Public Meetings - Watauga, Texas

The Watauga City Council met for a regular meeting on Monday, October 12, 2026 at City Hall Council Chambers. The council approved a budget amendment, awarded a construction contract for the Capp Smith Park Food Truck Improvements, and tabled a zoning text amendment. Employee and service awards were presented. Presentations - Employee of the Month: Officer Jordan Cooper and his K9 partner Chase were recognized for their dedication to community safety, rigorous training, and outreach. - Service Awards: Kristen Burke (Library Assistant, 5 years), Lieutenant Duane Letart (Operations Lieutenant, 25 years), and City Marshal Ridley Campbell (35 years) were honored for their service. Public Comments & Testimony - Mbika Sharma, a Fort Worth resident and candidate for the Tarrant Appraisal District, addressed the council on property appraisal inequities. She presented data showing the 2024 residential appraisal freeze created disparities, with lower-valued homes appraised at a higher percentage of market value than higher-valued homes. She noted that Birdville ISD experienced the steepest taxable value decline among Tarrant County's 21 school districts, arguing this negatively impacts affordability and school funding. Consent Calendar - The council unanimously approved the consent agenda (6-0-0), covering routine items such as purchasing authorizations, interlocal agreements, the monthly financial report, and an appointment to the Municipal Court Judge position. Discussion Items - Budget Amendment: The council approved an ordinance amending the FY 2025-2026 general budget. The amendment reallocates funds between departments without increasing the total budget and recognizes a SAFER grant to partially fund three additional fire department personnel. - Capp Smith Park Food Truck Improvements: The council unanimously approved a $2,050,487 construction contract with Joe R. Jones Construction, Inc. The project includes a comfort station, food truck pads, and landscaping. Council members expressed strong support. The goal is a November 2026 groundbreaking and an April 2027 completion. - Zoning Text Amendments (ORD.2026-017): A public hearing on the proposed text amendment was opened and closed with no speakers. The council unanimously voted to table this item to the November 9, 2026 meeting. The mayor requested the postponement to ensure a full council vote, as one member was absent and had requested the delay. The ordinance would amend regulations and protest processes for zoning changes. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval with a provision restoring the supermajority vote requirement for council action if the commission recommends denial. Executive Session The council convened in executive session to deliberate on the anticipated retirement and transition of the City Manager and the recruitment and selection of a Municipal Court Judge. Upon reconvening, no action was taken on either item. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved (6-0-0). - Budget Amendment: Approved (6-0-0). - Capp Smith Park Contract (Bid 26-004): Approved (6-0-0). - Zoning Text Amendment (ORD.2026-017): Tabled to November 9, 2026 (6-0-0). - Executive Session: No action taken.

The Watauga City Council held a special meeting on September 24, 2026, calling to order at 5:30 PM with all council members present. The purpose was to address correspondence from the U.S. Department of Labor. The meeting included an executive session for legal consultation and a subsequent vote on a settlement agreement. Executive Session - At 5:31 PM, the council recessed into executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071 to consult with the City Attorney regarding U.S. Department of Labor correspondence and to seek legal advice on potential issues, obligations, and settlement. Key Outcomes - Upon reconvening at 5:58 PM, Councilman Stephen Welch moved to approve a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to remit an assessment not to exceed $96,797. - Councilwoman Jan Hill seconded the motion. - The motion passed unanimously with 7 votes in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.

The Watauga City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026. The session included presentations recognizing a heroic off-duty police officer, the Employee of the Month, and a proclamation for National Senior Center Month. The council approved a substantial consent agenda covering a wide range of administrative, financial, and policy items. A public hearing was held for a requested zoning change, which was later approved. Council members discussed the formation of a new Citizen Engagement Committee aimed at educating the public on state legislative issues. Presentations - K9 Officer Jordan Cooper Medal of Valor: Chief of Police James Lewis formally recognized Officer Jordan Cooper for his heroism while off duty on July 25, 2026. According to a letter from Sergeant Griffin read by Chief Lewis, Officer Cooper, while dressed in civilian clothes, saw a house on fire, climbed a fence, entered the burning residence, and rescued an elderly man and an elderly woman. He then re-entered the home to rescue two dogs and recovered car keys to move vehicles away from the spreading fire. Officer Cooper was awarded the department's Medal of Valor. - Employee of the Month (September): Brandon Love, a mechanic for the city, was recognized for his outstanding dedication, hard work, and commitment to maintaining city vehicles. - Proclamation – National Senior Center Month: Mayor Arthur Miner read a proclamation designating September 2026 as National Senior Center Month in Watauga, highlighting the programs and services of the Watauga Active Adult Center. Staff and volunteers at the center were thanked for their contributions. - Announcements: Council members thanked the Police and Fire Departments for the 9/11 memorial ceremony. The Public Safety Academy was announced to begin September 24th, with the fire department portion first, followed by the police department portion in the spring. Consent Calendar - The Council voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the consent agenda. Item 6, pertaining to revisions to several personnel policies, was pulled by the Mayor for separate discussion. - Items Approved: The approved consent agenda included 18 items: an ordinance for the Atmos Cities Steering Committee rate settlement; resolutions amending the Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, adopting a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, adopting Written Investment Policies, adding a Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence, and revising policies on ADA, Performance Evaluations, Workers' Compensation, and Employee Safety; designation of the Commercial Recorder as the official newspaper; adoption of the 2026-2031 Strategic Plan; approval of a Professional Services Agreement for Wastewater Upsizing; additional funding for the Traffic Signal Preemption Project; the August 2026 Surplus List; the Monthly Financial Report; an update to the Library Material Selection Policy; meeting minutes; and appointments to the Parks Advisory Board and Library Board. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public signed up to speak during the general public comment period or during the public hearing for the zoning change. Public Hearing and Action Item: Zoning Change (Z.26-02) - Proposal: The Council held a public hearing for a request by Pat Land LLC to rezone 1.455 acres at 5900–5901 Ridgecrest Drive from Single-family (SF6) to Planned Development (PD) to allow for the construction of six single-family homes. - Details: Planner Jeannette Garcia presented the proposal. The development involves a minimum lot width of 50 feet, a minimum living area of 1,800 square feet per home, and a private access drive parallel to Whitley Road maintained by a Homeowners Association. The homes will front Whitley Road. The estimated sale price for the homes is $499,000 to $549,000. - Discussion: Fire Chief Randy Barkley clarified the fire department would stage apparatus on Whitley Road rather than using the private drive for emergency access. Director of Public Works Paul Hackleman and Garcia addressed questions regarding sidewalks, drainage, fencing, and trash pickup. The staff reported two written responses of support and strong verbal support from the surrounding community. - Outcome: Councilmember Neal recused himself from the discussion and vote. The council voted 6-0-1 to approve the zoning change and final report. Discussion Item: Citizen Engagement Committee - Concept: Mayor Miner proposed forming a Citizen Engagement Committee, modeled on a Georgetown initiative, to engage and educate the public on state legislative issues affecting cities. - Discussion: Councilmember Downey clarified her volunteer role for what was originally described as a 'legislative committee.' Councilmembers discussed the goal of educating the public on state-level decisions (such as property tax reform and zoning authority) and mobilizing citizens to contact their state representatives. Councilmember Blackburn emphasized that elected officials, not citizens, should be the ones fielding questions on the frontline of these issues. The Mayor suggested an open-forum model rather than appointed citizens to encourage broad participation. - Outcome: The council agreed to move forward with the concept. A formal placeholder will be placed on a future agenda to finalize the structure and guidelines. Action Item: Personnel Policy Revisions - Item: The Council considered the resolution pulled from the consent agenda, which revised policies on Classification and Compensation, Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, and Inclement Weather. - Amendment: Human Resources Director Juliet Rodriguez requested that Policy 4.03 (Travel and Reimbursement) be excluded from the approval as it was erroneously included in the published packet. - Outcome: Councilmember Neal made a motion to approve the item with the exclusion of Policy 4.03. Councilmember Wilch seconded. The motion passed unanimously (7-0). Councilmember Taylor requested a follow-up review of the new leave accrual policies in six months to a year to assess their effectiveness, which the HR Director agreed to. Executive Session - The scheduled executive session to consult with the City Attorney regarding correspondence from the US Department of Labor was canceled. Key Outcomes - Approved (7-0): Consent Agenda (18 items). - Approved (6-0-1): Zoning Change (Z.26-02) for 5900–5901 Ridgecrest Drive (Councilmember Neal recused). - Approved (7-0): Personnel Policy Revisions (excluding Policy 4.03 Travel and Reimbursement). - Discussed / Directed: Formation of a Citizen Engagement Committee. A placeholder will be added to a future agenda. - Canceled: Executive Session regarding US Department of Labor correspondence. - The meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM.

The Watauga City Council held a workshop meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026, beginning at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber at 7105 Whitley Road. All council members and the mayor were present. No members of the public spoke during the public comment period. The meeting was informational, with presentations on municipal court fines/fees and proposed personnel policy updates. The meeting adjourned at 6:33 PM, and the regular council meeting was scheduled to begin at 6:45 PM. Municipal Court Fines and Fees Presentation - Jennifer Dorsett presented an overview of Municipal Court revenue. She explained that defendants often assume the city keeps all fines, but the city remits a significant portion to the State of Texas each quarter. - For a sample speeding citation (41 mph in a 25 mph zone) paid at the window, the total payment is $214; the city retains $85 in unrestricted funds, and the state receives $112 (52%). In a defensive driving example, the defendant pays the city $144, with $115 (80%) going to the state, $15 to city unrestricted funds, and $14 to restricted funds. - Restricted funds include court security/technology, a local truancy prevention fund (used for juvenile case manager and teen court), and a municipal jury fund. Court security/technology and other restricted funds are audited by the state controller's office. - Councilman Mark Taylor asked about state remittances. The presenter estimated quarterly remittances of $50,000 to $60,000, on average. She said state-consolidated fees fund items such as police officer training and crime victims compensation, among 20-25 different funds. - Councilman Taylor and Councilman Dunn criticized state-imposed, unfunded mandates and argued that cities function as collection agencies for the state. The presenter noted that the Texas Municipal League revenue manual describes the city as a collection agency for the state. Dunn also mentioned a 2011 effort to require state reimbursement for unfunded mandates, which he said went nowhere. - Councilman Andrew Neal asked whether state fees set a floor for fines. The presenter responded that fines have statutory minimums and maximums set by the judge, but state court costs are set by the legislature and must be collected; judges can waive fines and costs for indigent defendants. - Councilman Can Hill asked whether court revenue covers court operations. The presenter said it is close, but if officer time writing citations is counted, the city is in the hole. - Police Chief Barkley addressed the idea that the recent speed limit reduction to 25 mph was for revenue. He reported that traffic stops were nearly identical in the four months before and after the change (3,304 before vs. 3,303 after). Citations dropped from 627 to 508, and warnings rose from 488 to 719. He noted that speeding is a factor in 29% of traffic fatalities and 8-18% of crashes, depending on data. Proposed Personnel Policy Updates - Juliet Rodriguez, Human Resources and Civil Service Director, presented proposed personnel policy revisions intended to take effect October 1, 2026. She said the changes respond to updated guidelines, employee retention needs, and requests made during meet-and-confer negotiations with the Watauga Police Officers Association. - ADA policy (2.02): Expand policy statement to cover Title I and Title II obligations; update definitions of disability and essential job function; expand procedures to include citizens and patrons; add employee ADA accommodation request steps, interactive process, verification of disability, and confidentiality/responsibility updates. - Performance evaluation policy: Encourage supervisors to meet with staff more than once a year, align the policy with evaluation form scoring, and clarify that appeals are placed in personnel files. - Classification and compensation policy (6.04): Allow cost-of-living adjustments at an alternate date rather than only at the beginning of the fiscal year; add monthly field training officer pay for police officers training new officers/cadets; create a one-time cost savings incentive of up to $1,500, subject to department head verification and city manager approval, split among teams if applicable. Rodriguez noted the slide incorrectly listed the policy number as 6.06. - Workers' compensation policy: Remove the five-day election window for salary continuation so injured employees are not blocked if the need for leave is discovered later. - Vacation leave policy: Allow employees at the maximum accrual (240 hours for 8/10-hour employees; 360 hours for 12/24-hour shift personnel) to accrue up to 60 or 80 additional hours until the last pay period in September, with balances then reduced back to the cap. This addresses staffing-related difficulty taking leave and does not increase year-end leave liability. The policy also adds pay period accrual amounts and allows the city manager to withhold vacation payout for employees appealing indefinite suspension until the appeal is resolved. - Sick leave policy: Clarify misuse of sick leave; update definitions of spouse, child, and parent; require employees to report absences before shift start, with family members allowed to report for them; add pay period accruals; allow withholding sick leave payout for appealing civil service employees; clarify that department heads must request sick leave donations; and update the well pay conversion form to include shift personnel. - Artificial intelligence policy (14.05): New policy covering city officials, employees, contractors, temporary staff, and volunteers; includes permitted/restricted uses, prior IT approval for new AI tools, data security, human verification of AI output, transparency/disclosure for public-facing AI-generated materials, ethical responsibility, mandatory compliance training, and retention under the Public Information Act. An approved-tools sample list from IT is included. - Employee safety policy (16.01): Update objectives and responsibilities, clarify immediate injury reporting, add hazard reporting, revise PPE language, and add a safety recognition section. - Inclement weather policy (18.01): Clarify guidelines; add an option for the city manager to grant special weather compensatory time for employees working on inclement weather days, with no payout at separation; add payroll reporting and accrual process language. - Rodriguez said the travel and reimbursement policy listed on the consent item was pulled and will come forward later after additional edits. Council Discussion on Personnel Policies - Councilman Taylor questioned why periodic performance discussions are only highly encouraged rather than required. Rodriguez cited time constraints, about 14 city vacancies, and recent supervisor training; Taylor maintained that periodic reviews should be required. - Taylor also questioned the cost savings incentive, asking whether a small saving would trigger a $1,500 award. Rodriguez clarified the policy allows up to $1,500 and requires department head and city manager approval. - Taylor raised concerns about vacation accrual, saying vacation is important for stress reduction and warning against allowing employees to bank leave when time off is available. He also asked if the city had considered a combined PTO system; Rodriguez said it had been researched previously and was not a fit, partly because Watauga is a civil service city. Mayor Artline noted that the prior leave liability was significant but not to the point of bankrupting the city. - Councilwoman Hale described a prior city's experience with sick leave donation abuse, where donations switched to vacation time and abuse declined. Rodriguez said Watauga sick leave donations are uncommon and unused donations are returned. - Councilman Neal supported keeping separate sick leave and vacation pools rather than combined PTO, noting that combined PTO can hurt employees who get sick. He asked about reporting mechanisms for questionable AI-generated output; Rodriguez and Chief Barkley said employees should escalate concerns through their chain of command and supervisors. - Councilman Welch suggested requiring employees to project their leave use so supervisors can manage balances and prevent employees from losing leave. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken during the workshop. - The Municipal Court presentation and traffic stop data were informational; no action was requested. - Personnel policy revisions were presented for council feedback; no formal adoption occurred, with proposed changes expected to be effective October 1, 2026, if approved later. - The travel and reimbursement policy was pulled from the consent item and will return at a later date. - The meeting adjourned at 6:33 PM; the regular council meeting was scheduled to start at 6:45 PM.

The Watauga City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chamber, 7105 Whitley Road. All seven council members were present. The Council approved the FY 2026-27 budget and tax rate, the EDC budget, and replacement outdoor warning sirens, and denied a specific use permit for a tire/auto repair shop after a 5-2 vote failed to reach the required supermajority. The meeting recessed for executive session and adjourned at 9:42 p.m. Consent Calendar - The Council approved the 16-item consent agenda by a single 6-1 vote (one opposed, none abstaining). Items included the FY 2026-27 Park Vista Public Improvement District service plan and assessment roll, FY 2025-26 classification plan amendment, FY 2027-2031 Capital Outlay Plan, EDC staffing reimbursement agreement, audit services renewal with Weaver & Tidwell LLP, an interlocal agreement with Tarrant County for pavement striping, Aug. 10, 2026 meeting minutes, numerous board and commission reappointments, and appointment of an Interim Presiding Municipal Court Judge. Public Comments & Testimony - Eric Crow, a Tarrant Appraisal District Board member, said the appraisal district's two-year reappraisal cycle has created non-uniform assessments: homes near the average value in Watauga are assessed at about 91% of sales-based value, while homes over $1 million are assessed at about 71%, shifting more burden to lower-value homes. He urged annual appraisals to equalize the burden. - Annie Webster, 6325 Watauga Road, said her home had been covered in sewage from a public works overflow and that she and her family had been unable to live in the house for nearly four months; she asked the Council for support. This address matched the later executive session claim item. - During public testimony on SUP 26-01, multiple Durham Farms-area residents opposed the permit. DeAndre Jarbo, Crystal Bell, Joseph Jarbo, Tara McKinney, and Vanessa Camacho each cited noise, traffic, proximity to homes (about 15 feet in some cases), code enforcement, existing tire shops in the city, and better economic development alternatives. Crystal Bell noted 13 auto service businesses within four miles and asked the Council to preserve the corner for cohesive retail/restaurant development. Vanessa Camacho said this was the fifth time since May residents had returned for the same item and asked for a final decision and a "no" vote. Public Hearings - A public hearing on the proposed FY 2026-27 ad valorem tax rate was opened and closed at 7:21 p.m. with no speakers. Finance Director Jennifer Calvert reviewed the proposed rate of $0.605800 per $100 assessed value — $0.448391 for maintenance and operations and $0.157409 for debt service — and noted it was below the no-new-revenue rate of $0.605860 but above the voter-approval rate. - A public hearing on the Watauga Economic Development Corporation FY 2026-27 proposed budget was opened and closed at 7:23 p.m. with no speakers. Action Items - EDC Budget: The Council unanimously approved the FY 2026-27 Watauga EDC budget (7-0). - Tax Rate: The Council unanimously approved the two components of the FY 2026-27 ad valorem tax rate: $0.157409 per $100 for the interest and sinking (debt) fund and $0.448391 per $100 for maintenance and operations, for a total rate of $0.605800 per $100 (both votes 7-0). - City Budget: The Council unanimously adopted the FY 2026-27 budget ordinance with total appropriations of $74,839,321 (7-0). - SUP 26-01 (6600 Bursey Road): The Council considered a specific use permit for Bright Bay 2 Investments LLC to allow retail tire sales and light auto repair in a General Business district. The building had been vacant for eight years; the applicant estimated $750,000 in renovations and pledged to comply with any conditions. Staff recommended approval with a revised Exhibit B. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended denial 5-0, triggering a six-vote supermajority requirement. After debate, a motion to approve with staff-recommended Exhibit B failed 5-2 (0 abstentions) because it lacked the required sixth affirmative vote. - Outdoor Warning Sirens: The Council unanimously approved purchasing and installing two replacement outdoor warning sirens and modernizing the city's siren system through the HGACBuy cooperative purchasing program (7-0). Fire Chief Randy Barkley said two sirens are over 20 years old and unserviceable; replacement is expected before the next storm season. Executive Session - The Council recessed at 8:40 p.m. and reconvened at 9:41 p.m. after a closed executive session under Texas Government Code Section 551.071 to consult with the City Attorney about a wastewater system overflow damage claim relating to 6325 Watauga Road. No action was taken on that item. Key Outcomes - FY 2026-27 EDC budget approved (7-0). - FY 2026-27 tax rate set at $0.605800 per $100 (two unanimous votes). - FY 2026-27 budget adopted with $74,839,321 in appropriations (7-0). - SUP 26-01 denied because the 5-2 approval motion fell short of the required six votes. - Siren replacement/modernization approved (7-0). - Executive session claim item: no action taken.

The Watauga City Council held a workshop meeting on Monday, August 24, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM and adjourned at 6:03 PM. The workshop featured two presentations: a detailed overview of the new Eye on Water consumer portal tied to the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project, and an update on the city's draft Strategic Plan. No formal votes were taken during the workshop. Discussion Items Eye on Water / Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Presentation - Finance Director Jennifer Calvert presented the AMI system. The city retrofitted existing water meters with new registers and cellular endpoints at a cost of approximately $1.9 million, significantly less than the initial $3.6 million estimate. - 99% of meters are currently transmitting. The system provides near real-time usage data and leak detection capabilities. 190 residents have signed up for the Eye on Water portal. - Staff (Brian and Morgan) demonstrated the back-end Beacon system, which pinpoints leaks and allows staff to generate work orders and send customer notifications. Since late June, staff has been hand-delivering personalized leak notices to residents. - Councilman Mark Taylor shared a personal account of discovering a long-running leak (associated with aging Quest plumbing) through the system. He expressed full support for the tool but advocated for more proactive, direct outreach to residents with detected leaks rather than relying solely on mailed letters or waiting for resident enrollment. - Council discussed the relatively low adoption rate of 190 users. Staff outlined plans to increase adoption through future email blasts and in-person events at the library and senior center. - On damaged endpoints, staff confirmed the cost of repair or replacement is passed along to the responsible party. - An optional AI analytics tool (Cobalt) is available within the system but has not yet been explored by city staff. Strategic Plan Update - City Manager Sandra Gibson presented the revised draft Strategic Plan, condensed from eight goals into five strategic priorities to improve alignment with the budget, Capital Improvement Plan, and departmental work plans. - The five new priorities are: 1) Fiscal Sustainability & Infrastructure Stewardship, 2) Safe, Healthy, and Connected Community, 3) Economic Vitality and Community Image, 4) Organizational and Workforce Excellence, and 5) Community Engagement and Good Governance. - The plan includes a simplified report card framework for tracking and reporting progress to the council and public on a semi-annual or annual basis. - Councilman Mark Taylor relayed a resident's concern regarding the proposed food truck park, noting a misconception that it is a single-use facility. He requested that communications highlight that the space could host a farmers market and other community events. - Council members expressed unanimous approval of the simplified format. Councilman Andrew Neal suggested an annual (rather than semi-annual) reporting cycle for the strategic plan, which received general consensus from the council. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken during this workshop. - AMI System: Council directed staff to continue aggressive notification of residents with detected leaks and to pursue higher resident enrollment in the Eye on Water portal through targeted outreach. - Strategic Plan: Staff will incorporate the feedback received (notably the clarification on the food truck park and the preference for annual reporting) and will bring the plan forward for formal adoption at a future regular City Council meeting.

The Watauga City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 10, 2026, at City Hall Council Chamber, 7105 Whitley Road, Watauga, Texas. The agenda was posted for a 6:30 p.m. start, and the transcript records the meeting being called to order at 6:51 p.m. Mayor Art Minor presided; one council member (Place 2) was absent without notice, and the council noted that it did not have a full council for the supermajority vote required later on the specific use permit. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Dennis Hester of First Baptist Church of Watauga and the pledges of allegiance, and adjourned at 8:29 p.m. Presentations & Awards - Employee of the Month for August: Janice Lee (also referred to as Janice Lynch in the transcript), janitorial service technician in Public Works, was honored in absentia for going above and beyond to keep facilities clean, welcoming, and safe. - Service awards were presented to library employees: Paula Kirpsell (5 years), Pam Baer (5 years), Mary Carrar (5 years, absent), and Kathy Wynne (20 years, absent). Consent Calendar - Council voted unanimously (recorded as 6-0) to approve the consent agenda, which included: - The proposed billing rate increase requested by City Attorney Nichols Jackson, effective October 1, 2026. - The Monthly Financial Report for the period ending June 30, 2026. - The Quarterly Investment Report for the period ending June 30, 2026. - The June 22, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting minutes. Public Comments & Testimony - Vanessa Camacho Bisby (8244 Courtney Way), a mother, veteran, and longtime resident, asked the Council to deny SUP 26-01 with prejudice. She stated that Fort Worth denied a similar request by the same company due to proximity to homes, and argued that an eight-foot wall would not block daily impacts from activity only 14-18 feet from homes. She also noted that the applicant recently opened a location in Keller less than three miles away. - Joe Jarbo (8241 Courtney Way) opposed the SUP, citing Watauga's 2016 development strategy. He argued the proposal conflicts with the plan's goals to minimize conflicts with residential areas, neighborhood preservation protections for Durham Farms, and the city's screening and buffering guidance. He also cited Fort Worth denials of similar proposals by 11-0 and 10-0 votes. - DeAndra Jarbo (8241 Courtney Way) opposed the SUP in four points: residents support thoughtful growth, not business opposition; homeowners trusted existing zoning when buying their home; the applicant has other site choices while nearby residents do not; and the Council should use its power responsibly. She described family ties to the neighborhood and the nearby Dollar General. - David Stanley (8232 Courtney Way), a master certified technician and automotive technology instructor, opposed the proposal on safety and quality-of-life grounds. He cited examples of tire and automotive shops where tires, vehicles, and hazardous waste accumulated, argued the service is not needed because reputable alternatives exist nearby, and asked city government to represent residents. Public Hearings - Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD) FY2026-2027 Budget: Finance Director Jennifer Calvert confirmed no changes since the prior presentation. No one requested to speak; the hearing was opened and closed at 7:02 p.m. - FY2026-2027 Proposed Budget: The public hearing was opened at 8:04 p.m. and closed at 8:05 p.m. with no speakers. Budget Presentation & Discussion - Finance Director Jennifer Calvert presented the FY2026-2027 proposed budget. The general fund is structurally balanced, with $20.194 million in revenues and $20.932 million in expenditures; the ending fund balance is projected at $8.4 million, above the 25% fund balance requirement. - The proposed property tax rate is $0.6058 per $100 valuation, up from $0.5702 in FY2025-2026, a 7% increase. The no-new-revenue rate is $0.605860 and the de minimis rate is $0.606422. The agenda's budget statement said the city portion of property tax on an average homestead valued at $229,150 would be $1,388 under the proposed budget and at the no-new-revenue rate, compared to $1,306 in FY2025. Calvert said the average taxable home value declined from $252,000 to $244,000, making the average annual increase about $46. - Sales tax is budgeted flat at $5 million, property valuations declined 4%, and the city is largely built out. Notable cost increases include electricity (30%), street lighting (27%, about $59,000), shared public safety services ($92,000), and insurance ($128,000), for a total identified impact of $356,000. - Personnel costs are 73% of expenditures; police and fire account for 49% of the total budget. - Water and sewer fund revenues are projected at $10.5 million with $11.1 million in expenditures, reducing the fund balance by $659,000 to $1.6 million. - The CCPD budget is funded by sales tax and includes $2.1 million in revenues and $2.37 million in expenditures, funding nine officers; two officer positions were moved to the general fund because sales tax revenue has been flat. - The SAFER grant funds three firefighters for three years; the federal share is 75% in years one and two, 35% in year three, with the city covering the remainder and full cost in year four. Council member Taylor expressed concern about absorbing those costs given flat revenues. - The remaining $542,000 in American Rescue Plan funds has been obligated and must be spent by December 2026. - Council members raised concerns about personnel costs, flat revenue, reliance on fund balance, and possible state legislative changes to property tax and local revenue. A council member urged residents to shop local and cautioned about state-imposed tax rollbacks. Health Insurance RFP & Recommendation - HR Director Juliet Rodriguez said the city had a difficult insurance season because claims loss ratio rose from 82.8% last year to 137.7%, far above the 85% target, which prompted an RFP for medical, dental, and vision coverage. - Heath Hagan of Hub International presented the RFP analysis. The incumbent Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas was recommended for renewal. Keeping current plan designs would cost a 26.9% increase, about $385,000 in additional annual premium, with total annual combined premium of almost $1.9 million. - The recommendation was to consolidate four plan designs into three: two HSA-qualified plans and one copay plan, with one emergency room copay increase to $750. This reduced the projected increase to 5.3%, about $79,000 in additional annual premium, bringing total annual combined premium to about $1.55 million. - Dental and vision benefits would remain unchanged, with one-year and two-year rate guarantees, respectively. Mutual of Omaha life and disability rates are guaranteed until 2028. - In response to council questions, Hagan said employee contributions are tiered by salary; public-sector average employee-only contribution is $62 per month. City employer funding ranges from 93% to 79% for employees and 70% to 56% for dependents. Key Outcomes - FY2026-2027 Proposed Budget: Council voted unanimously (5-0) to table the budget to the August 24, 2026 meeting. - CCPD FY2026-2027 Budget: Council voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the Crime Control and Prevention District budget as presented. - SUP 26-01 (Bright Bay 2 Investments LLC; referred to in the transcript as Bright Star Investments LLC): Council voted unanimously (5-0) to table the specific use permit request for retail tire sales and light auto repair at 6600 Bursey Road to the August 24, 2026 meeting. No decision on the merits was made. - Employee Insurance: Council voted unanimously (5-0) to authorize the City Manager to execute contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees for October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, as presented. - Vote-count note: The consent agenda was recorded as 6-0, while later votes in the transcript are recorded as 5-0, consistent with the council noting that it lacked a full council for the SUP supermajority.

The Watauga City Council held a workshop meeting on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The primary focus was a detailed budget workshop for Fiscal Year 2027 presented by Finance Director Jennifer Calvert. The Strategic Plan Update was postponed to a future meeting. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Artline with council members Place 4 (Andrew Neal), Place 5 (Stephen Wilch), Place 6 (Mark Taylor), and Place 7 (Jan Hill) present; Place 2 was absent. The meeting adjourned at 6:39 PM. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made. Presentations and Discussion Items - Strategic Plan Update: Postponed to a future workshop or council meeting. - Budget Workshop (FY 2027): Jennifer Calvert presented the proposed budget. - Personnel Enhancement Plan: The only approved request was the reclassification of three Fire Department lieutenants to captains. Requests from the Police Department (intelligence/data analyst position), Public Works (promotion and new building official), and the Library were denied due to budget constraints. - General Fund Overview: Total budgeted expenses are $20.9 million. Police accounts for 27.6% ($5.7M) and Fire accounts for 21% ($4.5M). - Departmental Highlights: - City Secretary budget decreased 1.1% to $273,000. - Non-department budget includes the entire $189,000 COLA for General Fund employees. - Municipal Court decreased 10% to $444,000. - Parks budget decreased 1.3% ($11,000) due to loss of tenured employees reducing longevity pay. - Police increased 4.4% ($242,000) for step increases and body camera technology. - Fire increased 5% ($212,000) for pay and shared services. - Building Maintenance increased 8.3% ($90,000) driven by electricity ($61k) and street lighting ($60k) increases. - Transfers increased from $120,000 to $643,000 for equipment replacement, capital projects, and strategic initiatives. - Enterprise Funds: Merchant bank charges ($80k) were shifted from General Fund to Water/Sewer. Storm Drain decreased 15% due to project delays. - Funded New Requests: $352,000 in one-time expenditures and $12,000 in ongoing expenditures were funded. Key items include $165k for Police facility repairs, $24k for Library building improvements, and $23k for school zone flasher remote programming. - Potential Current-Year Funding: Up to $40,000 (Library door/windows, Recreation vehicle wrap, Public Works rear gate opener) may be funded through current year savings. - Unfunded Requests: $411k for Animal Shelter repairs, $200k for ADA sidewalk barriers, and $21k for fire hydrant quick connect adapters (deferred for grant research) were not included in the proposed budget. - Council members asked clarifying questions regarding longevity pay reductions, merchant fee cost recovery, and worker's compensation increases. Mayor Artline recognized the difficulty of the budget process, noting that many good programs and items were turned down. Key Outcomes - Strategic Plan Update officially postponed. - FY 2027 Budget Workshop presented and discussed. No formal vote taken. - Regular Council Meeting scheduled to follow immediately at 6:50 PM. Note on Agenda Discrepancy - The standard budget statement on the printed agenda references an estimated tax impact for a transition from FY2025 to FY2026 ($1,306 to $1,388 on an average $229,150 home). However, the workshop presentation and discussion consistently referred to the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, indicating a likely discrepancy between the printed agenda template and the actual subject matter of the meeting.

The Watauga City Council held a workshop meeting on July 27, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting featured two presentations: the 2026 Compensation Study by Public Sector Personnel Consultants and an update on the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan by Burgess & Niple. Council members discussed findings, raised concerns, and outlined next steps for both items. No public comments were received. Presentations 2026 Compensation Study - Presenter: Matt Weatherly, Public Sector Personnel Consultants, introduced by Juliet Rodriguez, HR Director. - Key findings: The study compared 90+ job descriptions against 10 agencies plus private sector. Compared to the 2024 study, the city has improved: 40% of jobs are now more than 5% below market (down from 88% in 2024). Average employee tenure is 7 years, but average salaries are 12% below midpoint. - Proposed adjustments: Move certain jobs to higher pay grades (e.g., animal control officer from Grade 20 to 21) to bring all jobs within 5% of market. For civil service, a market adjustment (estimated $200,000 for 3% increase) plus cost-of-living adjustments (0-3%) and continued merit/step increases are recommended. - Fiscal impact: Approximately $26,000 (plus benefits) to bring 10 general government employees up to new minimums; additional costs for civil service adjustments and COL/merit/step increases total about $225,000 for the study recommendations. - Council discussion: Councilman Taylor questioned why average civil service salary is 12% below midpoint given 7-year tenure; he and others stressed the need to keep up with inflation and cost of living. Councilwoman Hill noted that scales continually lag behind. Councilman Neal clarified that the $26,000 figure is the annualized cost for the 10 employees below minimum, not individual pay. No part-time positions were included. Council indicated support for budget allocations to address pay gaps. Comprehensive Safety Action Plan - Presenter: Robert Packwin, Burgess & Niple, introduced by Randy Richards, Assistant Public Works Director. - Background: The city received a $200,000 FHWA grant in 2024 for a safety action plan; the 24-month performance period ends November 2026. The plan aims for zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2055 with an interim 35% reduction by 2035. - Crash data (2019-2024): 4 fatalities, 26 serious injuries, approximately 97 crashes per year. Top contributing factors: intersection-related, speed, lane departure, distracted driving. US 377 crashes (40% of all city crashes) were analyzed separately due to state control. - High-risk locations: 7% of roadway miles account for 60% of crashes; top 20 segments (quarter-mile each) identified. Also, 31 intersections with elevated risk (overrepresented crashes). - Public engagement: 317 survey responses, 62 interactive map pins, booth at Wataugafest (25 in-person engagements). Top voted vision statement: "A great place to live, a safe place to thrive." - Recommendations: $1.33 million in low-cost countermeasures (curb realignments, pavement markings, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, crosswalks, intersection visibility enhancements, new sidewalks, and street lighting). Also suggested: neighborhood traffic calming program, on-street parking compliance study, and continued enforcement. - Council discussion: Council members raised concerns about driver behavior (Councilwoman Hill: "How do you fix stupid?"), enforcement limitations, and funding. Councilman Taylor recalled past median proposals on Denton Highway (not favored by neighboring cities). Councilman Blackburn worried about the price tag (equivalent to 7-10 police cars or a fire truck). Councilwoman Downey questioned the effectiveness of dynamic speed feedback signs (they become background noise) and advocated narrowing streets and other low-cost measures. Councilman Neal asked about speed tables and roundabouts; staff noted roundabouts could be funded under potential new federal surface transportation bill. - Equity considerations: 55% of severe crashes occur in five low-to-moderate-income block groups; 68% of proposed countermeasure costs would benefit those areas. Key Outcomes - Compensation Study: No formal action taken. Data will inform the upcoming FY2027 budget discussions. Council expressed support for merit and step increases but stressed the need to address inflation. Staff will continue budget conversations. - Safety Action Plan: Council will review the full plan (over 100 pages) and provide feedback to the city manager by late August. A resolution to approve the plan will be placed on the second council meeting in August 2026 for possible consent agenda adoption. Staff will work with Burgess & Niple to incorporate any council amendments. - Future funding: The city will monitor federal surface transportation reauthorization (possible $500 million first year for SS4A program) for implementation grants. - Traffic enforcement: Police Chief indicated continued emphasis on traffic stops (aiming for 13,000-15,000 per year). No red-light cameras were discussed; cameras remain unpopular.