.
• Item 9a: FY27 Proposed Tax Rate – Extensive discussion. Mayor Bradley noted his 20th budget and emphasized that Murphy has one of the lowest tax rates in the Metroplex (0.36 per $100 valuation). The proposed voter approval tax rate of 0.361832 is a 1.2% increase over the current year, generating approximately $21M in general fund revenues vs. $22M expenditures. The median home value (~$592,198) would see an annual tax of $2,143 ($178.56/month). The increase is about $165/year compared to the current year. Council debated reducing the increase to 0.6% or other amounts. Mayor Bradley cautioned against cutting too much, recalling past experience where reduced rates led to subsequent clawbacks and employee pay freezes. The city attorney clarified that the vote tonight sets the maximum rate for the public hearing; council can lower it later. Council decided to set the maximum rate of 0.361832 and schedule a work session on August 28 to discuss possible reductions before the final vote on September 15.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (items A, B, C, E, I).
• Fee schedule amendment (Item D) approved unanimously.
• Construction plat for Enclave of Maxwell Creek Phase 2 (Item G) – motion failed for lack of a second.
• Resolution adopting FY27 proposed tax rate – passed unanimously (record vote 7-0) setting the maximum rate at 0.361832 per $100 valuation, with a public hearing on September 15, 2026, and a work session on August 28 to consider reductions.
• Executive session held from 9:07 PM to 10:20 PM; no actions taken.
• Future agenda items requested: city support for businesses (to be discussed at January retreat) and update on current residential developments (to be presented at next meeting).