Ord 27-2025 Designating Boundaries for Heart of the Falls NRA as a Reinvestment Zone 06/03/2025 Ordinance No. 27-2025
Ordinance designating the properties located in the Heart of the
Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Area as a Reinvestment Zone
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to promote revitalization by development and
redevelopment of the Heart of the Falls Revitalization Area within its jurisdiction by the
creation of a Reinvestment Zone, as codified in Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code and
known as the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act; and,
WHEREAS, a public hearing before the City Council was held on May 20, 2025,
being at least seven days after the date of publication of the notice of such public hearing
in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Wichita Falls; and,
WHEREAS, the City has called a public hearing and published notice of such
public hearing, and has properly notified the proper official of Wichita County and the
Wichita Falls Independent School District, as required by the Act; and,
WHEREAS, upon such hearing being convened, there was presented proper proof
and evidence that notices of such hearing had been published and mailed as described
above; and,
WHEREAS, the City, at such hearing, invited any interested person, or his
attorney, to appear and contend for or against the creation of the Reinvestment Zone,
which include the properties in the Heart of the Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Area
and contained within Exhibit A as the "Heart of the Falls Reinvestment Zone"; and,
WHEREAS, all owners of property located within the proposed Reinvestment
Zone, and all other taxing units and other interested persons, were given the opportunity
at such public hearing to protest the creation of the proposed Reinvestment Zone or the
inclusion of their property in such Reinvestment Zone; and,
WHEREAS, the proponents of the Reinvestment Zone offered evidence, both oral
and documentary, in favor of all of the foregoing matters relating to the creation of the
Reinvestment Zone; and,
WHEREAS, after considering all testimony and evidence offered at the public
hearing, the City Council finds that improvements in the Reinvestment Zone will enhance
significantly the value of all taxable real property in the Zone, will be of general benefit to
the City of Wichita Falls, and that it will be in the public interest to pass this ordinance
creating a Reinvestment Zone.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
1 . In accordance with Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code, the City has held
a public hearing in this matter and adopts the findings herein.
2. The City, after conducting a public hearing and having heard evidence and
testimony, has made the following findings and determinations based on
the evidence and testimony presented to it:
a. The public hearing on the adoption of the Reinvestment Zone has been
properly called, held, and conducted, and that notice of such hearing has
been published as required by law;
b. The City has jurisdiction to hold and conduct this public hearing on the
creation of the proposed Reinvestment Zone, pursuant to the Act;
c. The creation of the proposed Reinvestment Zone will result in benefits to
the City, its residents, and property owners, and to the property, residents,
and property owners in the Reinvestment Zone;
d. The improvements sought are feasible and practical and would be a benefit
to the land to be included in the zone and to the City after the expiration of
an agreement entered into under Section 312.204 of the Act;
e. The improvements sought, development and redevelopment, are feasible
and practical and would be a benefit to the zone after the expiration of the
tax abatement agreement;
f. The City's criteria for tax abatement are met, as set out by Resolution 58-
2025, as shown in Exhibit B, and the designation of the zone is reasonably
likely to contribute to the retention or expansion of primary employment or
to attract major capital investment that will benefit the City's economic
development;
g. The development and redevelopment will have a secondary impact, through
the use of local contractors, benefit housing stock, and the local economy;
h. Proper notice was given of this public hearing to the presiding officers of
Wichita County and the Wichita Falls Independent School District; and
i. Notice of this public hearing was published in the Times Record News, a
paper of general circulation, on May 25, 2025, a date that was no later than
the 7th day before this hearing.
3. The City hereby creates a Reinvestment Zone over the area described in
Exhibit A, and such Reinvestment Zone shall hereafter be identified as the
Heart of the Falls Reinvestment Zone.
4. The operation of the Reinvestment Zone shall commence immediately upon
passage of this ordinance for a period of ten years or may terminate sooner
by subsequent ordinance.
5. If any section, paragraph, clause, or provision of this ordinance shall for any
reason be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the invalidity or
unenforceability of such section, paragraph, clause, or provision shall not
affect any of the remaining provisions of this ordinance.
6. The contents of the notice of public hearing, which was held before City
Council on this date, and the publication of notices thereof as required by
law, are hereby ratified, approved, and confirmed.
IT IS SO ORDAINED.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 3rd day of June, 2025.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
B
City Clerk
EXHIBIT A
Heart of the Falls Neighborhood Reinvestment Zone
Boundaries Description & Map
The Heart of the Falls Neighborhood Reinvestment Zone is bounded by Seymour
Highway to the north, Kell Freeway to the south, Brook Avenue to the east, and Kemp
Boulevard to the west.
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Heart of the Falls Reinvestment Zone
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EXHIBIT B
Resolution No. 58-2025
Consider a resolution declaring the City of Wichita Falls'eligibility and
intention to participate in the Texas Tax Abatement Program to
promote development and redevelopment, and adopt guidelines and
criteria for tax abatement in the Heart of the Falls Neighborhood
Revitalization Area
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, desires to
promote the development/redevelopment of certain contiguous geographic areas within
its jurisdiction known as Heart of the Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Area; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, is authorized to enter into Tax
Abatement Agreements for commercial or residential purposes, as authorized by Chapter
312 of the Texas Tax Code; and,
WHEREAS, the Texas Tax Code requires the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, to
establish guidelines and create criteria for the designation of reinvestment zones, and to
enter into Tax Abatement Agreements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
1. The City of Wichita Falls, Texas, declares it is eligible for and intends to
participate in a Tax Abatement Program.
2. The City of Wichita Falls, Texas, hereby establishes the following
Guidelines and Criteria for Tax Abatement for use in the City's Heart of the Falls
Neighborhood Revitalization Area Tax Abatement Programs:
(1) The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls shall have the right,
granted under Texas statutes, to approve or disapprove the creation
of any recommended Tax Reinvestment Zone.
(2) The Tax Reinvestment Zone must be reasonably likely to contribute
to the retention or expansion of primary employment, or attract
significant capital investment, or develop, redevelop a structure(s)
that will benefit the City's economic and social wellbeing.
(3) The Tax Reinvestment Zone authorization granted by the City
Council must meet all criteria established by the authorizing
legislation.
(4) The Tax Reinvestment Zone must not require extraordinary capital
improvement financing by the City.
(5) The Tax Reinvestment Zone applicant must have a secondary
impact on the local economy through the use of local contractors and
service businesses.
(6) The agreement to create Tax Reinvestment Zones will not exceed
the maximum period allowed by law, of 10 years.
(7) The agreement to create Tax Reinvestment Zones will prorate taxes
on property improvements not less than 10%, nor more than 100%.
(8) The City Council reserves the right to negotiate any other provisions
with an individual allowed by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 20th day of May 2025.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
€r'fe'1 ClC;Alf-
City City Clerk