Killeen City Council Regular Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Killeen City Council met on August 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a work session and regular session, covering consent agenda items, resolutions, public hearings, and discussion items. Key topics included investment reports, a homeland security grant, a roof repair contract, two rezoning cases, quarterly financial reports, an update on Opportunity Zone 2.0, and the proposed FY2027 budget. Extended discussion focused on funding for Friends in Crisis (FIC) homeless shelter and economic development priorities. Several votes were taken, including a directive to the Killeen Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) to prioritize a grocery store for North Killeen, and funding allocations for the Innovation Business Service Center (IBCC) and Armor of God Ministries. A special meeting was scheduled for August 25, 2026, to further discuss FIC funding.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of June 9, 2026, the Regular Meeting of June 16, 2026, and the Special Meeting of July 14, 2026.
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Texas Statewide Interoperable Channel Plan.
• Awarded RFP #26-19 for Killeen Civic & Conference Center Booking and Event Management Software to Infor (US) LLC for a three-year contract totaling $108,350.02.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Sue Nasi Croft (agenda and non-agenda): Criticized KEDC for failing to leverage Opportunity Zone 1.0 to secure a grocery store for North Killeen, calling the food desert a failure. Later, she proposed a community-owned cooperative (North Side Cooperative Market) and requested city support including identifying city-owned parcels, earmarking CDBG funds for a feasibility study, and assigning a planning liaison.
• Christian Bishop: Urged the council to fund Friends in Crisis, stating that closing the shelter would be inhumane and that residents lack alternatives.
• Anka Negan: Alleged that the city purchased a building for the animal adoption center without a prior inspection, leading to a $3.4 million total cost for a building worth approximately half that. She also claimed a conflict of interest between the previous owner (a veterinarian on the animal advisory committee) and the city manager. The city manager denied any relationship.
• Dr. Cameron Cochran: Opposed additional KEDC funding, citing a lack of new businesses and poor return on investment. He also criticized a council member’s behavior and questioned city-sponsored events at a private brewery.
• John Hahn (Armor of God Outreach): Described efforts to open a shelter and called for unity among citizens, churches, and local governments to address homelessness. He urged council members to personally volunteer and attend a community sleep-out on October 2.
• Raiden Sonye: A resident of Friends in Crisis, described the shelter’s critical role and the dire consequences of its closure, noting that residents would have nowhere to go.
• Kimberly Jones: A resident of Friends in Crisis, said the shelter helped her move toward employment and stability.
• Ronnie Russell: Supported continued funding for the Innovation Business Service Center (IBCC), emphasizing the need to sustain the entrepreneur ecosystem.
• Patsy Bracie: Urged approval of the roof repair contract for the First National Bank Texas Family Recreation Center, recalling past failures with the Rosa Hereford Center.
• Non-Agenda Comments:
  • Steve Dunbar (labor attorney): Criticized KPD internal affairs, alleging that officers are penalized for lawful arrests and that a patrol commander showed bias.
  • Dr. Cameron Cochran (second appearance): Asked why a city-sponsored seminar was held at a brewery and requested that the mayor discipline a council member for alleged disrespect.
  • Christian Bishop (second appearance): Responded to Councilmember Bass’s comment about veterans choosing homelessness, calling it offensive.
  • Anka Negan (second appearance): Defended her earlier statements, alleging that the city manager hired a convicted felon for animal control and that a domestic violence convict currently works there.
  • Isaac Martinez: Proposed four cost-effective solutions: Chapter 380 tax rebates for vacant storefronts, expanded storefront grants, a ready-lot catalog with fast-track permits, and LED street light upgrades with security cameras.

Discussion Items

• Quarterly Financial Report (DS-26-074): Finance Director Ms. Englin presented the report for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. General fund revenues were $132.35 million (forecast), expenses $133 million, resulting in a slight deficit. Other funds (water/sewer, solid waste, drainage, aviation, golf, hotel occupancy tax, street maintenance) were reviewed. Council discussed interest rate strategies, cash flow, and the need for additional street maintenance funding. Councilmember Bass praised the city’s financial management.
• Killeen Economic Development Corporation Update (DS-26-075): KEDC representative Tyler Roberts presented the Opportunity Zone 2.0 initiative. The city nominated 17 census tracts to the governor’s office. The designation is a federal tax incentive, not a city expenditure. Council discussed the potential impact on North Killeen, including housing and retail access. Councilmember Brown made a motion to set a priority for KEDC to actively search for a grocery store for the North Killeen area. The motion passed 7-0.
• Proposed FY2027 Operating and CIP Budget (DS-26-076): City Manager Cagle presented changes to the proposed budget, including a property tax reduction, elimination of two FTEs, and reduced operating expenses. The general fund is now balanced. Council then engaged in extensive discussion about funding for Friends in Crisis (FIC). Several motions and amendments were considered:
  • Motion to use year-end fund balance to fund FIC at $7,000/month (by Mayor Pro Tem, later withdrawn).
  • Motion to amend to $16,700/month (failed).
  • Motion to earmark $200,000 for Armor of God Ministries for future consideration passed 5-2.
  • Motion to fund the Innovation Business Service Center (IBCC) at $50,000 from year-end fund balance passed 6-1.
  • Motion to hold a special meeting on August 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM to discuss FIC funding passed 6-1.
  • Motion to adopt the proposed budget changes (as presented by staff) passed 6-1. Councilmember Bass opposed all funding motions and urged a fiscally conservative approach, citing upcoming state legislative discussions on the veteran property tax exemption.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 7-0.
• Resolution RS-26-127 (investment report) approved 7-0.
• Resolution RS-26-128 (LETPA grant award of $55,977) approved 7-0.
• Resolution RS-26-129 (Quick Roofing agreement for $479,868.46) approved 7-0.
• Public Hearing PH-26-026: Approved rezoning of 313 East Texas Avenue from B-3 to R-1. Property at 312 East Texas Avenue was not approved due to lack of owner consent. Staff directed to contact the owner and bring the item back.
• Public Hearing PH-26-027: Postponed to the next meeting; staff directed to contact property owners for both properties.
• Motion to set KEDC priority to seek a grocery store for North Killeen passed 7-0.
• Motion to adopt the FY2027 budget changes passed 6-1 (Councilmember Bass opposed).
• Motion to fund IBCC $50,000 from year-end fund balance passed 6-1 (Councilmember Bass opposed).
• Motion to earmark $200,000 from year-end fund balance for Armor of God Ministries for future consideration passed 5-2.
• Motion to hold a special meeting on August 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM to discuss Friends in Crisis funding passed 6-1 (Councilmember Bass opposed).
• Council also discussed property tax increases, the veteran property tax exemption, and the need for a fiscally conservative budget.

Note: The work session preceding the regular session included presentations on agenda items 7–9 (investment report, LETPA grant, and roof repair) and citizen comments on those items.