Min 09/15/2026 - City of Wichita Falls
�(C. 4i 7, City Council Meeting Minutes
TEXAS September 15, 2026
BI SAres 4eiden Opyartui oies
1. Call to Order
The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met in a regular session on the
above date in the Seminar Room at the MPEC with the following members present.
Present: Mayor Tim Short
Councilor At-Large Austin Cobb
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 District 2 Robert Brooks
Mayor Short called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
2. Invocation
a) Sam Riedel, Director of Youth and Young Adults Ministries, First Christian Church,
gave the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Short led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Presentations
a) Proclamation — Find the Good Day, Junior League of Wichita Falls
Mayor Short read a Proclamation proclaiming September 17, 2026, as Find the
Good Day in Wichita Falls, Texas.
b) Proclamation — National Forensic Science Week, Wichita Falls Police Department
Crime Scene Unit
Mayor Short read a Proclamation proclaiming September 20-26, 2026, as National
Forensic Science Week in Wichita Falls, Texas.
c) Proclamation — National Hispanic Heritage Month, Wichita Falls Alliance
Mayor Short read a proclamation declaring September 2026 National Hispanic
Heritage Month in Wichita Falls, Texas.
5. Citizen Comments
Cathy Dodson expressed concerns about traffic congestion caused by promotional
events at a local coffee shop. She said vehicle lines along Kemp Street have impeded
access to nearby businesses and parking lots, and surrounding businesses have
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experienced recurring access concerns during promotional events. Ms. Dodson stated
that she supports successful businesses but believes customer traffic should not
interfere with neighboring businesses or create traffic and safety concerns. She asked
the Council to consider measures to ensure safe and fair access for all businesses in
the area.
Steve Garner highlighted recent developments at Sheppard Air Force Base, including
the proposed Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability site near Lake Kickapoo and the
planned transition to the T-7A Red Hawk aircraft. He stated that these developments
reinforce Sheppard's importance to the community and emphasized the need for
continued advocacy, infrastructure, and local support. Mr. Garner also recognized the
60-year partnership with the German Air Force and the positive impact of Sheppard's
international presence on the community.
Scott Phillips spoke about Flock cameras and other surveillance systems, stating that
while license plate reader technology can help law enforcement solve crimes, its use
should be balanced with constitutional privacy protections. He expressed concern that
the City's cameras are part of a broader, advanced license plate reader network whose
capabilities may not have been fully understood when the program was initially
approved. Mr. Phillips reviewed the program's expansion since 2023, questioned the
current number of cameras in use, and stated that he believes previous explanations of
the system's capabilities were incomplete.
Mr. McKechnie stated that the City recognizes the importance of the camera program
and the concerns raised by citizens. He noted that Police Chief Jonathan Lindsey has
initiated a review of related policies and procedures and that staff are developing a
public-facing portal to improve transparency regarding the program. He added that
Chief Lindsey would be available to discuss the matter further with Mr. Phillips.
Mike Mitchell spoke about Scouting America Troop 2G and highlighted girls'
participation in the scouting program. He shared that the scouts have begun creating
cartoons based on scouting and camping experiences for the troop's Facebook page
and encouraged the community to follow their activities.
Consent Agenda
Scott Phillips commented on item 8(a) and funding for selective traffic enforcement,
noting that most of the traffic stops reported in the first quarter were for speeding
violations. He asked the City to consider delaying the funding until the legality and basis
of certain posted speed limits could be reviewed.
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve the Consent Agenda.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor and carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Short, Councilor Cobb, Councilor Flack, Councilor Browning,
Councilor Battaglino, Councilor Taylor
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NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
6. Approval of Meeting Minutes
a) City Council, August 24, 2026
b) City Council, September 1, 2026
7. Receive Minutes
a) Central Wichita Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, June 2, 2026
b) Planning and Zoning Commission, June 10, 2026
c) Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee, August 11 , 2026
8. Ordinances
a) Ordinance 44-2026 making an appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund in the
amount of $74,375.80 for grant revenue from the Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT) for the FY 2027 Comprehensive Selective Traffic
Enforcement Program (STEP) grant and authorizing the City Manager or his
designee to execute all documents necessary to accept said funds
b) Ordinance 45-2026 replacing Ordinance 47-2025, the fee schedule applied to City
operations; providing for severability; providing that such ordinance shall not be
codified; and providing an effective date
9. Resolutions
a) Resolution 102-2026 authorizing the award of a sole-source cellular
communication upgrade at 46 lift stations to Prime Controls, L.P., in the amount of
$377,374.00
b) Resolution 103-2026 repealing and replacing Resolution 98-2026, and authorizing
the City Manager to award bid and contract for the demolition and asbestos
abatement of the Performance Hall at Memorial Auditorium at 1300 7th Street to
AOC Construction, Inc. in the amount of $569,379.00
c) Resolution 104-2026 appointing Lee Ann Haines to fill the unexpired term of David
Toogood, on the 4A Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation (WFEDC),
and advancing the commencement of her previously approved appointment;
appointing James McKechnie to fill the unexpired term of Jeffery Jenkins, on the
Wichita County — City of Wichita Falls Hospital Board, and providing an effective
date
d) Resolution 105-2026 approving the Wichita Falls Economic Development
Corporation's (4A) annual budget for fiscal year 2027
e) Resolution 106-2026 approving the Wichita Falls Type B Sales Tax Corporation's
(4B) annual budget for Fiscal Year 2027
f) Resolution 107-2026 approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls
Type B Sales Tax Corporation (4B) by revising the previous authorization and
approving funding up to $350,000 to Miniature Wonders to support their planned
destination and tourism project in Kiwanis Park
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Regular Agenda
10. Public Hearing
a) Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Tax Rate
Mayor Short opened the public hearing at 9:02 a.m.
Stephen Calvert, CFO/Director of Finance, discussed the proposed tax rate of
$0.677900 per $100.00 of taxable value, expressed support for the proposed
budget, and stated that it reflects positive growth and investment in Wichita Falls.
He highlighted the reduction of the property tax rate to its lowest level since 2015,
lower water rates and utility costs for residential customers, and continued
investment in critical capital needs. Mr. Calvert also emphasized that the budget is
structurally balanced, with ongoing revenues supporting ongoing expenditures and
one-time needs funded with one-time resources, and recommended approval.
There were no comments from the public.
Mayor Short closed the public hearing at 9:04 a.m.
11. Ordinances
a) Ordinance 46-2026 adopting the annual budget for the fiscal year beginning
October 1 , 2026, and ending September 30, 2027, and appropriating the various
amounts thereof
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Ordinance 46-2026 adopting the annual
budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, and ending September 30,
2027, and appropriating the various amounts thereof.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor and, with no comments or questions
from the public, carried by the following record vote:
Councilor Cobb - Aye
Councilor Brooks - Absent
Councilor Flack - Aye
Councilor Browning - Aye
Councilor Taylor - Aye
Councilor Battaglino - Aye
Mayor Short - Aye
b) Ordinance 47-2026 adopting the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate for
the 2026 tax year, as a separate component of the City's total Ad Valorem Tax
Rate, adopted by a separate record vote as required by §26.05(a) of the Texas Tax
Code, and establishing an effective date
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Ordinance 47-2026 adopting the
Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate for the 2026 tax year, as a separate
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component of the City's total Ad Valorem Tax Rate, adopted by a separate record
vote as required by §26.05(a) of the Texas Tax Code, and establishing an effective
date.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor and, with no comments or questions
from the public, carried by the following record vote:
Councilor Cobb - Aye
Councilor Brooks - Absent
Councilor Flack - Aye
Councilor Browning - Aye
Councilor Taylor - Aye
Councilor Battaglino - Aye
Mayor Short - Aye
c) Ordinance 48-2026 adopting the Interest and Sinking Fund (I&S) tax rate for the
2026 tax year as a separate component of the City's total Ad Valorem Tax Rate,
adopted by a separate record vote as required by §26.05(a) of the Texas Tax
Code, and establishing an effective date
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Ordinance 48-2026 adopting the Interest
and Sinking Fund (I&S) tax rate for the 2026 tax year as a separate component of
the City's total Ad Valorem Tax Rate, adopted by a separate record vote as
required by §26.05(a) of the Texas Tax Code, and establishing an effective date.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Cobb and, with no comments or questions
from the public, carried by the following record vote:
Councilor Cobb - Aye
Councilor Brooks - Absent
Councilor Flack - Aye
Councilor Browning - Aye
Councilor Taylor - Aye
Councilor Battaglino - Aye
Mayor Short - Aye
d) Ordinance 49-2026 levying a total ad valorem tax rate of $0.677900 per $100 of
taxable value for the use and support of the municipal government of the City of
Wichita Falls for Fiscal Year 2027 and for the payment of principal and interest on
the city's debt obligations; providing for assessment and collection; providing for a
record vote; and providing an effective date
Moved by Councilor Battaglino that the property tax rate be increased by the
adoption of a tax rate of $0.677900 per $100.00 of taxable assessed valuation,
which is effectively a 1 .78 percent increase in the tax rate.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Cobb and, with no comments or questions
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from the public, carried by the following record vote:
Councilor Cobb - Aye
Councilor Brooks - Absent
Councilor Flack - Aye
Councilor Browning - Aye
Councilor Taylor - Aye
Councilor Battaglino - Aye
Mayor Short - Aye
e) Ordinance 50-2026 ratifying the increase in property tax revenue as reflected in the
Annual Budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, and ending
September 30, 2027
Moved by Councilor Cobb to adopt this budget, which will raise more total property
taxes than last year's budget by $490,338.00 or a 0.92 percent increase; of that
amount, $441 ,113.00 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the
tax roll this year.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Battaglino and, with no comments or
questions from the public, carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Short, Councilor Cobb, Councilor Flack, Councilor Browning,
Councilor Battaglino, Councilor Taylor
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
f) Ordinance 51-2026 adopting the Capital Improvement Plan for the five fiscal years
beginning October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Ordinance 51-2026 adopting the Capital
Improvement Plan for the five fiscal years beginning October 1 , 2026, through
September 30, 2031 .
The motion was seconded by Councilor Cobb and, with no comments or questions
from the public, carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Short, Councilor Cobb, Councilor Flack, Councilor Browning,
Councilor Battaglino, Councilor Taylor
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
g) Ordinance 52-2026 making an appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund in the
amount of $150,000.00 for the Public Health Infrastructure Grant from the Texas
Department of State Health Services (DSHS); authorizing the City Manager, or his
designee, to execute all documents necessary to accept said funds
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Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Ordinance 52-2026 making an
appropriation to the Special Revenue Fund in the amount of $150,000.00 for the
Public Health Infrastructure Grant from the Texas Department of State Health
Services (DSHS); authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute all
documents necessary to accept said funds.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor and, with no comments or questions
from the public, carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Short, Councilor Cobb, Councilor Flack, Councilor Browning,
Councilor Battaglino, Councilor Taylor
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
12. Resolutions
a) Resolution 108-2026 authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to
the Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) agreement with The Fain Group, LLC
for the Falls Rehabilitation Project to include the demolition and erosion control
work related to the project in the amount of $749,528.00
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 108-2026 authorizing the City
Manager to execute an amendment to the Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR)
agreement with The Fain Group, LLC for the Falls Rehabilitation Project to include
the demolition and erosion control work related to the project in the amount of
$749,528.00.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor and, with no comments or questions
from the public, carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Short, Councilor Cobb, Councilor Flack, Councilor Browning,
Councilor Battaglino, Councilor Taylor
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
b) Resolution 109-2026 approving the programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls
Economic Development Corporation (WFEDC, 4A) by authorizing funding up to
$5,275,000.00 to Howmet Aerospace to assist in the company's planned facility
and workforce expansion at their existing facility at the corner of 1-44 and Bacon
Switch Road
Moved by Councilor Battaglino to approve Resolution 109-2026 approving the
programs and expenditures of the Wichita Falls Economic Development
Corporation (WFEDC, 4A) by authorizing funding up to $5,275,000.00 to Howmet
Aerospace to assist in the company's planned facility and workforce expansion at
their existing facility at the corner of 1-44 and Bacon Switch Road.
The motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor and, with no comments or questions
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from the public, carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Short, Councilor Cobb, Councilor Flack, Councilor Browning,
Councilor Battaglino, Councilor Taylor
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
13. Other Council Matters
a) Announcements concerning items of community interest from members of the City
Council. No action will be taken or discussed.
Councilor Cobb recognized Moriah Williams and Howmet for recommitting to the
Wichita Falls community and expressed appreciation for the additional jobs
associated with that commitment. He also highlighted the recent Bingo, Bags, and
Badges event benefiting Patsy's House and thanked those who participated.
Councilor Flack thanked those who attended the meeting and shared community
concerns and successes. She commented on the traffic congestion associated with
a recent 7 Brew promotion and noted that she was unaware that similar promotions
occurred regularly. Councilor Flack also thanked Howmet for its continued
investment in the community and asked the Times Record News to note that her
name is Whitney Flack.
Councilor Taylor discussed the Ladies in Leather event at the Harley-Davidson
store, noting that about 450 riders registered and the event brought an estimated
600 visitors to Wichita Falls. He thanked the Police Department for escorting
participants through the city and commented on the event's potential economic
impact through local lodging and sales. Councilor Taylor also expressed
appreciation for the inclusion of a specific capital improvement line item for streets,
alleys, and sidewalks, noting its importance to quality of life, safe routes to school,
and pedestrian safety.
Councilor Battaglino thanked those who organized and participated in local
September 11 remembrance events, including MSU's "9/11 Stories," the Hospice of
Wichita Falls memorial ceremony, and a 110-story stair climb honoring the 343
FDNY firefighters who died on September 11 , 2001 . He noted that one of the fallen
firefighters was the brother of a Wichita Falls resident and said that connection
served as a powerful reminder that, although the attacks occurred in New York City,
their impact continues to be felt locally. Councilor Battaglino also highlighted several
upcoming community events, including the Air Force Ball, the Walk to End
Alzheimer's, the Burn Shop Block Party, Glow Ball for Hospice, and a data center
forum at the library with Mayor Short and Councilor Cobb.
Mayor Short thanked staff for their work on the budget and expressed appreciation
for the reductions in property tax rate and water rates. He highlighted the selection
of Wichita Falls for the Space Force site and noted the potential future impact from
construction, jobs, and personnel associated with the project. Mayor Short also
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recognized Scott Talley, Randall Barker, and Yolanda Prieto as the first recipients
of the Wichita Way Award for excellence in public service and thanked Forward
Wichita Falls and Howmet for their efforts, which will create 230 new jobs in the
community.
14. Executive Sessions
City Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:39 a.m. in accordance with Texas
Government Code §§551 .087 and 551 .071 .
a) Executive Session in accordance with Texas Government Code § 551 .087, to
discuss or deliberate regarding commercial or financial information that the
governmental body has received from a business prospect that the
governmental body seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the
territory of the governmental body and with which the governmental body is
conducting economic development negotiations and/or to deliberate the offer
of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect (Miniature Wonders
and Howmet Aerospace).
b) Executive Session in accordance with Texas Government Code §551 .071 ,
consultation with attorney on matters involving pending or contemplated
litigation or other matters in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental
body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State
Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with the Texas Open Meetings Act (Lucy Park
Renewables, LLC).
Mayor Short reconvened the meeting in open session at 10:16 a.m. and announced
that no votes or polls were taken, and that the proceedings would remain confidential as
provided by law.
15. Adjourn
Mayor Short adjourned the meeting at 10:16 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 6th day of October 2026.
Tim Short, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tqa. 6Aqvet,
Marie Balthrop, TRMMMC
City Clerk
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