New Braunfels City Council Regular Meeting – September 14, 2026

The New Braunfels City Council convened on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Pro Tem Michael Capizzi presided in the absence of Mayor Michael French. The council adopted the FY 2027 budget and tax rate, discussed funding for the Park at Dogwood affordable housing project, held a public hearing on impact fee audits, approved revisions to drought stage designations, and authorized an eminent domain process.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• The council recognized athletes from the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation State Finals Summer Games. Johnny Perez presented the Athlete of the Year award to Evelyn Vasquez.
• Proclamations were issued for Deaf Awareness Month, Constitution Week (accepted by the Daughters of the American Revolution), and National Hunger Action Month (accepted by the New Braunfels Food Bank).

Consent Calendar

• Items A-E, G, I, J, and K were approved unanimously in one motion.
• Item F (River North Transit LLC contract modification) was pulled by David Warmke. Garry Ford corrected the total cost from $1,717,821 to $1,312,449. Questions were raised on funding sources and cost per service hour. The item was approved unanimously.
• Item H (NBEDC annual administrative services contract, not to exceed $455,386) was pulled by David Warmke. Tiffany Kelly urged improved staff professionalism and strengthened meeting packet accuracy. The item was approved, with Councilmember Nikki Shaw opposed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Esther Sandoval (Resident, D3): Urged the council to expand board and commission appointment pools beyond familiar names, implement term limits, and adopt transparent evaluation criteria.
• Jim Holster (Resident): Criticized tax abatements, Sunday construction noise, and green space loss associated with a new apartment development.
• Anonymous (Texas Privacy Coalition): Presented a transparency audit of the NBPD Flock ALPR system, giving an F grade for failure to disclose contracts, costs, and audit logs, and noting 4,550 hotlist hits.
• Debbie Flume (Resident): Requested a five-year operating and financial sustainability plan for the Headwaters at the Comal project, citing over $18 million in documented public capital commitments.
• David Warmke (Resident, D5): Discussed the ADM Mill redevelopment process, contrasting developer openness with what he described as typical bureaucratic secrecy, and raised traffic impact concerns.

Discussion Items

• Drought Stage Ordinance (Item 2A): Ryan Kelso (NBU CEO) presented the first reading adding drought stages 4 and 5 and modifying watering frequency. An error in the prior posting was acknowledged. The first reading passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Carter and Shaw opposed).
• Park at Dogwood (Item 2B): Jeff Jewell (ECD Director) presented a resolution recommending NBU waive up to $500,000 in impact fees for a 76-unit, 100% affordable housing project ($22.3M total cost). Supporters urged action to address housing needs for low-income residents. Opponents argued against using NBU ratepayers as a subsidy source. Council moved to 'deny as written' and directed staff to research funding through the EDC and other avenues. The motion passed unanimously.
• Impact Fee Financial Audit (Item 2C): Public hearing. Becky Wiatrek (Finance) and Lupe Garcia (Whitley Penn) presented the audit showing $15.8 million in roadway impact fees collected and $7.5 million expended. No action was taken.
• FY 2027 Budget & Tax Rate (Items 2D, 2E, 2F): Jared Werner (Asst. City Manager) presented the final adoption. The tax rate was set at $0.415613 per $100 (the no-new-revenue rate), resulting in a $13 annual increase for the average homestead. The budget includes a 3% COLA for staff and 25 new positions. All three items were approved unanimously.
• Parking Restrictions (Item 2G): Garry Ford (TCS Director) presented the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting parking on select streets near Long Creek High School to manage event traffic. Approved unanimously.
• NBU Eminent Domain (Item 2J): NBU staff (Mike Short, Bruce Haby) requested a resolution authorizing condemnation of a 0.74-acre easement. Council discussed construction timelines and community impacts. Resolution approved unanimously.
• Curb Management Study (Items 2H & 2I): Phase 1 findings were presented. Phase 2 contract modification ($68,000) with Kimley-Horn was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted: FY 2027 Operating Budget, 2026 Ad Valorem Tax Rates, Tax Revenue Ratification (Unanimous).
• Adopted: Drought Stage Ordinance First Reading (5-2).
• Denied/Redirected: Park at Dogwood NBU fee waiver request denied; staff directed to EDC for alternative funding (Unanimous).
• Adopted: NBU Eminent Domain Resolution (Unanimous).
• Adopted: Curb Management Study Phase 2 Contract (Unanimous).
• Adopted: Long Creek High School Parking Restrictions First Reading (Unanimous).
• Heard (No Action): Impact Fee Financial Audit, Curb Management Study Phase 1.
• The meeting adjourned at 10:12 p.m. following an executive session on economic development (Project Sherpa) and personnel matters (City Attorney/City Manager search).