Killeen City Council Meeting - December 9, 2025

The Killeen City Council met on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 101 N. College Street. The meeting began with invocation and pledge, proceeded through a work session to review upcoming agenda items, heard citizen comments, and then took action on a consent agenda, a public hearing, and received a parks master plan update. All votes taken during the regular session were 5-0 in favor.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the meeting agenda by a 5-0 vote.
• RS-25-190 (VOCA Grant): Accepted a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) 2026 Crisis Assistance Program grant through the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division. The grant award is $79,901.60, with a 20% city match of $19,975.40, for a total project amount of $99,877. Funds will support the crime victims clerk, professional counseling, emergency financial assistance, and temporary shelter services.
• RS-25-191 (Utility Billing Outsourcing): Authorized an agreement with Info Send, Inc. (RFP 25-37) for utility bill print and mail outsourcing in the annual amount of $479,016.00. The city processes approximately 55,000 water utility accounts, generating 38,000–40,000 regular bills, 11,000–15,000 e-bills, and 11,000–14,000 delinquent notices monthly. The outsourcing is projected to save about $7,000 annually while improving bill presentation and expanding e-bill inserts.
• RS-25-192 (Roof Replacement): Authorized an agreement with Quick Roofing under TIPS Contract #25010401 for roof replacement at the Killeen Arts and Activities Center, Building G, in the amount of $181,126.32. The work is tied to an insurance claim and will be funded through a FY26 budget amendment with insurance proceeds.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Fanino (appearing during both citizen comments and the public hearing) opposed the utility billing outsourcing, citing concerns about data security, potential delivery delays from out-of-state processing, and unclear savings. He also opposed the PUD amendment, arguing that increased density would strain city services, and alleged a conflict of interest regarding an absent council member's family connection to the development.
• Melissa Brown opposed the utility outsourcing, stating that after accounting for retained equipment and personnel costs, the change would add approximately $25,512 per year rather than save money, and she raised privacy questions about payment information. She also opposed the PUD amendment, noting that many nearby residents were not notified, that the lot-size reductions contradict resident preferences, and that the plan segregates amenities by separating the dog park from the playground.
• Chris Dosey (Front Rock Builders, applicant) spoke in favor of the PUD amendment, stating that the negotiated plan increases density by about 7% and puts approximately 100 more homes within reach of affordability while maintaining the PUD's quality standards.
• Two written responses in opposition to the PUD amendment were received from surrounding property owners (314 notified).

Discussion Items

• Work Session Review (Items 2–5): City staff presented details on the VOCA grant, utility billing outsourcing, roof replacement, and the PUD amendment. No formal action was taken during the work session. For the PUD amendment (PH-25-075), staff planner Wallace Mesher explained that the amendment would add 73 residential lots and 71 dwelling units to The Preserve at Thousand Oaks, changing the density from 3.04 to 3.22 units per acre. The amendment introduces a new 45-foot-wide lot option (minimum 4,500 sq ft), converts roughly two-thirds of the 60-foot lot area to 45/50-foot lots, and about half of the 50-foot lot area to 45-foot lots. Park changes include reducing dog parks from two to one and replacing one large pavilion with three smaller ones. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval 3-1, with Commissioner Sabrie opposed due to traffic concerns.
• DS-25-056 (Parks Master Plan Progress Update): Parks and Recreation Director Antonio Murphy presented a three-year progress report. Key statistics: park acreage increased from 508 to 610 acres (101 acres added); trail mileage grew from 8.9 to 11.13 miles; 145 trees planted; 7 of 10 parks rated poor/fair were improved, with planning for the remaining 3; 19 of 23 moderate/adequate parks improved. Highlights include renovations at Condor Park, Long Branch (new pool house, pickleball courts), Lions Club Park, and others. The city has secured sponsorships: $1.26 million from First National Bank Texas (7-year term with renewal options) and $375,000 from Zenner for the family aquatic center. Parkland dedication ordinance has yielded 103 acres of dedicated parkland. Partnerships include MOUs with KISD and the Armed Forces YMCA. Council questions addressed future park needs (director estimated at least 5–10 additional parks over 10–15 years), trail connectivity, and recreation center needs (estimated initial need for 3 strategically located facilities).

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda (items RS-25-190, RS-25-191, RS-25-192) was approved 5-0.
• Ordinance PH-25-075, amending the Planned Unit Development for The Preserve at Thousand Oaks, was approved 5-0.
• The parks master plan update was informational; next steps include a town hall meeting on January 12, 2026, to discuss therapeutic recreation and inclusion, and continued planning for improvements at Hunt Club, Camacho, and Santa Rosa parks.