Min 08/12/2025 City of Wichita Falls
City Council Meeting
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Item 1 - Call to Order
The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met in a special session at 8:30 a.m.
on the above date in Rooms 8-10 at the MPEC, with the following members present.
Tim Short - Mayor
Austin Cobb - At-Large
Whitney Flack - District 1
Robert Brooks - District 2
Jeff Browning - District 3/Mayor Pro Tem
Mike Battaglino - District 4
Tom Taylor - District 5
Jeffery Jenkins - City Manager
Kinley Hegglund - City Attorney
Marie Balthrop - City Clerk
Mayor Short called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Item 2a — Invocation
Councilor Flack gave the invocation.
Item 2b — Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Short led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3 — Work Session to Consider Proposed FY 2025-2026 Budget
Jeffery Jenkins, City Manager, discussed the proposed budget, emphasizing its focus on
supporting staff and aligning salaries with market rates. The budget includes the addition
of a Wildfire Coordinator, Building Maintenance Supervisor, Employee Relations
Coordinator, an additional Police Officer to assist with the homeless, and a Graphic
Design Specialist who will also serve as Webmaster. He also outlined proposed utility
rate increases and requested Council input.
Stephen Calvert, Finance Director/CFO, presented highlights of the FY 2026 Proposed
Budget, which includes a property tax rate reduction from $0.6848 to $0.6825, $34.5
million in capital expenditures, and enhanced employee pay, benefits, resources, and
training to support recruitment and retention. Certified property valuations increased by
3.73%, with a five-year average annual growth of 7.89%. The current tax rate is $0.6848,
compared to the no-new-revenue rate of $0.662791 and the voter-approval rate of
$0.708873. The l&S rate was reduced due to low debt levels. Inflation is approximately
2%, while employee costs for local governments have risen by 4% over last year. All fund
balances exceed the policy threshold of 20%, and reserves remain healthy even after
accounting for amounts restricted by law, contract, or designation. The Water and Sewer
Debt Service Fund holds $11 million, sufficient to cover final debt payments in FY 2026
and FY 2027.
Mr. Calvert provided an overview of the General Fund, noting that property and sales
taxes are the primary revenue sources, with personnel as the largest expenditure. He
reported that the City's tax levy is 24% lower than comparable cities, many of which are
raising taxes despite higher assessed values, and emphasized that property appraisals
are determined by the Appraisal District, not the City. He reviewed property tax
exemptions, including the child care facility exemption adopted last year, and outlined
November ballot propositions that could increase business personal property tax
exemptions, if passed. General Fund operating revenues have increased 2.71%, with
consolidated revenues up 4.67%. The budget provides a 10% pay increase for Fire Civil
Service employees, an 8% pay increase for Police Civil Service employees, and a 6% cost-of-
living adjustment for all other employees. The budget also includes increased incentive and
assignment pay for civil service employees and funding for an updated compensation study.
Christi Klyn, Human Resources Director, stated that progress is being made to catch up
to the market average for pay of our peer cities, and that is reflected in our recruitments
and application counts. She stated that hourly positions are 10% behind the market
average, salaried employees 5%, Fire 18%, Police 10%, and Directors 10%, and this is
before the proposed 6% cost-of-living adjustment.
Mr. Calvert reviewed current expenditures for personnel, training, public safety, and
technology enhancements, noting the reduction in the TMRS vesting period from ten
years to five. A brief discussion was held regarding the addition of employee uniforms for
the Parks, Water, and Sewer departments. General Fund expenditures are approximately
5% higher, primarily due to personnel costs, which are partially offset by the vacancy
allowance. He also outlined capital improvement projects across various departments.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 12, 2025
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Mr. Calvert discussed the Water and Sewer Fund, with service charges providing for 98%
of the revenue, with personnel services, debt expenditures, and capital expenditures
being the largest costs. The proposed budget includes a 2% rate increase, equating to
approximately $2.17 for an average residential customer. Rates are comparable to peer
cities, some of which are proposing higher increases. He discussed various retail rate
options, noting that increasing the rate makes more money available for future capital
needs and reduces future increases needed due to inflation. Decreasing the rates lowers
the cost of services for residents, but reduces funds available for identified capital needs
projects.
Russell Schreiber, Director of Public Works, outlined $33.9 million in capital improvement
projects, including the Cypress 61 Treatment Plant refurbishments, large distribution main
expansion and replacement, pump station upgrades, and pressure maintenance facilities.
He noted that the anticipated Business Park expansion would require improvements to
the eastern pressure plant and that it would take three to five years to complete all of
these projects. With the debt payments rolling off, there is a two- to three-year window to
complete these improvements before issuing debt for the Lake Ringgold project.
Mr. Calvert reviewed the Sanitation Fund, which is primarily supported by service
charges, with personnel, internal charges, and capital expenditures being the primary
expenses. Sanitation rates are 13.9% below the average of comparable cities, and we
provide twice-weekly service, with only four other cities providing the same level of
service. Lower rates are attributed in part to the City's ownership and operation of the
landfill and transfer station. The proposed budget includes a 2% rate increase and
$4,905,251 in capital expenditures. A brief discussion followed regarding the age of the
sanitation fleet and the need to replace multiple units.
Mr. Calvert presented an overview of the Stormwater, Transportation, Recreational,
Economic Impact, Internal Service, and Special Revenue Funds. He outlined the next
steps in the budget process, including a public hearing on the budget and intent to vote
on the proposed tax rate on August 19, 2025, followed by a public hearing on the tax rate
and adoption of the budget and tax rate on September 2, 2025.
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting for a short break at 9:44 a.m. and reconvened at 9:56
a.m. Councilor Flack left the meeting at 9:45 a.m.
Item 4 — Executive Sessions
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 12, 2025
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City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:56 a.m. by Texas Government Code
§551.074.
Mayor Short reconvened the meeting in open session at 11:34 a.m. and announced that
no votes or polls were taken.
Item 5 — Adjourn
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 11:34 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 2nd day of September 2025.
I im hort, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Mare Balthrop, TRM , MMC
City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 12, 2025
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