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Record of Proceedings

City Council Meeting – August 4, 2026: Tax Rate Decision, Development Approvals, and Future Agenda Items

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, August 4, 2026
BodyKilleen, Texas
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, August 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:58

Good afternoon, everyone.

1:00

It is now five o'clock and I call City Council meeting to order.

1:05

Let the record show that all council members are present.

1:10

The invocation will be given by Pastor Adams and the pledge of leaders by Councilmember Brown.

1:22

Father, we're so grateful that we're a republic.

1:27

Thank you that you made government.

1:30

And we thank you that you said occupy until you come.

1:34

Father, we thank you that we are citizens that get to vote.

1:40

And we thank you tonight that we're demonstrating our leadership that we've voted in, making decisions from the knowledge they receive from this meeting.

1:50

In Jesus' name we pray for wisdom to make those decisions.

1:54

Amen.

2:17

Council I need a motion to approve the agenda.

2:25

Okay.

2:27

This is not working.

2:31

Need someone to make a motion.

2:33

Councilmember Brown.

2:42

Number two, RS twenty-six- one one five.

2:48

Um sorry, one second.

2:54

The other one is actually not even on consent, so just that one.

2:58

That's it, number two.

3:01

Is there a second?

3:03

What was the motion again?

3:04

Could you repeat the motion, please?

3:06

Move to approve the agenda removing item number two, RS twenty-six one one five from consent.

3:14

So that's there a second.

3:22

So that means so that means uh we will have second before we will there be a second.

3:32

Mayor Probe Tim seconded uh discussion.

3:36

So that means uh the only presentation we will have, if I understand correctly, is RS two six one one five, the youth advisory commission.

3:49

Correct, up until we get into the resolution starting at number eight.

3:53

And we we will have all the presentations in the resolution.

3:57

Thank you.

3:57

Yes.

3:59

Thank you, Mayor.

4:01

Any more discussion.

4:04

If there's no further discussions, all in favor signify by saying yes.

4:09

All opposed, no vote.

4:29

Motion carries six to one.

4:36

Madam Secretary, presentations.

4:44

Yes, sir.

4:48

Presentation number one, PR dash two six dash zero one seven employment engagement survey results.

4:57

Good afternoon, Ms.

4:58

McDaniel.

5:00

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council.

5:01

Bringing for you this afternoon the results of our employee engagement survey.

5:06

This is a survey that previously we had completed every three years.

5:10

Moving forward, we will complete it every other year, and we will complete it on years opposite of when the communications department does their engagement survey for the citizens.

5:21

So a little background in 2019, the city partnered with UT Austin to conduct a survey for employee engagement.

5:28

The intent of the survey was to track employee satisfaction across multiple areas and function and to gauge culture across the organization.

5:37

The city conducted this identical survey in 2022, and then again in 2026 to allow for trend data across identical function areas.

5:46

When I say that I mean identical survey, the exact same questions were asked so that we could make sure that we were gauging metrics across the board.

6:00

So work group strategic supervision, workplace, community information systems, internal communications, pay and benefits, employee development, job satisfaction, and engagement.

6:13

When we talk about these results, I just kind of wanted to give some provisos and things to keep in mind.

6:18

With regards to the response rate, UT Austin considers as a general rule rates higher than 50% suggest soundness, meaning we've pulled and gotten responses from enough people that the data can be used and acted upon, while rates lower than 30% may indicate problem areas.

6:35

Also, scores of 350 or above are considered desirable, meaning we scored well in those areas.

6:41

When scores dip below 300, um, you might look at those as cause of concern.

6:47

Anything 400 above is a product of a highly engaged workforce.

6:54

Okay, so to show you some of this trend data, um, the response rates and then the overall score.

7:02

So our response rate has stayed fairly consistent within two percentage points of our population responding to I should say our employee population responding to the survey.

7:14

Um but the trend I really want to point out here is that our overall score has increased every year that we've conducted the survey.

7:20

So we started at 342, which is just below that 350 desirable amount, and we are now at 381, which is above the desirable amount.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████16%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████████13%
Procedural███████████11%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Fiscal Sustainability███████7%
Economic Development██████6%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Community Engagement█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

City Council Meeting – August 4, 2026

The Killeen City Council met on August 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of items including employee engagement results, the FY2027 preliminary tax rate, several development agreements, a charter amendment election, zoning changes, and future agenda requests. Notable decisions included setting a preliminary property tax rate of $0.7301 per $100 valuation (5–2 vote), approving a $3.99 million tax increment reimbursement for the Santa Fe development, authorizing an I-14 underpass mural agreement, and forwarding charter amendments to the November ballot.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 3 (RS-26-116): Authorized City Manager to enter into a Local On-System Improvement Project with TxDOT for WS Young & I-14 Drainage and Landscape Improvement.
  • Item 4 (RS-26-117): Approved a Professional Services Agreement with Scheibe Consulting for design of Low Water Crossing Flood Mitigation Phase 1 ($130,563.05).
  • Item 5 (RS-26-118): Authorized a Local Landscape Agreement with TxDOT for WS Young & I-14 project.
  • Item 6 (OR-26-013): Adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 12, Flood Damage Prevention.
  • Item 7 (RS-26-119): Approved an election services contract with Bell County. All consent items were approved by a single motion with 7–0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Katie Knox, William McLean, Donald Smith, Cecil Adams spoke in favor of the cell tower conditional use permit (Item 13), citing improved coverage and tax revenue from the tower on church property.
  • Gina Powell questioned the connection between new housing development and attracting a grocery store to North Killeen. City staff clarified no grocer commitment exists; the link is only that additional rooftops may create market demand.
  • Dr. Sue Nisi Croft proposed creating a volunteer Citizen Legislation Advisory Committee to replace the paid lobbying contract (Schulter Group), arguing volunteers could advocate at the Legislature for free.
  • Heather McMillan (remote) urged the council to address galvanized water lines, stating she had been unable to speak on the issue for 18 months due to past removal of non-agenda citizen comments. She criticized the city for not using available grant funds to remediate lead pipes.
  • Anka Niagu recounted the death of a homeless man's microchipped dog at the city shelter and called for accountability when city staff fail to follow ordinances.
  • Cameron Kirkland asked for equal treatment of the motorcycle community, alleging profiling and unlawful stops. He noted the group’s community service efforts.

Discussion Items

  • Employee Engagement Survey (PR-26-017): Human Resources presented results showing the city’s overall score rose from 342 (2019) to 381 (2026), above the 350 “desirable” threshold. Response rates remained near 50%. Specific actions taken include City Manager talks, IT improvements, supervisor academy restructuring, and wellness programming. Council members praised the trend but requested focus on departments with lower scores.
  • FY2027 Preliminary Tax Rate (RS-26-120): City Manager Cagle presented three tiers of budget cuts tied to different tax rates. The recommended rate of $0.7301 (just below the voter approval rate of $0.7302) would require $348,000 in cuts (mostly vacant positions). A rate of $0.7132 would require $1.9M in cuts, and the current rate $0.7014 would require $3.1M in cuts. Median homestead tax increase would be $68.48 annually ($5.71/month). Councilmember Bass proposed a voluntary election at $0.7303 but city attorney noted voluntary elections are statutorily prohibited. Councilmember Brown advocated for $0.7132; Councilmember Kimball moved for $0.7301.
  • Chapter 311 Tax Increment Reimbursement (RS-26-121): Applicant presented the Santa Fe development (302 acres, 115 acres residential, 131 acres industrial, 56 acres open space). Maximum reimbursement $3,991,303.94 for infrastructure serving industrial portion. Councilmember Bass noted future service burdens; Councilmember Nash-King emphasized infrastructure for growth. Approved unanimously.
  • Mural Agreement for I-14 Underpasses (RS-26-122): City Engineer described painting City of Killeen logos on 6 overpasses over 4 phases (~$150k each). Councilmember Brown and Bass questioned fiscal priority vs. fleet services building. Councilmember Nash-King and Gonzalez highlighted branding as part of the comprehensive plan. Passed 5–2.
  • Scofflaw Program Interlocal Agreement (RS-26-123): Municipal court administrator explained the program with Texas DMV to place registration holds on individuals with unpaid court fines. $500 deposit paid by collection agency (MVBA). No city funds needed. Unanimously approved.
  • Charter Amendment Election (OR-26-014): Eight proposed amendments to be placed on November 3, 2026 ballot, including moving elections to November odd‑numbered years, repealing resign‑to‑run provision, and filling vacancies by appointment. Unanimously approved.
  • Conditional Use Permit – Cell Tower (OR-26-012): Applicant requested 85-foot monopole at First Assembly of God (7432 E. Trimmier). Staff recommended approval with 12 conditions; P&Z recommended 5–2 with camouflage condition. Council heard support from neighbors and church. Passed 6–1.
  • Public Hearing – Rezoning to PUD (PH-26-023): Rezone 302.42 acres from residential/manufacturing to PUD (SF-2 and M-1 uses). Applicant presented concept plan with buffers, 540 homes, industrial along railroad, and HOA-maintained open space. Staff and P&Z recommended approval. Passed 7–0 after public hearing.
  • Thoroughfare Plan Amendment (PH-26-024): Change collector road alignment to local street to avoid routing industrial traffic through residential area. Councilmember Brown amended motion to keep collector designation through the industrial portion. Passed 7–0.
  • Future Land Use Map Amendment (PH-26-025): Change 45 acres from Industrial to Residential Mix. Property currently an auto salvage yard. Staff and P&Z recommended approval. Councilmember Brown opposed due to consistency with prior case. Passed 6–1.
  • FY2027 Budget Discussion (DS-26-071): Councilmember Brown requested adding $63,908 for Friends in Crisis shelter and $50,000 for IBCC business solutions center, offset by eliminating assistant city manager position. Other council members stated trust in City Manager’s recommendations and preferred not to add items. No formal motion.
  • Stonetree Golf Course Update (DS-26-072): City Manager reported course is now profitable, funded by users (enterprise fund). Revenue exceeded expenses in 2024–25. Improvements include bunker renovation, irrigation, reuse water tank (paid by utility fund). Planned 2027 items: new golf carts, maintenance equipment, clubhouse renovations. Council praised turnaround.

Key Outcomes

  • Preliminary tax rate set at $0.7301 (5–2 vote; Councilmembers Brown and Bass opposed). Public hearing on tax rate set for September 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
  • Approved consent agenda (Items 3–7) unanimously.
  • Approved Youth Advisory Commission bylaws (Item 2) 7–0.
  • Approved Chapter 311 Tax Increment Reimbursement for Santa Fe development ($3,991,303.94) 7–0.
  • Approved I-14 Mural Agreement (5–2; Councilmembers Brown and Bass opposed).
  • Approved Scofflaw Program agreement with Texas DMV 7–0.
  • Approved Charter Amendment Election for November 3, 2026 ballot 7–0.
  • Approved Conditional Use Permit for cell tower at First Assembly of God (6–1; Councilmember Brown opposed).
  • Approved rezoning (PUD) for Santa Fe development 7–0.
  • Approved Thoroughfare Plan Amendment with amendment to retain collector designation on industrial segment 7–0.
  • Approved Future Land Use Map Amendment for Reinhardt property (6–1; Councilmember Brown opposed).
  • Added future agenda items for Data Center Zoning/Regulations and Short-Term Rental Regulations (both 7–0) to be discussed at second meeting in September 2026.
  • Regular meeting adjourned at conclusion of citizen comments.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. It is now five o'clock and I call City Council meeting to order. Let the record show that all council members are present. The invocation will be given by Pastor Adams and the pledge of leaders by Councilmember Brown. Father, we're so grateful that we're a republic. Thank you that you made government. And we thank you that you said occupy until you come. Father, we thank you that we are citizens that get to vote. And we thank you tonight that we're demonstrating our leadership that we've voted in, making decisions from the knowledge they receive from this meeting. In Jesus' name we pray for wisdom to make those decisions. Amen. Council I need a motion to approve the agenda. Okay. This is not working. Need someone to make a motion. Councilmember Brown. Number two, RS twenty-six- one one five. Um sorry, one second. The other one is actually not even on consent, so just that one. That's it, number two. Is there a second? What was the motion again? Could you repeat the motion, please? Move to approve the agenda removing item number two, RS twenty-six one one five from consent. So that's there a second. So that means so that means uh we will have second before we will there be a second. Mayor Probe Tim seconded uh discussion. So that means uh the only presentation we will have, if I understand correctly, is RS two six one one five, the youth advisory commission. Correct, up until we get into the resolution starting at number eight. And we we will have all the presentations in the resolution. Thank you. Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Any more discussion. If there's no further discussions, all in favor signify by saying yes. All opposed, no vote. Motion carries six to one. Madam Secretary, presentations. Yes, sir. Presentation number one, PR dash two six dash zero one seven employment engagement survey results. Good afternoon, Ms. McDaniel. Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. Bringing for you this afternoon the results of our employee engagement survey. This is a survey that previously we had completed every three years. Moving forward, we will complete it every other year, and we will complete it on years opposite of when the communications department does their engagement survey for the citizens. So a little background in 2019, the city partnered with UT Austin to conduct a survey for employee engagement. The intent of the survey was to track employee satisfaction across multiple areas and function and to gauge culture across the organization. The city conducted this identical survey in 2022, and then again in 2026 to allow for trend data across identical function areas. When I say that I mean identical survey, the exact same questions were asked so that we could make sure that we were gauging metrics across the board.

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