Min 08/11/2026 City of Wichita Falls
4/lik// asCity Council Meeting Minutes
v( T E X/aIS August 11, 2026
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. Call to Order
The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met in a special session on the
above date in the Seminar Room at the MPEC with the following members present.
Present: Mayor Tim Short
Councilor District 1 Whitney Flack
Councilor District 3 Jeff Browning
Mayor Pro Tem/Councilor District 4 Mike Battaglino
Councilor District 5 Tom Taylor
Absent: Councilor Austin Cobb (Joined the meeting at 9:35 a.m.)
Councilor Robert Brooks
Mayor Short called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
2. Invocation
Mayor Short gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Short led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Strategic Plan Update and Budget Work Session
a) Strategic Plan Update - Paul Menzies
Paul Menzies, Assistant City Manager, provided an overview of the Wichita Falls
Strategic Plan and explained that it establishes the City's direction by aligning City
Council policy with staff operations and reflecting community priorities. He noted that
the plan is intended to be a living document that will be reviewed and updated as
needed. Mr. Menzies summarized the December 2025 planning session, where
participants identified key challenges, opportunities, and threats related to growth, water
security, economic development, quality of life, infrastructure, funding, partnerships,
technology, and community trust. He highlighted the plan's vision for Wichita Falls as a
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vibrant, growing, unified, and aesthetically pleasing community, as well as its four
strategic goals: Financial Stewardship, Customer Experience, Operational Excellence,
and People & Organizational Culture. Supporting strategies address water security,
infrastructure, economic development, Sheppard AFB, partnerships, technology,
funding, and communication. Mr. Menzies stated that implementation will be
coordinated by the HR/Communications team, and a mid-year review will evaluate
progress and allow for adjustments as needed.
b) Work session regarding the City Manager's proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget
Mr. Jenkins provided opening remarks, noting that the proposed tax rate is the lowest in
11 years and that utility rates will be reduced. He also highlighted the budget's
continued investment in employee compensation to maintain competitiveness and
funding for additional positions.
Stephen Calvert, CFO/Director of Finance, presented the FY 2027 proposed budget,
including changes to the certified tax roll, the increased business property tax
exemption, and their budgetary impacts. He noted that the proposed property tax rate
would decrease from 0.6825 to 0.6779, the lowest rate in 11 years, while increased
property values will generate additional revenue. Mr. Calvert also highlighted the City's
low debt burden, with debt payments below 4% of total tax revenue, and noted that the
City's per capita tax is approximately 27% lower than that of comparable cities. The
proposed budget remains structurally balanced, maintains healthy reserves, supports
employee compensation, reduces residential water rates, and provides $100.5 million
for capital investments.
Mr. Calvert reported that sales tax revenue increased 9.4% and hotel and venue tax
revenue increased 25%. He noted that residential water rates will be reduced by 5% on
the base rate and 2% on the first 1,000 cubic feet, while sewer rates will remain
unchanged. The reductions are supported by debt rolling off and increased usage, with
City utility rates remaining approximately 8.8% below comparable cities. Modest
increases are proposed for curbside refuse, alley refuse, and stormwater charges.
Mr. Calvert reviewed personnel costs, including the budget impact of the second year of
civil service agreements and their role in supporting employee recruitment and
retention. He also discussed the compensation study, the recommended 3.4% cost-of-
living increase, the phased implementation approach, and proposed personnel
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August 11, 2026
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changes.
Councilor Cobb joined the meeting at 9:35 a.m.
Mr. Calvert reviewed the City's healthy reserves and reserve policy, noting that one-
time funds are used for one-time projects. He highlighted more than $100 million in
capital investments, funded through certificates of obligation, private investment, and
reserves. Major projects include the Justice Center, fleet replacement, Cypress Plant
rehabilitation, water infrastructure, The Falls, and sanitation facilities. He also discussed
investments in streets, alleys, and sidewalks, including the process for prioritizing street
repairs, as well as continued investment in water treatment, delivery, and supply.
Councilor Taylor inquired about the potential for additional funding for sidewalks.
Mr. Calvert also discussed the effects of inflation and growth, opportunities for
innovation, additional funding secured for the City, and increased revenues from the
Golf Course and Castaway Cove. He reviewed the Sanitation Fund's capital strategy
and emphasized the importance of maintaining adequate reserves while funding
necessary capital improvements.
Mr. Calvert reviewed the budget and tax rate adoption timeline, noting that the City is
meeting all statutory requirements and that final City Council action is anticipated on
September 15.
5. Adjourn
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 9:53 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 1st day of September, 2026.
im Short, Mayor
ATTEST:
c , BCA-
Marie Balthrop, TRM , MMC
City Clerk
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