Killeen City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026: Presentations, Consent, and Special Election Order
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Killeen City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026
The Killeen City Council met on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation and pledge of allegiance, followed by approval of the agenda. The council heard a presentation honoring the Killeen Fire Department, approved a consent agenda of routine items, received a quarterly financial report, and voted to move the March 17 meeting to March 24 due to quorum concerns. One citizen commented on fiscal policy, and another thanked outgoing District 3 Councilmember Nina Cobb and announced his candidacy for the upcoming special election.
Presentation
- PR-26-006: Pioneers in Patient Care to Killeen Fire Department – Representatives from Zoll Medical Group presented a plaque to Fire Chief Kabinski and Deputy Chief Schambers, recognizing Killeen as one of the first agencies in the world to deploy Zoll’s new monitor‑defibrillator (Zenix). Speakers highlighted the department’s leadership in adopting advanced emergency medicine technologies, including whole blood and antibiotics, which will benefit the approximately 23,000 annual EMS calls.
Consent Calendar
The Council approved the consent agenda (4-0) with items read by the City Secretary. The approved items include:
- MN-26-009 and MN-26-010: Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting and Regular Meeting of February 3, 2026.
- RS-26-038: Resolution approving the quarterly investment report for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 (presented by Meter Group’s Scott Grover; discussed market conditions, Fed rate cuts, and portfolio strategy).
- RS-26-039: Resolution approving an interlocal agreement with the League of Oregon Cities to participate in the National Purchasing Partners Government Cooperative, estimated to yield 10–65% cost savings.
- RS-26-040: Resolution consenting to the creation of Bell County Emergency Services District No. 3, which includes a portion of the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Chief Kabinski explained that if annexed later, the city would remove the territory from the ESD. Councilmember Gonzalez asked about funding (property taxes) and oversight (Bell County Commissioners’ Court appoints board).
- RS-26-041: Design‑Build agreement with Synergy Commercial Construction for two box hangars at Skylark Field Airport for $206,528.40 (city share $27,778.40, funded by FAA BIL grant).
- RS-26-042: Design‑Build agreement with Synergy for a restroom finish‑out in an existing hangar for $143,373.05 (city share $43,373.05, funded by TxDOT and airport CIP).
- RS-26-043: Election of Mayor Pro‑Tem – Councilmember Ramon Alvarez was nominated by Councilmember Gonzalez and placed on consent; elected without dissent.
- RS-26-044: Appointments to boards and commissions – Mayor Adams was appointed to fill former Mayor Debbie Nash‑King’s positions (Audit Committee, Tourism, EDC, TIRZ No. 2). Councilmember Kendrick was added to the Audit Committee and as alternate to the Central Texas Council of Governments.
- OR-26-006: Ordinance ordering a Special Election on May 2, 2026, for District 3 Councilmember. Filing period March 4–23; early voting and polling locations same as general election.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Michael Fernino (disabled veteran) – Criticized the city’s reliance on property taxes, alleged unreported businesses, and argued that fostering higher‑paying jobs (rather than residential growth) would increase revenue. He urged the council to explore alternatives to property tax increases.
- David Bass (District 3 resident) – Thanked outgoing Councilmember Nina Cobb for her service and announced his intention to file for the District 3 special election. He pledged to support whichever candidate the voters choose.
Discussion Items
- DS-26-020: Quarterly Financial Report – Finance Director Tangler presented the first‑quarter FY2026 report. Key indicators: General Fund revenues $66.5 million (50% of budget, up 4.3% from prior year); expenditures $29.3 million (22% of budget). Water & Sewer Fund and Solid Waste Fund showed transfers to CIP driving higher expense percentages. Aviation Fund revenue up 28%; Hotel Occupancy Tax down 10.9%. Councilmember Solomon asked about expense‑revenue timing differences; staff explained early‑year CIP transfers.
- DS-26-021: Meeting Date Change – City Manager Cagle noted that without a full council, the March 17 meeting could lose quorum (due to travel). Council voted unanimously to move the next regular meeting to March 24, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
Key Outcomes
- All consent agenda items (2–11) approved 4‑0.
- Councilmember Ramon Alvarez elected Mayor Pro‑Tem.
- Mayor Adams appointed to fill vacancies on Audit, Tourism, EDC, and TIRZ No. 2 boards; Councilmember Kendrick appointed to Audit Committee and CTCOG alternate.
- Special election for District 3 Councilmember ordered for May 2, 2026; filing opens March 4.
- Next regular council meeting moved from March 17 to March 24, 2026.
- Meeting adjourned at approximately [time not recorded].
Meeting Transcript
Order. Um council members are present. Uh Councilmember Solomon will lead us in invocation. Let us bow ahead. Father, we want to thank you today. This is the day that you've made, and we are certainly glad in it. We pray your wisdom you guidance in this meeting. We thank you for our soldiers. We thank you for this community. We pray your choice of blessings upon it. We pray for our soldiers everywhere. Those that are at war now. We pray for their safety. Pray for their protection. And we pray for their families that you would keep them. Rest this great city of Kleen. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Please join me as we honor our nation's flag. Congratulations to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. Thank you, Councilmember Solomon, everyone. Um I get a motion to approve the agenda. Mayor, I move to approve the agenda as presented. Uh Councilmember Kendrick. All in favors. Presentation from Pioneers in Patient Care to Clean Fire Department. Chief Kabinski and Ms. Hollowell. At this time I'd like to ask uh members from Zole Medical Group, Kelly Trahan, Christy Hallowell, Pierre Stagno, Chuck Bowman, and Mike Borkowski to come and join me along with Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services from the Clean Fire Department, James Schambers. It's not just the technology we've implemented for our EMS division. It is a number of different things that Christie's gonna share. Uh this is a very proud moment for the Clean Fire Department to be at the forefront of emergency medicine. And with that, I turn the microphone over to Christy Holloway. Thank you. Hi, thank you for having us here today. Soul Medical is incredibly proud to be partnered with the Clean Fire Department. Zenix is 10 years worth of customer feedback. It is our first monitor defibrillator that we've released in the United States in over a decade. Clean is one of the first agencies in the world to take possession of it and have it out in the field. Their decision to make this ground baking groundbreaking decision for the community is one that they should be incredibly proud of. It will improve patient care in the community, and we are so glad that they are providing feedback to us on the device, and we look forward to seeing how they improve patient outcomes in Clean. We would like we would like to present Chief Kabinsky with a plaque honoring Colleen as one of the first pioneers in patient care in the world, certainly the first in Texas in the western part of the United States. Once again, thank you to uh Zole Medical Corporation. Uh again, uh just uh wrapping up. It takes a lot of bravery by a team of clean firefighters to go outside of their comfort zone to be a pioneer, uh no different than cowboys in the west as they traversed uh across the the prairies hundreds of years ago. And I equate that to you, Deputy Chief Schombers, and your courage to lead your team, our EMS captains, firefighters of the Clean Fire Department, and not just deploying a brand new technology, technology that the citizens 23,000 times a year are going to receive that technology, be diagnosed by the finest paramedics, not only in the state but in the country, but the other technologies the whole blood, the antibiotics, all the things that you lead, the men and women. This is a testament to you, Chief Chambers, and your leadership. So this is truly your award to you and your team, and I thank you for that.
openpublica.com