Killeen City Council Meeting – July 7, 2026

The Killeen City Council convened on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a work session and regular session, lasting until 10:47 PM. Key topics included the FY2027 proposed budget, governing standards amendments, an investigation into the Killeen Economic Development Corporation (KEDC), the ADA transition plan, a poet laureate program, a disannexation petition, and numerous consent agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• RS-26-101: Renewed independent auditing services agreement with Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP for FY2026.
• RS-26-102: Set July 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM as the date for the public hearing on the FY2027 Proposed Budget.
• RS-26-103: Approved FY2027 fee increases for the Animal Services Division (passed 4-1).
• RS-26-104: Readoption of Governing Standards postponed to the July 21, 2026 meeting (motion passed 5-0).
• RS-26-105: Approved appointment of Elaine Simpson as City Secretary (passed 5-0).
• RS-26-106: Authorized Change Order No. 4 for the Gilmer Street Reconstruction Project with TTG Utilities, Inc. in the amount of -$403,083.06.
• OR-26-010: Authorized temporary traffic control changes on Llewellyn Drive during capital improvement construction.
• OR-26-011: Established a school speed zone along Breeder Lane.
• OR-26-012: Conditional use permit for a wireless telecommunication tower at 7432 East Trimmier Road was postponed to the August 4, 2026 meeting (passed 5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Llewellyn Lane Safety: Several residents (Barbara Schneider, Michael Robertson, James Sills) expressed strong support for maintaining traffic control signs on Llewellyn Lane, citing dangerous speeding (recorded at 76–84 mph on a 30 mph road) and a 1,056% increase in traffic volume from a baseline of 97 ADT. Councilmembers Bass and Kendrick noted they had visited the site and agreed with the need for safety measures.
• Wireless Tower: Donald F. Smith and Cecil Adams spoke in favor of the tower, arguing it would serve new housing developments and that staff and federal/state approvals should be trusted.
• Disannexation (Fort Hood Street): Attorney Tim Pearson argued the city failed to provide required services (e.g., wastewater) under state law and warned of mandatory attorney’s fees if the city lost a lawsuit. Dr. Sue Nisi Croft opposed disannexation, calling it a “regulatory workaround” that would allow a data center and set a dangerous precedent.
• ADA Transition Plan: Jessica Dominguez and Michelle Lammers urged support, emphasizing the need for accessible parks, sidewalks, and city buildings for families including those with disabilities.
• Other: Dr. Sue Nisi Croft also criticized the city’s auditing firm and requested a new auditor. A citizen (Leo Gukizen) voiced concerns about the new governing standards for non-agenda citizen comments, calling the three-minute limit and 10-speaker cap restrictive.

Discussion Items

• Governing Standards (RS-26-104): The council reviewed a list of proposed amendments. After extensive debate, the following motions of direction were passed:
  • Move regular meeting start time to 5:00 PM (passed 5-1).
  • Add invocation and pledge to special meetings (passed 6-0).
  • Remove requirement that citizen participation forms be submitted before meeting start (passed 4-2).
  • Set procedure for council investigations (to be brought back later) (passed 6-0).
  • Clarify that staff presentations are not required for consent agenda items unless a council member requests an item be pulled (amended to require only one council member to pull an item; the amendment failed, but the original motion passed).
  • Direct that all council requests for information be sent to a single point in the city manager’s office (passed 4-2).
  • Prohibit council members from attending executive staff meetings (passed 5-1).
  • Require structured quarterly meetings between council and Planning and Zoning Commission (passed 6-0).
  • Limit each council member to two opportunities to speak per agenda item, each limited to two minutes (tied 3-3; motion failed).
• KEDC Investigation (DS-26-057): City Manager Cagle denied allegations that he directed KEDC to ignore council priorities on grocery stores. Councilmembers Nash-King, Gonzalez, and Kendrick acknowledged meeting with him and finding no evidence. Councilmember Brown apologized for using the word “directive” but stood by the need for transparency. The council concluded no investigation was warranted.
• FY2027 Proposed Budget (DS-26-054): City Manager Cagle presented a $316.7 million all-funds budget with a $137 million general fund (3.19% increase). Property tax rate is proposed to increase by 2.01 cents to 72.15 cents per $100 valuation. Water and sewer rates would increase 2.16% on an average bill (5,600 gallons). Sales tax remains flat. The budget includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for employees. A public hearing is set for July 28, 2026.
• Capital Improvement Program (DS-26-055): Staff presented a 5-year CIP with $59.8 million in FY2027 projects, including $16.4 million for transportation (e.g., Stagecoach, Zephyr Road) and $4.2 million for waterline rehabilitation. Zephyr Road construction is expected in 5–6 years.
• ADA Transition Plan (DS-26-056): Staff presented a draft plan resulting from a 2022 DOJ settlement. The plan identifies $6.4 million in facility improvements (20-year timeline) and $267 million in public right-of-way improvements (30-year timeline). The council expressed strong support and will consider adoption on July 21, 2026.
• Poet Laureate Program (DS-26-053): The Arts Commission proposed a $18,750 program. Councilmembers Nash-King, Bass, and Brown recommended deferring to the next budget cycle due to other priorities. A motion to include local poets at downtown festivals passed (5-0).
• Disannexation (PH-26-020): The council held a public hearing on a petition to disannex 25.6 acres on Fort Hood Street. After hearing testimony, the council voted unanimously (5-0) to deny disannexation. A subsequent motion to direct staff to bring back a zoning recommendation (e.g., B4 with a conditional use permit) passed 5-0.
• Future Agenda Items: A request to bring back a citywide flood map study lacked a second and failed. A request for a Killeen Housing Authority update also lacked a second and failed.

Key Outcomes

• Votes on Consent Agenda: All items except those specifically pulled (Animal Services fees, Governing Standards, City Secretary appointment, cell tower) were approved en bloc.
• Votes on Governing Standards: Seven motions of direction passed (see above); several others failed due to lack of second or tie votes.
• KEDC Investigation: Concluded without further action; council members expressed regret over the process.
• Budget and CIP: Public hearing set for July 28, 2026; further discussion scheduled at each meeting before adoption.
• ADA Plan: Final adoption scheduled for July 21, 2026.
• Disannexation: Denied; staff directed to bring a zoning recommendation to a future meeting.
• Poet Laureate: Postponed to FY2028 budget; festivals to include local poets.
• Executive Session: The council adjourned to closed session at 9:47 PM to discuss Rosa Hereford Community Center construction and legal matters (Carson with attorney). The meeting adjourned at 10:47 PM.